Kilkenny GAA Thread

Lyng was asked after the match he said he was fine but he had a bit of tightness during the week.

I was wondering if it was shoulder rather than leg, he wasn't striking the ball well

the pulling of arms I thought had reached a new level yesterday. Was near impossible to get the ball onto the hurley or handpass at times. Not sure how some of the handpass changes being trialled are going to work if the refereeing stays as poor as it currently is

That Cork team would blow us out of the water, they have pace everywhere compared to us, and much more skilful hurlers.

Cork on their displays vs Limerick would pretty much blow everyone out of the water but they've no medals won yet.

Not sure its fair to say that Ballyhale fell off completely, they reached the county final and lost narrowly against a team that played in the All Ireland Final, don't think that under 17 wins are going to be a massive indicator of future success although obviously its better to win them, the minor team has been generally pretty competitive since 2014, beating a fair few munster finalists over that period, the performances of the under 20s has been very poor and I think that development between 17/18 and 21/22 is where we are not doing great, similar to Galway in that respect.

They have just 3 (4 if you include Connolly who was in match day 26 but wasnt used), Eoin Downey, Ciaran Joyce and Brian Hayes.

There is a a lazy view going around that this is a brand new young Cork team. It isn't it's age profile is actually above average, 9 players who started yesterday are 26 or older, Just one player (Eoin Downey) is under 22. 1999 Cork, it isn't.

THe fact of the matter is we are still in naughties mode hurling tactics and it is stubbornly in every player and management's style of play when the pressure comes on. Worst thing said by anyone is shane dowling saying that a kilkenny forward just needs to be lucky once when long ball goes in. Look at that twitter analysis video shared earlier on this page and teams are well able for us. Tom mullally quoted that put kk under pressure and we lump it. And yes, the full team/panel of players we have are not what we were used to 15 years ago (albeit this team might have done well if they were hurling 20 years ago) but the sorry fact of the matter is that the red wave of Cork's playing population expertly harvested by super player development is upon us- ala the dublin population blue wave and unfortunately we could end up trying to improve ourselves but ultimately standing still like wex and waterford- and not much can be done about that when ultimately it's a numbers game or the super rare freak lottery of a golden generation coming along.

All the criticism Tommy Walsh gets. Does anyone seriously think Michael Kavanagh would survive in today's game if he were targeted the the way Tommy is. And.Mick Kavanagh is on the pedestal.

This next bit could get me excommunicated and i don't even believe it myself but here it goes: We need Davy Fitz. Davy would have them fit. They would not resort to lumping ball from inside their own 45. A system would at least be in place for when things aren't sticking.

Our last attack was infuriating. Short puck out to cusack stand 21 flag. Lawlor was lose in the 6 position with noone near him. If huw gets the ball then who is going to stop him breaking a tackle and lines. Huw didn't look to want it not the wing or corner thought to find him. Lump lump.lump.

Had we won anyway we cld have been in bother against the cork athletes and skillful hurlers. Wld have been praying for a cork wobbler moreso.

Had it been Limerick-Maybe the aerial threat of TJ against Limerick might have rolled the dice and hunger pressure whatever.. but in reality had we improved since last year?

No get him in around the extended panel and used to the environment asap

It was typical of Donal Og to highlight 2 handpasses which he said were legitimate and to ignore 50 plus illegitimate handpasses. As far as I am concerned, the handpasses in question were fouls as you couldn't see in real time any release and definite striking motion with the hand. If a player has an issue with being penalised, tough luck. He will learn how to make sure he is not penalised the next time. Throw balls and excessive steps are a blight on the game and reduce the game of hurling as they require little skill