Maximum points a must from Tullamore trip
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
Leinster GAA Senior Hurling Championship 2026
Offaly vs Kilkenny
Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore
Sunday, 3pm
We’re on the road again, we’re on our way to paradise. That’s a line from a well-known song. From a Kilkenny point of view, only the first part is correct. This Sunday Derek Lyng takes his team to Tullamore, knowing they need to record a second victory in this season’s Leinster GAA Senior Hurling Championship to keep the defence of their provincial crown on track. Defeat in Salthill was followed up by a comfortable win over Wexford in UPMC Nowlan Park, and the Cats need to continue that winning feeling when they take on The Faithful County this weekend.
Offaly’s league campaign didn’t go as planned; Johnny Kelly’s side failed to pick up a point from their six outings, which included a trip to Noreside on the last weekend in January. The stats back up their bottom-place finish in Division 1A; they were the side that scored the least and conceded the most, not the foundations for retaining your place at the top table. When The Faithful County came to town for the round 1 clash with Kilkenny, they fought well and only went down by four points in a low scoring contest in typical tricky underfoot winter hurling conditions. Eoin Cody’s contribution ensured the home side claimed maximum points that day. Perhaps that outing was a taste of what was ahead for our senior hurlers who experienced a very underwhelming and disappointing league campaign.
Sunday’s hosts opened their Leinster campaign with a share of the spoils against Niall Ó Ceallacháin’s Dublin in Glenisk O’Connor Park. The Faithful County raised four green flags that day against a very experienced and battled hardened side and despite losing to Galway, something we know all too well, Johnny Kelly’s side should go into this weekend’s clash with plenty of confidence from their performance against the men from the Capital. There has been plenty of great work down in Offaly over the last number of years, starting with the roots put down by Shamrocks Ballyhale and Kilkenny legend, Michael Fennelly, and they are not afraid to blood their up-and-coming talent. Highlighting that is the fact that Offaly had nine starters from their 2024 All-Ireland winning side on duty against the Dubs, and another two from the provincial winning side a year earlier.
Backed by a large contingent from the Kilcormac-Killoughey club, Offaly are a county that on any day can claim the scalp of one of the so-called ‘big names’ and Derek Lyng will be aware of the danger that lies ahead in Tullamore. The full-forward line that took to the pitch for the first two rounds, is one that possesses plenty of threat. Target man, Brian Duignan is usually flanked by two of the K-K clan, Charlie Mitchell and Adam Screeney. Those three players alone contributed 3-14 to their total of 4-22 against the Metropolitans. Others with telling cameos that day were Shane Rigney and Dan Bourke, the latter certainly one of the key men in Johnny Kelly’s team as is his Durrow clubmate, Ciaran Burke who could feature on Sunday also. Offaly will hope that the trio of Brecon Kavanagh, Cathal King and Dan Ravenhill will be fit to return to action on Sunday, having missed the Galway defeat through injury.
One player that The Faithful County have been glad to welcome back into fold is Charlie Mitchell. The Kilcormac-Killoughey man missed the entire league campaign due to health concerns but thankfully received the all-clear that allowed the speedy forward to return to the starting line-up in the draw with Dublin and Mitchell shook off the rustiness by registering 1-3. I’d imagine that the Shamrocks Ballyhale contingent in the Kilkenny will be keen to pass on their best to Mr. Mitchell, as he was the player that ended Adrian Mullen’s involvement in Leinster Club series, with what Henry Shefflin described as a ‘dirty blow’. That aside, as mentioned, Kilcormac-Killoughey has a large footprint over this Offaly side. The chemistry between the clubmates is clear for all to see, across all areas of the pitch, from Ter Guinan, Colin Spain and Brecon Kavanagh to the more forward thinking pairing of Mitchell and Screeney. The Offaly rearguard normally consists of Belmont’s Patrick Taaffe, Ben Conneely of St Rynagh’s and Durrow’s Sam Bourke. Shinrone’s Killian Sampson usually anchors from the ‘6’ position, and whoever flanks the powerful Sampson, will have a license to roam forward. Netminding duties have been covered by Carrig-Riverstown’s Liam Hoare. Midfield should see another Belmont clubman, Jack Clancy in tandem with Ross Ravenhill; this duo will provide a stern test for whichever duo Derek Lyng selects for the Cats.
Back to Noreside, the stakes are no less; the winning needs to continue if we are to continue looking after Bob O’Keefe for another season. The win over a disappointing Wexford side needs to be built on in Tullamore. The return of Eoin Murphy between the sticks has been heavily discussed since that win, but it certainly is no reflection on Aidan Tallis’s performances in the stripes this season. The Glenmore man’s experience has probably put him back in pole position for the number one jersey, but the former All-Star keeper knows that he will need to deliver otherwise the Lisdowney clubman will be back in. It was good to see Mikey Carey back in action and the Young Ireland’s clubman offer’s plenty to the side, speed, physicality and reading of the game. Another Mikey will flank him in once corner; the number 4 jersey could be up for grabs. One player that should be nailed on to start is vice-captain, Darragh Corcoran, whose performances have been eye-catching this season. The Shamrocks man is likely to have Messrs. Blanchfield and Deegan for company.
Jordan Molloy and Killian Doyle formed the midfield partnership against Wexford and did well and should get another chance in Tullamore on Sunday. The change at midfield allowed The Village’s Cian Kenny to ply his trade slightly further forward, and this was reflected in his scoring return of 1-3. The James Stephens man is a joy to watch, no matter the position. While many of the headlines captured TJ Reid’s phenomenal scoring achievements, the man that sparkled in the Wexford win was Martin Keoghan. The Tullaroan man was unmarkable as he terrorised the Slaneysider’s defence, finishing his evenings work with 2-3. A repeat showing from Sash marksman Mossy and a second win of the provincial series should be secured. I’d love to see Eoin Cody’s work rate and selfless running be reflected on the scoreboard; this would instill some much-needed confidence in the former captain. Dicksboro’s Liam Moore has performed well in the senior stripes and offers a new dimension to the Kilkenny attack. My last wish would be for Adrian Mullen to make a return to the black and amber. The qualities that the Ballyhale man brings to either club or county are formidable and have been lacking since he underwent his various surgeries. So, the plan is simple, get the win in Tullamore and then we can look forward to welcoming Brian Dowling’s Kildare to UPMC Nowlan Park next week.
Another great win for Henry Shefflin’s U20 side as they advance to the provincial semi-final with a 25 point demolition of Offaly in UPMC Nowlan Park on Bank Holiday Monday. Star of the show was Patrick Lacey who notched 3-5 from play in the opening period in a sparkling performance. The young Cats will face off against Dublin in the last four clash in Parnell Park tomorrow at 12 noon.
