Lyng’s Cats seeking to down the Faithful County
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
Allianz National Hurling League
Kilkenny vs Offaly
Sunday, 1:45pm,
UPMC Nowlan Park
Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary)
Kilkenny will look to secure a second win in this season’s Allianz hurling league when they welcome Offaly to UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday (throw-in 1:45pm). Having picked up maximum points on the road last time out in a thriller against Cork, Derek Lyng will look to build on that performance against the Faithful County.
Offaly have been working hard over the last number of years to restore their place in the Leinster hurling hierarchy. Great strides were made under Cats legend Michael Fennelly, and his sterling work is continuing under Johnny Kelly, and such is the level of optimism in the county, the recent draw with Wexford at Netwatch Cullen Park, was viewed as 2 points dropped. They certainly didn’t help themselves, hitting 14 wides against 13-man Wexford.
Kelly’s side find themselves with that solitary point gained on Slaneyside as their return from the opening two rounds of fixtures. They began their campaign with a 12-point defeat at home to Davy Fitz’s Deise and know that tougher challenges lie ahead, and they start with a trip to the Marble City to take on Kilkenny. After this weekend they face stern tests against both Cork and Clare as they seek to build some momentum for a tough Joe McDonagh cup run.
The visitors will look to their main focal point in attack, Brian Duignan, to keep the scoreboard moving in UPMC Nowlan Park. Son of County Chairperson and Offaly legend, Michael, Brian weighed in with 1-7 last time out and will relish his battle with Huw Lawlor. One of the rising stars in the Faithful County is young Adam Screeney, who looks to have a seriously bright future ahead of him. The Kilcormac–Killoughey youngster has troubled many defences over the last 12 months and will look to cause trouble for the Kilkenny rearguard on Sunday. Screeney’s talent is in no doubt, it is his size that raises doubts as to his effectiveness at senior inter-county level.
At the back, Ben Conneely, Cillian Kiely and Sampson’s Jason and Killian will try to stand firm against a very agile and mobile Cats forward line. Based on the opening two rounds of the league, Kilkenny’s midfield should come out on top this Sunday. With this should come the platform for the likes of Eoin Cody, Adrian Mullen, Billy Drennan etc. to ply their trade and run up a decent total.
Derek Lyng has looked at a few players so far and we might see minutes for some other names this weekend. Walter Walsh had a short time on Leeside to show the danger and problems he continues to pose for the opposition, while Glenmore’s Shane Murphy put in an excellent performance at wing back. With higher education matters now finished, Galmoy’s Billy Drennan might get a little more game time as well.
We have seen the gradual introduction of the O’Loughlin Gaels lads, with only really this season’s captain Paddy Deegan to come back into the fold. As mentioned in previous weeks, I would love to see David Fogarty get some minutes in the remaining three rounds of fixtures.
Shamrocks Ballyhale’s Adrian Mullen was outstanding in Cork, coupling his endless all –action style with some quality scores to get his side over the line. Mossy Keoghan is another who would like to get more minutes in the legs, and you would think that the Tullaroan man’s direct style could really hurt the Offaly defence.
The Village’s Cian Kenny is another that has showed well so far this campaign and has got through lots of work in the middle third. Kevin Blanchfield of Bennettsbridge could well be employed in the engine room against Offaly, as I would imagine that the management team would like to see more of what the talented midfielder can offer this Cats team.
Barring any complacency, Sunday should see a second victory in the Allianz league for Lyng’s charges and set up two heavyweight clashes away to Clare and Waterford.
