The visit of Offaly next up for Noresiders
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
Leinster SHC – Round 4
Kilkenny vs Offaly
UPMC Nowlan Park, Saturday, 6pm
Referee: Colm McDonald (Antrim)
Kilkenny welcome Offaly to UPMC Nowlan Park tomorrow evening, hoping to maintain their perfect start to the defence of their Leinster crown (Throw-in 6pm). It’s been a case of so far, so good for Derek Lyng’s side as they continue their quest for a sixth consecutive Bob O’Keefe Cup with victories secured over Galway and most recently Antrim. The management will no doubt be demanding to back the first two round performances up by condemning the Faithful County to a third defeat in this season’s provincial competition, but will give tomorrow’s opponents the utmost respect, knowing that taking your eye off the ball can be a dangerous game.
While Johnny Kelly’s charges may be pointless in their Leinster campaign to date, the midlands side have shown enough in 2025 to suggest that they can cause many sides problems and their visit to Noreside will not be taken lightly. Offaly’s showings in this seasons Allianz league will have given them plenty of heart and finishing just one point behind winners Waterford is a strong indication of the capabilities of this side. Don’t forget, Offaly finished ahead of Dublin, a team that has had designs on a Leinster crown themselves. Portumna clubman Kelly, was a key part of Michael Fennelly’s backroom team as they revived the fortunes of the senior hurlers and took full control of the Faithful County in Autumn 2022 as continuity was favoured, given the progress that had been made under the guidance of the former Kilkenny great.
As mentioned, Offaly only had the Deise ahead of them in division 1B of the league. In their six games, they managed four wins, a draw and just the one defeat in their run to second place. An eye-catching victory over Dublin was one of the highlights for Kelly’s team with other wins gained in games against Westmeath, Laois and Antrim, with the one loss coming against 1B winners Waterford. First up for Offaly was a home tie with Carlow, and in truth, they didn’t do enough to take maximum points, instead having to settle for a draw when Marty Kavanagh equalised deep into stoppage time.
The Joe McDonagh champions travelled to O’Moore Park for round 2, and secured the win, thanks to starring performances from Brian Duignan and Dan Ravenhill, who contributed 0-18 between them. Sub David Nally netted with his first touch of the game for the icing on the cake as Johnny Kelly’s outfit ran out 9-point winners as they moved onto three points in the group. Next up for the Faithful County was the challenge of Davy Fitz’s Saffrons side, and the northern side put in an extremely disappointing showing in Tullamore, going down by some 15-points. Again, Brian Duignan was instrumental in all that was good about the home side, notching 12 points in his sides victory. The majors came from Dan Ravenhill and Killian Sampson, one in each half as the hosts cantered to an easy win. A game against the Dubs at Croke Park saw a titanic encounter, which Offaly came out the right side of, by the bare minimum. Dan Ravenhill was the hero, striking over a booming free from way inside his own half deep into injury time to secure the big win.
Glenisk O’Connor Park was once again the venue for Offaly as they welcomed Westmeath for the round 4 clash. This was a game that defences dominated, and it turned into a free-taking shootout between Killian Doyle and Brian Duignan, both placed ball specialists hitting 0-14 a piece, but it was the home side that had the more effective supporting cast, Oisin Kelly notching 0-3 and Killian Sampson finding the net as Offaly won by six. A trip to Walsh Park followed, when they took on the might of Waterford. A 12-point salvo from Stephen Bennett and penalty stop from netminder Billy Nolan proved crucial as the visitors were up against it when James Mahon got a straight red card from Johnny Murphy for a high tackle on Gavin Fives about ten minutes before the interval. Both sides new that they would meet again, in the league final.
The banks of the River Lee was the backdrop as the sides clashed again, and once more it was the Deise that came out on top. Peter Queally’s charges controlled matter for almost 55 minutes, but a stirring comeback from Offaly, which saw them hit 1-8 without reply almost caught Waterford out, but they did enough to lift the silverware in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
There is no doubt that in Brian Duignan, Offaly have a player that will punish any placed ball opportunities given. The Durrow clubman is a real handful and has good support in Dan’s; Bourke and Ravenhill who he has a good understanding with from the club game. The talented Oisin Kelly and Killian Sampson should start tomorrow and will look to trouble the Cats backline. Given that the Faithful County have been without star man Adam Screeney so far this season as the Kilcormac-Killoughey player has plagued by an osteitis pubis injury, and given his importance to the side, not only now but for years ahead, his return has not been rushed. In defence, Ben Conneely, Ciarán Burke, Pádraig Cantwell have been showing well, while Tubber’s Donal Shirley may find himself anchoring things in the ‘6’ role. The last line of defence should see another of the Durrow contingent line out in the shape of Mark Troy. The netminder will no doubt be expecting a busy evening on Noreisde.
Kilkenny meanwhile will look to push on, and evidently have the firepower to trouble Offaly. Eoin Cody and Mossy Keoghan have been in good nick, while Billy Ryan and Fionan Mackessy have been contributing plenty to the Cats attack. Obviously, TJ and Adrian Mullen are on the way back (hopefully!) and will add plenty to the men in stripes cause. Cian Kenny and Jordan Molloy have been more than holding their own in the engine room, while adding scores to the Noresiders totals in games to date. Eoin Murphy will keep Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor and Tommy Walsh on their toes in front of him. Mikey Carey has put in some eye-catching performances and troubling the scoreboard also, the Young Ireland’s man is a fine hurler, a great mix of skill and determination. The likes of Luke Hogan, Harry Shine and Billy Drennan will all hope to get minutes into their legs in this round 3 clash, one which should see the men in black and amber record a third win in the provincial campaign.
