Top two clash in Ennis as Cats seek Banner victory
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
Allianz National Hurling League
Clare vs Kilkenny
Cusack Park, Sunday, 1:30pm
Kilkenny make the journey to Ennis on Sunday for a mouthwatering clash with Clare in round four of this season’s Allianz National Hurling League knowing that their unbeaten status will come under serious threat from The Banner. Two wins and a share of the spoils from the first three rounds in this campaign will see Derek Lyng’s charges take to the Cusack Park pitch full of confidence, even if the performances to date haven’t been the ‘full package’.
The hosts will be primed to inflict a first defeat of the league on the Cats and Brian Lohan will have been working hard over the last week to hatch a plan to deliver a positive outcome for his side who coincidentally have an identical record to Sunday’s opponents. With both sides tied on five points from their three outings to date, this weekend’s clash could certainly go a long way to deciding who the group winners will be and as ever, securing a win against a big rival can have massive psychological benefits.
Steering The Banner ship for season number 5, Brian Lohan is a shrewd and thoughtful character who like his opposite number on Sunday, is determined to end the Limerick dominance of the last few years, and the Wolfe Tones Na Sionna clubman has come as close to any in masterminding a knock-out championship victory over the Treaty machine in recent times.
Lohan made some changes to his backroom set-up ahead of this season, with former All-Star Brendan Bugler and Clooney-Quin manager Tommy Corbett joining Clarecastle’s Ken Ralph as selectors, while Lukasz Kirszenstein becomes the 5th S&C specialist to ply their trade under the Clare manager since his appointment. The Polish native had been head of athletic development with the Galway senior hurlers and was part of the set-up that helped claim the Liam MacCarthy cup back in 2017, having been S&C coach with the All-Ireland winning Tipp side a year earlier.
Clare secured victory in their opening two games against Cork and Waterford, the first a 3-point home win and the latter a narrow one-point win over Davy’s Deise at Walsh Park. Their most recent outing saw them take to the road again, this time to Chadwicks Wexford Park where they secured a point against Keith Rossiter’s Yellowbellies.
Against the Rebels, Mark Rodgers was on form from the placed ball, finishing his afternoon’s work with a fine tally of 0-13 while there were eye catching contributions from Seadna Morey (1-1) while the half-forward line of David’s Fitzgerald and Reidy and Robin Mousney notched two points apiece, a tally matched by impressive Sixmilebridge midfielder Cathal Malone.
The Banner’s road trip to tackle Waterford saw a dogged and determined showing that got them over the line by the bare minimum. Inagh-Kilnamona’s Aidan McCarthy was on placed ball duty at Walsh Park in the absence of Rodgers and top scored for his side with a personal tally of 0-8, while one of their leaders, John Conlon, made a welcome return to the fold.
As Kilkenny found out, Wexford under Keith Rossiter are a strong, fit and lively opponent, and Clare stumbled upon this in their most recent outing when they were denied maximum points following sub Jack O’Connor’s late long-range score. Clarecastle’s Cian Broderick made his league debut in goals for Lohan’s side in place of the vastly experienced Eibhear Quilligan while Inagh-Kilnamona’s David Fitzgerald was the pick of the attackers notching 0-5. Substitutes Shane Meehan, Peter Duggan and Mark Rodgers all pointed after their introductions, but The Banner had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Like Kilkenny, Clare are operating without one of their main men. Derek Lyng has allowed TJ Reid to navigate winter himself, knowing that bigger days hopefully lie ahead for the Noresiders and that when the Shamrocks Ballyhale legend returns, he will be in prime condition. Brian Lohan on the other hand is missing the super talent that is Tony Kelly. The Ballyea man underwent surgery on an ankle injury and faces a race to be fit for the start of the Munster Championship, when Clare take on John Kiely’s Limerick on April 21st.
With Tony missing, a lot of attention will be focused on David Fitzgerald in the attacking unit. Along with Mark Rodgers, Aidan McCarthy and David Reidy, The Banner know that they can go toe-to-toe at the top table of hurling, be that league or championship. Fitzgerald who turns 30 later this year, showed Kilkenny in last seasons All-Ireland semi-final cracker at Croker that they definitely in the conversation as one of the teams that has Limerick in their sights.
At the back, All-Star defender John Conlon has the right blend to excel in the half -back half line and is ably supported in the rearguard by the likes of Adam Hogan and Rory Hayes. Seadna Morey has also shown that he is a dangerous asset for his team when raiding forward. In midfield, Cathal Malone has shown an eye for scoring this season and will need to be watched by those in black and amber. Brian Lohan knows that wherever he employs David McInerney, the Tulla man will put in a big performance.
For Derek Lyng and his management team, the performance in the opening period against Offaly wasn’t what he had hoped for or expected, but thankfully his Cats delivered the expected victory in the end. Shamrocks Ballyhale man Adrian Mullen turned in another fine performance along with his goal scoring club mate Eoin Cody to help secure maximum points at UPMC Nowlan Park.
The flame haired Mullen’s electric start to the season has seen him twice voted GAA Player of the Week in February, and his manager will hope that his fine form continues, beginning on Sunday against Clare. Another former Cats captain, Eoin Cody has fond memories of his most recent encounter with The Banner, having turned in a Player of the Match performance in last season’s Croker corker.
The return to the stripes of Mikey Carey has provided a welcome boost to Kilkenny’s cause. The Young Ireland’s man, along with Adrian Mullen were two stand-out players for Derek Lyng against the Faithful County. Galmoy’s Billy Drennan was on placed ball duty and notched 0-11, underlining his credentials in TJ’s continued absence.
Huw Lawlor should return to protect the square, while Mikey Butler will have to look after another Clare player with Tony Kelly recuperating. The half-back line has seen a settled look for the last couple of games, with David Blanchfield, Darragh Corcoran and Glenmore’s Shane Murphy laying down claims to keep the 5,6, and seven jerseys for much longer.
I’d imagine another Murphy; Eoin will reclaim the goalkeeping jersey from St Lachtain’s Darren Brennan, who also managed to get on the scoresheet against Offaly. The All-Star netminder will hope he doesn’t need to repeat his heroics from the semi-final in Croker when he pulled off a miraculous save from Peter Duggan. This could be another classic. Should the Cats prevail, they could well find themselves in another league final.
