Club action resumes on Noreside
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
The condensed feeling of the hurling season continues to creep up on us with the Kilkenny senior league getting underway on the final day of July. Just as the dust has settled on a mixed bag on the intercounty front, the bread-and-butter returns as our clubs prepare to battle the top honors on Noreside.
Last season it was O’Loughlin Gaels that took the St. Canice’s Credit Union league title, having gone unbeaten in the group stages, Brian Hogan’s outfit faced off against Tullaroan in the decider, and had 15 points to spare over Ken Coogan’s team at the long whistle. However, the Hebron Road based team came unstuck in the championship final, losing to ‘surprise package’ Thomastown in UPMC Nowlan Park.
Noel Doherty’s side finished runners-up to The Sash in Group A and surprisingly came unstuck in the Shield final against a hungrier Mullinavat side. John Donnelly and co. perhaps had their eyes on a bigger prize and this proved to be the case as they got their hands on the Tom Walsh Cup for just the second time in their history.
A couple of major talking points from last season’s competition were undoubtably the relegation of James Stephens and the patch form of Shamrocks Ballyhale, the latter getting the better of The Village in a relegation semi-final. The Defeat to the South Kilkenny side meant Brian Cody would have to battle Glenmore to remain at the top table, but it was an Alan Murphy inspired performance that saw the Pairc Sheamuis Stiopháin outfit relegated for the first time in almost 69 years. No doubt they will be aiming to get back to senior level at the first time of asking with a new man at the helm in the shape of Eoin Larkin. The eight-time All-Ireland winner had been working alongside the legendary Brian Cody but will be the main man this time round and will have Jackie Tyrrell and Matthew Ruth with him as part of his backroom team.
We all know that Shamrocks Ballyhale don’t necessarily take the league too seriously, but there would have been some serious breaths of relief when they condemned The Village to the relegation decider. However, last season’s struggles saw a change of manager at the most successful club on the Island, with one of Kilkenny’s favourite sons returning for a second spell in the hotseat, the legendary Henry Shefflin. Fresh from his sabbatical in the West, Henry takes up the reigns at Páirc na Seamróg, having led his beloved club to glory as both player and manager. Three All-Ireland titles while playing and two further crowns added in 2019 and 2020 during his first spell in charge. Shefflin will be joined by Mark Aylward and Eoin Reid as selectors as the Shamrocks aim to regain top spot on Noreside. Having won a record five county titles in a row between 2018 and 2022, the mission is simple, regain the Tom Walsh Cup. You never know where the road will take you after that.
Indeed, it is the 2023 All-Ireland senior club champions that get matters underway next Thursday, when they take on Bennttsbridge in lovely Thomastown (Throw-in 7pm). We will learn more about the possible involvement of county players closer to the game, but both these sides will want to get off on the right foot in the round one clash. The likes of Niall Shortall, Killian Corcoran and Dean Mason should all be available for the Ballyhale outfit, while there should be at least one Blanchfield lining out for the ‘Bridge. Throw the evergreen Sean Morrissey and Ciaran Brennan into the mix with the possibility of at least one Cleere starting and it’s an experienced side that Shefflin’s charges will come up against.
Saturday sees the rest of the senior sides spring into summer action. The games are nicely staggered, so you could take in three games on the day if you fancy it! The 2pm throw-in’s see Dicksboro take on intermediate champions, Lisdowney at Páirc Lachtain. The Palmerstown outfit won’t take the newly promoted side lightly and know that the likes of Liam Dunphy, Brian Kavanagh, Jordan’s Dylan and Cathal and Aidan Tallis will provide a stern test. Unfortunately for the ‘Boro, young Harry Shine won’t be involved for a good while having suffered a cruciate ligament injury while training with the Cats in the lead up to the semi-final defeat to Tipp. There is plenty of quality in Dicksboro, with the likes of Cillian Hackett, Timmy Clifford, Padraic Moylan and Liam Moore, to name but a few, for a team that many see as possible champions.
Danesfort is the venue for Mullinavat’s clash with Erins Own. The Castlecomer men have flirted with relegation over the last few seasons but will go into this season this renewed hope. The Vegas Boys are the reigning Shield holders and will be keen to build on an historic season which also included taking the scalp of neighbours Shamrocks Ballyhale in the league.
Bennettsbridge is the venue for the 4pm game, with Clara taking on Graigue Ballycallan and O’Loughlin Gaels facing Glenmore respectively. The clash of Clara and the Tom Ryall Park side could be a tight encounter in the ‘Bridge, but GBC have some great young players coming through, like Aaron McEvoy and Jeff Neary, both who were part of the beaten Kilkenny U20 side that lost out to Tipp this year. The 6pm meeting of O’Loughlin’s and Glenmore in Inchacarran is an interesting fixture. The St Johns Park side have plenty of depth in their panel, and this might be put to the test in round one. Glenmore have quality stickmen too, taking out a trio of Murphy’s, you have Ian Byrne, Billy Reid, Phelan’s, Charlie and Ethan and a couple of U20 stars in Darragh Vereker and Jack Dollard.
The second of the 6pm games sees County champions Thomastown begin their campaign at John Locke Park when they take on Tullaroan. Noel Doherty’s outfit have been on a great run in recent seasons, having knocked on the door for quite a few seasons. Firstly, they secured the intermediate title and a return to the top table, alongside the All-Ireland title at the same grade. The ‘Town didn’t take long to find their feet at senior level, and kept the success coming when comprehensively defeating holders, O’Loughlin Gaels in the final. The reward for the progression in Thomastown saw a number of players included in this season’s county panel which was captained by the brilliant John Donnelly. Peter McDonald, Connellan’s Peter and luke, Stephen Donnelly and the dynamic Zac Bay Hammond all saw action in the senior stripes.
Tullaroan have many weapons themselves, including arguably Kilkenny’s best performer during the intercounty season in Martin Keoghan. Mossy has developed into a top-notch hurler, with an eye for goal and will be crucial for his club and county for years to come. Throw Walsh’s Padraig, Shane and Tommy into the mix along with Gearoid Dunne, Dylan Simpson and John Walton and The Sash will pose problems for many opponents this season.
It promises to be another competitive and compelling season of league and championship action on Noreside. Can Thomastown defend their crown? Will O’Loughlin’s talented squad reclaim the title? Can Dicksboro come of age and deliver? Will Henry restore his Shamrocks to the top? Many, many questions. It’s all about the club!
