Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Allianz Hurling League Roinn 1B Kilkenny vs Laois

Sunday February 27th, UPMC Nowlan Park, 2pm

Kilkenny will take to the UPMC Nowlan Park turf on Sunday, looking to bounce back from their injury-time defeat to Tipperary, when they face-o against Laois in round 3 of the Allianz Hurling league.

Brian Cody will be eager to see his charges dust themselves o and get back to winning ways against a team that has lost both games in their campaign to date.

While the game in urles a couple of weeks ago, wasn’t high on quality, it was certainly a very entertaining a air, and while Colm Bonnar’s team won by the minimum, the result could have gone the other way, or even a share of the spoils. e victory in round 1 over Antrim was no walk in the park either, but the Cats held on to claim full points at UPMC Nowlan Park, against Darren Gleeson’s battling Sa rons. e early rounds of the league, historically, are the training ground for counties. ey get to blood new players, try some out in di erent positions and generally have a blank canvas with which to experiment. is year however, is a little di erent, as the championship comes hot on the heels of the Allianz league. If you su er a bad league campaign, it can be very di cult to re-group quickly and build any momentum for the business part of the season.

Winter hurling, and yes, it is very much still winter, can be very unpredictable. Conditions underfoot on many pitches will test the best of hurlers, but put that together with the weather elements and one never knows what the outcome might be at the end of many games!

Let’s take a look at Sunday’s opponents, Laois.

As we said earlier, e O’Moore County have started this year’s league with two defeats. eir opening day defeat, at home to Tipp saw Cheddars men battle well, but come up 4 points short at the long whistle. It’s worth noting that Laois played the last 25 minutes of that game with 14 men, having had Paddy Purcell redcarded following an o the ball incident with Craig Morgan. Six points behind and a man down, that could have spelt disaster, but to their credit, Laois dug in and ensured that Tipp had to work hard to claim the points.

Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher was again the main contributor of scores, hitting 8 points, including 5 from frees. Enda Rowland nished with 1-3, and was unlucky when his late free from the ‘21 was tipped over by Tipp keeper Hogan. ere was also a very impressive cameo from James Keyes, who notched 0-3 from the bench.

How Laois battled against Tipp wouldn’t be indicative of what would happen in their round 2 match with Waterford in Walsh Park. Cheddar’s charges su ered a heavy 33-point defeat to the Deise men, who don’t forget, elded without any of their Ballygunner contingent. Enda Rowland would see his net breached some SEVEN times as a four-goal salvo in the four minutes leading up to halftime, proved to be Laois’s undoing. Despite playing with wind advantage in the rst-half, the O’Moore County found themselves 5-12 to 0-11 down at the short whistle, with 4-5 of Waterford’s half-time score coming in the last 8 minutes of the opening period.

Once again, Laois saw an improbable task turn into an impossible one, when Slieve Bloom club man Ben Conroy was then sent o for a challenge on Tom Barron early in the second half, meaning that unless there’s a last-minute appeal. Conroy won’t be available to line out against the Cats on Sunday.

Picky Maher hit another 0-8 in the defeat to Waterford, while wing-forward Ross king notched 0-4, but Laois only registered 8-points in the second period, playing against the elements.

Laois will look to the Clough/Ballacolla men when they roll up to UPMC Nowlan Park this weekend. Picky Maher, Willie Dunphy, Aidan Corby, Stephen Bergin and Jordan Walshe all have recent experience of Kilkenny opposition, and it didn’t end well that day when Shamrocks Ballyhale in icted a 27-point defeat on them in the Leinster Final. Picky Maher was kept very quiet that day in Croker, thanks to a wonderful man-marking job by Darren Mullen.

Cheddar will know that it will be imperative that Laois keep their full quota of players against Cody’s Cats, if they are to stand any chance of a positive outcome on Sunday. Indeed, Plunkett made reference to the red cards dished out to his team this season recently, when he questioned if physicality was being taken out of the game and dismissed any suggestions that his side are ill-disciplined.

Turning our attention to the black and

Paddy Deegan

Billy Ryan has looked lively

Kilkenny seek home comforts

Laois next up for Cody’s Cats

Brian Cody will want to get back to winning ways

The Nowlan Park faithful will hope to on their feet on Sunday!

Eoin Murphy could get the nod against Laois

Mossy Keoghan has scored 2-3 in the league this season

Padraig Walsh has been on the front foot this season

amber, Brian Cody will be stressing the importance of this game to his panel. It may well be the nal two outings against Dublin and Waterford, before we see the Ballyhale boys back in their county colours. Kilkenny veteran, TJ Reid will de nitely not be making a surprise re-appearance in the new county jersey this weekend, as he and his wife, Niamh de Brún have nally managed to get away on honeymoon, following Shamrocks extended club season, which ended in injury-time heartbreak, as Ballygunner stole the All-Ireland crown deep in stoppage time.

To compound matters for the Shamrocks County stars, Eoin Cody went on to su er semi nal heartache, when he and his IT Carlow squad lost out in similar fashion to Dean Mason’s UL in their recent Fitzgibbon Cup match. e club form shown by Ronan Corcoran in the season just nished, will have given Cats manager Brian Cody plenty to think about, in his search for additional squad depth. It will be interesting to see if the imposing and skillful mid elder can make the squad in the coming weeks, tness permitting.

In the Noresiders opening round xture with Antrim, the squad had to battle right to the long whistle to secure the expected victory. Mossy Keoghan at No.14 proved to be the main thorn in the Sa rons side at UPMC Nowlan Park, nishing the day with 2-2. He was supported in the scoring stakes by Padraig Walsh, who hit two lovely points and the accurate free-taking of omastown’s John Donnelly and Conahy Shamrocks, James Bergin, who contributed 7 points between them.

Kilkenny opted to start the Antrim game with St Lachtains Darren Brennan between the sticks, and he certainly earned his stripes, with an unbelievable save late on from Donal Nugent to ensure the Cats emerged with maximum points. Glenmore’s Eoin Murphy played against Tipp, and one puck-out aside, also acquitted himself well. e trip to Tipp was always going to be a much more interesting xture. To many of the socalled pundits, the game highlighted the gulf between those teams considered to be ‘top table and the rest.

In testing conditions, both Bonnar & Cody’s men delivered what they could and while the result didn’t go the Cats way, the managers will have taken plenty from the urles clash.

O’Loughlin’s Huw Lawlor was in good form, and will no doubt be one of the defensive lynchpins for Kilkenny this season. Mikey Butler has also stuck to his task well during both outings to date. In front of Huw Lawlor, you would normally nd Padraig Walsh, but not so far this season. e talented Tullaroan man has been deployed at No.11 in the rst two games, notching 6 points in total. We could well see him line-out in the attacking third again this Sunday. ere’s no doubt that Brian Cody has been experimenting in the opening two rounds of the Allianz league. Will we see Padraig Walsh at No.11, Paddy Deegan at No.9 come the Leinster Championship? Only time will tell. Walsh’s usual berth at centre-back has been shared around a little in the Walsh cup and league games. James Stephens Niall Brassil got the nod against Tipp, while Huw Lawlor had the No.6 jersey against Antrim. We have also seen Conor Heary there, during the Walsh Cup games.

In attack, Billy Ryan has looked lovely in his run-outs. His role in the Cats goal last time out against Tipp was crucial. Both Ryan and John Donnelly have dove-tailed well with Mossy, and may well get another opportunity against the O’Moore County. e Laois defence will certainly know they’ve been in a game after sparring with Mossy Keoghan.

Whatever XV Cody goes with from the start, Kilkenny should have enough about them to take maximum points and leave Cheddar pointless come Sunday evening.

>> SHERRY SAYS...

In theory, Laois is the perfect game for Kilkenny to get back on the horse, following the defeat to Tipp. Cheddar’s side have a 100% record in the Allianz League – played two, lost two. e 100% record should be maintained on Sunday.

It will be interesting to see who gets the nod to at UPMC Nowlan Park this weekend. I for one, would love to see Cian Kenny get another run-out. e engine room is going to be so crucial, especially come championship time.

Is there anything that Padraig Walsh can’t do? His score-taking from the centreforward position has been outstanding. Class and quality always shine through, no matter what jersey some players throw on. e goalkeeping position is another interesting one. Despite Eoin Murphy’s club season at No.6, you don’t feel that Mr. B Cody will play the Glenmore man out the eld. After all, Eoin, is an All-Star goalkeeper. St. Lachtains Darren Brennan hasn’t done anything wrong, and is there if needed. Shamrock’s keeper, Dean Mason could also be knocking on the door in the near future. omastown’s John Donnelly will most likely be on placed ball duty on Sunday. To date, he has delivered in the absence of TJ.

Billy Ryan has shown glimpses of his talent, especially against Tipp. ere’s no doubt that he and Mossy can really hurt the Laois rear guard. Mossy will hope to raise another green ag if selected.

Let’s beat Laois, then move on to the clash with the Metropolitans. We can then perhaps start to see an enhanced Cats squad with Ballyhale representation. One step at a time sweet Jesus!

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 1 Group 2 Clare vs Kilkenny

BRIAN Dowling will take his panel to Clare for their second round Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League xture on Sunday as he looks to make it back-to-back wins for the Senior Ladies.

Having seen o the spirited challenge of the Treaty County in Callan earlier this month, Dowling will be hoping to further improvement from his squad as they seek to continue the defence of their league title.

Standing in the Marble County’s way will be the Banner, under the joint stewardship of Conor Dolan and John Carmody. For the rst time since Clare’s arrival into senior camogie in 2009, the adult panels have merged their coaching and training resources to form a twin-pronged approach the season.

Joint senior captain, Clare Hehir in her second year leading the Banner seniors has spoken highly of the dual approach being taken by the camogie hierarchy and believes the large numbers at training coupled with new voices in the coaching set-up, can only enhance the players development.

Hehir will have to do without her co-captain Niamh O’Dea, who will miss the entire league campaign due to a broken wrist, but her absence will present opportunities for others within the panel. Speaking to local media ahead of her county’s league campaign, the captain knows that the depth is there and that the squad will need to be ready.”

“ e intensity of training is unbelievable, the hits are going in and training at the weekend, you’d de nitely know that the rst round of the league is coming up this weekend. And that’s what is needed, for the junior players to push the seniors on and who knows you might even see them lining out at senior before the year is out”. e full-back added: “Injuries can come at any time of year but they do give the opportunity for other girls to put their hand up and if they want that position badly enough, it will give the management a headache. We’ve two big tests coming up with Cork and Kilkenny both coming to Clare in the space of a week so it’s just about showing what we’ve been working on in training over the past few weeks.” e Banner’s opening round game with Cork in Ennis, ended in an 8-point defeat, but the Rebel County’s second goal came in injury time and somewhat attered the Leesiders, who experience probably just saw them home. Clare had decent performances from captain Hehir, along with the half-back line in front of her and keeper Clarecastle club woman, Doireann Murphy. In the attacking third, Truagh-Clonlara duo, Aine O’Loughlin and Eimear Kelly looked lively throughout.

Like all recent sports action, the weather elements have played a huge part in the quality of produce served up across the Island. e most talked about action from Clare’s defeat to Cork was probably the red cards shown to Cork mentor Davy Fitzgerald and the home sides Conor Dolan in the closing stages of the game.

Sixmilebridge’s Chloe Morey is a very talented camog, and will be well known to the Cats players. Morey was one of the Banner’s

Clare next up as Cats seek second win

Ti i Fitzgerald will look to halt Clare

Banner challenge challenge for stripey for stripey women women

Sarah Crowley has stepped up Katie Nolan scorer supreme

Grace Walsh will stick to her task

Katie Power will hope to get more playing time

Ste i Fitzgerald

Manager Brian Brian Dowling will hope will hope to keep to keep winning top scorers last season, and will hope to trouble the Kilkenny defence this weekend. trouble the Kilkenny defence this weekend. Clare should also be boosted with the Clare should also be boosted with the return of the Scari Ogonnelloe contingent, return of the Scari Ogonnelloe contingent, following their All-Ireland Senior Club following their All-Ireland Senior Club

Championship Semi-Final defeat to Oulart Championship Semi-Final defeat to Oulart the Ballagh in Clonmel recently. the Ballagh in Clonmel recently. While Clare opened their league While Clare opened their league campaign with that defeat to Cork, campaign with that defeat to Cork, Kilkenny picked up maximum points Kilkenny picked up maximum points in Callan with an 8-point win over in Callan with an 8-point win over Limerick in Callan. e reigning Limerick in Callan. e reigning league champions were out through league champions were out through their paces by the Treaty County, but their paces by the Treaty County, but had a little too much class for the had a little too much class for the visitors. Last season’s shining light, visitors. Last season’s shining light, Katie Nolan was very impressive Katie Nolan was very impressive and nished with a personal tally of and nished with a personal tally of 1-8, including ve scores from the 1-8, including ve scores from the placed ball and an exquisitely taken placed ball and an exquisitely taken goal in the opening period. e St goal in the opening period. e St Martins attacking star is certainly on Martins attacking star is certainly on an upward trajectory, and can have an upward trajectory, and can have another productive season with the another productive season with the stripey women. stripey women.

Keeping Katie company in the scoring Keeping Katie company in the scoring stakes was Tullaroan’s Miriam Walsh. e stakes was Tullaroan’s Miriam Walsh. e powerful forward notched 0-4 in Callan and powerful forward notched 0-4 in Callan and looks hungry to help get her county back looks hungry to help get her county back to the form which saw them claim the Allto the form which saw them claim the AllIreland crown in December 2020. Not only Ireland crown in December 2020. Not only a scorer, Miriam is vital at linking the play a scorer, Miriam is vital at linking the play for the Cats attack and also assisted in other for the Cats attack and also assisted in other scores in the opening round victory over John scores in the opening round victory over John Lillis’s side. Lillis’s side.

Brian Dowling’s team had something Brian Dowling’s team had something like eight di erent scorers weighing in last like eight di erent scorers weighing in last time out, and that will have pleased the time out, and that will have pleased the O’Loughlin’s club man, as he looks to spark that fuse that saw them triumph in 2020. Katie Power, who was introduced from the bench against Limerick, will be pushing for a starting berth against the Banner, and like the Kilkenny Gaels, her manager will be hoping our ‘special K’ stays t for the season ahead.

Also catching the eye in Callan was James Stephens Niamh Deely and Young Irelands duo and sisters, Ste & Ti Fitzgerald. Incidentally, all three were recently named on the CCAO ird Level Camogie All-Star team along with Dicksboro’s Ciara O’Shea and Jane Cass. Sarah Crowley also lined out for the seniors, following a cracking intermediate campaign last season. e Kilkenny boss has also welcomed Julianne Malone back to the panel, following a stint down under. e the panel, following a stint down under. e Mullinavat camog made her senior debut for Mullinavat camog made her senior debut for the Cats back in March 2016, and Dowling the Cats back in March 2016, and Dowling will be hoping that Malone’s experience will will be hoping that Malone’s experience will add a new dimension to his side. add a new dimension to his side. is weekend’s encounter with Clare will is weekend’s encounter with Clare will give the Cats bainisteoir a chance to cast his give the Cats bainisteoir a chance to cast his eye over his squad ahead of the next match eye over his squad ahead of the next match with Cork, who defeated Kilkenny is last with Cork, who defeated Kilkenny is last season’s All-Ireland semi- nal. Beating Clare season’s All-Ireland semi- nal. Beating Clare will set the stripey women up nicely for the will set the stripey women up nicely for the Rebels a fortnight later. Rebels a fortnight later.

>> SHERRY SAYS...

A trip to Clare is a good test for Brian Dowling’s panel at this early stage of the Dowling’s panel at this early stage of the season. It is quite possible conditions will once again be di cult, and this can will once again be di cult, and this can sometimes be a great ‘leveler’. sometimes be a great ‘leveler’. e camogs appear to have retained the vast majority of last year’s panel, and this will hopefully help the panel gel quickly will hopefully help the panel gel quickly as the league campaign develops. Sarah Crowley & Ti Fitzgerald have stepped Crowley & Ti Fitzgerald have stepped up from John Scott’s intermediate side and will be keen to cement their places in and will be keen to cement their places in the senior squad.

Ti ’s performances for NUIG in the higher education tournaments, have certainly caught the eye, and ended up with both herself and sister Ste (DCU) with both herself and sister Ste (DCU) being named in the CCAO ird Level being named in the CCAO ird Level Camogie All-Star team.

Hopefully this weekend will see St Hopefully this weekend will see St Martins Katie Nolan cause havoc in the Clare defence and allow both her and the attacking unit to run up a good score ahead of a trip to face the Rebel County. First we’ll take Clare, then we can conquer Cork. conquer Cork.

Vikings victorious Dublin ballers to strong for Kilkenny

Kilkenny Masters Team

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

THE Kilkenny Men played their rst game in the inaugural National Masters Cup recently at O’Loughlin’s. e best of the Dublin Masters proved to be very tough opposition for the lads in their rst game together since November last year.

Kilkenny started brightly with nice scores from Philip Brennan, Aoghan Courtney and Daniel McDaid. Defensively, the team worked very hard, but the Dublin lads had a big height advantage and they used this very e ectively to take this very e ectively to take an early lead. e second quarter was a e second quarter was a tough battle again, with John tough battle again, with John Fogarty and Mark Nelson Fogarty and Mark Nelson contributing nicely for the contributing nicely for the Cats. However, the Dubs Cats. However, the Dubs found their scoring rhythm found their scoring rhythm in this quarter, mixing it up in this quarter, mixing it up with some long-range scores with some long-range scores to take a 40 v 25 lead into to take a 40 v 25 lead into half-time.

A huge team e ort was A huge team e ort was required by the Kilkenny required by the Kilkenny team to maintain their challenge and it was given challenge and it was given in abundance. Éanna Brady, Paul Kavanagh and Brady, Paul Kavanagh and Anthony Wall made big Anthony Wall made big contributions in this quarter, with relentless defence that was the platform for the team’s o ence. Aoghan the team’s o ence. Aoghan Courtney picked up some Courtney picked up some eye-catching eye-catching baskets to keep the vocal crowd in attendance entertained.

Going into the nal Going into the nal quarter 20 points down, quarter 20 points down, the Kilkenny men could the Kilkenny men could have been forgiven for have been forgiven for taking their foot o the taking their foot o the gas and accepting the gas and accepting the result. However, that result. However, that certainly was not the certainly was not the case as each player case as each player gave everything gave everything they had for every minute they were on the oor. Noel Murphy made a big impact on the defensive boards, while Darius Novilakas and Raimondas Stonkus were a constant threat in o ence. e game ended with the Dublin Vikings on 74 points and Kilkenny on 50 points. Despite the loss, the Kilkenny lads can be very proud of their performance, as they prepare for the Kilkenny Masters tournament which is due to take place over the rst weekend in March.

After the game, and in the spirit of Masters Basketball, both teams attended Paris Texas, who are the main sponsor of Kilkenny Masters Basketball, for the postmatch drinks to celebrate a great game.