Kilkenny hurling legend Eddie Keher sits down to talk Kilkeny’s new management, his thoughts on the season and predictions for next week's big game.

A battle between two hurling juggernauts is what Eddie Keher is predicting for Sunday’s All-Ireland final. The Cats legend gave his insights into both the Kilkenny and Limerick squads ahead of the big game, and while he lauded the reigning champions credit he is hopeful Derek Lyng’s side will get their hands on the MacCarthy Cup.

“There’s no denying they have a massive team,” he said of John Kiely’s side. “We have to pay credit to an incredible side, both on the pitch and on the sidelines. There’s no doubt it will be a war, but I hope Kilkenny will be up for it when the day comes.” When directly focussing on the opposition Keher spoke about the strength of the panel Limerick will take Croker on Sunday. 

“It’s so difficult to predict the Limerick team, where and how they will be playing,” the Rower-Inistioge legend added. “The duel between Cian Lynch and Richie Reid will probably be the toughest battle of the war, however the tussle in midfield between Blanchfield and Hegerty will be mighty.”

The strength of Kilkenny’s panel was also mentioned, with Keher praising the players for the way they carved a path to the final. The positives for the squad only grew as he highlighted some of the players coming through.

“Eoin Cody has blossomed into a lovely young hurler,” Keher said of the Kilkenny captain, adding that the stars from last year have continued to shine. “In terms of younger players coming to light, I’ve been impressed by David Blanchfield and Tom Phelan this year,” he added, “while Cian Kenny is also going good and is one to watch going forward.”

However, he couldn’t move on without mentioning the Ballyhale great.

 “TJ Reid is just TJ - a force of nature,” he said.

Making the final has been great for Kilkenny, especially as many people would have predicted the team would go through a transition period following the departure of Brian Cody. Keher opened up and spoke about the change from Brian Cody’s twenty four year reign over the Cats with great respect. “Brian has contributed tremendously to Kilkenny hurling over the past 24 years and left us in a great position,” he said. 

“Derek Lyng definitely took on the same level of spirit we’ve had every year,” he said. “He is doing a fantastic job. That’s been evident, especially in the last few games. He’s full of determination and he injects the spirit he has into the team.” That spirit has been reflected in the team’s performances, bringing them all the way to the final.

“I think the team has been brilliant so far,” he said. “Like all teams, they took some time to mould and form, but they did great work in the league and early championship figuring out players, positions and tactics. We’re in a very good place going into the final on Sunday.”

While his insights were mostly positive, Keher had one concern ahead of Sunday’s game.

“My one concern is the pattern that seems to occur in most matches, we take a strong lead early on and by the end we have let it slip away from us. That cannot happen in the final, the players must press on and hammer home their advantage.”

As for the final, while he wouldn’t give a score Keher couldn’t deny his gut feeling that Liam MacCarthy is coming home. “I think Limerick will come out all guns blazing as they go for four in a row but that can bring its own pressures,” he said. “I think this Limerick team will go down as one of the best ever but I’m confident Kilkenny will pull it off. We are stronger than we were last year; we have both experience and fresh legs on our side.”

Eddie Keher is a proud member of the supporters club and outlines the importance of showing the team support. “For a smaller populated county we’re punching above our weight, we're kind of numb to the success but the players need the support of the Kilkenny people. We need to bind together and help our community.” It's moments like this in the build up to an All Ireland that Eddie Keher the infamous Kilkenny hurler takes a moment to look back and reminisce on his glory days. “This sport does so much good, I just love it. I'd definitely love to turn back time sometimes.” Eddie Keher’s passion is simply contagious. Hearing his words of passion he has spilling out and the hope he has for this Sunday has a way of filling you with excitement and suspense for the game.