Editorial: Plenty of solace to take from Kilkenny's season

The second half of Sunday’s All-Ireland final was a difficult one to watch for Kilkenny supporters.

After an exhilarating first half which saw Kilkenny roar into a six-point lead, Limerick got their opponents in a stranglehold and never let go.

Well done to Limerick — deserving champions on the day. They have joined the pantheon of greats, achieving something few others have managed. Only Cork (1940s) and Kilkenny (2000s) have seen this kind of dynasty and prolonged reign of success.

Can the Shannonsiders now go on and do one better with a five-in-a-row? It remains to be seen, and there will be plenty of opposition who will fancy a crack at them next year.

In the meantime, the Cats will lick their wounds and take some time to reflect on what has been a largely positive season.

As pointed out previously, a Leinster championship  and an All-Ireland final appearance is not a bad innings, particularly with a new management team at the helm, a new voyage of discovery in the post-Cody era.

If some familiar faces are contemplating hanging up their boots when all is said and done, they can be proud of their efforts and their time wearing the black and amber jersey.

The crowds that attended the homecoming show the huge sense of pride that people here have in this Cats team.

Greenway
It’s great to see the culmination of all the hard work with the first phase opening of the greenway project in Rosbercon on Tuesday.

Once completed, it will be a 24km greenway beginning in New Ross and going through South Kilkenny into Waterford. It can then connect to the Waterford Greenway, which will result in a 72km greenway from New Ross to Dungarvan.

The project is being rolled out by TII, the Department of Transport, and the three county councils of the region. Well done to everyone involved in getting the project over the line.