Cats in good position to go all out in pursuit of league glory

Despite being still without one or two key players and new talent getting a chance to impress, Kilkenny are in a great position after the opening two games of the Allianz League.

But for a stoppage time Seamus Casey goal for Wexford in the league opener at UPMC Nowlan Park, the Noresiders could be boasting a 100% record.

Despite that they have made more than a decent start as they drew with their local rivals before securing a valuable away success against Cork.

With Offaly to come at home this weekend before two away trips to Clare and Waterford, it would be a big shock if Derek Lyng’s side didn’t at least finish in the top three of the Division 1A table and secure top tier league hurling in 2025.

Like the last few years, getting into the top two and gaining a league semi-final date would be hugely beneficial to the Cats. Unlike in Munster there is a bit more legroom for last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists to work their way through a Leinster campaign which kicks off two weeks after the league final.

Kilkenny last won the league jointly alongside Galway in 2021 and on their own before that in 2018. While there are probably other counties that are more in need of a national title, the Cats may see it as another stepping stone in trying to put an end to Limerick’s dominance of the hurling landscape.

From the team that faced Limerick in last year’s All-Ireland final only Paddy Deegan, TJ Reid and Tom Phelan have failed to see league action thus far so while fitness levels may be down, the actual personnel level is not far off being full-strength at this early point in the year.

Of the new lads involved, the likes of Kevin Blanchfield, Luke Hogan, Shane Murphy and Jordan Molloy have all done their future prospects no harm although Molloy has picked up an injury recently that could see him sidelined for a number of weeks.

Derek Lyng has already indicated that the squad will be cut sooner rather than later and that those not fortunate enough to stay on will drop down to a development squad.

That development squad should at least allow the management an easier way of keeping an eye on players that are on the cusp of the panel.

The immediate short-term concern however is Offaly in the ’Park on Sunday and after the Faithful County remained competitive with Waterford before grabbing a draw with Wexford, any hint of Kilkenny complacency should be dispelled.

The Cats will be big favourites at the same time and they should realistically pick up full points so getting a big performance will be high on the to-do list for the management team.

From a team point of view, the club-tied John Donnelly, Walter Walsh, Huw Lawlor and Mikey Butler all looked fresh and raring to go when they made their return for the Cork game.

We haven’t seen new Kilkenny captain Paddy Deegan as of yet. Where he plays will be a decent topic for discussion as he showed throughout O’Loughlin Gaels run to the club final that he is very much as big a threat going forward as he is in a defensive role.

The Shamrocks duo of Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody have been the main assets in attack thus far but with 2-6 off the bench in the previous two games, Billy Drennan could be in line to work his way into the starting 15 sooner rather than later.

Amongst all those aspects, the biggest positive at the moment looks to be midfield where competition for places looks to be fierce.

Cian Kenny has fought off a hamstring injury that he picked up in the Walsh Cup to impress in recent weeks, while Kevin Blanchfield and Mikey Carey are two other players that have made their mark in the middle of the field.

Two of that three should get another outing on Sunday to nail down their starting claims before probably their biggest test to date when meeting Clare in Cusack Park.

Before that comes Offaly. After winning the last two Leinster minor titles and also appearing in the last two All-Ireland finals at the under-17 grade, there is plenty of talent coming through for the Midlands County but patience will be required if they are to relive the glory days of the ’90s.
The biggest aim for a side that last won an All-Ireland title in 1998 at Kilkenny’s expense will be to win the Joe McDonagh Cup this season and get back among Leinster’s elite. Their rise will definitely be welcomed if and when it happens.

Offaly will love a crack at the Cats all the same and with such players like Cillian Kiely, Brian Duignan, Adam Screeney and Charlie Mitchell they will definitely give their all.

Kilkenny are quoted as 1/50 favourites to make it two wins from three so a victory with a bit to spare is expected.

There will then be another two weeks before the Cats take to the field before their final two games with Clare and Waterford.

Like Kilkenny, the Banner County have also started the league in impressive fashion and they will relish taking on Derek Lyng’s side on Sunday, March 10 as they look to make up for defeats in the last two All-Ireland semi-finals.

The winner of this one could be in line for a home league semi-final so a lot will be at stake.

A trip to the redeveloped Walsh Park follows on St Patrick’s Weekend where we’ll expect to see a Kilkenny side that is very much on the verge of championship mode.

Kilkenny have had the upper hand on the Deise in recent meetings so it will be interesting to see what way Davy Fitzgerald’s men shape up this time.

There is a lot to look forward to after the return to UPMC Nowlan Park this Sunday.