Gowran ready to host Kilkenny season opener this weekend

After the freezing cold and icy conditions over the last week, the Kilkenny hurlers will be hopeful of taking to the field for their first game of the year with Waterford the proposed opposition in Gowran this Saturday (2.45pm).

The Cats were initially scheduled to get their season underway with a challenge game against Dublin in Tinryland GAA in Carlow last Sunday but, like many other games around the country, it fell foul to the deteriorating weather conditions.

Waterford were one of the lucky ones however after they took on Cork in a fundraiser in aid of the Friends of Brian Greene and Waterford Hospice at Fraher Field in a fixture that was brought forward from its original 5pm time to 2pm due to the weather forecast.

The Rebels came out on top on a 1-15 to 0-10 scoreline and like the two Munster counties, Kilkenny will look to just get up and running.

Saturday’s clash is scheduled to be an all-ticket affair with details to follow later in the week. A portion of proceeds from the game will go to the Carlow and Kilkenny HomeCare Team.

The nationwide open-doors feel to these challenge games has transpired as a result of the pre-season competitions being shelved and it’s something Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng doesn’t agree with.

“We’re disappointed with it to be honest as the pre-season competitions offered an opportunity to lads that may have never played with Kilkenny,” he said. “What has happened now is that every weekend there are challenge matches being organised. I can understand elements of it, but while it may have made more sense a couple of years ago I’m not sure it makes too much sense now.

“The calendar is pretty tight and I can understand that but there is a couple of things that could be looked at. Things like the Fitzgibbon Cup where everything comes at the right time and there’s a window before Christmas that could suit the third-level so I’m not sure if the decision solves anything as there’s challenge games all over the country for the next two weekends ahead of the league.”

The neighbourly clash with the Deise will offer a number of players the chance to stake their claim for a place in Derek Lyng’s plans before they have a final challenge game with Offaly in the Faithful Fields on Saturday, January 18 at 1pm.

While Kilkenny supporters will be hoping to get a first look at the 2025 version of the team, an earlier Division One league start on Sunday, January 26 away to All-Ireland champions Clare in Cusack Park, Ennis means these games are of utmost importance as the season draws ever closer.