Preview- Tricky Tullamore test as Kilkenny look to maintain winning spell against Offaly
Derek Lyng’s team take on the faithful county this Sunday afternoon at 3pm
After a week’s break, the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship kicks back into action with three games down for decision this weekend.
With a big win over Wexford the last day out, Kilkenny now take on Offaly in Glenisk O’Connor Park, Tullamore on Sunday afternoon in what could prove to be a championship defining clash.
Both teams are in need of a win to stay in contention to finish in the top three and with Dublin and Wexford also meeting in the South-East on Saturday evening, it’s something of a moving weekend as counties look to keep tabs with the unbeaten Galway at the top of the table.
As it stands Dublin are on three points in second spot with Kilkenny and Wexford locked on two and Offaly trailing with just a draw with Kildare popping up the round-robin with two losses from two.
With the last three rounds taking place on successive weekends, it means momentum is vital and Kilkenny look in relatively good shape as they face a rejuventated Offaly outfit.
While Derek Lyng’s team will have to be on their guard as Offaly have seen significant improvement in their two championship clashes to date, there are big positves on the Kilkenny side after a comprehensive win over near neighbours Wexford the last day out.
The Noresiders netted five goals in that round two win at UPMC Nowlan Park with Mossy Keoghan, Cian Kenny and TJ Reid all returning to top form as they made up for a disappointing display in the championship opener away to Galway in Salthill.
A victory in Tullamore would really set the Cats up for the rest of the championship with a home game to come against Brian Dowling’s Kildare and a final round meeting in Parnell Park against Dublin.
A couple of tweaks against Wexford garnered huge improvement but the disappointing display from the visitors must also be taken into account with Eoin Murphy’s return between the sticks offering a lot of calm in the Kilkenny ranks as he took over from the ill-stricken Aidan Tallis.
The win over the Model County also proved to be Mikey Carey’s best display of the year as he marshalled the sizeable threat of Lee Chin and did a great job in the process, while Mikey Butler and championship debutant Ivan Bolger also did well at the back.
David Blanchfield, Paddy Deegan and Darragh Corcoran completely dominated the skies in the half-back line as the experienced trio denied the likes of Wexford captain Jack O’Connor getting into the game.
Jordan Molloy and Killian Doyle partnered well in midfield and Cian Kenny had his best display in the Kilkenny jersey since being nominated for an all-star at the back end of the 2025 campaign.
Arguably the biggest worry in the defeat to Galway was the lack of punch up front but that certainly went up a few levels with Tom Phelan’s return from injury a big boost in addition to big displays from TJ Reid and Mossy Keoghan who caused the Wexford defence untold damage.
Eoin Cody didn’t even get on the scoresheet but the Shamrocks man was involved in a lot of the Kilkenny good play and his impact is crucial if Kilkenny are going to contend for provincial and All-Ireland honours in the next few weeks.
John Donnelly is also available for selection this weekend after serving out his red card suspension from the Galway game and the vibes are a lot more positive around the county on the back of the latest win, even if the continued absence of Adrian Mullen is a bit of a worry.
The Kilkenny public very much got behind the team the last day out with over 13,000 in attendance and they will be very much needed over the next while as the Cats head into the important stage of the season.
A decent Offaly following is expected on Sunday after Johnny Kelly’s team put in decent performances back to back against Dublin and Galway.
While Offaly didn’t win either game, the display in the Dublin draw in particular gave rise to the thought that some of their talented youngsters are coming to the fore.
The threat of Adam Screeney is well known and he will need to be watched at the weekend but the return from injury of Charlie Mitchell seems to have been the catalyst for a significant upturn in form after the Midlanders previously lost all seven of their Division 1A league games that saw them relegated.
Coincidentally their closest league encounter was against Sunday’s opponents when Kilkenny ran out 0-20 to 0-16 winners back in January and don’t be surprised if a similar type game transpires as Offaly look to claim a huge scalp.
With Dan Bourke, Ross Ravenhill and Shane Rigney amongst others capable of causing Kilkenny trouble, the Cats will be eager to make a flying start as they visit Tullamore to face Offaly in a championship game for the first time since 2013.
Kilkenny are on a run of 12 championship wins on the trot over Offaly with the hosts going back to the 1998 All-Ireland Final for their last championship success over the Cats.