Kilkenny v Tipperary - NHL 2010

[doolittle]

Allianz GAA Hurling National League
Round 1Roinn I
Thurles 7.30pm Tiobraid Árann v Cill Chainnigh
Referee: Barry Kelly (Iarmhí)

Well folks, here we go again, the corresponding fixture last year will live long in Kilkenny folklore. A standing ovation at half-time as the Cats wiped the floor with Tipperary.

The subsequent two meetings went down to the wire and produced more than their fair share of controversy, two games that had it all; yellow cards, red cards, thrown hurleys, penalties, extra-time. This time it will be under the glare of floodlights.

Kilkenny have had a less than stellar start to 2010, losses to Offaly and Laois with fringe players, but I'd expect that the team to line out against Tipp will be something similar to the 15 that played Ballyhale Shamrtocks in a recent challenge.

Tipperary didn't have a good Waterford Crystal either, but beat Dublin on Saturday 1-20 to 1-17, and lined out as follows - Darren Gleeson. Conor O'Brien, Paul Curran, Diarmaid Fitzgerald. Brendan Maher, Declan Fanning (Captain), Shane Maher. Benny Dunne (0-1), Gearoid Ryan (0-1). Seamus Hennessy (0-7, 0-3 frees), Hugh Maloney (0-2), John Devane (0-2). Pat Kerwick (0-1), Micheal Webster (1-0), Patrick Maher (0-1)
Subs: Michael Heffernan for Pat Kerwick, Seamus Callanan (0-4, 0-2 frees) for Micheal Webster, Paul Kelly for Hugh Maloney, Jody Brennan (0-1) for Seamus Hennessy, Shane McGrath for John Devane.

Tipp will be keen to lay down a marker on home turf after September's loss, I think Kilkenny will be equally keen to dispell any notion that the four-in-a-row sated appetites. Really looking forward to this.

[doolittle]

Tipperary GAA Press Release


Thomas Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons) and Pa Bourke (Thurles Sarsfields) are unavailable for Saturday’s clash with Kilkenny due to recent illness from which both are recovering well. A number of other players are recovering from minor injuries and availability of these players for Saturday’s game will be assessed at training on Tuesday night. Two players, James Woodlock (Drom and Inch - fractured leg) and John O’Neill (Clonoulty Rossmore – torn cruciate ligament), will not be available for the league campaign. Woodlock, an ever present at midfield for the 2009 league and championship campaigns, is making a good recovery from a fractured leg injury incurred in the Tipperary County Senior Hurling final last October. Talented forward O’Neill, who won a minor All Ireland medal in 2007, is a panel newcomer but a cruciate ligament injury suffered while playing for his club in the Tipperary County U-21 final in December 09 has turned out to be more serious than originally hoped and O’Neill is likely to be out of action for up to 6 months following surgery 2 weeks ago.

There are 3 other new panelists – Jody Brennan (Upperchurch Drombane) and Michael Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg) who are both forwards and David Young (Toomevara) who is a defender. Brennan (26) played a leading role in his club’s somewhat unexpected march to the Mid Divisional final and County Senior semi-final last year. Heffernan (20), who is a nephew of senior All Ireland medalist John Heffernan (1989), won All Ireland minor hurling medals in 2006 and 2007 and was a member of the 2009 U21 panel. Young (24) played minor hurling for Tipperary in 2003 and U21 in 2005 and 2006 (as captain).

[Bogcat]

Looks like Benny Dunne in midfield for Woodlock, not too much to worry about there, our lads should be too strong for him. E Kelly will have to play some part as he's the captain or will he? Might this put too much pressure on him to play. I'd have thought a quiet enough Spring with plenty of work in the Gym and training field would have suited him better.
I think it's more important for Tipp to win this (a bit like Waterford last year) and I'd expect to see an experimental enough side from Cody (no Shamrocks) so for that reason I think Tipp will win it narrowly but should be very interesting. Is it on the box.

[murt]

Looks like Benny Dunne in midfield for Woodlock, not too much to worry about there, our lads should be too strong for him. E Kelly will have to play some part as he's the captain or will he? Might this put too much pressure on him to play. I'd have thought a quiet enough Spring with plenty of work in the Gym and training field would have suited him better.
I think it's more important for Tipp to win this (a bit like Waterford last year) and I'd expect to see an experimental enough side from Cody (no Shamrocks) so for that reason I think Tipp will win it narrowly but should be very interesting. Is it on the box.

Live on Setanta Ireland. Highlights on TG4 on Sunday.

[doolittle]

While a big game under lights will be a novelty, sitting in Semple at 7:30pm on a February evening will be a fair test for the thermal underwear. Don't be relying on the Tipp boys to share the flask with you either, they weren't too flahulach before September, so the chances of the soup being shared round on Sunday will be fairly slight.

[Exile]

While a big game under lights will be a novelty, sitting in Semple at 7:30pm on a February evening will be a fair test for the thermal underwear. Don't be relying on the Tipp boys to share the flask with you either, they weren't too flahulach before September, so the chances of the soup being shared round on Sunday will be fairly slight.

You'll be able to hear them openin the tin foil on their sandwiches in their pockets. I'm looking forward to it, as I've never been to a hurling match under lights, and it tends to give other sports a bit of dazzle that our league definitely lacks. Also it's great having it Saturday if you want to make a night of it (in KK obviously, not in Thurles...), whereas with Sunday you'd always be aware of Monday morning around the corner.

[Hattons Grace]

I heard that the Voc School All Ireland Final is the curtain raiser.

An yes by all accounts , Saturday is due to be a cold day , never mind at 7.30 pm in the evening

[Pangur]

Are the lights effective enough for the small ball in Semple?

[doolittle]

I've been at a club hurling match under lights, I wasn't speaking to any of the players afterwards but as a spectator the experience was fine.

[tooltime]

Played a club match or two under lights....... not too bad really - the only fault I would have would be when the ball is high in the air (it almost dissapears for a split second)

When will team be announced? Fri evening as per the norm I guess?

[leinsterman]

This will be tasty, plenty of timber will be used its a game tipp have to win
if they don't it will get into the tipp player's heads that they can't beat kilkenny
i also think tipp will be more hungry for it with the ballyhale lad's not playing and
the match in thurle's tipp might nick it. but if kk play to there best and tommy walsh is in the mood the cat's will ease home.

[kkhan]

Loathe though I am to say it, can only see Tipp win. KK well behind every other team in terms of training plus big leaders will be missing

[doolittle]

Pat Treacy interview Cody, Sheedy and players on the build up to the game


Brian Cody


Liam Sheedy


Michael Rice


TJ Reid


Tommy Walsh


Tune into Saturday Sports Focus from 12 to 2pm each Saturday on KCLR 96fm

[rockonollie]

really looking forward to this one.......hopefully the rivalry will get the teams up for it and it won't be a typical slow starting first league game.

Does anyone have any idea what the admission fees for the league are this year?

[leinsterman]

really looking forward to this one.......hopefully the rivalry will get the teams up for it and it won't be a typical slow starting first league game.

Does anyone have any idea what the admission fees for the league are this year?

it think it will be 12 euro for the league or i heard someone say that it could be 15 euro it hardly be that dear would it

[rockonollie]

really looking forward to this one.......hopefully the rivalry will get the teams up for it and it won't be a typical slow starting first league game.

Does anyone have any idea what the admission fees for the league are this year?

it think it will be 12 euro for the league or i heard someone say that it could be 15 euro it hardly be that dear would it

You'd never know, it's become pretty obvious in the last couple of months that when a powers that be are running short on cash, it's the regular joe soap that needs to foot the bill......and before it starts an international incident....i'm not referring specifically to the GAA

[Pangur]

I think it's €15 alright.

[Ber292007kk]

really looking forward to this one.......hopefully the rivalry will get the teams up for it and it won't be a typical slow starting first league game.

Does anyone have any idea what the admission fees for the league are this year?

it think it will be 12 euro for the league or i heard someone say that it could be 15 euro it hardly be that dear would it

It was 15 Euro's for League matches last year. I have got a season ticket and I paid 75 Euro for all the 7 League matches and free into the lst round of the championship. If you attend four league games and some of the championship games you are guaranteed a ticket for the A! and it is lower Hogan Stand ticket. There is a limited amount of these tickets available, I think they are great value and this year a junival season ticket is also available. For the regular match supporter this is great value and it awards the supporter who goes to see the League matches. For details go to wwwgaa.ie

[Plain of the Herbs]

It's been €15 for the last few years for division 1 matches. T'was €12 to see your native county last year L'man cos we were, er, in a different league to Kilkenny.

it think it will be 12 euro for the league or i heard someone say that it could be 15 euro it hardly be that dear would it

[Bogcat]

Be interesting to see how Barry Kelly does. Will he kill the game?