Two games down and hopefully two more to go.
Kilkenny have a night under lights to look forward to this coming Saturday as they take on Wexford in the Walsh Cup. The Cats know a win would set up an intriguing battle between former teammates turned managerial foes in the form of Lyng v Shefflin. Henry Shefflin was widely regarded by many to be the favourite to step into replacing Brian Cody as the Kilkenny Senior Hurling manager before the role went to Under 20 All Ireland winning manager Derek Lyng.
See also: Kilkenny prove too strong for Laois to continue winning start to Walsh Cup campaign
Stories like this seem to be bringing more interest into the pre-season tournament, with many fans around the province putting a keen eye on the new managers in charge of intercounty sides. Kilkenny, along with Offaly, Laois, and Dublin all have new men at the helm while in Munster Tipperary, Cork and Waterford appointed new bosses.
The attention on the games from supporters was seen in the stands with Callan and Rathdowney filled with fascinated Kilkenny onlookers. What they would have witnessed on those days would be some impressive performances from the likes of Billy Drennan, Georoid Dunne, and Niall Brennan. Now with possibly up to 12 players from the Shamrocks team to return to the intercounty fold after their All-Ireland clash with Dunloy, it is down to those in the panel now to keep performing to a high standard and using the Cup as a chance to cement their place.
See also: Limited number of Clonard Terrace tickets available for Kilkenny v Wexford this weekend
This was a sentiment shared by Two-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny and KCLR analyst Adrian Ronan when he spoke to Scoreline to outlining his hopes for the cup;
“At this time of the year, it is about finding maybe one or two players that people might not be aware of. Last year, Kilkenny played a match with 15 players against Laois, one of those players became Young Hurler of the Year and got an All-Star in Mikey Butler.”
“That is what the Walsh Cup does, some opportunities present themselves, and Mikey Butler never looked back. So maybe others might see the opportunity for themselves.”
“All we want to do is find one, two, or maybe three players. That is what the Walsh Cup is about.”
Listen back to his full thoughts below on Scoreline Extra with Midlands 103 Commentator and get the thoughts of former Kilkenny and Shamrocks star Michael Fennelly:
KCLR is the only place where you can hear full live commentaries of all of Kilkenny’s Walsh Cup, Allianz National Hurling League, Leinster championship and All-Ireland series games in 2023.
