The season may be at a fledging stage but already we have a tasty encounter in store this Sunday at Nowlan Park where Kilkenny host Galway in the Walsh Cup Final.
Kilkenny legend John Power spoke to us this week and stated that the Walsh Cup has become more important than it was in previous years and the proof is in the pudding with the approach both teams have taken to the tournament this year.
There was a time where a Development squad was sent out to represent the black and amber, but this year it’s near enough a full strength Kilkenny side where possible, unless injury intervened.
Galway too have opted to send out the heavy artillery in this years competition with Conor Whelan and Jason Flynn to the fore up front in the absence of Joe Canning and a host of St Thomas’s contingent.
It’s also the last game that both sides will have before the league commences and no matter what way you look at it both sides will want to carry some silverware into the spring games and a Final of any importance will demand a higher level of intensity in comparison to a challenge game.
There has been a few interesting experiments from a Kilkenny point of view with Paul Murphy at Centre Back, Conor Fogarty at Wing Back, and Padraig Walsh dropping into Corner Back.
Ollie Walsh has worked hard around the middle of the park with Pat Lyng very busy across the half forward line.
The biggest test of the season to date will undoubtedly be Sunday’s clash with Galway, who will also look to hit the ground running as the league fastly approaches.
They lost their Division 1A status last season so they will be looking to bounce back immediately.
It promises to be an interesting battle despite the season being in its adolescent stage and we will Have Full Live Commentary of the game on our Kilkenny Frequency on Sunday from 2pm.
