As the excitement builds and anticipation reaches a fever pitch, Kilkenny hurling enthusiasts are eagerly counting down the hours to this Sunday’s St Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship final.
The showdown between O’Loughlin Gaels and Ballyhale Shamrocks promises to be a thrilling display of skill, determination, and championship pedigree.
The clash, scheduled for 2 p.m. at UPMC Nowlan Park, will be broadcast live on KCLR, courtesy of the generous sponsorship from Gerry Comerford Drilling Limited and Eugene Foley Construction. This ensures that fans, whether in the stands or glued to their radios, won’t miss a moment of the action.
Building up the excitement even further is the pre-game analysis on Scoreline this Saturday. Tune in to hear insights from key figures, including O’Loughlin’s manager Brian Hogan, former Shamrocks managers James O’Connor and Maurice Aylward, and other prominent voices in the hurling community. The air will be charged with the energy and enthusiasm that precede a championship final.
A focal point of the buildup is the commentary from current Ballyhale Shamrocks manager Pat Hoban. Hoban, eyeing a historic sixth consecutive county title for his team, highlighted the motivational fuel derived from being underestimated. He stated, “The majority of pundits have said that Ballyhale would not win this year’s county final. They have, at every point along the road, been saying that we are missing too many players and we’re starting to slip.”
Hoban continued, emphasizing the pride and determination of his players, “The players that are on the field for Ballyhale have great pride in themselves. I’m not saying it hurts them, but they are winners, and they will go on and try to prove that they can win no matter what 15 is on the field. So, if they use that as internal motivation, albeit.”
This psychological edge, fueled by skepticism from pundits, adds an intriguing dimension to Ballyhale Shamrocks’ pursuit of a record-breaking 21st championship. The narrative of overcoming adversity, real or perceived, often serves as a potent catalyst for teams aiming to etch their names in the annals of sporting history.
A noteworthy subplot to Sunday’s final is Ballyhale Shamrocks’ opportunity to complete a treble of victories over city clubs. Having already dispatched Dicksboro and James Stephens en route to the final, Shamrocks can underline their dominance over Kilkenny’s urban hurling landscape with a win over O’Loughlin Gaels.
As the players take the field on Sunday afternoon, the stage is set for a contest that transcends the boundaries of sport. It’s a battle of wills, a showcase of skill, and a quest for glory that will resonate through Kilkenny’s hurling history. The countdown is nearly over, and the curtain is about to rise on what promises to be a championship final for the ages.
Fan of Kilkenny hurling? Well check out our Kilkenny Hurling podcast below
Each week Robbie Dowling and former Blacks and Whites manager Eddie Scally cast their eye over all the action from the weekend’s senior, intermediate, and junior league and championship games as well as looking ahead to the next round of action.
