We talk of a crisis. Brian Cody laughs.
As Kilkenny stuttered through the opening rounds of this year’s Hurling League, their obituaries were being written by many.
This is the end of the road for them. They just don’t have the young lads coming through. How will they cope without Jackie, Michael, JJ, Richie and co.?
Fairly well, it seems with the Cats now preparing for a Nowlan Park showdown with old rivals Tipperary in this competition’s final. On Sunday, the men in Black and Amber went down to Wexford Park without Colin Fennelly, without Richie Hogan and without Paul Murphy. Three guaranteed starters, two of them are on army duty in the Lebanon while Hogan will be back when the summer championship rolls around.
They went down to Wexford’s back yard and schooled Davy Fitzgerald’s men with a display that reminded us once again that they’re not going anywhere fast.
The consistently class TJ Reid was again operating on a different level for the travelling side. Padraig Walsh and Cillian Buckley, two of this country’s best defenders, did what they always do.
But Cody will be even more buoyed by the displays of his youngsters who have grown into that famous jersey as the League has developed.
Men like Conor Delaney and Enda Morrissey, both of whom have made the number 5 and 7 jerseys their own with a string of powerful displays from the half back line in their debut campaigns. Here, they dominated Jack O’Connor and marginalised Lee Chin respectively. That’s no mean feat. These two are here to stay.
Richie Leahy has been the gem of the League. His direct lines of running, his off the cuff hurling, his deadly first touch and valuable capacity for a long range score is a huge addition to this team.
Martin Keoghan works like a dog from half forward. Only 19 years of age, the Tullaroan workhorse may not be the most stylish but he’s effective and that’s what counts.
James Maher, after an injury ravaged two years is making his mark. The return of Ger Aylward from injury is a welcome boost.
John Donnelly wasn’t at his best on this occasion but the Thomastown man has done enough up to now to keep himself in the mix.
Bill Sheehan didn’t look out of place on his debut on the top of the right.
Wexford got off to a flying start, with an Aidan Nolan penalty setting them on their way early on.
Kilkenny weren’t for panicking, however. They settled into the game immediately. Points from TJ Reid gave them a foothold. Walter Walsh thrown his weight around to good affect, but where this game was won was in defence.
Their back men dominated their markers to the extent that by half-time, no Wexford man had scored from play.
That’s a damning stat but one that was well earned by Kilkenny’s defence. They crowded Wexford out at every opportunity. Jack O’Connor got little change, a direct contrast to his outing last weekend against Galway.
Lee Chin was even forced to the periphery.
Rory O’Connor was the only Wexford man to win his battle with his direct opponent. Kilkenny led by 1-13 to 1-5 at the break and they would have an uphill battle from there.
Conor McDonald scored a cracking goal to reignite his men but Kilkenny saw it out like we’ve seen them do so often in the past.
They went onto win by nine.
Next Sunday. Nowlan Park. Tipp vs Kilkenny. Be there.
