CATS HAVE IT ALL TO DO
Survival the focus for Cody’s men
IS this the year Kilkenny actually go down? The unthinkable might just happen given certain things already have been taken out of Brian Cody’s control. Michael Fennelly had committed to 2018 before his body told him that retirement was the only option and his departure robs the dressing room of another leader, another of Cody’s on-field lieutenants. Then there’s the duo who are on tour with the Irish army — Paul Murphy and Colin Fennelly — who aren’t due back until the League campaign is wrapped up. It’s the full-back line that has been Kilkenny’s Achilles Heel since Tipperary dismantled it in devastating fashion in the 2016 All-Ireland final. Taking away the influence of a four-time All-Star is only going to increase the spotlight on such a crucial line, especially with the continued uncertainty over who fills number three. Padraig Walsh is such a versatile talent that he can do a job there but his dynamic presence is best suited to the half-back line. Colin Fennelly’s absence too robs the attack of a goalscoring threat, and if Richie Hogan’s back troubles continue, then Cody’s options are limited further. Watching how Davy Fitzgerald has already got under his skin with Wexford shows how he is raging against dying of the Kilkenny light on his watch. He was rattled and clearly angry after the straight red card for helmet interference issued to Richie Reid in the second half of the Walsh Cup final and his own dismissal from the field. Accusing Wexford of unsportsmanlike behaviour though shows how personally he is taking it. ‘The same thing happened last year in a game where a fella was sent off for supposedly pulling the helmet of a player which then they said later on he didn’t do at all. Very disappointing when a player starts roaring and bawling about his helmet and showing his helmet to everybody and a player is sent off completely in the wrong.’ Given that the incident with Reid involved Matthew O’Hanlon, it wasn’t hard to join the dots. And the dig above was in reference to Harry Kehoe who recanted in terms of the Tadhg de Búrca incident that saw the Waterford sweeper red-carded in last year’s All-Ireland quarterfinal, Kehoe even going to back up the Waterford player’s attempts to get any suspension overturned. When Cody’s response was put to Davy Fitz, his long-time nemesis couldn’t resist having a pop back. ‘I am a bit disappointed in the way he was. He hasn’t lost that often in the last 15 or 20 years.’ Except that happened to be Wexford’s third success in a row against Kilkenny. Not quite Jose Mourinho versus Antonio Conte in terms of pointed, personal attacks but it’s rare to see Cody so animated, particularly in January. This evening, a first floodlit League affair at the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh gives Cork every motivation for trying to keep Kilkenny down. They have a miserable modern League record against Cody’s side and are looking to bridge a gap back to 2012 this evening in terms of plundering the spoils. What was noticeable though about Kilkenny last weekend was that the spirit and workrate that has underpinned Cody’s tenure was there for all to see against Wexford, particularly so when reduced to 14 men. In 2015, Kilkenny survived the relegation play-off — and went on to win the All-Ireland. Don’t be surprised if Kilkenny end up fire-fighting at the bottom end of the table — or if a Cody team goes on to confound expectations as the season progresses and he gets a full hand to pick from.
CLARE
Manager: Donal Moloney/ Gerry O’Connor (2nd season) Star man: Tony Kelly – Heroics with Ballyea ultimately took a toll for Clare in a non-stop 2017 but still the man who makes the team tick. One to watch: Peter Duggan – Spent his time in Boston banging in goals for fun in the Super 11s and offers a target man presence at 14 or halfforward. First place odds: 11/2 Prediction: Need to shed the Jekyll and Hyde element to performances — remember the hammering dished out at Cusack Park last year to Kilkenny? Midtable. Fixtures: Tipperary (h), Kilkenny (a), Cork (h), Wexford (a), Waterford (a)
CORK
Manager: John Meyler (1st season) Star man: Conor Lehane – Cork’s summer arguably began to unravel with his ankle injury. Such an exciting talent in full flow. One to watch: Darragh Fitzgibbon – Covers the ground at frightening pace. Big second season like so many of the young guns who made their mark in 2017. First place odds: 7/2 Prediction: With a team bursting with young talent, have so much to gain from a concerted bid for silverware. Fixtures: Kilkenny (h), Wexford (a), Clare (a), Waterford (h), Tipperary (a)
KILKENNY
Manager: Brian Cody (20th season) Star man: Eoin Murphy Has made the sweeper-keeper in hurling fashionable. Brilliant shot-stopper to go with top quality distribution. One to watch: Alan Murphy – A haul of 1-13 in the Walsh Cup final showcased his deadball skills and serious finishing ability from open play. First place odds: 4/1 Prediction: Will do well to avoid the relegation play-off — or the drop — given the retirement of Michael Fennelly and with Colin Fennelly and Paul Murphy on tour with the army. Fixtures: Cork (a), Clare (h), Waterford (a), Tipperary (h), Wexford (h)
TIPPERARY
Manager: Michael Ryan (3rd season) Star man: Padraic Maher – A force of nature at this stage of his career. One to watch: Daragh Mooney – Or whoever gets the opportunity to fill the boots of retired goalkeeper Darren Gleeson. First place odds: 9/4 Prediction: Last spring, Tipperary coasted into play-offs looking like they had the strongest squad in the country. Can go all the way if desire is there given the hectic schedule. Fixtures: Clare (a), Waterford (h), Wexford (h), Kilkenny (a), Cork (h)
WATERFORD
Manager: Derek McGrath (5th season) Star man: Jamie Barron One to watch: Tom Devine – After his gap year in 2017 and the decision by Shane Bennett to opt out, he could fit that ballwinning, hard-running role in the inside line. First place odds: 4/1 Prediction: If Waterford can blood a few new players and stay up, Derek McGrath will be happy. Fixtures: Wexford (h), Tipperary (a), Kilkenny (h), Cork (a), Clare (h)
WEXFORD
Manager: Davy Fitzgerald (2nd season) Star man: Lee Chin – Now that he’s effectively a full-time hurler, Chin can hit even greater heights. One to watch: Paudie Foley – A player who took time out last season will be keen to make an impact. Three points from wingback against Dublin earlier this month confirms as much. First place odds: 14/1 Prediction: Hints that Wexford are tailoring their training to have more left in the tank come summer. Relegation play-off. Fixtures: Waterford (a), Cork (h), Tipperary (a), Clare (h), Kilkenny (a).