Post by Admin on Dec 12, 2014 10:33:36 GMT
Martin Brenheny - Irish Independent - 11th December 2014
The exodus from the Kilkenny hurling camp has come as a big surprise to their rivals, who will be hoping to benefit from the changing of the guard next year.
JJ Delaney last week became the fifth Kilkenny player to retire, following Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, David Herity and Aidan Fogarty off the panel.
"I was surprised to see a few of them go, especially JJ. He has a lot left in the legs but obviously he has his own reasons for calling it a day now. I'm sure there will be plenty of lads in Kilkenny trying to replace him," said Tipperary's John O'Dwyer.
"There's a fair bit of change going on in Kilkenny, but they have a huge number of players to choose from. And they still have massive experience. That counted for an awful lot against us in the All-Ireland semi-final," said Limerick's Declan Hannon.
Both Limerick and Tipperary lost to Kilkenny in this year's championship in games they came close to winning.
"There is so little between all the top teams. Little extra bits here and there are what get you over the line. Kilkenny seem to be able to do that all the time - it's up to the rest of us to catch them. They are the benchmark," said O'Dwyer.
O'Dwyer and Hannon were speaking in Croke Park yesterday, prior to the draws for the Independent.ie Higher Education GAA senior championships.
GAA president Liam O'Neill said that the new three-year partnership with Independent.ie was an exciting development.
"It will help us to bring top-quality games to the widest audience possible," he said.
UCC will host football's Sigerson Cup in February, while hurling's Fitzgibbon Cup will be hosted by Limerick IT.
Irish Independent
JJ Delaney last week became the fifth Kilkenny player to retire, following Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, David Herity and Aidan Fogarty off the panel.
"I was surprised to see a few of them go, especially JJ. He has a lot left in the legs but obviously he has his own reasons for calling it a day now. I'm sure there will be plenty of lads in Kilkenny trying to replace him," said Tipperary's John O'Dwyer.
"There's a fair bit of change going on in Kilkenny, but they have a huge number of players to choose from. And they still have massive experience. That counted for an awful lot against us in the All-Ireland semi-final," said Limerick's Declan Hannon.
Both Limerick and Tipperary lost to Kilkenny in this year's championship in games they came close to winning.
"There is so little between all the top teams. Little extra bits here and there are what get you over the line. Kilkenny seem to be able to do that all the time - it's up to the rest of us to catch them. They are the benchmark," said O'Dwyer.
O'Dwyer and Hannon were speaking in Croke Park yesterday, prior to the draws for the Independent.ie Higher Education GAA senior championships.
GAA president Liam O'Neill said that the new three-year partnership with Independent.ie was an exciting development.
"It will help us to bring top-quality games to the widest audience possible," he said.
UCC will host football's Sigerson Cup in February, while hurling's Fitzgibbon Cup will be hosted by Limerick IT.
Irish Independent