CLARE STAR TONY Kelly reckons the expertise of Kilkenny and their iconic supervisor Brian Cody makes them the best-placed staff to problem a Limerick staff eye 4 titles in 5 years.
“It’s a very long time in the past [the 2019 All-Ireland semi-final loss in 2019]. Limerick is likely to be utilizing it as a rating to settle themselves by way of Kilkenny being the final staff to beat them. Within the final three or 4 championships, Kilkenny are the one staff which have crushed them.
“Having Brian Cody and his expertise and the Kilkenny lads’ expertise is clearly a plus. However likewise, I’m certain the Limerick lads are it as a rating to settle. So it form of balances itself out by way of looking for that edge.
Relying on what county you’re in; in the event you’re within the Kilkenny camp you’re most likely getting into with no concern. ‘We’ve crushed these lads earlier than and that is how we did it. Can we execute it and be higher?’ If you happen to’re from Limerick you’re increase the narrative of ‘We’ve a rating to settle with these lads.’ It could actually work in each groups’ favours.
“Clearly whichever staff wins it should appear like that’s the narrative that was a key indicator in it. However as soon as the ball is thrown in, issues exit the window. They’re grand for the lads within the stand having an opinion on it, however from a participant’s point-of-view, as soon as the ball is thrown in or the warm-up begins, it’s targeted on executing the sport plan.”
Kelly has a singular perception having performed either side on the peak of their powers this summer season — the Banner bowed out on the semi-final stage by the hands of the Cats, and introduced John Kiely’s back-to-back champions to extra-time within the Munster remaining.
Requested how they examine as he was named PwC GAA/GPA Participant of the Month for June in hurling final week, Kelly started:
“They’re comparable. By way of their bodily conditioning, they’re very comparable. By way of energy, dimension, even pace, they’re very comparable. They’re capable of combine up the best way they play. They’ll play lengthy ball, quick ball as nicely, each can simply do it. They’re simply capable of adapt the sport to cater for that.
“Limerick, they’re clearly the standard-bearer within the nation the final 4 or 5 years. I do assume Kilkenny are extraordinarily harmful this yr. I believe they’ve improved in each sport. Particularly having performed them on the weekend, I do know we had been beneath par however they’re nonetheless a really, excellent outfit.
If you happen to had been to name the All-Eire on the minute, I believe it’s actually 50/50. The final couple of All-Irelands, you most likely wouldn’t be capable of say that. You most likely would have favoured Limerick extra. I do assume Kilkenny are very, excellent.
“Limerick are coping with a few accidents, if they will get them proper, the likes of Cian Lynch and Peter Casey, if they will get them on the sector from the beginning… they’re clearly strengthening their bench nicely. I do assume it’s gonna be very, very shut.”
PwC GAA/GPA Participant of the Month for June in hurling, Tony Kelly of Clare, together with his award at PwC HQ.
Supply: David Fitzgerald/SPORTSFILE
The 2013 All-Eire winner and Hurler and Younger Hurler of the 12 months thinks Kilkenny are “proper there” with Limerick by way of bodily conditioning, however believes Lynch, if match, may swing the end result in direction of the three in-a-row chasing Treaty.
The reigning Hurler of the 12 months made his comeback look as a second-half substitute within the semi-final win over Galway, 10 weeks after sustaining a hamstring harm within the Munster championship victory over Waterford.
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“Everyone knows how good he’s,” Kelly stated. “He’s the most effective hurlers within the nation.
In all probability the energy of Limerick although is that they have a whole lot of Cian Lynch-standard hurlers. We’ve seen how they’ve coped with out the likes of him and Peter Casey, one other one who’s most likely up there as one of many high forwards within the nation as nicely.
“They’ve nice gamers all around the subject. They’re not simply reliant on one participant, however clearly if they’ve Cian and Peter match and able to go for it for the All-Eire remaining, it’d be large plus for Limerick. Each beginning on the sector after which clearly strengthening their bench as nicely, they’re two lads which have been enjoying all alongside for them.
“Positively, if Cian Lynch is performing like we all know he can, clearly he’ll be extraordinarily tough to cease and so will Limerick.”
No matter method it goes, Kelly will likely be watching intently. “I’ll be a eager observer by way of what groups are doing and who comes on high,” he smiles.
Throw-in at Croke Park on Sunday is 3.30pm, and it’s reside on RTÉ and Sky Sports activities.
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