Thomastown would be perennial underachievers relative to their size? Is it a big soccer town?
Used to be. Not so much now.
A very very disappointing result for them. But Glenmore were better.
Their team looks quite underwhelming on paper.
Why are they regarded as such under achievers?
Was it a shock though? Glenmore wouldn’t be giving anything away soft, ever.
Why do they look so weak on paper?
Well put.
Not a shock, no. A grave disappointment, from a Thomastown perspective. Yet another example of not being able to hurl in Nowlan Park when it most counts. There is a psychological glitch there. Does not help them to be in between Bennettsbridge and Ballyhale.
I have admired Glenmore over many years – doughty out – but have a fondness for Thomastown, since I know the place really well and have lots of relations there. Anyway…
1 Like
Well like at Intermediate level in Kilkenny over the past few years I’d have regarded Tullaroan & Ballycallan much, much stronger on paper than this current crop from Thomastown.
Even Glenmore looked stronger to me on paper.
What are the credentials of those Thomastown lads as to be honest I wouldn’t have come across a lot of them before.
Well, so you regard it. Then again, you regard Davy Fitzgerald and Brian Cody as beyond criticism.
I inhabit a different space suit.
Beat them handy enough in the League Final a few weeks ago (although Eoin Murphy was missing for Glenmore that day - John Donnelly was missing too for TT).
Confidence was ultra-high in Thomastown that this was the year they were going up. Very few dissenting voices thinking Glenmore could do a number on then.
Ref was more than generous to Glemore, but they were full value for the win.
References to ‘Mayo’ were to be heard quite a lot in the locality afterwards.
2 Likes
How many lads would you know from Fenians, Freshford, Graigue Ballycallan, Dicksboro etc?
The Donnelly’s would be an accomplished enough bunch of hurlers, John Joe Farrell (who tried hard yesterday) has a couple of AI panel medals from 2014/15. Goalie was on a Kieran’s winning team. No world beaters who who has, apart from Ballyhale?
1 Like
I was just expecting Thomastown to be on a par with Tullaroan who were a very good team for Intermediate level with 5 or 6 absolutely class players.
1 Like
Diarmuid Galway: sub U20 goalkeeper in 2021.
Ned Kirwan: promising young corner back.
Jay Burke: solid performer, and better, over last half a dozen years. Won an Intermediate All Ireland with Kilkenny.
Brian Murphy: reliable veteran. Won an Intermediate All Ireland with Kilkenny.
Eddie Donnelly: tall strong young hurler.
Adrian Burke: featured on Kilkenny Minor and U21 panels.
Brian Staunton: tall strong athletic hurler.
Jonjo Farrell: former Kilkenny hurler at Minor, U21 and Senior.
Peter McDonald: former Kilkenny Minor and a Kilkenny U20, at 19, in 2021.
John Donnelly: Kilkenny hurler at Minor, U21 and Senior.
Stephen Donnelly: Kilkenny U20 in 2020 and 2021.
Dylan Waugh: former Kilkenny Minor.
Daithí Barron: captained SKC to win a Schools All Ireland and a former Kilkenny Minor.
Robbie Donnelly: won a Minor All Ireland with Kilkenny in 2014.
Thomas O’Hanrahan: won a Minor All Ireland with Kilkenny in 2010. Gifted ballplayer.
Barry Whelan (inj): won an Intermediate All Ireland with Kilkenny.
4 Likes
How good is Murphy at Centre Back lads? Would he start outfield if he wasn’t so good in goal?
A bit small/light for half back line intercounty?
He is as good an outfield hurler as the majority of the KK backs.
An elite inter county goalie, would be a very solid outfield player if he was outfield. Darren Brennan and Dean Mason are probably good enough to play in goals at that level.
Be interesting to see what @Malarkey thinks about Aidan Tallis of Lisdowney who is an unreal underage goalie but scoring well for Lisdowney as a corner forward also.
Murphy was a fine Fitzgibbon hurler out the field. Lined out for both WIT and DIT
Zach Bay Hammond not starting or is he too young?
Playing soccer I thought.
Eligible – but playing soccer, as already mentioned. Was asked into Kilkenny U20 panel after Minor All Ireland Final but declined.
I would think so. Brilliant hurler anywhere, of course.
32 in 2022.