Galway and Kilkenny aiming for further redemption in Limerick league semi

Kilkenny and Galway both come into this afternoon’s national league semi-final hoping to continue their rebuilding process having endured traumatic championship exits last year.

Galway and Kilkenny aiming for further redemption in Limerick league semi

Galway and Kilkenny aiming for further redemption in Limerick league semi

By Peter O’ Dwyer

Kilkenny and Galway both come into this afternoon’s national league semi-final hoping to continue their rebuilding process having endured traumatic championship exits last year.

The league, so far, has been kind to both and given managers and players alike a much needed shot in the arm. Kilkenny in particular will be delighted with how the league has panned out as Brian Cody goes about rectifying the mistakes that sent the Cats packing in July – an ignominy rarely inflicted on Kilkenny.

The Cats boss has responded by using 32 players to date in the league in probably the biggest audition for starting places since he took charge 15 years ago. Consequently, his side has had a much-changed look about it for much of the season but crucially, the most important Kilkenny habit of old has been largely present - winning.

Victories over Tipperary, Waterford and today’s opponents Galway, saw Cody’s men finish in second place and book their place in the quarter-finals where they hammered Wexford on a scoreline of 4-22 to 2-16.

The league experiment has brought a number of players to the fore with the likes of Jonjo Farrell, Joey Holden and Pádraig Walsh particularly impressive through the league. Where Walsh is among the new brigade giving renewed hope to Kilkenny fans, his more esteemed older brother Tommy is one of the panel finding himself on the other side of the fence as a result of the reshuffle.

Walsh, a nine-time All Star, has found game time hard to come by along with his old comrade Brian Hogan at centre-back. Hogan , however, has been restored to the starting lineup for today’s clash in place of Jackie Tyrrell while Walsh has to make do with a place on the bench.

Hogan is one of five changes to the Kilkenny team which also sees Michael Fennelly start at midfield having come off the bench in the closing stages against Wexford on his return from injury. Fennelly’s presence in the centre of the park is a huge boost for the Cats who also welcome back Henry Shefflin at corner-forward.

Fennelly’s inclusion means Pádraig Walsh reverts to the half-back line in place of Conor Fogarty. Joey Holden is also relegated to the subs bench as Brian Kennedy takes over at corner-back.

For Galway, who themselves have enjoyed a relatively successful league campaign, redemption is also the aim of the game following last year’s championship where they failed to replicate the standards of 2012 that saw them fall just short of the big one.

Iarla Tannian has been extensively auditioned for the centre-back slot during the campaign and has largely acquitted himself well which will be of huge relief to Anthony Cunningham who has also introduced a number of younger players to the panel; much in the same way as Cody has in Kilkenny.

Jason Flynn, Cathal Mannion and Ronan and Daithí Burke have all impressed and give the Tribesmen a new impetus. Coupled with the returning Portumna stars, Galway will be a dangerous prospect in Limerick this afternoon.

A strong finish to the league campaign saw the Tribesmen beat Tipperary and draw with Clare to book their quarter-final place against Limerick at today’s venue. Cunningham’s charges were far too strong for a poor Limerick side on the day.

Iarla Tannian and Niall Healy have both overcome injury concerns to take their place in the team for today’s clash, but Joe Canning has to content himself with a place on the bench.

Fellow Portumna attacker Andy Smith is restored to the side however, as he takes the place of corner-back Fergal Moore who is out through injury. The resulting reshuffle sees Johnny Coen revert to the full-back line and David Burke dropping into midfield with Moore filling the vacated berth at left-half forward.

As always with Galway the question that looms large over them is their consistency. With a cohort of talented hurlers rivalled by only few counties, a lot is again expected of this side but whether they can deliver against a rejuvenated Kilkenny – who also have doubts to dispel– is the big question.

On form, Kilkenny look the more likely to come through today’s first semi-final but if Galway can produce the sort of hurling that ruffled Kilkenny feathers in 2012, they’ll fancy their chances of claiming another victory in Limerick.

Throw-in is at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick is at 2pm.

Galway: C Callanan; J Coen, R Burke, D Collins; A Harte, I Tannian, Daithi Burke; David Burke, P Brehony; N Burke, C Cooney, A Smith; N Healy, J Glynn, C Mannion.

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Paul Murphy, JJ Delaney, Brian Kennedy; Padraig Walsh, Brian Hogan, Cillian Buckley; Michael Fennelly, Richie Hogan; Walter Walsh, Colin Fennelly, TJ Reid; John Power, Mark Kelly, Henry Shefflin.

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