'You love the competition - that’s what keeps you going' - Fogarty keen as ever ahead of eight final

It would be rude to call Conor Fogarty one of Kilkenny senior hurling’s old brigade, but when you’ve been involved in the panel since 2011 it’s fair to say he’s seen a lot over the years!

“The years change, but the experience stays the same,” smiled the Erin’s Own (Castlecomer) man as he prepared for the build-up to his eighth All-Ireland final with the Cats.

“It’s a huge honour being in an All-Ireland final,” he said. "It’s every bit as important as the first final you’re in —  so it’s a great place to be, looking forward to a game like this.”

Since joining the panel in 2011, Fogarty has had a lot of good days with the Cats, winning four All-Irelands (2011, 12, 14 and 15) as well as eight Leinster and five League titles. It’s been a glittering career to date, one that seems to have passed in the blink of an eye.

“I can’t believe it’s gone so fast,” he said of his time in the county set-up. “It’s mad when you think it’s been 12 years, but time waits for no-one. 

“This year in particular seems to have flown by,” he added. “The season has been quite condensed, but you love being involved. You love the competition — that’s what keeps you going.”

While the years have seen many changes, one constant throughout 11 of Fogarty’s time with the Cats was Brian Cody —  that was up until last year, when he stepped away following the All-Ireland final. Before Derek Lyng took the reins, many people were predicting an uncertain period lay ahead for the Cats, but for the players the ship has not wavered off course.

“It was a massive change with Brian going, but a lot of things stayed the same,” said Fogarty. “When Derek took over there was a pretty seamless transition. He has such a good group around him, all steady and genuine lads. 

“They’re all well respected,” Fogarty added. “When you have the likes of Peter Barry and Michael Rice saying something to you, you take it on board.”

That’s not to say it wasn’t a surprise when Cody departed the scene after 24 years at the helm.

“It was a huge change - massive for Kilkenny, especially when you consider all he has done for us down through the years,” said Fogarty. “However, Derek came in and got on with the job straight away.”

The word ‘seamless’ summed up Lyng’s transition into the hotseat. There was no fuss or fanfare —  it was time to get on with the job.

“He hasn’t tried to reinvent the wheel,” said Fogarty. “He’s put his own tweaks on the set-up, but it all comes back to working on the fundamentals and basics of the game. That’s what he’s been driving on throughout the year.” 

Lyng has made some changes in terms of personnel, with a number of new faces in the squad. While it was understandable that some of his under-20 All-Ireland winning side would step up, he was also a regular sight at club games throughout the 2022 local leagues and championships, running the rule over players for the year ahead.

“He has gelled the squad together very well,” said Fogarty. “He has brought in players from that under-20 side and they have contributed throughout the year —  they’re not there just to make up the numbers or to get some experience. They’ve put their shoulders to the wheel and have been fighting for places, which is exactly what you need. We’re a tightly-knit group and there’s a great collective there at present.”

It’s apparent that the panel has great harmony — watching the players celebrate that late Buckley goal to win the Leinster final, at the final whistle in the Clare semi-final (or even the way Fogarty was swamped by team-mates after a vital block on Mark Rodgers in the first half of that game), it shows that a strong spirit is flowing through the squad.

Excitement

“These occasions are there to be celebrated,” said Fogarty. “The excitement, particularly at the end of the Leinster final, certainly added to it. We were happy to win another Leinster medal - for some lads it was their first — but it was important to recognise that.”

Celebrating those achievements is a just reward for the panel, who came through a tough group of contenders to reach the final. While Limerick were expected by many to make All-Ireland final Sunday, Kilkenny had to work hard to make sure they joined the Treatymen there.

“This year we saw a wide open championship,” said Fogarty. “From the off you could have said so many teams were in with a chance of winning an All-Ireland. Obviously, Limerick are still at the top of the pile, and justifiably so, but it’s great to have come through that pack and get to the final. Now it’s all about winning it.”

And to do that, Fogarty and his team-mates know they’ll have to beat a side aiming to join Kilkenny and Cork in a select group of counties who have won four All-Irelands in a row. They have had a number of challenges, but have shown the mark of champions to come through.

Tested

“When you’re champions you’re always going to be tested,” he said. “Everyone else is doing their level best to take you down and that’s what Limerick have found in their games this year. 

“They are a serious outfit, just as they have been in the last few years. A big physical side who are well able to hurl, we’re under no illusions as to the challenge that lies ahead for us.”