Busy January in store for Kilkenny hurlers
A new year is upon us but a very different GAA calendar awaits hurling supporters over the next few weeks.
The traditional kick-start to the year of Walsh Cup action is temporarily gone - who knows if we will ever see it return.
The pre-season competition has served Kilkenny well down through the years as the search for new talent heated up ahead of the league and championship, but it came in for huge criticism in recent seasons with its timing alongside the Fitzgibbon Cup, causing huge headaches for college and county bosses all around the country.
While the Walsh Cup has bitten the dust, there is also a big change to the hurling league structure for the upcoming season with a seven-team Division One practically guaranteeing a number of huge clashes all around the country over the next few weeks.
The Division 1A and 1B structure had gone a bit stale in recent years and this revamp, especially in the top division, should bring huge interest. With Limerick, Tipperary and Galway all visiting UPMC Nowlan Park, the Kilkenny County Board will be hopeful of bumper crowds.
As well as all the top teams in the country facing off, the addition of two teams going down should ensure a vibrant programme of games all the way through.
The league semi-finals have also gone with now only a final taking place between the top two in the division.
While it is a very appealing beginning to the year, it won’t be without its challenges. It will be interesting to see how seriously the Munster sides in particular take it with their provincial campaign being so hotly contested over the last few years.
Ahead of the league, the Cats will face Dublin, Offaly and Waterford in a series of upcoming challenge games over the next three weekends which should have them well-tuned for the league opener with Clare at the end of the month.
With all three of those teams plying their trade in the division below the Cats during the league, it will give Kilkenny boss Derek Lyng the chance to try things ahead of a busy few months.
Club Action
While Kilkenny are busy preparing for the beginning of the Allianz League, there is a big day of action on the horizon for St Lachtain’s.
Fresh from winning the Leinster junior title before Christmas and subsequently seeing off Sligo’s Easkey in the All-Ireland semi-final, the Freshford side will travel to Croke Park on Sunday, January 12.
The All-Ireland junior final decider against Russell Rovers of Cork is part of a triple-header. The game throws-in at 12.30pm, with the All-Ireland intermediate football and hurling deciders also part of a bumper day of club action.