Get set for the hurling whirlwind to start again
The new season is just days away
The curtain may have closed on the 2023 hurling season, but it won’t be long before the action starts all over again!
While the Kilkenny senior hurlers saw their championship hopes end in disappointment, the chance to put things right will start again in a matter of days. The intercounty season begins on Sunday, January 7, when the Cats travel to Netwatch Cullen Park for a meeting with neighbours Carlow in the opening round of the Walsh Cup (throw-in 1.30pm).
Twelve months on from his first day out as Kilkenny senior hurling manager, Derek Lyng (right) is expected to use the competition to run the rule over a number of players bidding for places in his panel. More of his former under-20 All-Ireland winning squad are expected to feature as they bid to stake a claim for the year ahead.
The set-up for the Walsh Cup means that should Kilkenny lose their opening game they will be out again the weekend after against Wexford. Win, and their clash with the Model County moves back a week to January 21 and doubles as a semi-final.
The final will be played on the weekend of January 27/28.
Kilkenny will open their National League account on the first Sunday in February when Wexford come to UPMC Nowlan Park.
The games will come thick and fast from there, with matches against Cork (away, February 10), Offaly (home, February 25), Clare (away, March 10) and Waterford (away, March 16) to look forward to.
The month also promises to be a busy one on the club front, with three teams chasing All-Ireland honours. There will be a Kilkenny and Cork double header to savour in Croke Park on Saturday, January 13 when Tullogher-Rosbercon take on St Catherine’s in the junior decider (throw-in 5pm), while Thomastown and Castlelyons lock horns in the intermediate decider (7pm).
Then, a week later, O’Loughlin Gaels face Galway’s St Thomas in the senior club final at GAA HQ.
With such a busy schedule 2024 is certain to start with a real bang!