Kilkenny goalkeeper Eoin Murphy previews the county senior final clash between Ballyhale Shamrocks and Dicksboro.
Kilkenny goalkeeper Eoin Murphy believes that Ballyhale’s spine might allow them to edge Sunday’s county final clash against Dicksboro.
The Shamrocks are back-to-back All-Ireland club champions and arguably have the most potent attack line in the country.
TJ Reid and Colin Fennelly lead the line at centre- and full-forward respectively, and it was the power of their forward division that fended off James Stephens in the semi-final.
Murphy wonders if The Village might have tried to get on the front foot more often early in that game, but was impressed with how Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett’s side put Ballyhale under pressure.
City side Dicksboro overcame O’Loughlin Gaels with plenty to spare in their semi-final win, and are looking to add a sixth title after most recently lifting the crown in 2017.
Glenmore man Murphy expects a tight game, but knows the Shamrocks have the potential to blow away any side in the country.
“Yes, they are missing Adrian Mullen (cruciate), one of the best forwards in the country,” says Murphy.
“But you have the likes of Eoin Reid and TJ, and Colin, and Eoin Cody who is on the extended Kilkenny panel at the moment.
“That’s four players who would make any club team in the country.
“That’s no disrespect to anyone else there, like Brian Cody who is always playing at a top level and he played the last day with a heavy bandage, but he might be at full fitness by the weekend.
“I think (Ballyhale) probably will by a couple of points, just by how Colin is performing,” he adds, as the GPA announced their partnership with Avonmore Protein Gold.
“They have a serious spine to the team: (goalkeeper) Dean Mason has played underage for Kilkenny, you have Joey Holden, Richie Reid at centre-back, Ronan Corcoran and Paddy Mullen at a high level at midfield, then TJ at 11 and Colin at 14 — that’s a serious spine.
“Regardless of how the lads around them are performing, you can be sure those lads will drag them through anything.”
