GAELIC GAMES: GAVIN CUMMISKEYhears from Brian Hogan on how a mix of experience and youth gelled so well

ONE OF the most satisfying aspects for Brian Cody in Kilkenny winning the Leinster hurling title on Sunday for a seventh successive occasion was the scoreless return of Dublin’s full forward line from play.

In fact, all their starting six forwards had to show was 0-1 each from Conor McCormack and Conal Keaney against a defence that saw JJ Delaney restored to wing back, and Noel Hickey, Paul Murphy and Jackie Tyrell in a full back line that many believed were primed to be exposed.

It was claimed by several commentators before the throw-in that three-time All Star Noel Hickey had been shifted to the corner of late because Cody no longer trusted him with the full back responsibilities.

However, last Sunday Hickey had number two on his back but played on the square’s edge.

“I wouldn’t like to tell Hickey he is the weak link, to be honest, having been hurling in front of him long enough now,” said captain and centre back Brian Hogan.

“Sport is sport; you are going to have good days and bad days,” Hogan said, referring to concerns that arose after the Wexford match on June 11th and the league final defeat to Dublin.

“These lads don’t turn bad overnight. I’d have no fear hurling with these guys any time. Likewise Jackie and Paul Murphy, a young lad, who stepped in there and had a stormer.

“In the next couple of weeks you are going to have the likes of John Dalton gunning for his place back. That’s the way it always has been. That’s the way he likes it – to pick on form.”

He being Brian Cody, of course.

Paul Murphy, from Danesfort, was the only Kilkenny defender selected who is not a household name. That he was picked at the expense of seven-time All-Ireland winner Michael Kavanagh, Dalton and Paddy Hogan, should have been enough proof of his ability. But it was his winning and supply of ball into the forward line, especially for the fourth Kilkenny goal scored by Michael Rice, that prompted Hogan’s compliment.

Colin Fennelly was another player to seamlessly blend into this established Kilkenny attack, but, as Hogan explained, these men are a long time in the making.

“They are good hurlers so it shouldn’t take much integration. As a forward it should be fairly easy to hurl with Henry (Shefflin) and (Richie) Power and Larky (Eoin Larkin). If you make a run, these guys will pick you out.

“I mean Colin is a great hurler, and has been flying for the club, Ballyhale, for the last number of years. He has been knocking on the door. I’m delighted for him, he had a good day. And likewise Paul, who was on the Under-21s last year.

“It is not as if these guys in Kilkenny come up out of nowhere. Brian and the boys would be watching them and would be very familiar with them, knowing exactly what they are like. They got their chance, like we all did down through the years, and when you get your chance you have to take it, like the lads did.”

Did the comprehensive league final defeat to Dublin – when Shefflin, Tommy Walsh, Power and Michael Fennelly were missing and Eoin Larkin was sent off before half-time – figure in the team’s preparation?

“No, I personally didn’t (use it) and as a group we wouldn’t have. It would have popped up in conversation maybe. Maybe the lads (management) would have looked at it, I’m sure they did. But it’s not something we would have honed in on.

“It’s one match, albeit it was a disappointing result, but the boys are around long enough. We know the score and we were disappointed overall with the way things had gone. But on reflection we might have needed it.

“We were obviously lucky to get there with the injuries and everything anyway. But it was a great opportunity for the younger lads as well. But look, things kicked on from there as well and we’re happy enough with the way things are now.”