Are Kilkenny struggling?
People will say they were fortunate enough to survive Division 1A. They had 12 weeks of a break where Ger Aylward hadn't really featured. He was there or thereabouts two years ago but didn't feature last year or in the league this spring. All of a sudden, Aylward pops up because Richie Power and Colin Fennelly are injured and he scores 3-5 against Wexford.
You're not on a Kilkenny panel without having talent and without being a very very good player. Aylward needed a break to get into the team and when he got it, he took it. He can be as good as he wants to be. I have watched him as a juvenile player go through the age grades. Not all players make it to the senior level. He took his chance against Wexford and can look forward to playing in this weekend's Leinster final.
It's the old adage in Kilkenny that 'you have to continue'. You will have Power and Fennelly looking to come back into the team. They will be biting at Ger's heels and I think thats great news for Brian Cody.
I was disappointed with Wexford in the game. If Kilkenny were 10 or 15 points down like Wexford were, Brian Cody's side would want to narrow the gap to six or seven points and not let it grow to 25. I thought Wexford gave up a bit.
DJ with the Off The Ball team
Joey Holden
I'm looking forward to seeing Joey Holden and Galway's Joe Canning square off on Sunday. The Portumna man is the best forward in the country. I hope there will be a lot of balls put in around the two of them because all players want to be pitted against the best to find out what level you are at. Holden has taken the full back position from JJ Delaney and we have great faith in him in Kilkenny.
Holden has been a great player for club and county over the last few years. He has been unlucky not to win an All-Ireland on the field of play. He is the man that has been entrusted to take over from JJ Delaney. We need a long term full-back and he looks like the man to be it.
Galway and the All-Ireland
We always see every year that Galway are one of the favourites to win the All-Ireland every year, but many have given up saying that recently, because they haven't produced on a regular basis. Anthony Cunningham's team are on a bit of a roll this year though after three pretty good performances against Dublin and Laois. They have the players to win an All-Ireland. The Westerners will be there or thereabouts come September.
Colm Galvin
I was not suprised to see Colm Galvin return to the Clare panel ahead of ther game with Offaly on Saturday. I think its a massive boost for Davy Fitzgerald's side. He had his mind made up to go to the States but has returned for the rest of the Summer. There is no surprise or gamble in a player like Galvin coming into the Clare team. It will put some fear into the rest of the opposition.
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