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Hurling

"I've never actually spent so much time with the club players" | Colin Fennelly all for a split calendar

Kilkenny and Ballyhale Shamrocks forward Colin Fennelly says splitting the inter-county and club ...



Hurling

"I've never actually spent so much time with the club players" | Colin Fennelly all for a split calendar

Kilkenny and Ballyhale Shamrocks forward Colin Fennelly says splitting the inter-county and club seasons in the GAA calendar makes perfect sense. 

Fennelly lifted the Bob O'Keeffe Cup last Saturday night as Kilkenny edged Galway by two points in the Leinster senior hurling final.

The Cats showed a freshness that's been missing for a while and Fennelly believes a clear run at the Championship has been beneficial.

"We've been literally hurling the last three years straight - just constant. I think it's a huge advantage to both club and county, having them split. Just being with the club for every training session, for every game has been just amazing. I've never actually spent so much time with the club players which is absolutely brilliant and you can really just focus on the club and then you can go back to county and just completely focus on county.

"The whole thing of being with the county, going back to play two weeks with the club to play one match and the club players waiting around. It's crazy. You can see the GAA is looking at doing this now. For 2022 I think they are hoping to bring this in. I'd be definitely all for that."

Fennelly is an inter-county and club team-mate of TJ Reid. The pair have won back to back All Ireland club titles under the management of Noreside legend Henry Shefflin.

Reid scored 1-10 in last weekend's decider, including a crucial second-half goal which turned the tide in favour of the black and amber.

Fennelly knows both men well and won't be drawn on comparisons between the two.

"They are two neighbours. What they have done for Ballyhale and Kilkenny and for hurling is absolutely amazing. I've played with TJ since I've been a kid. The things I have seen that man do over the years, the games he has won for us.

"Probably, I have a lot to thank Henry for - for where I am at the moment. He's just been a leader, and TJ has certainly taken over that role now."

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