A battle between two hurling juggernauts is what Eddie Keher is predicting for Sunday’s All-Eire closing. The Cats legend gave his insights into each the Kilkenny and Limerick squads forward of the massive sport, and whereas he lauded the reigning champions credit score he’s hopeful Derek Lyng’s facet will get their arms on the MacCarthy Cup.
“There’s no denying they’ve an enormous group,” he stated of John Kiely’s facet. “We’ve got to pay credit score to an unimaginable facet, each on the pitch and on the sidelines. There’s little question will probably be a conflict, however I hope Kilkenny can be up for it when the day comes.” When straight focussing on the opposition Keher spoke in regards to the power of the panel Limerick will take Croker on Sunday.
“It’s so troublesome to foretell the Limerick group, the place and the way they are going to be enjoying,” the Rower-Inistioge legend added. “The duel between Cian Lynch and Richie Reid will most likely be the hardest battle of the conflict, nevertheless the tussle in midfield between Blanchfield and Hegerty can be mighty.”
The power of Kilkenny’s panel was additionally talked about, with Keher praising the gamers for the best way they carved a path to the ultimate. The positives for the squad solely grew as he highlighted among the gamers coming by.
“Eoin Cody has blossomed into a beautiful younger hurler,” Keher stated of the Kilkenny captain, including that the celebs from final yr have continued to shine. “When it comes to youthful gamers coming to mild, I’ve been impressed by David Blanchfield and Tom Phelan this yr,” he added, “whereas Cian Kenny can be going good and is one to observe going ahead.”
Nevertheless, he couldn’t transfer on with out mentioning the Ballyhale nice.
“TJ Reid is simply TJ – a pressure of nature,” he stated.
Making the ultimate has been nice for Kilkenny, particularly as many individuals would have predicted the group would undergo a transition interval following the departure of Brian Cody. Keher opened up and spoke in regards to the change from Brian Cody’s twenty 4 yr reign over the Cats with nice respect. “Brian has contributed tremendously to Kilkenny hurling over the previous 24 years and left us in an incredible place,” he stated.
“Derek Lyng undoubtedly took on the identical degree of spirit we’ve had yearly,” he stated. “He’s doing a implausible job. That’s been evident, particularly in the previous few video games. He’s filled with dedication and he injects the spirit he has into the group.” That spirit has been mirrored within the group’s performances, bringing all of them the best way to the ultimate.
“I believe the group has been good to this point,” he stated. “Like all groups, they took a while to mould and type, however they did nice work within the league and early championship determining gamers, positions and techniques. We’re in an excellent place going into the ultimate on Sunday.”
Whereas his insights have been largely optimistic, Keher had one concern forward of Sunday’s sport.
“My one concern is the sample that appears to happen in most matches, we take a powerful lead early on and by the tip we have now let it slip away from us. That can’t occur within the closing, the gamers should press on and hammer residence their benefit.”
As for the ultimate, whereas he wouldn’t give a rating Keher couldn’t deny his intestine feeling that Liam MacCarthy is coming residence. “I believe Limerick will come out all weapons blazing as they go for 4 in a row however that may convey its personal pressures,” he stated. “I believe this Limerick group will go down as among the best ever however I’m assured Kilkenny will pull it off. We’re stronger than we have been final yr; we have now each expertise and contemporary legs on our facet.”
Eddie Keher is a proud member of the supporters membership and descriptions the significance of displaying the group help. “For a smaller populated county we’re punching above our weight, we’re sort of numb to the success however the gamers want the help of the Kilkenny folks. We have to bind collectively and assist our neighborhood.” It is moments like this within the construct as much as an All Eire that Eddie Keher the notorious Kilkenny hurler takes a second to look again and reminisce on his glory days. “This sport does a lot good, I simply adore it. I would undoubtedly love to show again time generally.” Eddie Keher’s ardour is just contagious. Listening to his phrases of ardour he has spilling out and the hope he has for this Sunday has a manner of filling you with pleasure and suspense for the sport.
