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The Irish Sun
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Jack O'Connor claims Kerry's gruelling club calendar is taking a toll on his injury-hit squad
JACK O'CONNOR reckons the hectic schedule of club fixtures in Kerry has taken a huge toll on his injury-hit squad. The view was expressed by the Advertisement 2 Kerry manager Jack O'Connor reckons the hectic schedule of club fixtures in Kerry has taken a huge toll on his injury-hit squad 2 Tom O'Sullivan and Diarmuid O'Connor will not feature for Kerry in this weekend's All-ireland semi-final against Tyrone A somewhat unique structure is in place in Due to burnout fears, some members of the Kerry senior set-up sat out the district competition last season. It was suggested recently by skipper Gavin White that the demands of football's new rules may also be contributing to the increase in injuries. That point was put to the Kerry gaffer yesterday in Tralee, where he addressed the media ahead of Saturday's bid to become the first team to advance to this year's All-Ireland decider. Advertisement read more on gaa O'Connor said: 'Yeah, there probably is a bit more high-speed running, particularly in the middle eight. 'The game before these new rules was a slower game. There were periods where teams could almost rest with the ball, if you know what I mean — it's kind of a soccer phrase. 'But now the ball is moving and there are very little delays. You could foul tactically before as well to slow down the play. 'Now there's no such thing as a tactical foul because you can move the ball on or whatever. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football 'But I think there are other factors. It's well documented that Kerry players aren't getting enough of an off-season. 'We have three championships down here. Watch RTE pundits' contrasting reaction to full-time whistle of Tipperary's epic win over Kilkenny 'Players are playing into November and you're starting pre-season training. It's very tricky. I don't think players are getting enough of an off-season. 'You might get away with that for a few months but then it comes back to bite you because if you haven't enough of an off-season, you haven't enough of a pre-season. Advertisement 'Somewhere along the line, something is going to have to take a hit there. 'But that's for another day. That's a bigger argument and it's not for me to solve.' Kerry have been plagued by injuries this year, with Paul Geaney, Mike Breen, Tadhg Morley, Tony Brosnan and Diarmuid O'Connor playing no part in the dethroning of Armagh last time out. Tom O'Sullivan is unavailable for the meeting with Tyrone after the defender was forced off with a calf injury in the first half of the victory over the Sam Maguire holders. Advertisement O'Connor remains sidelined after aggravating a shoulder issue in the preliminary quarter-final win over Cavan. Fellow midfielder Barry Dan O'Sullivan has been missing since suffering a season-ending ACL knee injury in the group-stage victory against Cork. Apart from that trio, Kerry chief O'Connor refused to rule any of his injury-affected players in or out of the meeting with the Red Hands. Speaking yesterday, he added: 'Their level of readiness, I'm not too sure. We have two sessions left, this evening and Wednesday, and we'll make a decision on them then. Advertisement 'They're all losses. Tony Brosnan is back training, that's all I'll say, and any fella back training has a chance. Mike Breen and Tadhg Morley are back doing some training.' KINGDOM FITNESS O'Connor also confirmed that Paudie Clifford experienced 'no ill-effects' after having a big impact following his half-time introduction against As for Geaney, who was an unused sub against the Orchard, the boss added: 'He's training away but has he gone at it 100 per cent? Probably not yet, but he's close. 'We have had a bad run with injuries. Advertisement 'It was only afterwards that I was thinking about it, but we were down anything up to seven starters the last day. 'I don't think any team in the country could ship that kind of attrition and try and survive. 'We would be in a stronger position if we had a clean bill of health but we have to deal with what we have to deal with. 'It has been a very tricky season. Advertisement 'Not alone have we had to deal with a lot of injuries, but we have had to deal with trying to get players back from the clubs and incorporate them into the system.'
The Irish Sun
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Tommy Walsh hails Derek Lyng's impact as Kilkenny prepare for derby war with Tipperary
AHEAD of hurling's Old Firm derby, Tommy Walsh has hailed his former team-mate Derek Lyng for ensuring Kilkenny remain a grand old team to play for. Lyng had massive shoes to fill when he succeeded legendary boss Brian Cody for the 2023 season. Advertisement 2 Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng and his side are just one game away from the All-ireland final 2 Former Kilkenny star Tommy Walsh hailed his former team-mate And while the gap to their 2015 Liam MacCarthy Cup triumph has yet to be bridged, Having been on the losing side against Limerick at the end of his first season in charge, Lyng is one victory away from another All-Ireland SHC decider. He has also steered the black and amber to three successive Leinster titles as their provincial supremacy continued for a sixth year on the spin. And Walsh has been encouraged by how Kilkenny avoided going into the type of freefall experienced by Manchester United following the departure of their own iconic gaffer. Advertisement READ MORE ON GAA The nine-time All-Ireland winner said: 'Look, what do you want out of your hurling team? You want to be competing. 'That every year you go out, you have a chance and you hope that you're going to be the All-Ireland champions come the end of July. 'We've seen it in Manchester United after Alex Ferguson. 'Manchester United have fallen away down to 17th in the table. And that was the worry that when Brian Cody left, would the same happen to maybe Kilkenny? Advertisement Most read in GAA Hurling 'It didn't and Derek has kept us competing after winning six Leinsters now in a row and in All-Ireland finals, All-Ireland semi-finals every year. 'And with Limerick gone, it's nearly a weight off every other team that's left in the Championship that, 'You know what? Palestine GAA players watch camogie match on laptop "We can do it this year and we don't have to produce this extraordinary performance to beat Limerick to go on and win an All-Ireland'. 'Now you're nearly seeing every other team that's left in the Championship as your equal. Advertisement "I think that was narrowed again even more so when your All-Ireland semi-final opponents are Tipperary, because I think whether that's a qualifier, whether that's an All-Ireland final, semi-final, I don't think that matters. 'This is a derby. This is Celtic versus Rangers, Manchester United versus Manchester City, Liverpool versus Manchester United.' Not since their 2019 All-Ireland final defeat have Kilkenny faced The recent winning of underage titles at the expense of their neighbours has helped the Premier to retain the bragging rights in the meantime. Advertisement But Tullaroan native Walsh, who grew up just a few kilometres from Tipp territory, hopes Lyng's side can set the record straight tomorrow by advancing to the July 20 showpiece against Cork or Dublin. SPLIT DECISION The former Kilkenny star said: 'I suppose both sides of the border would know exactly what's going on in each other's heads and you're just praying that your team comes out the right side of it. 'Tipperary have done it in the All-Ireland minor final last year, they've done it in the All-Ireland Under-20 final this year, so we're praying that maybe this time we'll get the bit of luck and that we'll get the right side of it. "From our playing days, there's nothing that prepares you for a derby. Advertisement 'They're ones you just have to live through the experience.' The Cats' Eoin Cody will make his long-awaited return tomorrow after a ten-week lay-off due to injury. Tipp manager Liam Cahill has announced the same team that started their All-Ireland quarter-final defeat of Galway. KILKENNY: E Murphy; M Butler, H Lawlor, S Murphy; M Carey, R Reid, P Deegan; C Kenny, J Molloy; A Mullen, J Donnelly, B Ryan; M Keoghan, TJ Reid, E Cody. Subs: A Tallis, T Walsh, D Blanchfield, P Moylan, K Doyle, Z Bay-Hammond, F Mackessy, S Donnelly, L Hogan, L Connellan, B Drennan. TIPPERARY: R Shelly; R Doyle, E Connolly, M Breen; C Morgan, R Maher, B O'Mara; W Connors, P McGarry; J Morris, A Ormond, S O'Farrell; D McCarthy, J McGrath, J Forde. Subs: B Hogan, J Caesar, S Kenneally, S Kennedy, B McGrath, N McGrath, O O'Donoghue, J Ryan, C Stakelum, D Stakelum, A Tynan. Advertisement l TOMMY WALSH is an ambassador for 24th annual Circet All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge. This year's event, in aid of GAA-related charities, takes place at Killarney Golf and Fishing Resort on October 16 and 17.
