Kilkenny top 15 : 1970 – 2020

Noel Skehan

Michael Kavanagh

Noel Hickey

Jackie Tyrell

Tommy Walsh

Ger Henderson

JJ Delaney

Frank Cummins

Michael Fennelly

TJ Reid

Henry Shefflin

DJ Carey

Eddie Brennan

Richie Power

Eddie Keher

Panel Substitutes ( 30 Member Panel )

Richie Hogan, Eoin Larkin, Billy Fitzpatrick, Keiran Purcell, Liam Fennelly, Martin Comerford, Derek Lyng, Liam O’Brien, Cha Fitzpatrick, Brian Hogan, Joe Hennessy, Pat Henderson, Willie O’Connor, Phil Larkin, James McGarry

An almost unbeatable team even if up against Hurlings all time ‘Non Kilkenny’ 15 Best.

The only reason Richie Hogan and Eoin Larkin are subs here is due to the fact that DJ and Eddie Keher are guaranteed their positions and that TJ has had to carry weaker team’s. Richie Power probably better suited to full forward on this team. Half Forward line can not be disputed and Midfield again – relatively easy with 2 x 8 time medal winners.

Very difficult to choose one of the Hendersons over Brian Hogan for Center Back but the selection must acknowledge previous eras when the harsh physicality tended to go unnoticed by referees and the team cannot be entirely made of Cody’s 2006-2012 group either.

Sub Goalkeeper very difficult – James McGarry by virtue of longevity and clean sheets in All Irelands just shades PJ Ryan, followed by Eoin Murphy.

The 30 strong Panel allows for several stylists such as Liam O’Brien, Joe Hennessy, 2 time winning captain Liam Fennelly, and the Fitzpatricks – each with 5 winners medals. Keiran Purcell and Derek Lyng bring the power.

DJ Carey 2002

DJ Carey collects his fourth All Ireland Medal with a commanding display, scoring 1-6 in the process as Kilkenny defeat Clare by 2-20 to 0-19. The video headline here is incorrect – Carey followed up with a 5th AI winners medal againt Cork the following year.

In one much lauded passage of play he wins possession, performs a neat roll lift, creates space and then outwits Ollie Baker with an ingenious ‘feint and swerve’ before soloing a little and landing a point over the black spot ‘off the hurl’ from 50m in one clean controlled movement.

Ollie Walsh

Article on Kilkenny Goalkeeper Ollie Walsh from the 1984 Kilkenny GAA Yearbook. Interesting segment that he was scouted at a young age to play soccer for Waterford. The view from a Scottish International was that he could have made it to the top level in the ‘Foreign Game’

Ollie Walsh in action versus Tipperary 1967

Pat Henderson

Article on Pat Henderson from 1977. Pat Henderson played Centre Back and has been mentioned numerous times when the subject of all time greatest Kilkenny Backs is discussed. He won 5 All Ireland medals as a player with Kilkenny. Like Brian Cody, He then turned his hand to management guiding Kilkenny to All Ireland victory in 1979 against Galway aided by Eddie Keher. He was the manager for one of Kilkenny’s best loved teams – the All Ireland double and League double winning team of 1982-1983