Tag: #HenryShefflin

Hurling’s Hotbed ?

Is South Kilkenny the ‘Hotbed’ of Hurling talent in Ireland ? Or for those who believe that there is no such thing as ‘talent’ – only competence achieved through the decision to choose an activity, followed by thousands of hours of dedicated application, repetition and focus. Is the environment in which a Player finds themselves – ie. proximity to like-minded individuals the most critical factor?.

People who aspire to a high level of achievement in a sport or any other discipline will tend to seek out or gravitate toward like minded individuals. You might be the most passionate hurler in Roscommon or Donegal but if there are few others in the region with the same level of interest and subsequent skills development, you are not going to progress past a certain level.

Lets take a look at the evidence in terms of All Ireland winners medals. With some notable exceptions over the decades from Clubs such as James Stephens, Tullaroan and Johnstown, it is the region south of the Marble City that has produced the majority of the best known names in Kilkenny Hurling lore.

A driving factor in this is the particular Hurling Obsession that may be inherent in certain families. Sometimes all that is required for hurling to thrive is a handful of ultra dedicated siblings from one or 2 families who remain in the region and thus form the core of a more successful group of club players.

PlayerAll Ireland MedalsHurling Club
Henry Shefflin10Shamrocks
Eddie Keher6Rower Inistioge
DJ Carey5Young Irelands
TJ Reid7Shamrocks
Eddie Brennan8Graigue Ballycallan
Noel Skehan9Bennettsbridge
Noel Hickey8Dunamaggin
Richie Power8Carrickshock
Frank Cummins8Knocktopher
Michael Fennelly8Shamrocks
Richie Hogan7Danesfort
Ollie Walsh4Thomastown
James McGarry6Bennettsbridge
James Cha Fitzpatrick5Shamrocks
Colin Fennelly4Shamrocks
Liam Fennelly3Shamrocks
Ger Fennelly3Shamrocks
Christy Heffernan4Glenmore
Paul Murphy4Glenmore
Eoin Murphy4Glenmore
Jim Treacy4Bennettsbridge
Paddy Moran4Bennettsbridge
Dick Walsh7Mooncoin
Dick Doyle7Mooncoin
Ned Doyle6Mooncoin
Mick Doyle5Mooncoin
Jimmy Kelly6Mooncoin
Dick Doherty5Mooncoin
John Power4Callan
Keiran Joyce4Rower Inistioge
Jimmy Walsh4Tullogher

Kilkenny v Waterford

All Ireland Final 2008. Demolition Day. Kilkenny 3-30 Waterford 1-13.

Kilkenny’s Hurling Machine of 2006-2015 probably peaked on this day and their first half performance in particular was the most ruthless and perfect an All Ireland Final display that most Hurling pundits can recall.

Chasing their first 3 in a row since 1913, Kilkenny were in no mood to allow the neutrals favourite’s to stand in their way. A rather ill judged early attempt by the Deise to ‘out muscle’ Kilkenny was quickly quashed, and in true Kilkenny fashion, 2 goals by Eddie Brennan in as many minutes dealt a killer psychological blow.

By halftime Kilkenny had 2-16 versus 0-5 on the scoreboard meaning that Waterford would require the equivalent of 6 goals or 18 points without reply to go in front – an almost impossible task. I remember spotting Frank Cummins and a fan in conversation at the Hogan Stand Bar at half time shaking their heads in bewilderment at the latest standard Kilkenny had set. An emphatic way to take the lead in the Hurling Championship Honours over Cork.