Eoin Larkin has been a member of the Kilkenny senior hurling team since 2005. However, it wasn’t until the 2008 season that the 26-year-old’s talent shone through. His championship display was so remarkable that he was named the GPA’s best player that year as well as winning an All-Star and he added to this by winning a second All-star in 2009.
That fine form has carried through since and the James Stephens clubman is only waiting to put his skill on display this Sunday. “I’m in top form, I’m really looking forward to Sunday’s final. I’m thankfully injury free and I’m hoping the hard work and training pays off.”
As relaxed as he can be Larkin isn’t at all fazed by Tipp but feels they will put it to them. “ They’ve improved, since Cork got the better of them this has only strengthened them. I think everyone got a shock when Cork beat them. “But they dusted themselves off and now contest an All-Ireland final.”
While player injuries have seen a positive turnaround Larkin feels the effects were tough on the players. “The injuries to the panel have been upsetting,” he said. “You don’t want to see any of the lads hurt or fighting against the clock —but we have to stick to our plans, we can’t allow that to distract us and that’s why we have 34 players on the panel. There are lads there just chomping at the bit to have their moment in the sun,” he said. “ This is terrible for the player who is injured but it can also be the making of another player who gets on the team and has the chance to show what he can do.”
With that aside the Kilkenny based soldier is just anxious to get out there onto the field and bring MacCarthy back over the Nore. “Now it’s just about thinking of the task in hand, going there to win and hopefully bringing Liam MacCarthy Cup back to Kilkenny. We’re going there to do our best, that’s all we can do and we hope it pays off.”
