Search Results for 'Kilkenny player'

Kilkenny midfielder Michael Rice has been part of the senior set-up since 2005, but despite winning four All-Irelands in that time, his appetite to land another shows no sign of diminishing.

Clarinbridge 2-18

Having beaten Ashbourne with such resounding force last week, great things were expected of Kilkenny on Sunday in Gorey. Kilkenny put in a hard week on the training pitch, with the forwards perfecting their scrum and lineout and both backlines running and re-running moves to ensure the level of intensity shown against Ashbourne was carried through to this game.

Number three seed, Andrew Harte, was the impressive winner of this year’s Senior Open Week singles which was sponsored by TigerTurf Tennis Court Construction. Only Eoghan O’Connor was able to take a set from Andrew as he went on to defeat Brian Murphy, Tommy Rochford (seed 2) and Simon Clarke (seed 1) to take the men’s title.

Having made my way early to Croke Park last Sunday I headed to a local shebeen to pick up a spare ticket and a quick bevvy of course.

I said last week that a shock could be on the cards in Semple Stadium last Sunday. Okay it didn't pan out that way in the end, but at various stages of both quarter-finals it sure looked like happening. Cork and Waterford move onto the semi-final stages after cracking encounters with the former out to upset Kilkenny's 3 in a row dream on August 10. Over the last decade these two sides have stopped each other from completing this marvellous feat, it's a bit like the song Lanigan's Ball “one stepped in....", they will once again as in '04 relish the opportunity to repeat the trick and set up an All-Ireland appearance. Cork judging by their prematch get-together, obviously feel the world is against them. It's the first time I've seen everyone step outside the confines of the playing area for the National Anthem. They are well within their rights to do so but you're only bringing notice to yourself. Both the Clare and Wexford players were probably kicking themselves last Monday morning for letting a good chance slip by. You would have to acknowledge Cork's persistence to stick at it when all looked lost at half time. They once again proved that they have the bottle and they know how to both wear down a side and finish off a job - this is a trait that both Clare and Wexford lack.

Ballyhale Shamrocks and Tullogher Rosbercon landed two more Leinster titles for the county last Sunday to copperfasten what is undoubtedly the best year Kilkenny hurling has ever seen. Some might argue that the entertainment value wasn’t as high as other years, but in terms of trophies won surely ‘08 will never be surpassed. Last Sunday’s victory merely put the icing on the cake and it was the perfect ending to a perfect year.

Kilkenny 13 Dundalk 18