Young star Larkin set to captain Cats hurlers

YOUNG star Eoin Larkin, aged 21, is set to assume the captaincy of Kilkenny following James Stephens back-to-back title wins against Ballyhale Shamrocks on Sunday.

The tradition on Noreside is that the club champions nominate the county captain, and though no official statement has been made, all indications are that Larkin will have the role.

This year the honour rested with Peter Barry, and while the long-serving defender could again be considered, sources within the club believe it will be bestowed on Larkin.

Barry led Stephens to their eighth county title win on Sunday. His captaincy qualities aren’t in doubt but it is understood he will support Larkin as their nominee to lead the county team.

“Eoin has had a super year with us, and has been brilliant in every game we’ve played,” a senior Stephens official said. “He would bring the same spark of inspiration to Kilkenny that he brought to us and that can only be good for the prospects of the county team.”

A member of the Kilkenny side beaten in this year’s All-Ireland U21 final by Galway, and the senior side that lost a thrilling All-Ireland semi-final against the Tribesmen, Larkin had an outstanding year in service of his club.

He turned in a man-of-the-match performance on Sunday and club manager Adrian Finan believes he will be a worthy and inspiring Kilkenny skipper.

Larkin, an army private, was also named Kilkenny’s club hurler of the year for 2004.

In the meantime, James Stephens turn their attention towards defending the Leinster and All-Ireland club titles they won in 2004/5.

Finan said: “After the next few days of celebration we’ll turn our thoughts in that direction and rest assured our approach to them will be deadly serious.

“It has been a great achievement to retain our county title, and now we’ll give it our best shot to try and hold on to the Leinster and All-Ireland title.”