Allstar omission a joke, fumes Déise star Kelly

WATERFORD’S Eoin Kelly has branded the Allstars a ‘joke’ following his omission from the 45 players nominated for this year’s hurling awards.

Kelly was a consistent scoring threat for the Déise as they claimed the Munster title before losing to Limerick in the All-Ireland semi-final.

An Allstar in 2002, Kelly finished the championship with a tally of 1-20. His lowest scoring tally was three points in the semi-final defeat, a match he started in midfield and nearly missed after having 10 stitches in his hand after the quarter-final replay win over Cork.

“The Allstars are great, it’s nice to get one,” Kelly said at yesterday’s launch of the M Donnelly Interprovincial series. Referring to his omission, he added: “It just seems like it is going to be a bit of a joke, doesn’t it? Looking at it, I just thought it was a bit silly but that’s it.

“They will probably turn around and give someone else Hurler of the Year instead of Dan (Shanahan). Hopefully Dan gets what he deserves out of it — Hurler of the Year and an Allstar. Hopefully a few more — Ken (McGrath) and the lads — will get an Allstar but it’s turning out to be a bit of a joke.”

Laois’ James Young felt differently. The Clonaslee-St Manmans player was as taken aback by his inclusion as Kelly was by his omission.

“It was a bit of a shock. I thought the boys at home were messing when I got phone calls about it. I didn’t believe them. It’s great for Laois hurling.”

Kelly and Young will be playing in revamped league and championship structures in 2008 and both agree that the changes have been for the better.

Introduced as a means to give the weaker counties more game time come summer, Young was dubious of the round robin system’s merits and claimed it was difficult for the likes of Laois to drum up some enthusiasm after being eliminated from the Leinster championship.

“I don’t know a whole lot about it but they have to do something,” added Kelly. “Pay the players. They have to make it worthwhile for the players.

“There are too many games. It probably cost us a bit having to play the two Cork games this year. With too many games, players are going to get burnt out.’’

While keen to point out that Limerick beat them fairly in the All-Ireland semi-final two months ago, Kelly felt it was “scandalous” that Waterford were playing on three consecutive Sundays.

Lessons have been learnt and Kelly feels that Waterford will have to focus solely on the All-Ireland series in 2008 to the detriment of the NHL and provincial competitions which they won this year.

With Kilkenny facing the prospect of a smooth run as far as the All-Ireland semi-final of next year’s championship, Kelly feels there is no other option for Justin McCarthy’s side.

“It seems to be a wicked advantage for them but that’s not to take away from them.

“They’re a fabulous side, but what they did peak for, two or three games, to win an All-Ireland?

“We had to peak against Cork, then Limerick in the Munster final, then for two more games against Cork. I’m not making any excuses but they didn’t have to play anyone tough over the last couple of months before that.

“They went out, they did their business, they won their medals. Job done but it seems to be an easier championship (for Kilkenny).”