Fogarty hits out at ‘crazy’ criticism of Cats’ form

KILKENNY hurling selector Martin Fogarty has described criticism of his side’s performances as “crazy”, given the Cats are missing several first-choice players, including three former Hurlers of the Year, through injury.

During last Sunday’s league clash against Waterford Tommy Walsh and JJ Delaney had to be taken off joining an already lengthy injury list onNoreside.

“It’s interesting that people have been unhappy with our performances,” said Fogarty.

“Given the number of players we’re missing, we’re very happy with how the team has been going.

“People have been a bit unfair in saying we’re not playing well — we’ve beaten Tipperary, Cork and Waterford and did well against Galway, even if we didn’t win, without six or eight of our regular players. That’s crazy, but that’s the way the thing has gone.

“Usually if you were trying to bring through some new players you’d have 12 or 13 regulars and two or three new lads. With all the injuries we’ve had recently it’s been the other way around, unfortunately.”

Fogarty said Walsh’s AC joint injury and Delaney’s hamstring problem rule them out of contention for theweekend clash with Dublin at the very least. “It’s looking that way — Tommy is out for next week, while JJ doesn’t have a hope of playing against Dublin,” said Fogarty. “All depending, they could be out for a few weeks. Jackie Tyrrell has a hamstring injury and probably won’t be right for the Dublin game either.”

Better news of Michael Fennelly, who withdrew from Sunday’s game with a back spasm — he may beavailable for selection this weekend, but Fogarty described James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick, who was forced out before the throw-in last Sunday with a virus, as “fifty-fifty” for theforthcoming trip to the capital.

Richie Power’s recovery from a hip injury is progressing, and the forward is doing some fitness work with the team. Fogarty said that team management hope to have him back in full training in the next four weeks. The long-term injury victims include Henry Shefflin and John Tennyson, who are both recovering from cruciate knee injuries.

“You’re talking about top-class players,” said Fogarty. “JJ (Delaney), Tommy (Walsh) and Henry (Shefflin) are all former Hurlers of the Year, and they’re all out with injuries.

“A fourth Hurler of the Year, Eoin Larkin, isn’t long back after anoperation, while last Sunday was Brian Hogan’s first game back after the All-Ireland club competition with O’Loughlin Gaels and because of that we haven’t been able to use Martin Comerford either. All of that makes Saturday’s game against Dublin a huge challenge for us.”