‘Top’ Cat linked with Kerry hurlers

ALL-IRELAND winning Kilkenny hurler Willie O’Dwyer is poised to link up with Kerry.

The 27-year-old Mullinavat clubman, a member of Kilkenny’s four-in-a-row All-Ireland winning panel, said he is close to completing a move to the Christy Ring Cup champions.

Currently living in Killarney and working in Tralee, he held talks with Kerry coach John Meyler about a potential switch.

“I have spoken with John Meyler a few times about it. I am happy enough to go ahead with it and it’s about tying up the formalities. I am living and working in Kerry and am not getting a whole lot of hurling in, being away from home and Kilkenny. This would be the ideal opportunity to keep myself ticking over and keep the fitness levels up for the club at home as well.”

Not involved in Kilkenny’s senior panel since March 2010, after seven seasons on the squad, O’Dwyer said Kerry hurling is at an exciting place right now. “Kerry have a good set-up at the moment, they are moving in the right direction under John [Meyler] and they won the Christy Ring Cup this year as well, so they are a team on the up.”

If O’Dwyer’s inter-county switch to Kerry does get the green light, he will still be able to play his club hurling with Mullinavat, as Kerry compete at a level below Kilkenny. He scored 2-3 in the 2007 Leinster SHC final against Wexford who were then managed by Meyler. O’Dwyer’s medal haul includes five All-Ireland senior titles, three National Leagues, two All-Ireland U21s and one All-Ireland minor.