League proving Kilkenny’s strength in depth

Kilkenny star Eoin Larkin is desperate to win back his starting place before the Cats open their Leinster SHC campaign against Offaly on June 7.

Larkin had to be content with a place on the bench in Thurles yesterday but the James Stephens clubman was introduced with 10 minutes remaining before seeing out the rest of the game, including stoppage time.

The presence of Larkin, Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan and Walter Walsh on a star-studded Kilkenny bench was a clear indication of the strength in depth available to manager Brian Cody. And in the five weeks leading up to the Offaly championship opener, competition for places is sure to intensify during those fabled Kilkenny training sessions.

The Noresiders claimed a third successive league title yesterday but last year, there was a suggestion too much energy was invested in the competition ahead of a disappointing championship campaign.

Larkin doesn’t believe history will repeat itself, however, as Cody has introduced a number of new players while somehow managing to win the title at the same time.

Larkin agreed: “There were so many players used during the league.

“I looked last night and there was nearly four players used in every position. There’s a good few players after being tried and tested and a good few of them came through it again today so we’re delighted with the way the league went.”

But Larkin, 29, knew the game was heading for a draw before TJ Reid and Richie Hogan brilliantly combined from that late sideline ball to engineer the winning point.

“Kilkenny-Tipp games are always close like that. Someone has to win it, I suppose, and we were lucky enough to get the point at the end.

“It looked for a long time as if we might have been heading for a replay but TJ had a great sideline cut there straight into Richie’s hand, got the pass back and tapped it over the bar.”

Reid shot the lights out with a 2-11 haul, including 2-9 from placed balls.

The Ballyhale man was off target with just one free, and a wide from play, and Larkin admits Reid is now the man entrusted with free-taking responsibilities, a role he fulfilled in the past.

Larkin explained: “I never had them in the first place, I was just filling in for a little while. I’d say I’m about fourth down the list but trying to get my place back for the next day now — that’s the main thing.”

And Larkin is anticipating similar levels of intensity when Kilkenny get down to business in the summer months.

“There won’t be a whole lot of difference I’d say come the first round of the championship. But Tipperary-Kilkenny; sure you can’t get much better than that. Everyone gave everything out there and we were lucky enough just to get the win.”

And Larkin has warned Kilkenny’s rivals that the Noresiders are in a better place than 12 months ago, when they also claimed League glory at Tipperary’s expense.

“Obviously we are, we have no-one really long-term injured, everyone has done a lot of training. Couple of knocks and bruises, but things that will clear up. Definitely we are in a better place than where we were last year.”