Five league lessons: Suddenly Kilkenny’s inside line has a formidable look about it

Our writers analyse what we learned from the league...

Deegan gives Cats inside line a solid look

There would have been some reservations in Kilkenny when Paddy Deegan was switched to the corner given that he would be more acquainted with wing back in O’Loughlin Gaels. But yesterday was another affirmation that the player is acquitting himself to the position oh so nicely. Admittedly, the poor quality of ball Tipperary were putting into their full-back line helped his cause but he was winning so many 50-50s that it likely wouldn’t have mattered if there was more clarity about the opponents’ supply. By the second half, his tail was up and he continued to dominate the aerial tussles. Close to the end, he was given the largest compliment by Tipperary when John McGrath was switched onto him. A full-back trio of Paul Murphy, Pádraig Walsh and Deegan has a formidable look to it.