Kerry native Fionán Mackessy makes Kilkenny bow against Waterford

Kilkenny beat Waterford 1-19 to 1-17 in the challenge match at Piltown. 

Fionán Mackessy of Kilkenny warms-up before the inter-county hurling challenge match against Waterford at Piltown GAA Club in Kilkenny. Picture: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Fionán Mackessy made his bow for Kilkenny in their challenge game against Waterford at Piltown on Saturday afternoon. The Kerry native joined the Cats panel over the winter after moving to Kilkenny for work early last year and transferring from home club St Brendan's Ardfert to O'Loughlin Gaels.

He impressed as O'Loughlins reached the county final where they lost to Thomastown, catching the eye of Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng sufficiently to earn a spot on the panel. 

Mackessy started Saturday's game, named at centre-forward in place of Denis Walsh who had originally been chosen in the starting team. He scored a superb point from near the halfway line, close to the sideline, in the opening quarter hour to draw Kilkenny level. 

"You're trying to get minutes into lads to get them ready," Lyng told Clubber TV about the 1-19 to 1-17 win for his side. 

"The league is only two weeks out, so you have to expose them to a bit of game time as well. And obviously looking at new players. We got a good balance there today. A bit of experience and new blood as well to give them a fair chance as well. But happy overall. I think we'll take a lot from today as well. And back training again Tuesday night.

"You could see a bit of rustiness there and that's bound to happen and a few mistakes as well. You're going to see that at this time of the year. It's all about improving and driving on again next week."

Fionán Mackessey of Kilkenny warms-up before the inter-county hurling challenge match against Waterford at Piltown GAA Club in Kilkenny. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

The game was Kilkenny's first runout of the season. They were due to play Dublin last weekend but the match was cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions. 

"A really good workout," said Lyng.

"You can see the start probably a little bit slow getting up to the pitch of it. I think Waterford were by far the better team in the first half. Luckily we stuck at it, in the second half it was a bit better.

"We've another 10 lads working away there today who just weren't quite ready. A few of them might be available next week and the next couple of weeks, gradually we'll start getting more players back as well. Great competition there, that's what we're looking for."