Kilkenny hurlers must sign in for long term says Andy Comerford as loss of Ryan and Lawlor keenly felt
BADLY MISSED: Former Kilkenny star Andy Comerford has been heavily critical of the departure of Billy Ryan and Huw Lawlor to Australia. Picture: INPHO/Patrick Bolger
Former All-Ireland winning captain Andy Comerford has called for the Kilkenny County Board to insist up-and-coming players fully commit to the county.
The O’Loughlin Gaels man, who led The Cats to the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2002, had previously questioned the duration of 2025 All-Star Huw Lawlor and nominee Billy Ryan’s time in Australia.
Both are unavailable this season as they travel and, in the wake of last Saturday’s Leinster SHC Round 1 defeat to Galway, Comerford wants the board to seek assurances from young players that they are devoted to the county.
“We started off on the backfoot with losing two players,” Comerford told Community Radio Kilkenny City (CRKC). “The amount of time and effort invested in them two players, both with Ballycallan (Ryan) and O’Loughlin’s (Lawlor) and up along with Kilkenny and underage and coming through the system with Brian Cody, coming onto Derek Lyng’s set-up and maturing into two fundamental linchpins on the field and then it’s off.
“Listen, there has to be a prerequisite. If you’re going to sign into Kilkenny set-up and you’re a minor or you’re an U20, and we as a county are going pump in as much effort into you, coaching players, and then the next thing they decide they’re going off a sabbatical at a crucial period.
"This has happened with players gone by that we have pumped unbelievable amount of time, coaching them both with their clubs, coaching them with Kilkenny underage, and the next thing they decide ‘we’re off on the holiday’.
“Listen, that can’t be happening. There’s too much invested in them. Too much. I feel sorry for Derek Lyng because two of your major players are gone, but from the county board point of view going forward on this issue there has to be a prerequisite.”
Comerford concluded: “You can go on your holidays when you retire. You’ll have loads of times then to go and see the world.”
Speaking to CKRC earlier this month, Comerford said he didn’t see the appeal of Australia compared to try to win a first All-Ireland in 11 years for Kilkenny.
"I don't know what the scenario is with these Australian guys. I was in Australia, you see the Sydney Harbour Bridge and you see the beach. There's a beach in Tramore.
"These lads are in Australia, you're only going to get one crack at an All-Ireland here. Wouldn't it be great uplift for the panel to see these lads coming back? And getting stuck in and rolling up their sleeves and doing it for TJ Reid to try and get him over the line.”
Andy Comerford’s interview on Kilkenny Community Radio can be heard here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1DCOvTwdyzJwEhGISGrATQ
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