Leinster Club IHC Preview: Village will find it difficult to contain The Town
LEINSTER CLUB IHC PREVIEW
It doesn't get any easier, does it? Kildalkey's 'reward' for their ground-breaking, historic victory over Offaly side Clodiagh Gaels in the Leinster Club IHC is a semi-final against Kilkenny champions Thomastown at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday, 1.30pm.
Because hurling is something of a religion in Kilkenny any team that emerges from the county to take part in a provincial competition carries with it a certain aura of invincibility - and no doubt Thomastown are a formidable outfit full of talented, well-coached young hurlers who are rightfully favourites to win.
Yet there are sound reasons too why Kildalkey should believe they can go into Saturday's showdown with confidence.
Kildalkey is a team also filled with talented, accomplished young hurlers who know how to dig out victories. They did it time and again this year on their way to winning their seventh SHC title.
A measure of Kildalkey's potency could be seen in games such as their 0-22 to 0-8 group victory over Kiltale when 12 players got on the scoresheet. Then there was the gritty display in the final against Ratoath who had defeated reigning champions Trim in the last four.
One of Kildalkey's strengths is the range of talents in their team. On days when some players are relatively quite others step up and produce five star displays. Paddy Conneely had a brilliant outing against Clodiagh Gaels. Someone else might shine on Saturday.
There are other reasons for Kildalkey to be optimistic. There's the fact they have 'home' advantage. That must mean something. Then there is the fact others have gone where they seek to go. Just two years ago Trim travelled down to Nowlan Park to tackle Danesfort in the Leinster IHC and chalked up a shock win.
Further back in 2008, Kilmessan won a Leinster IHC crown. They travelled to Nowlan Park for the final and defeated Kilkenny outfit Eire Og, 1-7 to 1-6. Kilkenny teams might wear the cloak of invincibility but they are vulnerable too.
Thomastown have a rich tradition in the ancient game. Their most famous son is Ollie Walsh, who is regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the history of the game, the winner of five senior All-Irelands.
Like Kildalkey, Thomastown (known as The Town) have had their spells in the doldrums but are clearly on the way back. Two years ago they won the Kilkenny u-21 A title for the first time ever, a potent indication of the talent emerging.
They recently won the Kilkenny IHC title for the first time in 40 years driven to the top by a plethora of skilled artisans such as Stephen Donnelly, John Donnelly, Thomas O'Hanrahan, Jonjo Farrell and Jack Holden.
Yet Nick Fitzgerald has forged and honed Kildalkey into a resilient unit. Saturday's game is a big step up, but Kildalkey have what it takes to run the Cats very close.