KILKENNY’S RICHIE HOGAN could yet return in time to face Galway in next month’s Leinster hurling final.
Hogan missed the resounding semi-final win over Dublin after breaking his hand during club duty last month but has since returned to training ahead of the Croke Park showdown on 3 July.
The seven-time All-Ireland winner was originally ruled out for up to 10 weeks and while he still has some way to go to return to full match fitness, TJ Reid says having him back for Sunday week would be a major boost.
“Well, he’ll have to make the team,” Reid said yesterday. “Six forwards hurled very well the last day so he’ll have to fight for his place again but that’s just the nature of Kilkenny.
“Just because we won so much, you can’t be just brought back into the team. He’ll have to be 100 per cent right before he’s playing, anyway, but he’ll be a major boost to the team.
“He’s back training and might be back. It’s still 50-50. He did break a bone in the hand that he holds the hurl with so there could be a lot of strength missing in the wrist, as well.
“If he’s right, it would be great to have him. If not, we’ll just have to soldier on without him.”
Jonjo Farrell was particularly impressive, scoring 1-5 at O’Moore Park, and Reid admits the returning Hogan will have to work to regain his place in the forward line.
TJ Reid. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“I’d say he’d be worried, of course, I think so,” Reid said when asked would Hogan be worried about losing his starting place.
“Jonjo got his chance and performed very well. He’ll more than likely be there again against Galway, but I’m not Brian Cody!
“Richie’s training away, doing all the runs, doing all the physical work but he hasn’t hurled – he’s pucked around, alright. It’s still early days. Another week and a half.
Kilkenny looked in formidable form as they clinically dispatched the challenge of Dublin and now they have their sights firmly set on a 70th provincial crown and third straight title.
Reid insists the players remain as hungry as ever for success and believes that every other team are raising their game, so Kilkenny must raise theirs further in order to remain the dominant force.
“Every team we play are hungry, they’re driven to beat us,” the Ballyhale forward continued.
“They’re rising their game an extra 10, 20 per cent. So any day we’re not right, we’ll be beaten, the Leinster final 2012 maybe we weren’t right and Galway blew us away.
“At half-time we tried to change things and get ourselves psyched up but physically and mentally we weren’t right for the game.
Global nutrition company Herbalife, a leading provider of sports nutrition products to clubs and athletes around the world, yesterday announced sponsorship deals with three time All-Star hurler TJ Reid and Shamrock Rovers Football Club. Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILE
Piaras Ó Mídheach / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE
“Any day you go out with the wrong attitude or with the wrong thinking, thinking that we won’t be beaten, that’s the day you’ll get caught.
“Our preparation is 100 per cent and our preparation is going well. So hopefully we can perform to our best on Sunday two weeks.”
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Good news for Kilkenny/bad news for Galway as Richie Hogan is on the comeback trail
KILKENNY’S RICHIE HOGAN could yet return in time to face Galway in next month’s Leinster hurling final.
Hogan missed the resounding semi-final win over Dublin after breaking his hand during club duty last month but has since returned to training ahead of the Croke Park showdown on 3 July.
The seven-time All-Ireland winner was originally ruled out for up to 10 weeks and while he still has some way to go to return to full match fitness, TJ Reid says having him back for Sunday week would be a major boost.
“Well, he’ll have to make the team,” Reid said yesterday. “Six forwards hurled very well the last day so he’ll have to fight for his place again but that’s just the nature of Kilkenny.
“Just because we won so much, you can’t be just brought back into the team. He’ll have to be 100 per cent right before he’s playing, anyway, but he’ll be a major boost to the team.
“If he’s right, it would be great to have him. If not, we’ll just have to soldier on without him.”
The Cats fared pretty well without the 27-year-old against Dublin in their opening championship game of the summer with Brian Cody’s front six firing on all cylinders.
Jonjo Farrell was particularly impressive, scoring 1-5 at O’Moore Park, and Reid admits the returning Hogan will have to work to regain his place in the forward line.
“I’d say he’d be worried, of course, I think so,” Reid said when asked would Hogan be worried about losing his starting place.
“Jonjo got his chance and performed very well. He’ll more than likely be there again against Galway, but I’m not Brian Cody!
Kilkenny looked in formidable form as they clinically dispatched the challenge of Dublin and now they have their sights firmly set on a 70th provincial crown and third straight title.
Reid insists the players remain as hungry as ever for success and believes that every other team are raising their game, so Kilkenny must raise theirs further in order to remain the dominant force.
“Every team we play are hungry, they’re driven to beat us,” the Ballyhale forward continued.
“At half-time we tried to change things and get ourselves psyched up but physically and mentally we weren’t right for the game.
“Any day you go out with the wrong attitude or with the wrong thinking, thinking that we won’t be beaten, that’s the day you’ll get caught.
“Our preparation is 100 per cent and our preparation is going well. So hopefully we can perform to our best on Sunday two weeks.”
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