Former Kilkenny hurler JJ Delaney pictured at GAA Games Development Conference in partnership with Sky Sports last Saturday.
By Cian O'Connell
As the Allianz League edges closer Kilkenny legend JJ Delaney believes that the striped team must unearth a full-back.
The versatile Padraig Walsh, such a steely competitor for Kilkenny, has filled the role recently, but Delaney believes the Tullaroan clubman is more suited to operating at wing back.
That is why the upcoming matches ahead of the Leinster Championship carry such importance for Kilkenny, who demonstrated admirable spirit in the competition last year.
Delaney acknowledges the manner in which Cody used the 2018 spring campaign. "Kilkenny, they’re probably spoilt a lot over the last 10 years," Delaney says. "They have to realise, back in the ‘90s, they won 92 and 93, and didn’t win anything until 2000 again.
"So once every Kilkenny supporter sees progression every year, they’d be happy enough really. The reason being, if you’re staying still or going backwards, there’d be questions asked then. Like in any job.
"You have to show progression in any job, no matter how long you’re there yourself. This time last year, you would have said Kilkenny were probably missing five or six players. Whereas now you’re looking at two or three players."
Conor Delaney and Huw Lawlor are identified as two leading candidates. "So if you find two or three players during the League, Huw Lawlor and Conor Delaney is starting full-back for DCU in the Fitzgibbon, hurling very, very well too," Delaney adds.
JJ Delaney believes Huw Lawlor is a player with significant potential for Kilkenny.
"So there’s a couple of options there and that will free Padraig (Walsh) into his natural position and his best position which would be wing back. "Probably last year you were looking for a full-back and a corner back, whereas Paddy Deegan now has probably nailed on number four now. He had a great championship last year so that position, number four is sorted."
Delaney believes that Lawlor is a player with considerable potential also. "He played in fullback a lot with the club over the last couple of years, with O’Loughlin Gaels," Delaney states.
"He’s showing positive signs. Who am I to say, but if I was the Kilkenny management now, I’d give him the League, or else give Conor Delaney the League, or else give them half and half. Just to see does it work. ‘There’s your opportunity. I’m giving you three games, four games. If you hurl well, there’s your chance.
"If you don’t hurl well, we know what Padraig can do there anyway. We can paper over the cracks.’ He had a great championship last year – he was full-back and Paddy Deegan was centre-back for the club.
"He was very very impressive in the few games I’d seen him there as well. Very quick, very direct. And again, when you’re playing full-back at the moment, you’d be out close to the sidelines. Look at the likes of Seamus Flanagan, you have to follow him everywhere. You have to have legs as well. He’s a guy who does have legs and he’s a big, big guy too.
"He’s 6 foot, 6’1, 6’2. So I’ve good hope for him. I’d say it’ll be him or Conor Delaney who gets a run at it. Depending on if he goes well with DCU, that’s just below inter-county standard at the moment.
"The team that DCU have now are inter-county standard to be fair. So if he nails down that position in Fitzgibbon, he could get a run at the League there as well. But, I’d say one or the other will get a stab at the League this year and it’ll release Padraig to the wing then."
