THE ALL-IRELAND semi-finals have yet to be completed but hurling fans are already licking their lips at the prospect of another Kilkenny-Tipperary decider.
Last four opponents Waterford and Galway will have something to say about that of course but Kilkenny star Cillian Buckley admits that the Cats have been keeping a close eye on Tipp’s progress this summer.
Under the stewardship of Eamon O’Shea, the Premier County collected a first Munster title since 2012 and have their eyes on Liam MacCarthy Cup glory in September.
If the Cats do meet Tipp again, it will be the fifth time in seven seasons that the two heavyweights have locked horns on the biggest day of the year.
“Tipperary have players who do catch the eye,” Buckley noted.
“I don’t need to go through them all but there are Mahers all over the field there.
“They can make a ball talk. And then obviously there is the class of Bubbles O’Dwyer lighting up the stage.
“In that sense they definitely catch their eye but every team has to be watched, everyone is on a level playing field but maybe later on in the year they will be the ones to beat.”
Buckley has emerged as one of Kilkenny’s real leaders in recent times, making the left half back position his own.
He scored one of the most important points in recent history with the winning score against Clare in the Allianz League relegation playoff earlier this year.
Cillian Buckley scored the winning point against Clare in March. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
And Buckley, still jut 23, has been a consistent figure for the Cats since he was parachuted into the starting line-up for the 2012 All-Ireland final replay victory over Galway.
“Wally (Walter Walsh) was the main man that day,” recalls Buckley, who was captain of Kilkenny’s All-Ireland minor winning side in 2010.
“I managed to get in. I hadn’t played in the drawn game so to be involved was a real dream come through.
“You never feel you are far away but there is a fierce sense of disappointment when you are not picked the first day.
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“Once you are back in on the Monday night after a drawn All-Ireland or any Championship draw it’s competition more so than ever.”
Buckley first made his name as a senior in that landmark breakthrough season in 2012.
Cillian Buckley lifts the Irish Press Cup in 2010. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
With Michael Rice and Michael Fennelly both ruled out through injury, the Dicksboro man started the Leinster final defeat to Galway alongside Paddy Hogan.
And Buckley was called upon in the All-Ireland semi-final massacre of Tipperary after Rice went off with a serious finger injury.
“I would have played half-back when I was younger,” Buckley says.
“I made the transition to midfield with county set-ups.
“The way things are gone, half-back, midfield, half-forward is a real battle zone.
“You’re wearing the number on the back but there is not much difference between the three lines.
“It’s turning into a fierce of game of athleticism and fitness. It’s probably suiting me and is a place I enjoyed playing.”
Cillian Buckley learned his trade from JJ Delaney and Tommy Walsh. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
He’s slotted nicely into a Kilkenny half-back line that has been graced by the likes of Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan and JJ Delaney in recent years.
“It wasn’t easy knock the last half-back line that was there.
“Tommy, Brian Hogan and JJ made up that line and I don’t think there was anyone else needed,” Buckley admits.
“The last few years, since the boys left, Kieran Joyce was knocking on the door for a long time.
“Kieran had won an All-Ireland U21 playing in that position.
“(With) Padraig Walsh, you’re not getting anything too unlike Tommy, it’s nearly a replica in a way.
“Things have fitted in there nicely. You get a chance to learn from the likes of Tommy and JJ and you try and reproduce a bit of it if you’re playing half-back.
Cillian Buckley and Kieran Joyce are two-thirds of the Kilkenny half-back line. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
“If we were half as successful as the boys we’d be happy to get some success there.
“There are players coming there behind us trying to knock us so that’s what makes the thing so successful.”
Further forward, Richie Hogan and TJ Reid have formed an unstoppable double-act but Buckley notes that they had to prove their worth to boss Brian Cody too.
“Very few players break in and once they are in, that’s it,” Buckley explains.
“That’s not normally the way it is.
TJ Reid and Richie Hogan are massive leaders for Kilkenny. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
“They had a different role in 2009 and 2010 when they were trying to break in.
“They were the players trying to push the like of Martin Comerford and Eddie Brennan.
“Things move on, now they have become the main players, no doubt they are the leaders, they are absolutely vital in our set up.
“They took on the challenge of being out in front and taking up the gauntlet, they have learned from the lads who have gone before them and hopefully we can learn a bit from them too.”
'They can make a ball talk' - Kilkenny star has one eye on Tipperary
THE ALL-IRELAND semi-finals have yet to be completed but hurling fans are already licking their lips at the prospect of another Kilkenny-Tipperary decider.
Last four opponents Waterford and Galway will have something to say about that of course but Kilkenny star Cillian Buckley admits that the Cats have been keeping a close eye on Tipp’s progress this summer.
Under the stewardship of Eamon O’Shea, the Premier County collected a first Munster title since 2012 and have their eyes on Liam MacCarthy Cup glory in September.
If the Cats do meet Tipp again, it will be the fifth time in seven seasons that the two heavyweights have locked horns on the biggest day of the year.
“Tipperary have players who do catch the eye,” Buckley noted.
“I don’t need to go through them all but there are Mahers all over the field there.
“In that sense they definitely catch their eye but every team has to be watched, everyone is on a level playing field but maybe later on in the year they will be the ones to beat.”
Buckley has emerged as one of Kilkenny’s real leaders in recent times, making the left half back position his own.
He scored one of the most important points in recent history with the winning score against Clare in the Allianz League relegation playoff earlier this year.
And Buckley, still jut 23, has been a consistent figure for the Cats since he was parachuted into the starting line-up for the 2012 All-Ireland final replay victory over Galway.
“Wally (Walter Walsh) was the main man that day,” recalls Buckley, who was captain of Kilkenny’s All-Ireland minor winning side in 2010.
“I managed to get in. I hadn’t played in the drawn game so to be involved was a real dream come through.
“Once you are back in on the Monday night after a drawn All-Ireland or any Championship draw it’s competition more so than ever.”
Buckley first made his name as a senior in that landmark breakthrough season in 2012.
With Michael Rice and Michael Fennelly both ruled out through injury, the Dicksboro man started the Leinster final defeat to Galway alongside Paddy Hogan.
And Buckley was called upon in the All-Ireland semi-final massacre of Tipperary after Rice went off with a serious finger injury.
“I would have played half-back when I was younger,” Buckley says.
“I made the transition to midfield with county set-ups.
“The way things are gone, half-back, midfield, half-forward is a real battle zone.
“You’re wearing the number on the back but there is not much difference between the three lines.
“It’s turning into a fierce of game of athleticism and fitness. It’s probably suiting me and is a place I enjoyed playing.”
He’s slotted nicely into a Kilkenny half-back line that has been graced by the likes of Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan and JJ Delaney in recent years.
“It wasn’t easy knock the last half-back line that was there.
“Tommy, Brian Hogan and JJ made up that line and I don’t think there was anyone else needed,” Buckley admits.
“The last few years, since the boys left, Kieran Joyce was knocking on the door for a long time.
“Kieran had won an All-Ireland U21 playing in that position.
“(With) Padraig Walsh, you’re not getting anything too unlike Tommy, it’s nearly a replica in a way.
“Things have fitted in there nicely. You get a chance to learn from the likes of Tommy and JJ and you try and reproduce a bit of it if you’re playing half-back.
“If we were half as successful as the boys we’d be happy to get some success there.
“There are players coming there behind us trying to knock us so that’s what makes the thing so successful.”
Further forward, Richie Hogan and TJ Reid have formed an unstoppable double-act but Buckley notes that they had to prove their worth to boss Brian Cody too.
“Very few players break in and once they are in, that’s it,” Buckley explains.
“That’s not normally the way it is.
“They had a different role in 2009 and 2010 when they were trying to break in.
“They were the players trying to push the like of Martin Comerford and Eddie Brennan.
“Things move on, now they have become the main players, no doubt they are the leaders, they are absolutely vital in our set up.
“They took on the challenge of being out in front and taking up the gauntlet, they have learned from the lads who have gone before them and hopefully we can learn a bit from them too.”
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cats on the prowl COMP:ALL-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Eamon O'Shea GAA Kilkenny Tipperary