KILKENNY BOSS Brian Cody will run the rule over a number of potential candidates for the 2012 captaincy in next Sunday’s county senior hurling final between Ballyhale Shamrocks and James Stephens at Nowlan Park.
And in line with recent tradition, 22-year-old Colin Fennelly is tipped to get the nod to lead the All-Ireland champions into battle next year, should Ballyhale capture a fifth Kilkenny title in six seasons.
When Ballyhale won four-in-a-row from 2006-09, the club nominated four different players to captain the county team. Following the 2006 success, Henry Shefflin was put forward to captain the county team and lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2007.
James “Cha” Fitzpatrick followed suit in 2008, followed by Michael Fennelly in 2009, before TJ Reid skippered the team beaten by Tipperary in the 2010 decider.
The Shamrocks have adopted a “share the wealth” policy in recent times and if this trend continues, All Star nominee Colin Fennelly will take over from O’Loughlin Gaels clubman Brian Hogan as Kilkenny captain. It is understood if Fennelly’s name is not put forward, Shefflin will again lead the Kilkenny team.
Fennelly was one of three Ballyhale players who started the 2011 final victory over Tipperary, along with brother Michael and Shefflin.
Should James Stephens win their first county title since 2005, and avenge final defeats against Ballyhale in 2008 and 2009, Jackie Tyrrell and Eoin Larkin will battle it out for the Kilkenny captaincy, with county sub Matthew Ruth an outside contender for the prestigious post.
Tyrrell captained Kilkenny to All-Ireland glory in 2006, while Larkin has not yet had the honour. Kilkenny sources, however, have indicated Larkin will captain Kilkenny should “The Village” claim success in next Sunday’s county showpiece.
Meanwhile, Gary McDaid, manager of Donegal senior football champions Glenswilly, has slated the county board for scheduling a crucial relegation battle against Cloughaneely for tomorrow afternoon.
Despite submitting a letter insisting they will not play senior fixtures without county star and International Rules panellist Michael Murphy, Glenswilly have been told the crunch League tie will go ahead this weekend.
The Ulster Council has accommodated Glenswilly by pushing back their Ulster quarter-final against Monaghan champions Latton until Sunday, November 13th. McDaid fumed: “We’re in a bad position at the minute. The Ulster Council, fair play to them and we take our hats off to them, put our Ulster quarter-final back until Michael returns home but our own county board are giving us no backing at all.”
