KILKENNY'S EOIN LARKIN:BOTH THE watching media and his peers voted Eoin Larkin as the standout hurler in the country last season. Remember, this was a young man from The Village, Brian Cody's own club James Stephens, who was unable to make the breakthrough at minor or under-21.
Larkin may have All-Ireland medals from both age grades, but they were awarded after a watching brief.
In Kilkenny, he was not considered good enough back then
“I never really made it at minor,” he agreed. “I was sub on the 2002 All-Ireland team and sub on the under-21s in 2004.
“Eventually I got my chance in 2005 and got on to the senior panel as well.”
The chance came off the back of some irresistible performances in the club championship when Larkin spearheaded James Stephens’ march to the All-Ireland club title in 2005.
“I was never really worried at all. I just tried to work hard myself, hoping more than anything I would get a chance and eventually I got a chance.
“We had a great two and a half years with the club, 2004 and 2005, and I had a great year myself in 2004. I remember after the Leinster club final in Portlaoise Brian (Cody) came in to the dressingroom and told me I was going to be with the panel when I was finished with the club. That was a great boost to my confidence that Brian Cody was after telling me that.”
Soon he became a signed-up member of the Kilkenny half-forward line alongside Martin Comerford and Henry Shefflin.
That he reached the peak of his career during the last campaign was strange considering the drain hurling had placed on his life a few months previously. Running with the club before switching into full-time life under the Cody regime had begun to take its toll.
A soldier by trade, Larkin jumped at the opportunity to leave down the hurley and take up a six-month tour of duty in Kosovo.
“I was mentally tired last year and needed a break from just hurling in general. Get away from it for a while. Obviously it did me the world of good.”
Refusing to even keep his eye in, he disappeared into the gym instead, carving his body into a shape and a condition that pleased Cody on his return to the Nowlan Park grind.
“Ah sure, we had a great gym out there. Nothing else to do. I took a total break from hurling and tried to concentrate on physical fitness. I thought maybe when I came back it would take six weeks to eight weeks to get my touch back. Then I would be flying . . .”
It was remarkable how quickly he rediscovered his natural skills and is a great example of the benefits that come from striking a balance between living life and the obsession that hurling is to this unique band of Kilkenny men.
“In the Army they love sports people so they give me great freedom to go off and train, reach the heights I want to reach.”
Larkin has maintained the best form of his life, priming himself for one more massive performance that would reclaim the recognition of the hurling fraternity.
If he falters it seems certain that Shefflin or Comerford, “Cha” Fitzpatrick or Richie Power, or maybe even Eddie Brennan or Aidan Fogarty will fill that particular void.
They are whispering it in Tipperary but it’s conceivable someone like young Noel McGrath, Eoin Kelly or maybe even Lar Corbett can steal the limelight from Kilkenny’s quest to become the greatest hurling team ever assembled.
“They are a coming team,” Larkin concedes. “Liam Sheedy has done a great job with them. He doesn’t just have the 15. There are a few lads coming in off the line as well who are doing the trick for him.
“Noel McGrath has really bonded the forwards together. He has great vision and is a fantastic hurler. You know they are lucky to have him, I suppose.
“I don’t think Limerick really showed up the last day. It’s hard to judge Tipperary on that performance. They look very good.”
Many feel this meeting is long overdue, that Tipperary should have re-established this rivalry at the very least last year, only to be denied by the ferocity of Waterford.
“They were fierce unlucky last year. I think they were caught on the hop. Waterford came out with the off-the-ball stuff and I don’t think Tipperary were really ready for it so . . . I knew if they got the chance they wouldn’t slip up again.”
When Waterford attempted something similar on Kilkenny they were blown asunder. Galway showed a glimpse of what is required to overthrow the champions in the Leinster semi-final: they must be out-hurled.
No easy task if Larkin and friends find their stride, as they always tend to do.
Eoin Larkin
ClubJames Stephens
Age25
Height6ft
Weight13st
OccupationSoldier
Honours3 All-Ireland medals 1 All-Ireland club, 1 under-21 All-Ireland, 1 minor All-Ireland, 3 National Hurling League, 5 Leinster, 2 county titles, 2 Railway Cup, Walsh Cup.
