NEWS:KILKENNY hurling captain Eoin Larkin has taken nine months off from the Irish Army to study for his Leaving Certificate.

Larkin dropped out of secondary school as a teenager but has returned to complete the State exams at 27 years of age.

Larkin has taken English, Irish, Maths, History and Geography for the Leaving Cert and his packed schedule meant he had to take a complete break from his career as an army officer.

First up for Larkin is the Leaving Cert in June before he turns his full attention to Kilkenny’s defence of their Leinster and All-Ireland crowns.

Larkin admits his decision to leave secondary school after he sat the Junior Certificate is one that he’s regretted ever since.

But the James Stephens clubman is keen to make up for lost time and is busy swotting at Cork’s College of Commerce, on a full-time basis.

Larkin has based himself at Cork’s Collins Barracks to attend school five days a week and he admits: “It’s very different. I didn’t want to be in school when I was in it. I chose to go back and when you’re that bit older, you’re more inclined to learn that bit more.

“I’m actually enjoying it believe it or not. The travelling up for training and things like that is tough but I’m enjoying doing the Leaving Cert. I didn’t do it when I was supposed to do it! I just try to keep my head down, do my bit of work and go home.”

Former Hurler of the Year Larkin recalled: “I did the junior cert and left after that. I couldn’t wait to get out of the place. I did three years of an apprenticeship and then the Army came up – I went in there, the rest is history.

“I haven’t really decided what I’m going to do afterwards. The opportunity arose and I said I’d take it. I haven’t spoken to the Army about going back to college or anything like that but they provided me with the opportunity to go and do the Leaving Cert. I said I’d give it a go. I’m under no pressure anyway – I have a job to go back to.”

When Larkin’s exams are completed, he’ll return to the James Stephens Army barracks in Kilkenny city.

Larkin’s next major date is on June 23rd, when Kilkenny tackle Dublin, Laois or Carlow in the Leinster SHC semi-final.

And based on Kilkenny’s early season form, it’s a test that the Noresiders are expected to pass with flying colours.

Last Sunday, Larkin was one of eight Kilkenny players to capture interprovincial medals as Leinster cruised to victory over Connacht.

And Kilkenny, beaten Allianz National League finalists last year, have already captured two early season points with a comprehensive victory against Tipperary in the opening round of fixtures.

Larkin, holder of seven Leinster and five All-Ireland medals, has the added responsibility of captaining the Kilkenny team following his club’s success in last year’s county championship.

And the two-time All Star admits that even the Kilkenny players themselves have been taken aback by their impressive early-season form.

He said: “It started off in the Walsh Cup with a good performance against Galway. That kind of surprised us and we carried it on into the Tipp game, another good performance.”

Larkin scored 1-2 as Kilkenny defeated Tipperary at Nowlan Park recently in what was a repeat of last year’s All-Ireland final between the two counties.

And the classy wing forward insists the Cats are going all out to regain the League title they last won in 2009. He said: “We’d always try to win what we can.”

On Sunday, Kilkenny are expected to claim a second league win against Waterford at Walsh Park.

Larkin added: “It will be a tough game between neighbouring counties. And they’ll be well up for it after losing their first game . . . If you have any ambitions of making a league semi-final or final you need to be winning most of your matches. ”