Eddie Brennan | Joe Canning | Ollie Canning | DJ Carey | Eugene Cloonan
Martin Comerford | Lar Corbett | Brendan Cummins | Ronan Curran
Ger Farragher | James 'cha' Fitzpatrick | Damien Fitzhenry | Paul Flynn
John Gardiner | Niall Gilligan | Damian Hayes | Conal Keaney | Michael Kavanagh
Eoin Kennedy | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Larkin | Derek Lyng
Fergus McMahon | Seanie McMahon | Johnny McIntosh | Andrew Mitchell
Stephen Molumpy | Pat Mulcahy | John Mullane | Sean Óg Ó Hailpin
Andrew O'Shaughnessy | Ben O'Connor | Seamus Prendergast
Keith Raymond | Eoin Quigley | Joe Rabbite | Keith Rossiter | Dan Shanahan
Henry Shefflin | James Skehill | Tommy Walsh | Brian Whelehan | James Young
Brian Phelan | David O'Callaghan | JJ Delaney | Pádraic Maher | Shane McGrath
Although just 27 years old, JJ Delaney has been a star of Kilkenny hurling for half a dozen seasons. Having made his debut at 19 in 2001, he has proved himself a remarkably flexible defender, equally at home at full-back, corner-back and wing-back. JJ was everyone’s choice as ‘Hurler of the Year’ in 2003. This year, he takes excellent form into the All-Ireland Final against Tipperary. Another All-Star, his fifth award, would not be a surprise. With Noel Hickey and Brian Hogan injured, JJ Delaney has featured at full-back during the 2009 championship. Earlier, he was prominent at left half-back in Kilkenny’s successful National League campaign. His tight marking and brilliant fetches in the air were central to this summer’s wins over Galway, Dublin and Waterford. When backs are to the wall, JJ’s your man!
Kilkenny have been the team of the decade, how does the appetite
stay so strong?
I think everyone in the panel knows these are special times for hurling in the county. We have more than 30 really good hurlers at present, which is very unusual. That drives us on, knowing it won’t last forever. Also, if you drop your standards at all, you’ll be gone off the team - and maybe off the panel to.
What has been your greatest moment win the Black and Amber?
There have been a lot of good times, luckily. I think your first All-Ireland stays special. I don’t remember a lot about the game against Clare in 2002 but I’ll never forget hearing the final whistle. It was a dream come true.
Which is the toughest team you have ever faced?
I didn’t play against Cork in 2006 because I injured my knee in training. But I could see from the stand how difficult it was to take them on. I think Tipperary in 2002, in the All-Ireland semi-final, was a great standard of hurling, a very quick game.
Who was the toughest opponent you ever played against?
Ken McGrath. Ken has it all as a hurler and is also a serious operator in the air, which makes a back’s life very difficult.
Which players do you admire the most?
Being a back, I’d have a liking for Willie O’Connor and Brian Whelehan. I admire the way they sacrificed their own game for the good of the team.
Who were your childhood heroes?
There was a big home influence, since I am from Johnstown. There were a lot of great hurlers to look up to, particularly the three Henderson brothers and Billy Fitzpatrick, an uncle of mine.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
Fenians is the name of our club. I suppose the biggest rivals, traditionally, are Galmoy.
Do you have any superstitions?
Not really, except that I like to sit beside Eddie Brennan in the dressingroom. Hurlers like routine.
What are your hopes for the future?
To stay hurling with Kilkenny as long as possible. I’d swap a fair few personal awards to win a County Final with the club though.
What’s the most important skill in your opinion?
Your first touch. Once the ball is under control, you’re ahead of your marker.
What advice would you give to young players?
Practise that first touch. Practise again and again. Any time you have a spare ten minutes, belt a ball off the nearest wall.
Name: JJ Delaney
Age: 27
Club: Fenians
County: Kilkenny
Debut: 2001 v Offaly
Position: Wing-Back.
Honours:
5 All-Ireland Senior titles,
1 All-Ireland U21 title,
8 Leinster Senior titles,
1 Leinster U21 title,
1 Leinster Minor title,
5 National Hurling League titles,
4 Walsh Cup titles,
2 Railway Cup titles,
2 Fitzgibbon Cup titles,
4 All-Star Awards,
Hurler of the Year 2003.
Fav Food: Pasta
Fav Book: Paul McGrath’s Autobiography
Fav Band: The Killers
Fav Film: The Shawshank Redemption
Fav TV: The Inbetweeners
Hobbies: Snooker and Pool
Occupation: Sales Rep for Tegral
Cúl Fact:
JJ’s father, Shem, also has an All-Ireland medal which he won in 1974.
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