Kilkenny legend DJ Carey joined Ger in studio this evening on Off the Ball ahead of the Leinster Hurling Final between Kilkenny and Galway on Sunday.
Galway were a team that always "spooked" Kilkenny according to Carey. He told Ger, that Galway's annual semi-final before the emergence of the qualifers made them a very difficult team to play against.
Carey's last game in the black and amber came against Galway after they were knocked out 2005. He spoke to Ger about that game along with the loss in 2001 when he felt Kilkenny were out muscled by the Connacht side.
After retiring in 2005, Carey wasnt annoyed at not playing his last game in the All Ireland Final after losing that game to Galway in 2005. He told Ger that "whatever way I finished, I finshed" after deciding earlier in the year that 2005 was to be his last Championship.
The Gowran native told Ger about his time as an underage hurler and that he played in goals for years at underage level as he was too small to play outfield. He told Ger about playing in goals at St. Kieran's College too because he wasnt good enough to play outfield. He also revealed his first games for Kilkenny were played as a goalkeepr in the National League.
DJ told Ger that "he wanted to be Eddie Keher" growing up and that that mentality continues in Kilkenny. He claims that underage players want to emulate their heroes first and if they are good enough to continue to the Senior team, All Ireland's may then come into the players sights.
He spoke about being a leader on the field despite being shy behind the scenes. The main way to lead was to "do it on the field", Carey told Ger. He gave the example of Noel Hickey, who DJ said was quiet but would not be crossed on the field.
His quest to constantly improve was down to his own motivation. "There's no one a bigger critic than myself", DJ told Ger. It's a trait that runs through Kilkenny hurling he added.
After hearing from Michael Duignan and Anthony Daly this week about the 1998 saga between Clare and Offaly, DJ spoke about Kilkenny's role that year as they faced Offaly in the final.
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