HUW LAWLOR heaped praise upon TJ Reid after the Kilkenny forward claimed his 14th Leinster SHC title on Sunday.
Lawlor and Reid starred at Croke Park for Derek Lyng’s men in a 3-22 to 1-20 triumph over Galway that sealed a sixth Leinster crown in a row.
Reid, 37, fired 1-4 while full-back Lawlor halted constant Tribesmen attacks and limited hitman Brian Concannon to just a goal.
But O’Loughlin Gaels man Lawlor saved his praise for Reid’s performance up top for the Noresiders.
He said: “TJ is a class apart. Do you know what I mean?
“You can forget about his age or whatever.
“The example he sets there in terms of work rate and stuff like that is phenomenal.
“He’s such a professional in terms of the way he sets up and the way he goes at it.
“He’s a super player. His attitude and his work rate is top class.
“I think that’s what drives it on for him.”
Lawlor — a two-time All-Star — looks destined for a third after turning in another commanding display on the edge of the square to shut down Galway at GAA HQ.
Reid’s attacking prowess helped the Cats surge 13 points clear in the second half.
But there was a spirited Galway revival late in the second period as Concannon’s goal helped get them back within four. However, Mossy Keoghan’s second green flag dashed any chance of a successful comeback.
Kilkenny are now in their seventh All-Ireland SFC semi-final in a row.
But Lawlor, 29, is yet to win a senior All- Ireland with the men in black and amber having made his SHC debut in 2019. Kilkenny are without Liam MacCarthy glory since 2015.
However, they are strong contenders to claim glory this year.
And in-form Lawlor knows how important the next four weeks are as they prepare for their All-Ireland semi-final on July 6.
He said: “Form comes in fits and starts. You can go through in form and out of form and stuff. There were times we were under pressure on Sunday.
“But the forwards were working very hard and limited the ball that was coming in.
“They got the scores and we got the interceptions that we needed to get over the line.
“We’re just trying to get through the 70 minutes in the full-back line to try and stop them from scoring.
“And if we can set up our own scores as well, then we’ll be happy enough.
“It’s been a very busy six, seven, eight weeks there so we’ve a good chance to get training and for different lads to get into the team. We’re glad of it now.”
