Aylward was speaking to KCLR following Ballyhale’s slender semi-final victory over Thomastown on Sunday, as his side prepare for the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship Final.
The Shamrocks will face Tullaroan at UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday, October 25th, with throw-in at 1.45pm.
While reflecting on his side’s performance, Aylward raised concerns about the demands being placed on young players who are required to play minor and adult hurling games within a short space of time.
“There is one thing a little bit on my mind, and I must say, it’s not just us, it’s a lot of the clubs around Kilkenny. I think the county board really need to think about player welfare,” he told KCLR.
“We had three lads that started the minor game yesterday against James Stephens, and I know Thomastown had one, I know all the O’Loughlin’s had a few. It’s just, it needs to be looked at.
“Players playing these types of games 24 hours in advance, like it’s just not fair. I did it myself once when I was younger; your body can’t react.
“And fair play to all the players from all the clubs that have done it, because it’s not easy.”
Ballyhale will now turn their attention to the senior final against Tullaroan as they look to finish their championship campaign with silverware.
KCLR will have full commentary of the upcoming Kilkenny Junior, Intermediate and Senior Hurling Championship Finals, with coverage available exclusively on the station.
Meanwhile, listeners can hear an in-depth preview of Sunday’s Intermediate Hurling Championship Final between Rower-Inistioge and James Stephens on the latest episode of the KCLR Hurling Podcast.
