Michael Rice (hurler) - Playing Career - Inter-county

Inter-county

Rice joined the Kilkenny senior team in 2005, however, he was unused as a substitute during the championship campaign.

In 2006 Rice made his championship debut when he came on as a substitute in Kilkenny's opening game against Westmeath. In the subsequent provincial final against Wexford, he was named on the starting fifteen. A 1-23 to 2-12 victory gave Rice his first Leinster medal. In spite of playing in subsequent games, Rice played no part in Kilkenny's All-Ireland final defeat of Cork. It was Larkin's first senior All-Ireland medal.

Rice's championship appearances in 2007 were also sporadic. He came on as a substitute to win a second successive Leinster medal, however, for the second year in-a-row he was an unused substitute in Kilkenny's All-Ireland triumph over Limerick.

Rice's role was still as an impact sub again in 2008. He came off the bench to collect a third Leinster medal that year as Wexford were completely overwhelmed again. After making a late cameo appearance in the All-Ireland final, Rice once again missed out on an All-Ireland final appearance as Waterford were heavily defeated by Kilkenny.

In 2009 Rice nailed down a permanent spot at midfield. He began the year by winning a National League medal following a thrilling 4-17 to 2-26 defeat of Tipperary. Another provincial title was annexed along the way to a fourth successive All-Ireland final appearance for Kilkenny. That game was a repeat of the National League final with Kilkenny taking on Tipperary again. For much of the match it looked as if Tipp would pull off a shock and deny 'the Cats' a record-equaling four-in-a-row. Two quick goals in the space of a minute, one from a penalty by Henry Shefflin, sealed a 2–22 to 0–23 victory. It was the fourth time in-a-row that the famed Liam MacCarthy Cup was presented to a Kilkenny team while Rice collected his first All-Ireland medal on the field of play. He was later presented with a coveted All-Star award.

Rice added a fifth Leinster medal to his collection in 2010 following a 1-19 to 1-12 defeat of new provincial rivals Galway. An unprecedented fifth successive All-Ireland title looked likely, however, Kilkenny faced a number of serious injuries going into that game and failed in their 'drive for five' as Tipp won by 4-17 to 1-18.

In 2011 'the Cats' continued their provincial dominance with Rice winning a sixth consecutive Leinster medal following a defeat of Dublin. Kilkenny later qualified for yet another All-Ireland final. For the third year in succession Rice's side faced Tipperary, however, on this occasion Kilkenny were slight underdogs going up against the new champions. Kilkenny started quickly and never surrendered the lead in the 2-17 to 1-16 victory. It was Rice's second All-Ireland medal on the field of play. He later won a second All-Star award.

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