I said last week that a shock could be on the cards in Semple Stadium last Sunday. Okay it didn't pan out that way in the end, but at various stages of both quarter-finals it sure looked like happening. Cork and Waterford move onto the semi-final stages after cracking encounters with the former out to upset Kilkenny's 3 in a row dream on August 10. Over the last decade these two sides have stopped each other from completing this marvellous feat, it's a bit like the song Lanigan's Ball “one stepped in....", they will once again as in '04 relish the opportunity to repeat the trick and set up an All-Ireland appearance. Cork judging by their prematch get-together, obviously feel the world is against them. It's the first time I've seen everyone step outside the confines of the playing area for the National Anthem. They are well within their rights to do so but you're only bringing notice to yourself. Both the Clare and Wexford players were probably kicking themselves last Monday morning for letting a good chance slip by. You would have to acknowledge Cork's persistence to stick at it when all looked lost at half time. They once again proved that they have the bottle and they know how to both wear down a side and finish off a job - this is a trait that both Clare and Wexford lack.
Clare practically owned the first 35 minutes, they looked fresh and mad for action, when they're on song they hit hard and ask questions later. Their achille’s heal over the years has been their shooting and here, as in the Munster final, this was to prove costly. Cork looked flat in the early stages, especially up the middle where Diarmuid O'Sullivan, Ronan Curran, Niall McCarthy and Joe Deane, to a lesser extent, all found the going tough. Clare closed down the space during this period, they broke plenty of timber 'legally I must add' and despite 7 wides, went in at the interval 8 points up. Niall Gilligan was on form in that first half beating the "rock" Diarmuid O'Sullivan for practically every ball. The question on everyone’s lips at half-time was would Gerald McCarthy make the big call and withdraw O' Sullivan, most people felt they wouldn't see him return but return he did. Once again Cork regrouped, they threw caution to the wind and started running at the Bannermen; it was almost as if some-one took the shackles off. Within five minutes, the arrears were reduced to a single puck. Ben O'Connor, a man with Duracell batteries, started the ball rolling with a free, then they got a lucky break when Timmy McCarthy, introduced for his namesake Niall, hit a relatively easy shot at Clare custodian Philly Brennan. It deceived the keeper and found the net. Surely Mike McNamara got his tactics wrong, was he not watching the '06 All-Ireland when Kilkenny dropped an extra man back into the half back line, all he needed to do was soak up the early surge that was sure to be there after the break. Their failure to close out games and slow it down at vital stages, will always set them apart from the great Clare team of the mid 90s,they knew what it took to get over the finish line in front. While they steadied the ship for a short time with a goal from Diarmuid McMahon, one could see that Cork were growing in confidence. Niall Gilligan had claims for a certain penalty overlooked, you need little breaks like that to go your way if you're going to win. Gerald McCarthy had seen enough of the Rock after that penalty claim, he received a standing ovation from some of the Cork supporters who appreciated all the good work he had done down the years. I for one don't expect to see him on the edge of the square come August 10 but then again stranger things have happened. The new look Cork team kicked into action straight away with substitute Kieran Murphy goaling with his first touch, the rebels slowly but surely wore down the Bannermen with another substitute Neil Ronan looking very impressive when introduced and scoring 2 points with limited game time. This Cork team has great inner strength and it's going to take a good team to beat them. People might think that the last two games will leave them spun out for the semis but it must be remembered that due to the strike they didn't start pre-season training until far later than anyone else. It now looks like that strike could help their cause. The Kilkenny player's who are just back from their annual weekend away, will be only too aware of the task that confronts them in two week’s time. Now that they know who their opponents will be, it will be easier to get focused.
Davy Fitzgerald showed plenty of emotion after Waterford’s 1 point victory over neighbours Wexford. This game was entertaining if somewhat less so than the Cork/Clare encounter. Wexford with nothing to lose, had a right cut at Waterford and looked to be causing them trouble at various stages. Their fast movement of the ball upset the Deise early on; they played to their strengths and were rewarded with an early goal by Stephen Doyle after good work by the impressive Rory Jacob. It had as many twists and turns as the first game, before Waterford eventually came out on top. Davy Fitz still has serious problems in the backs but he will delighted to see last year’s hurler of the year Dan Shanahan finally find some form. They will enter their semi-final clash with Tipp as underdogs and to my mind, they have a fair bit to find.
Kilkenny's U21s had a great victory over Offaly in the Leinster final last Wednesday night in Tullamore. After a tough first half, they pulled right away to win by 12 points. Michael Walsh and his selectors have done a good job with this panel of players and they will look forward to playing Galway in the semi-final. Curving boy wonder, Joe Canning, will be a major obstacle but I'm sure Michael will have something up his sleeve.
Kilkenny ladies didn't have much luck against Cork last weekend, however it's still a learning curve for most of Ann Downey’s young team so they shouldn't get too disheartened if they don't make it to the next stage.
