When the fixtures were officially announced last autumn for this year’s National Hurling League most Kilkenny hurling enthusiasts would have been quick to blank off March 22 in their diaries. For this was the date allotted for the 'clash of the champions', last year's national hurling league winners Tipperary against All-Ireland champions Kilkenny.
Kilkenny, Cork, and Tipperary are often referred to as the Holy Trinity because they sit 1, 2, 3 in terms of All-Ireland titles won. Kilkenny and Cork clashes are always savoured and looked forward to for the skill levels both teams bring to the occasion, but when it comes to the biggest rivalry they don't come any bigger than that between Kilkenny and Tipp. Down the years we've had some great tussles with our Munster neighbours and results haven't always gone our way, in fact in latter years Nowlan Park has become a happy hunting ground for the Tipperary senior team. We only have to think back to last year when the Premier men ended our league run at the quarter final stage. Kilkenny are maybe a few All-Ireland titles ahead of Tipperary but the latter are well ahead in terms of National League titles won. A quick glance at the record books sees the count stand at 20-13 in favour of the Premier County. Tipperary are unbeaten to date in this year’s league having taken care of Waterford, Cork, and Clare while the Cats have registered victories over Limerick and Galway but lost out to Waterford so the scene is well set for a mouth-watering clash. The Cats bounced back in style against Galway after that defeat to the Déise. OK let’s face it Galway were poor on the day but it shouldn't detract from a much improved Kilkenny performance. This Sunday’s game would usually get the day’s top billing and be televised live, however with the Cork saga eventually coming to an end last week TG4 is running with the Cork v Clare game first and showing delayed coverage of the clash of the champions. It's all to do with TV ratings; I suppose they reckon most of the county would like to see how the returning Rebels fare out.
The clashes between Kilkenny and Tipp down the years have always been tough encounters. There has always been that little bit of needle between the two sides, this rivalry dates back well before I ever swung a hurl and it will be there well after I'm gone. Let’s call a spade a spade — sport needs rivalry, it doesn't matter what code it’s in we saw the intensity between the Irish and English both in racing and rugby in recent weeks, nothing bitter, just good old fashioned rivalry.
Both Kilkenny and Tipperary management teams have been giving fringe players some game time. Liam Sheedy has also introduced some younger players, the likes of Shane Hennessy and Noel McGrath who have won All-Ireland minor titles in recent years have been given debut at senior level. It’s no different in the Kilkenny camp, players like Michael Grace, John Dalton, and Michael Rice have all taken advantage when given their chances in recent weeks. A good performance on Sunday by any of the newcomers would enhance their chances long-term. There is also every chance that King Henry and the rest of the Shamrock contingent will be back for this clash. The King himself saw action in Abu-Dhabi last weekend when Leinster proved too strong for Connacht in the Railway Cup final. Hurling finals in Dubai in the middle of March has me thinking that I was born a generation too soon, where was Martin Donnelly the interprovincial 'sugar daddy' when I was hurlin’... (snap out of it Charlie - ed ). On a serious note Mr Donnelly, the Clare native should nearly be canonised at this stage for doing his best to keep this competition alive, his efforts and financial backing has seen the final reach such shores as Rome, Paris, Boston, Abu-Dhabi, without his enthusiasm this competition wouldn't survive.
This past week has seen spring finally arrive so there is no excuse for not heading to Nowlan Park on Sunday. Kilkenny need to take the two points on offer just to keep up with the pace as there is little room for error if they want to reach the final.
Club final
Portumna as expected ran away with the club final on St Patrick's Day, they retained their title after a landslide victory over Munster champions De la Salle. The deadly duo of Canning and Hayes once again were lethal in front of goal, the pair notched up 2-11 between them. To say Portumna were in a different league would be putting in mildly, they will definitely go down as one of, if not the best, club team of all time. The speed at which they hurled was amazing, I'll go as far as to say that they would have given Kilkenny a better game in the recent league encounter than the Galway team did. John McIntyre the Galway manager will be hoping that Portumna's celebrations won't go on too long.
Congratulations to Ned Quinn on his recent president's award, an achievement for outstanding contribution to the GAA. It’s an award that's well deserved, knowing Ned he won't rest on his laurels after this award ('much done, more to do' would be Ned's motto ).
