Kilkenny hurlers head to Semple Stadium on Sunday — their mission — to relieve the home county Tipperary of the National League Cup. These two sides have avoided each other well on final days over the last decade. Only once during that period, back in '03, have they squared up to each other for a national title decider. It might only have been the second most important competition that day but it was a game Kilkenny fans will savour for a long time. It was a thrilling encounter that saw the Cats come from 10 points down to win by the most slender of margins.
There is no doubt that the last few years have been very kind to Kilkenny in terms of silverware won. While the Cats have dominated hurling during this period the Premier County unfortunately went into a transition period after winning the All-Ireland in '01. Thanks to our forefathers the rivalry between these two sides will always exist. We've all been told of the great battles that took place down through the years, and hopefully when Sunday’s game is done and dusted we'll have another one to pass on to generations to come.
Next Sunday’s national league decider is very important in its own right, but there is no point hiding the fact that we would love to meet the Premier County on the first Sunday in September. I don't think I'm being arrogant in this statement, it’s a bit like Saturday’s encounter between Leinster and Munster in the Heineken cup semi-final. Fans would love to see it happen. Kilkenny will enter next Sunday’s game looking to add to their tally of 13 national league titles. While we may be head of the 'roll of honour' for All-Irelands won, we are somewhat adrift of the Premier County in this competition. Sunday’s opposition head the list with 20 victories since its inauguration in 1925.
Both counties earned their passage to this final date having won six of their seven games. Kilkenny came unstuck against Waterford while the Tipp men were overpowered by the Cats recently in Nowlan Park. There was very little Tipperary could take from that very dismal display, they simply didn't turn up on the day and if that’s wrong then they are a very average team. I remember last year’s encounter in Nowlan Park, manager Liam Sheedy controlled the line as if it was an All-Ireland final. He was new to his role and it looked like he wanted to win every dog fight. Sheedy obviously felt beating Kilkenny on their home patch was a big achievement. This year he seems a little less animated in his emotions. He has won a league title, a good feather to have in his cap, but he will be only too aware that when his time is up the Tipperary supporters will judge him on his championship results. I think Tipp have way more to offer than they did against us in Nowlan Park. However I feel if Kilkenny turn up in the same form as they did against Galway, Tipp, and Cork it will take a special team on the day to beat them. Both sides have injuries ahead of Sunday’s game, Kilkenny will have to do without the services of Richie Power - it’s a pity for the Carrickshock man as he was very much to the fore in this campaign. On the other hand they welcome back ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick and the legendary fullback Noel Hickey to the fold. Both players will be in contention for places after coming through club games last weekend. Tipperary will be without several key men, the Kelly brothers, Eoin and Paul, have both been ruled out and one or two others remain in doubt. Eoin has been out all spring with a back problem and even if he was OK I don't think Liam Sheehy will risk him. While Tipp have some youngsters breaking through, Kelly remains pivotal to Tipperary's championship aspirations. In a nutshell I expect the Cats to claim title No 14. It would be a nice start to '09 -the 125th anniversary of the GAA.
Sunday’s curtain raiser sees Leinster rivals Wexford and Offaly square up to each other in the division 2 final. These two sides take on each other again in the first round of the Leinster championship in a few week’s time. Strangely this division 2 league final is every bit as important, as the winners will be back playing division 1 hurling next year. Wexford went on the rampage against Offaly at Wexford Park in their recent encounter. They exposed the faithful rearguard shooting five goals, and on that evidence you'd have to think they might be capable of regaining their division 1 status.
Una Sinnott 29/04/2009
