The GAA's ridiculous decision to sandwich in a football quarterfinal this Sunday between the minor and senior hurling semi-finals shows once again how little regard they have for the small ball. Surely they could have asked the footballers of Meath and Mayo to play on Saturday thus leaving the next day free for the hurling semi-finals.
I don't have anything against football but there is a time and place for everything- it's hard to expect parents to take young kids to Croker for six hours of action. This is the second time Kilkenny have had to put up with this nonsense. A couple of years ago - I think it was at Leinster final stage if memory serves me right that some football replay was pushed upon us. I have great respect for our County Board but sometimes they can be a little over accommodating. While I acknowledge Croke Park have the final say it's just sometimes one has to stand up for their rights- either way Croke Park authorities should have dealt with it better.
Last years All-Ireland final display by Kilkenny was seen by most hurling enthusiasts as the most complete team performance of all times. The powerful display that saw Kilkenny cruise to their 31st All-Ireland title by 23 points was indeed a marvellous occasion, that's of course if you weren't from Waterford. That magic final is now history, and if anyone is travelling to Croker on Sunday expecting a repeat performance they are not being realistic. For one I don't think Kilkenny are playing as fluently as they were twelve months ago and secondly surely the men of Waterford will not be as bad as they were last year, they simply got stage fright on the day. In fact the Deise men probably shouldn’t be in Croker this Sunday as Galway should have finished them off in the quarter-final but they didn't and as they say the rest is history. Waterford have shown great character this year, they could have been forgiven if the bulk of last years team walked away after the final, but fair play to them they regrouped for another tilt. Their form coming into this year’s semi-final is average, however their willingness to battle to the bitter end cannot be overstated. Remember the Munster final when they frightened the life out of Tipperary in the last 15 minutes, they may have come up short on that afternoon but their fighting spirit was seen by all. The quarter-final was a mirror image- they were down by six points to Galway, with fifteen minutes left they showed great resolve once more to dig out a one point victory. For most of that game the Kilkenny players would have been thinking of a semi-final date with Limerick but Waterford’s never say die attitude changed that.
Kilkenny's path to this years semi-final has been workman like, if not spectacular, mind you the level of opposition was higher than in years gone by. Galway gave Kilkenny a good run before the management called upon the heavy artillery of Derek Lyng who provided the ammunition for Eoin Larkin to shoot down the Westerners. The Leinster final was a tame affair, the Cats didn't seem to get out of second gear on that occasion and they didn't need to. The inspirational Martin Comerford was the main man that afternoon, hopefully the O'Loughlins man has shrugged off his recent hand injury, as his presence will be vital this Sunday. Noel Hickey also looks like he is finally ready for action, if he is fit he will surely start. The Dunnamaggin man is a colossus on the edge of the square, his inclusion would also release JJ Delaney back to his favourite No 7 slot. ‘Cha Fitzpatrick and Brian Hogan will surely slot back into their usual positions. Big decisions will be made (tonight ) Friday when the team is announced. There are one or two lads going to be disappointed but at this stage the best fifteen has to start. Midfield will be the biggest call as Michael Rice hasn't put a foot wrong all year, however it’s very hard to see ‘Cha and Derek not lining up here as they compliment each other so well. Kilkenny are a bit like Kerry even though they mightn't be playing vintage hurling by their standards they have the ability to pick it up a couple of notches on any given day. The pitch could also play a big part on Sunday, it may have held up ok during the football quarter-finals but it looked awful, hopefully a good weeks growth will get rid of the lines that are quite visible. This is Waterford's first visit back to Croke Park since last September's mauling and they will be looking for redemption. However, I do expect the Cats to win - nothing like last year but maybe a 4 or 5 point win would be sufficient going into another All-Ireland final.
Hopefully the minors can get the day off to a good start by taking care of Tipperary in their encounter. Like Waterford the Premier County are on a revenge mission after Kilkenny beat them at this stage before going onto win the All-Ireland last year. Let's say the shoe is on the other foot this year, all the pressure will be on the young Cats to deliver, they have all the ability in the world, so let's hope they can translate it on the field this Sunday. There won't be any complacency here, the manager will see to that. I'm expecting a bit more team work this Sunday than in their win over Wexford, if that can happen as I said earlier they have the ability, so best of luck to both teams. PS remember a packed lunch is essential for this Sunday’s marathon day.
Congratulations to the Kilkenny camogie team after getting through their tough group stage. Their win against Tipperary in Thurles was essential in landing their semi-final spot. They now take on Galway in Nowlan Park on August 15 - a double header that day also sees Cork take on Wexford.
