Kilkenny's fine victory over Waterford in last Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final means this current panel are now just 70 odd minutes away from achieving an incredible four-in-a-row. Kerry footballers have achieved this unbelievable feat on two occasions. The men of Wexford have also managed it with the big ball, but only the hurlers of Cork in the 40s can boast about doing it with the small ball.
This team is already rightly recognised as one of the greatest of all time. Winning or losing in the upcoming final won't change that one little bit but it would be the icing on the cake if they could land title no 32. The management, players, and anyone who has any involvement with the squad will deflect away the importance of doing the four-in-a-row — to stay focused that must be done. The ordinary fans will talk about it but I dare say they'd not mention it in the presence of any of the panel. The people of Kilkenny have learnt over the last few years to hold their powder dry until the event is over. The only way the media will cool down on that topic is if our near neighbours and deadly rivals Tipperary can manage to topple Limerick in this Sunday’s semi, then it would be more about the rivalry over the years. I do hope they win, it would set up one brilliant contest. Despite winning five All-Irelands since Tipp landed their last in 2001, we have been reminded on too many occasions that we haven't beaten the Premier side since 1967.
Last Sunday’s game was always going to be a tricky assignment. The Deise men aimed to win the game, and to restore pride — luckily enough for Kilkenny they only achieved the latter. The bookies gave the men of Waterford no chance of overturning last September’s All-Ireland result, but their players, in fairness to them, turned up and gave it one hell of a rattle, and made it an occasion to remember. Kilkenny management had identified a weakness in the Waterford fullback line and the citing of King Henry at full forward proved a master stroke. The first passage of play saw the Ballyhale man register his first score, we knew it would not be his last. Kilkenny were in the driving seat in the early stages until Kevin Moran tore through the heart of the Kilkenny defence to set up Shane Walsh for the first of his two goals. It was a setback for the Cats but for Waterford fans and the neutrals it was a major welcome. I honestly thought that the Kilkenny backs would be changed then — surely if Noel Hickey was deemed not fit enough to start Brian Hogan would man the edge of the square, JJ back to his favourite No 7 spot, and John Tennyson to centre back. It didn't happen but I still think it should have. Would Kevin Moran have got away from JJ for Waterford's first goal, or would Walsh have muscled Brian Hogan for his second? I for one don't think so. At the end of the day everyone can have their opinions but the only ones that matter are those of the manager and his two selectors.
On this occasion Waterford hurlers came to hurl, well all but one fool who couldn't resist having a go at Tommy Walsh. The Tullaroan man held his cool, took his belts, and went on to have a cracking game. The fool ended up being called ashore later in the game. Davy Fitz the Waterford manager obviously thought that Kilkenny had a weakness on the left flank of defence as every puckout was aimed in that direction. John Tennyson did have a shaky start but he more than made up for it as the game wore on. Route 1 was the order of the day, any ball that the Kilkenny defenders or the centrefield men won was aimed in Henry's direction. He was absolutely skinning the inexperienced fullback Aidan Kearney, the Deise man just did not have the physical presence, or hurling for that matter, to hold one of the game's greatest exponents. How Davy Fitz left him there for 27 minutes is beyond me. By the time he swapped him with Declan Prendergast the damage was already done, Henry had set up Eddie Brennan’s goal and scored one himself. Henry was running the show at this stage and there was going to be no stopping him, he was pure poetry in motion. Besides Eddie Brennan the other four forwards will not be happy with their display, mind you in their defence they did not get much ball, as everything was directed to Henry.
Waterford trailing by six points at half-time got a dream start to the new half when Walsh went past JJ to kick his and Waterford's second goal. Again the neutrals were rubbing their hands with delight as it looked game on. Kilkenny and Henry kept slipping over the points to keep the Deise men at bay. Waterford got to within two points of Kilkenny during the second half but I never felt they were going to win the day. Kilkenny were getting their scores so much easier. Richie Hogan came in and made an immediate impact scoring a point and setting up TJ Reid's missed goal chance, he was effectively telling the management not to forget him when they are sitting down to pick the final 15. I got the feeling it was the perfect result for everyone. Kilkenny fans got their victory and Waterford restored their honour.
In the past training has been frantic in the build-up to the final. It will be no different this year, in fact, it could be a very explosive few weeks in Nowlan Park considering a few players had an off day last Sunday. I hope they don't kill each other in a quest for places for the big day.
---The minors showed great character when holding on for a merited one point victory. Their first half display was awesome, so much so that maybe one or two thought the game was over. It's always dangerous when you run up a big score early on as the tendency can be to switch off. Tipperary had been many people's favourite to land this year’s Irish Press Cup and they showed their mettle in the second half. The introduction of Martin Gaffney proved crucial as the Borro man set up the Man of the Match Walter Walsh for the decisive goal. Now that the game is over and won this slender victory will keep the young feet well on the ground in the build-up to All-Ireland day.
-I'm not going to dwell on this Sunday’s match but I'll eat my hat if Limerick are good enough to lower Tipp's colours. I'm well aware that it took three games to separate them in '07. I think the Premier county have moved up a notch or two since then, if they can hurl for the 70 minutes they should prove too strong, here's hoping for a Kilkenny v Tipperary final.
