Yes, yes, yes, the final we've all been waiting for will finally happen. Tipperary's emphatic victory over Limerick last Sunday has set up the dream final. This game just had to happen, this is not just about doing the four-in-a-row, it’s about pitting ourselves against our deadly long-time rivals and neighbours.
It's not just the people of Kilkenny and Tipperary that long for this contest, the neutrals too have been crying out for it. They want to see the country's top two go head to head for the ultimate prize in hurling. Some 82,000 fans will have the pleasure of getting seats for this great occasion on September 6. It most certainly will be a sell-out and Croke Park have hit the jackpot once again. There will be a scramble for tickets this year and I do hope the authorities give them out a lot earlier than in the past as it would take pressure off the fans and, most importantly, the players.
Tipperary and Kilkenny have been on a collision course for this game all season long. They locked horns in that classic league final earlier in the year when the Cats had to dig deep to see off the Premier men after extra time. It was a game that whet the appetite for more of the same. I haven't been so excited about a hurling match since the '06 final, the day the Cats stopped Cork from achieving their three-in-a-row dream. I don't think anyone saw Limerick spoiling the party, they had barely managed to beat Wexford, Laois and Dublin, but I did expect them to give the Tipp lads a better game. They gifted the Premier side three first-half goals and their own shooting was deplorable. The question on everyone's lips at half-time was; could the Premier men maintain their dominance in this mis-match? The answer was yes for the first time this year they went the full distance. There's no getting away from the fact that Limerick were awful but it must be said that Tipp ran them ragged after getting their first goal. I always thought that Limerick manager Justin McCarthy had an astute hurling brain but after watching last Sunday’s game I'm not so sure. He was tactically as bad as his players were on the field. Traditionally Limerick have always gone toe to toe with their Munster rivals so dropping back a forward to play as an extra defender was a major surprise considering they were short of serious firepower upfront. Gavin O'Mahony gave an exhibition of free-taking against Dublin in the quarter-final, it was evident from an early stage last Sunday that he wasn't finding his range. The question must be asked why was he left taking the frees for so long. Ollie Moran one of Limerick's longest servants was named at centre forward but did not start, the Ahane man's experience was badly missed. By the time he entered the fray the game was done and dusted, I actually thought he had left the country.
Enough said about Limerick other than that they have a lot of soul searching to do down there. Tipperary are a young, hungry, fit team who are on an upward curve at present. They showed us in the league final that they are capable of mixing it with Kilkenny and won't fear doing so again. Their defence is tight and is well marshalled by the experienced keeper, Brendan Cummins. Their midfield pairing didn't play very well last weekend but they are capable of better and their forwards - well we've seen what they can do when they get time and space. Corbett, Kelly and young Noel McGrath will be a huge threat to Kilkenny come final day. Like the rest of the country I have been ranting and raving about Joe Canning for the last couple of years but the Galway man now has a rival for his stardom in the shape of Noel McGrath. This kid (still 18 ) has taken to senior hurling like a duck to water. His display last Sunday was awesome; he is certainly the real deal and a guy who will have to be watched closely by Kilkenny defenders. The hype and banter ahead of this final will be great. God help the players, they will have to distance themselves from all that. This weekend they head off to a secret location for training and team bonding. These trips have served them well in the past so let's hope it works one more time.
Minors
The Galway minors breezed past Waterford last Sunday to set up a rematch of last year’s All-Ireland final. They looked very impressive and there is no doubt they will be hungry for revenge after Kilkenny beat them last year. They seemed very strong up the middle and have nippy players on the wings to match. Mattie Murphy the Galway manager and a guy who seems to hate Kilkenny with a passion, has already gone on the record saying that this is the best minor team he has ever trained. Kilkenny will be aware that they face a huge battle to retain their minor trophy. We were underdogs last year and won, so let's hope lightning can strike twice.
Ladies
The ladies of Kilkenny did the county proud last Saturday by taking the scalp off Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final at Nowlan Park. Anyone who wasn't present at the game might think that Marie O’Connor’s late goal ambushed the Galway ladies but this is far from the truth.
Kilkenny might have left it late but they had plenty of chances before that fine goal. This was a much-needed victory as Kilkenny have not contested an All-Ireland camogie final since '01 and have not won it since '94. On that occasion current manager Ann Downey lifted the O'Duffy Cup. Ann must now use all her experience to prepare her team for their big day on September 13.
Kilkenny seem to have a stranglehold at underage level at present, so this final appearance couldn't come at a better time. Cork are reigning champions and will be hot favourites to retain their crown. Kilkenny, under Ann's management won't be travelling to Croker to make up the numbers. I won't say they have nothing to lose because I hate that expression they should address it, as if it's their last chance. You don't have to lose one to win one.
