The Kilkenny senior hurlers made their trip to the capital a successful one last Sunday when they outscored a spirited, if somewhat naive, Dublin outfit.
This is the second victory for the Cats in this year’s league campaign and it lifts them to mid division on the table and it also gives them a slight chance of making the final.
For Kilkenny to finish in the top two spots needed to reach the decider in early May, they must win their three remaining fixtures and hope some of the front runners slip up. I suspect the 15th league title is not the priority this year anyway. I go as far as to say maybe they would be better off out of the limelight in early May. I'm sure Barry Hickey the Kilkenny treasurer might see it differently, as reaching the final adds a few euro to the county board’s bank balance.
I must add that the new M9 motorway has made it very easy to get to the capital. It now seems like a short, hop, skip and a jump to Parnell Park. God be with the days when you would allow yourself 2 1/2 hours to get to Dublin. I suppose you could call it one of the Celtic Tiger’s lasting legacies.
The sight of players wiping the sweat off their brows during the warm-up was a welcome change. The warm spring sun saw that there was no need for tracksuits last Sunday. To be honest I think some of the Kilkenny players lost more sweat during the warm-up than they did during the game. It was just one of those games - high scoring, low intensity. Dublin as usual burst out of the traps outscoring Kilkenny 5-1 in the first quarter. They should have been further in front but for some very poor shooting, they missed several gilt-edged chances.
The surprising tactic on the day was Anthony Daly's decision to go with a two man full forward line in the first half when aided by the breeze. I'm actually disappointed that the former Clare great persists with this tactic. When they reverted back to the conventional formation in the second half they were a far more balanced side. Most teams that employ a third midfielder do so either against the breeze or as a surprise element, unfortunately for the Dubs the surprise element is long gone. The usual cliché that goals win matches was once again the main topic of conversation after the victory. For all the good work that Dublin got through they still found themselves three points behind at the interval with a score line of 2-9 to 12.
The goals were expertly finished by Carrickshock ace Richie Power, the first coming in the 25th minute when he rose above all the blue shirts to claim Jackie Tyrrell's long free, before easily despatching left handed past the Dublin keeper.
The second was a killer blow to the Dubs as it came in injury time. Eoin Larkin was the provider on this occasion after gathering a long clearance from John Tennyson. As usual Larkin took on his opponent, he seemed to stumble when under pressure from his Dublin pursuer. Just as he was about to hit the deck he offloaded to the waiting Power who probably said thanks very much before drilling low and hard right handed past Gary McGuire. Richie Power was on fire last Sunday, he saw off several opponents on the day. His ability to kill a ball with one hand never ceases to amaze me - a truly gifted player and a vital cog in the Kilkenny forward division. It was not only Power who caught the eye, John Mulhall continues to enhance his reputation scoring five points during the game. He sure covers a lot of ground during 70 minutes. The St Martin’s man has often been slated for many needless runs, however on this occasion he seemed to pop up in the right place at the right time. He has now contributed 1-11 in his last three outings.
The second half saw both sides have their dominant spells, most of the Dublin scores came from long range players like Mike O'Brien. Alan McCrabbe and John McCaffery were flawless with their shooting. Dublin to their credit matched Kilkenny throughout the second half. They were denied what looked like a certain goal when Kilkenny's reserve keeper David Herity pulled off a superb save from the in-rushing wing forward Peter Kelly. If the Dubs had found the net on that occasion it would have been game on. Power and Mulhall added late scores to seal Kilkenny's victory.
As I said earlier it was just one of those games, Dublin did most of the hurling while Kilkenny did more of the scoring. The team sheet saw three or four changes from the Cork trip. Players like David Herity, Sean Cummins, James Ryall, and Derek Lyng all got much needed game time. The Ballyhale crew will be back in contention for this weekend’s clash with Galway. If we get anything close to the classic we had in Tullamore last summer we will all be happy, but that is probably asking a bit much this early in the year. With everything being equal these two sides should contest this year’s Leinster final. Kilkenny's management has rightly given Shefflin a couple of weeks sabbatical to rest his weary bones. I think one or two lads who have played all four rounds could do with being rested also... I for one would not be burning out Tommy Walsh at this time of the year, surely Noel Hickey could be let off the leash now, he must be chomping at the bit for some action. I saw him doing the warm-up last Sunday and he sure looks fit, he will get a great reception whenever he returns after injury.
Waterford v Cork
I suppose the game of last weekend had to be the clash of Waterford and Cork. Anyone who elected to sit by the fire last Sunday witnessed Waterford's Eoin Kelly give an exhibition of free taking. 1-17 was mighty impressive scoring. Both of these teams could do with picking up a bit of silverware ahead of the championship as both seem to be introducing a lot of young talent.
The last word this weekend on the intercounty scene has to go to our neighbours Carlow after their great victory over Wexford. Many people view it as a major shock but the reality here is that you have Carlow on an upward spiral while Wexford are on a downward curve. The work done at underage level in Carlow is now reaping its rewards. Wexford seemed to let the underage slip around the same time. They have addressed it in recent years and should bounce back again. But again hats off to the Carlow men. They will be guaranteed some crowd in Dr Cullen Park this Sunday when they take on Clare.
It will be a nervous first trip for the Banner men to the Carlow venue. Carlow who have won the Christy Ring Cup for the last two years are gearing up for a tilt at Laois in the first round of the Leinster Championship. They would love nothing more than to beat their neighbours at the other side of the boundary.
