The GAA's decision to scrap the scoring difference in favour of the head to head format left the association with egg on its face last weekend, as all bar one of the last round league games ended up being nothing more than glorified challenge matches. The only game of any real importance was the relegation battle between Dublin and Limerick.
Maybe the new format favours the football league but it certainly did nothing for the hurling league. When I was penning my article last weekend, I honestly thought the Kilkenny/Waterford clash would be a competitive affair - how wrong I was! I suppose the writing was on the wall once Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald named his starting 15. The fact Fitzgerald made 15 changes from the team he sent out to beat Offaly two weeks previous more or less told us that he was coming to Nowlan Park last Sunday to allow some of his panel play themselves off it. If it was his target and I suspect it was, it was certainly a case of mission accomplished. Kilkenny too used this game to look at one or two guys who might or might not be up to championship standard, that was fair enough under the circumstances but for me the attitude of the two teams were simply worlds apart. This game was as good as over as early as the 13th minute, when Michael Grace, one of the guys the management would have been keen to assess slotted home Kilkenny's goal. The Cats really started this game in businesslike fashion and led by 1-11 to 2 points at the interval. It was great to see three of the younger guys... TJ Reid, Eoin Guinan, and Michael Grace were anxious to make their mark. All three looked the part on the day. There were a few lads who found the going tough. It was evident from their first touch that Michael Kavanagh and Eddie Brennan had not much hurling done but I am sure that will come to them with a couple of rounds of local action. The big plus last Sunday were the performances of Noel Hickey and Derek Lyng. The latter got through an ocean of work during the first half in particular, while Hickey weighed in with his customary solid, non flashy game that we have become accustomed to over the years. While a few supporters commented on how Hickey has lost a yard or two of his pace; I would have a different view. I don't think he was ever the fastest fullback in the world, but when he is in peak condition the fear he puts in his opponents more than makes up for this. When the Dunnamaggin man is chasing an opponent out for a ball he only ever has one eye on it as the other is used for obvious reasons. Hickey came out with a ball last Sunday in the first half and I counted four Waterford players who could have confronted him but they all stepped aside - it was like the Red-Sea parting for Moses. It looks like the formation of the backs, come championship time, will depend on Hickey's fitness or more so he needs to stay injury free. If Hickey is at fullback, it looks like Brian Hogan will move back out to the No 6 position with Jackie Tyrrell falling back to his customary cornerback position. One of the few aspects Kilkenny can take out of their league run is that if needed Tyrell can slot into the centre back position and confidently do the job. The league will now become a distant memory, there was not really anything to shout about or anything to get too despondent about either. It will now be all systems go for the championship, the training sessions will once again determine who makes the first 15.
Back to last Sunday’s action. Waterford's second half display was much better. However they had to call upon some reserves plus a referee who was intent on keeping the game alive and some of his decisions were nothing short of a joke. I think it was the first time I ever saw the crowd getting penalised 10 yards for showing their discontent. Kilkenny were never going to lose last Sunday but they were dragged down to the opposition’s standard during the second half. I reckon the 6,000 plus crowd were relieved to eventually hear the final whistle. These two will meet again in Mooncoin in a couple of week’s time; I would imagine it will be a far more competitive affair.
There is not much to say about the other games. The Cork/Galway tie was a mere dress rehearsal for the league final. Dublin consigned Limerick to division 2 for next year with a facile victory at Parnell Park. The Treaty men will have to sort out their problems and fast or that is where they will remain. It looks like they will have just two more competitive outings this year, namely the Munster semi-final against either Tipp or Cork and the first round of the qualifiers. It remains to be seen if Justin McCarthy walks away with his pride intact and lets the county start with a clean slate. The league final on May 2 should be a good encounter and an informative one at that, as I suspect both sides will be anxious for a bit of silverware.
GAA Congress
Judging from the limited coverage we saw in the news over the weekend, the Annual Congress in Co Down seemed to pass without any major commotion. Most of the experimental rules which were in place during the National League were given the boot. The two motions that were passed which will have the biggest effect on the Association are the opening of Croke Park for non-GAA activities when Central Council deems it fit to do so. After 10 years of hard work the GPA has finally been formally recognised by the Association. It will be interesting to see how the GAA reacts down the road when the GPA goes in search of more entitlements. It could still be a rocky road but it is good to see they were willing to give it a go.
Local scene
It is going to be a busy weekend in Kilkenny GAA as the stage is set for first round League games in the Senior and Intermediate games. It will take a round or two before any calls can be made as to how teams will fare in the year ahead. The Shamrocks as usual will be the team to beat in the Senior. As for the Intermediate grade, I think this is a far more open affair; my guess is that most teams will be fancying their chances.
The final say has to go to the ladies who take on Wexford in the league final on Saturday. Hopefully they will be the first Kilkenny intercounty team this season to bring home the silverware. Best of luck girls.
