It was mixed fortunes for Kilkenny hurling last weekend. The county side got off to the best possible start in the league when they proved too strong for All-Ireland champions Tipperary. While on Sunday both John Lockes of Callan and Dicksboro saw their All-Ireland aspirations go up in smoke against their Cork counterparts.
To be fair to both teams I thought the skill level was quite high, however it did lack the intensity that you'd come to expect from these deadly rivals
The last three or four clashes between Kilkenny and Tipp have been epic battles but sadly the latest encounter proved nothing short of a damp squib. On this occasion the players couldn't be faulted as the overhead conditions were nothing short of horrendous. The light rain that greeted both sets of players as they entered Semple Stadium for the start of another long campaign intensified as the game wore on. To be fair to both teams I thought the skill level was quite high, however it did lack the intensity that you'd come to expect from these deadly rivals. The seven point winning margin in Kilkenny's favour rightly suggested that the Cats were worthy winners.
The Premier side however set the early pace. Tipp's duo of Shane McGrath and Brendan Maher held the upper hand at midfield, their ball winning skills set up Pa Bourke for many of Tipp's early scores. The Thurles Sarsfields attacker constantly ran at Kilkenny during the first quarter with one of his gallops setting up Gearoid Ryan for Tipp's goal much to the delight of the home support. Kilkenny’s forwards were finding the going tough up front. Taggy Fogarty was the only exception during the early exchanges — he looked very lively.
The match winning move came midway during the half when Michael Fennelly went out to his more accustomed midfield position. Talk about a man grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck. Kilkenny's most improved hurler in recent years just gets better and better. His direct swap with John Mulhall paid huge dividends as it was only then that the forwards got motoring. Hogan, Fogarty, Mulhall and Fennelly all found the range to send Kilkenny into a three point lead at half-time.
It was nice to get back on the winning trail but this victory will have little bearing if the sides meet again later in the year.
The game was effectively over 20 seconds into the new half when Colin Fennelly on his league debut found a clear path to goal. The Shamrocks’ man coolly slotted past the Tipp keeper to open a six point lead. This may be young Fennelly’s first league goal and one gets the impression that there will be many more to come. Kilkenny maintained the high level of work rate to the finish and eventually ran out winners 1-17 to 1-10. Tipp really missed Eoin Kelly and Lar Corbett upfront as there was a distinct lack of leadership in this sector. The Kilkenny management will be delighted that they have two points on the board but other than finding that Michael Fennelly's best position is midfield there was not a whole lot learnt. The newcomers and I include the likes of David Hearity, John Mulhall and PJ Delaney along with the Debutantes can all be happy with their nights work. It was nice to get back on the winning trail but this victory will have little bearing if the sides meet again later in the year.
The main talking points elsewhere in Division 1 was Wexford's dismal display against a very under strength Galway side. Back in top flight league action for the first time in three years a 21 point mauling was the last thing they needed, on this evidence they will find league points very hard to pick up. Wexford have been in the doldrums for some time now and it looks like a major overhaul of club hurling is needed, as only Oulart the Ballagh and Rathnure seem to be up to the standard required. As someone put it to me on Sunday evening...it will be a long time before they are ‘dancing at the crossroads’ again. That may have been said in jest but hurling certainly needs Wexford to get competitive again.
The game of the day seemed to be down in Waterford as the Deise and Dublin played out a very entertaining game that resulted in a draw. Conal Keaney proved he has lost none of his hurling ability, it was fitting that he threw over the equalising point deep in injury time.
Cork picked up the point in Pairc Uí Chaoimh against Offaly, judging by all the reports they weren't impressive. Wasted chances seemed to leave Offaly in the game, this is something they'll need to rectify before Sunday’s clash with Kilkenny at Nowlan Park. The main event in Division 2 was Limerick’s clash with Clare and it looks like Donal O’Grady has already gotten his new troops up and running very smoothly. Limerick’s nine point win is a perfect pick me up for the county. With Munster already out of the Heineken Cup maybe Limerick fans might now row in behind their hurlers.
The ‘Boro can take great heart from the fact that they came back from a disastrous opening quarter —but in the end it was a case of close but no cigar
Last Sunday’s club finals at Croke Park proved to be very disappointing for both John Lockes and Dicksboro. While Callan were always chasing the game, Dicksboro seemed to have at least one hand on the cup until that last gasp winner by Ballymartle. It was a cruel way to lose a final. The ‘Boro can take great heart from the fact that they came back from a disastrous opening quarter — but in the end it was a case of close but no cigar. Both teams would want to put it behind them as quickly as possible as it's now baggage that they wouldn't want to be bringing into a new season. Kilkenny's junior and intermediate winners have had great runs and they should take the positives out of it.
O'Loughlin’s were a bit 'Jeykll and Hyde' against Oulart in their Leinster final victory, they'll be aware that a repeat of their first half display that afternoon will not suffice.
This Saturday it’s O'Loughlin’s turn to fly the flag for the county as they take on Loughgiel-Shamrocks of Antrim in the All-Ireland club semi-final. This Antrim club is the only northern team ever to win an All-Ireland title. It may have been back in 1983 but it's still a warning to O'Loughlin’s that they have the know-how within the club to win major honours. O'Loughlin’s were a bit 'Jeykll and Hyde' against Oulart in their Leinster final victory, they'll be aware that a repeat of their first half display that afternoon will not suffice. If they can start like they finished on that occasion it should be enough to see them through to their first All-Ireland club final. De la Salle should be too strong for Clarnbridge in the other semi-final. Best of luck to the Gaels.
