It’s a pity really that after three rounds of the National Hurling League the main talking point is not of the action but of the low attendance’s. Everyone has their own views as to why this is happening, some experts are blaming the Saturday night flood light games. This theory doesn't wash with me because the facts are that the biggest crowds for league matches this year in either code were for games under lights.
“The game is calling out for change; it definitely needs one of the lesser lights to step forward. It needs the likes of Waterford, Galway, Dublin or anyone who hasn't won it for a while to land the laurels to create a bit of a buzz.“
No it’s certainly not the lights, for me it’s a combination of the economic downturn and too much TV coverage. Let’s face it, fans simply don't have the same disposable income to spend on sporting outings as they had during the boom time. It's now gone to the stage that they are picking and choosing their games. TV coverage was introduced to promote the games; too much of it seems to be having the opposite effect. For instance take last weekend, three of the top four matches were televised by either Setanta or TG4. At this time of the year the Association has to wise up to the fact that they are competing against rugby, premiership soccer and dare I say it on the odd occasion cricket. Another factor that's not helping hurling in particular is that the game is becoming too predictable. Even in the month of March everyone knows that only a handful of teams — and I'm being optimistic here have a chance of winning the Liam McCarthy. The game is calling out for change; it definitely needs one of the lesser lights to step forward. It needs the likes of Waterford, Galway, Dublin or anyone who hasn't won it for a while to land the laurels to create a bit of a buzz. The worst thing that could happen this year is for Kilkenny, Tipp or Cork to win it again. I've left off my Kilkenny hat for that prognosis but I believe that's a sad reality, you only need to go back to the nineties for proof of that. The GAA need to do something radical to get bums back on seats. My suggestion is to slash the admission fee to €5 for one round and go with €10 from there to the end of the league. Let’s call it the GAA spring sale. Sometimes in life you've got to speculate to accumulate. It may or may not work but I certainly think it’s worth a shot.
“The management team probably learnt that PJ Delaney is more at home at wing back than in the corner, likewise Colin Fennelly is more suited to wing back than corner forward, mind you even the dogs in the street around Kilkenny knew that.”
Back to the playing fields, the results of last weekend’s actions and in particular Cork beating Galway means that most teams are still in the hunt for league glory. Kilkenny sit at the top of the table with six points after their third straight victory. Last Sunday's win over Wexford was as predictable as Enda Kenny becoming the new Taoiseach. A win is a win but the manner of it once again left home fans puzzled. For the second league game in a row we failed to put away the opposition. Kilkenny led 2-9 to 6 points at the interval; the goals came courtesy of TJ Reid and ‘Cha Fitzpatrick. Cha's goal may have been somewhat fortuitous considering it ricocheted off the keeper and the aforementioned Fitzpatrick before nestling in the net but TJ's was pure class. Colin Fennelly and Eoin Larkin were instrumental in the lead up to the score of the day, both these players drove at the heart of the Wexford defence before Larkin offloaded to Reid who made no mistake with his left handed shot. Wexford tried hard but they never looked like getting in for that much needed goal. Being nine points up at the interval one would have expected Kilkenny to push on but once again it didn't materialise. Wexford actually outscored Kilkenny in the secondhalf 11 points to 7. The Cats were never going to lose, however taking the foot off the gas is not a good habit to be getting into. It certainly didn't happen back in '07 and '08 when some of this team were at their peak. The pick of the bunch last Sunday were John Dalton (especially in the first half ), Paul Murphy and the two Fennelly's. The Kilkenny management team probably learnt that PJ Delaney is more at home at wing back than in the corner, likewise Colin Fennelly is more suited to wing back than corner forward, mind you even the dogs in the street around Kilkenny knew that. Fennelly’s work rate has been top notch during the current campaign and it was great to see him chipping in with three points, those three points should do wonders for his confidence. Other than that I suppose John Dalton did alright at No 6 to warrant another outing in that position. They now head west of the Shannon on Sunday to take on Galway at Salthill. I thought that this might be a top of the table clash but Cork's fine victory over the westerners last weekend put pay to that. That loss for Galway will definitely make this assignment more difficult, as they will be looking to bounce back to keep on the pace with Kilkenny and let me not forget Dublin. I know both teams are still without key players but it still should be a cracking contest. A good display here by any of the new brigade would be a major feather in their caps. I was disappointed with Kilkenny's secondhalf performance last Sunday but I'd expect them to be well up for this high profile encounter. A repeat of last weeks performance won't suffice.
Some of last week’s action was a bit like that famous western ‘The Good, Bad and the Ugly.’ Dublin's unbeaten run continued when they blew away the Offaly challenge at Tullamore. I think the manner of this victory confirms that they have moved on to a new level, they still have one more to find! They are now free from that relegation threat which would have been target no 1 for Anthony Daly. They head to Wexford Park next Sunday and a win will be expected but that's when they are most vulnerable. The bad tag goes to Offaly, they didn't seem to be at the races at all. This loss sees them propping up the bottom of the table with fellow Leinster men Wexford. The Faithful county make the short journey to Nenagh next weekend to take on All-Ireland champions Tipp. Tipperary will be hoping to build on last weekend’s win over Waterford.
“Hennessy's WWF style tackle could so easily have left the Tipp attacker with a broken neck, there is no place for these actions in this game and he deserves to get the book thrown at him.”
The ugly tag has to go to Waterford as two men saw red last Saturday night one could make some excuse for Shane O’Sullivan’s rash pull, he wouldn't be considered a dirty player so maybe he got blinded by the light. However, goalkeeper Clinton Hennessy's clothesline tackle on Patrick (Bonner ) Maher was as bad as I've ever seen. Maher was so lucky. Hennessy's WWF style tackle could so easily have left the Tipp attacker with a broken neck, there is no place for these actions in this game and he deserves to get the book thrown at him.
Tipperary management will be happy with their first win of the year, even if they did hurl in snatches. Another loss here would have put them out of the league and probably set a few tongues wagging as to the new management’s worth. Despite Waterford’s victory in Thurles last Saturday evening they will be happy with their display considering they were short so many regulars. Davy Fitz seems to have picked up a few new recruits that might be capable of stepping up to the plate for championship action. He will find out more about their worth when they take on Cork at Dungarvan next Sunday and that's a game that could go either way.
