Search Results for 'Tony Browne'

Kilkenny head to Croker on Sunday for a semi-final showdown with our neighbours Waterford.

In the end, perhaps not all that surprisingly, each of the four counties from the Leinster and Munster finals ultimately made it through to an All-Ireland semi-final.

It’s amazing how a Kilkenny supporter’s mind works. Making my way back to the car last Saturday evening after the Cats had dished out another hammering to Wexford I asked a few fans for their thoughts, thinking that an 11-point victory would have left them content, how wrong I was.

It’s on a sad note that I start this week's column after the passing of Eamon Hennessy, one of Kilkenny's most devoted fans. The kind-hearted Eamon who lost his battle with illness last Tuesday was known and respected the length and breadth of Ireland.

It has been a long hard winter in Kilkenny and I'm not just talking about the weather. The disappointment of not achieving the illusive five-in-a-row has been well and truly trashed out since last September.

The year 2010 will be remembered for a lot of different reasons. From a national perspective the sight of the IMF coming in to bail out our financial affairs will live long in the memory. The severe weather conditions at certain times will also rank high on the list but on the sporting front from Kilkenny's perspective it will be remembered as the year Tipp spoiled our dream of the illusive five-in-a-row. This current panel did not need to reach this milestone for greatness, that was already achieved over the last decade, but it sure would have been nice for themselves if they had pulled it off.

Tipperary's emphatic semi-final victory over Waterford last Sunday guarantees us another mouth-watering All-Ireland final. Hurling fans worldwide will be looking forward to September 5 for Kilkenny v Tipp Part II. During the noughties it was Kilkenny and Cork who went head to head on a couple of occasions. The Cats are still going strong but the Rebels have passed the baton onto the Premier county. This is the first back to back final between these two counties. When you talk of sporting rivalries they simply don't come any greater than Kilkenny and Tipp. The colour, excitement and raw emotion of last year’s decider is a testament to this.

Waterford may have started as only third favourites for this year's Munster championship but when the lights were finally turned off in Semple Stadium last Saturday evening nobody could argue that the Deise weren't worthy winners of the Munster cup.

It’s not too often I start my column with a football theme but the scenes that followed last Sunday’s Leinster football final will have repercussions for every GAA supporter.

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