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Brace yourself because you are in for an almighty clash in Croker
IT SEEMS like only a few weeks ago that we were talking about last year's All-Ireland and here we are at the 2010 decider with the same two teams, Kilkenny and Tipperary, involved. They are the best teams in the country, without question.
Tipperary had a very poor start to the championship, but they have really come good during their last two games. They are a real force, a real team, one that is capable of winning the county's first title since 2001.
I liked the way Tipperary performed against Galway in the quarter-final, and then they stepped up things when beating Waterford in the semi-final. That is the way to do things, one nice step after another with improvement all the way.
Galway provided them with a big test. Tipp were under pressure at times but they came back in a tight and mind and body testing finish to win. That is a sign of a good team. People can say what they liked about Galway fading and losing their way late in that match.
Galway are a good team. Beating them was a great result for Tipperary. Normally when people would ask me about playing another team I would say the other team would have to improve an awful lot or Kilkenny would win.
A year older and wiser
I wouldn't be saying that about this final. This will be a close game.
Tipperary are a year older and a lot wiser since losing last year. They learned an awful lot in that final, about themselves and about Kilkenny. They now know they can handle All-Ireland final day, and they don't fear Kilkenny.
Tipp had a first class chance of winning that final, but they didn't.
You can be sure they have examined things up and down as to where they went wrong last year. They are looking for revenge, and a team driven like they are won't be handled easily by anyone.
They have a very good goalkeeper, a brilliant set of backs, lively midfielders and on their day a very good set of forwards. The high scoring by the forwards against Waterford was hugely impressive.
All their forwards are very capable, very comfortable on the ball in the sky or on the ground. This will be a world apart from the challenge Kilkenny faced against Cork, who were simply blown away.
Cork had one way of playing the game. Kilkenny were well able to counteract that plan. It won't be that easy against Tipp. Tipperary can generate much more force in their play, and of all the teams around, they can maintain the high momentum to match Kilkenny better than anyone else.
That is something that would concern me. Tipp know exactly, in terms of the power and so on what they will be facing against Kilkenny, and it won't bother them. It didn't last year so I see no reason why it should now.
I have to say I think Kilkenny are playing better this year than last. They are playing with a lot more freedom. They are going for the jugular a lot more. I think Richie Power has been a revelation this season. James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick and Noel Hickey are back in the team. All these things can make a difference.
Opposition not good
Against that, I would have to admit that the level of opposition hasn't been good this year. The Dublin challenge never materialised. We won easily after shooting a lot of wides. We beat Galway easily enough, and then we looked impressive against Cork.
I was very disappointed with Cork. With 20 minutes to go they had accepted their fate. They were happy to tap the ball over the bar when they should have been putting the head down and chasing goals. They weren't daring enough, bearing in mind the position they were in.
An awful lot will depend on the involvement of Henry Shefflin and John Tennyson. The achievement of getting to where they are for this All-Ireland must be a huge inspiration to everyone around them. They showed true grit, true determination to put themselves in line to play.
They want to go out and play with a serious injury, an injury that people know could go with one little twist. I know such an injury could last for years like J.J. Delaney, but they want it so much they are prepared to put everything on the line.
Imagine sitting in the dressing-room and looking across at John or Henry and thinking about the sacrifices they are making? You couldn't but be inspired.
If a player couldn't be moved, uplifted by what they have done and want to do, then nothing would draw an extra effort from him. To me this is inspiring, heroic stuff.
Kilkenny are going to have to be in inspired form to win. Tipp can't wait for the game. They feel they have so much to prove, so much to make up for and they have been waiting 12 months for the chance to do it.
A lot to lose
Both teams have a lot to lose. Kilkenny have an All-Ireland final to lose. They are going for the five in-a-row, the chance to make history. But Tipp also have a lot to lose. They are in their second All-Ireland. This is their third year under Liam Sheedy, and it has been progress all the way.
If they don't take the next step, win the All-Ireland, there could be a danger of them going backwards. There is only so much disappointment any team can take. This Tipp team needs to make the breakthrough.
And if Tipperary win, I think they can build on it and go on to win more All-Irelands. Some of their current players won't be around much longer. I am not saying they will be gone next year, but they won't be around forever.
Kilkenny will go into the final as favourites. They are a very strong team, but you know, All-Ireland final day is a very funny day. Strange things can happen. I don't think Kilkenny will be bogged down by being favourites, but they still have to perform.
To try and beat the same team in consecutive finals is an almighty task.
I think Kilkenny will win. It will be a very close game. I think Tipperary are a really, really good team. They have the mix of players who can trouble, and I mean serious trouble, Kilkenny.
We had all better be ready for a ferocious contest. Last year was an exceptional match, as good a contest as you would expect to see in any sport, amateur or professional. I don't see anything changing this time, not even the outcome. But it will be close, skin of the teeth stuff.
Kilkenny have a chance – a chance mind you – of completing the All-Ireland hat-trick of senior, minor and intermediate titles.
Congratulations to the intermediate team on a very fine victory. An All-Ireland is a huge thing, so well done to everyone involved. I won't burden the minors with talk of expectations, but they should know that we will all be rooting for them.
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Weather for Kilkenny
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
