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These Cats don't know what it is to retreat
HONESTLY, the conjecture and supposition would all but wreck your head. All-Ireland hurling final 2010 has already walked away with the laurels for the most talked about showdown in history before contestants Kilkenny and Tipperary have even struck a ball in anger, or any other mood.
It would appear that everyone, everywhere has a view on this most intriguing of finals. Tipp will win because, they tell me. No, Kilkenny will do it, complete the never before achieved All-Ireland five in-a-row.
Well, I won't beat about the bush. Challengers Tipp could win it. Then with equal uncertainty I would suggest Kilkenny might do it.
It was way back in 1982 and 1983 when Kilkenny were putting a double-double of National League and Championship wins back-to-back that they beat the same opposition in consecutive finals. They failed in the attempt in 2003 and 2004, Cork providing the opposition on all occasions.
Looking for the double over Tipp will be incredibly difficult, and especially so after all the baggage left behind in the wake of the 2009 decider.
Tipp had great chance
Remember it . . . the questionable penalty against Tipperary during the second half; the sending off; the super saves and man of the match performance turned in by Kilkenny goalie P.J. Ryan.
And yes, then there was Tipp's failure to build dominance on all puck-outs into a platform for a match winning effort.
Tipperary had a great chance that day, no doubt about it.
Fans in the Premier County appear convinced that their time has arrived, that last year was the pain that sometimes must be suffered before the coronation. Sunday's return to Croke Park is to complete the job Liam Sheedy's men failed to do 12 months ago.
If only sport were that simple.
This time Kilkenny will have Noel Hickey and James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick aboard. Injuries destroyed their season in '09, and it has to be admitted that the county will be better and stronger for their presence.
Of course, injuries have been a big part of the Kilkenny story in the build-up to this match.
There was the cruciate ligament injury suffered by Henry Shefflin and John Tennyson. Then there was the damaged shoulder and later finger injuries incurred by a terribly unlucky Brian Hogan, who was really looking the business in the semi-final against Cork when he ran into trouble first.
Hogan will miss the final. Henry will play. Tennyson may yet join him as the replacement for Brian Hogan at centre-back. Shefflin and Tennyson had strong work-outs last week.
The Shamrocks (Ballyhale) man proved during the first one that he was all but ready. He confirmed that he was during a second training sessions on Saturday.
Tennyson was iffy in the first outing, but in the second at Nowlan Park on Saturday he looked good, very good actually.
The pecking order for the centre-back role would appear to run - 1 Brian Hogan; 2 John Tennyson; 3 James Ryall. The No. 2 looks set to be the No. 6 this time.
Will be ready
People will suggest that it would be against all known thinking of recent years by Kilkenny manager, Brian Cody to select a player carrying an injury. If Shefflin and Tennyson are included on the team on Friday they will be ready, have no doubt about that.
The enforced change at centre-back will be the only difference in the Kilkenny defence from the semi-final. The midfield of Michael Fennelly and James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick will continue, but that doesn't mean last year's hot midfielder and All-Star Michael Rice will lose out.
The expectation would be that the Carrickshock man will feature on the '40' line of the attack. Mr Cody and fellow selectors, Michael Dempsey and Martin Fogarty invariably spring a surprise, as they did for last year's final when Richie Hogan edged out Martin Comerford.
Again the big decision surrounds the make-up of the attack. Whatever way the back and front lines are finished off, Kilkenny will go into this final with a strong 'bench'.
One has read on more than a few occasions during this championship that following the completion of the four in-a-row Kilkenny were playing with more freedom and power because they were under less pressure. To be honest I haven't seen that.
The showing in the opening match in Leinster was good without being great. There were times, especially during the 10 minutes approaching the break in the Leinster final against Galway that Kilkenny looked a little bit edgy.
They destroyed Cork in the opening half of the All-Ireland semi-final when they actually won the match. A good start to the second half was followed by average stuff. Sure it wasn't a match at all during this period.
Flying in training
However, one must admit that during the most competitive part of the game the Kilkenny attack enjoyed its best outing of the season.
Richie Power looked the genuine article at full-forward, the player we all believed him to be from when he was an exceptional minor. Eoin Larkin looked to be back to his best after showing much promise earlier.
He has been flying in training. I would expect huge, huge things from him this time.
Eddie Brennan was more dangerous. Aidan Fogarty was flying too. Captain T.J. Reid was bubbling too.
Just as we suggested before the semi-final, there was more in Kilkenny. There is still more power to be unleashed.
For Tipperary, after the collapse against Cork in the opening match in Munster, this has been a steady, ever improving championship run. They hit Croke Park after two testing matches against Galway (quarter-final) and Waterford in the semi-final.
In the latter their attack was on fire. Eoin Kelly (2-3), Noel McGrath (0-7), who flourished in a new role at centre-forward, John O'Brien (0-6) and that man of all the talents, Lar Corbett (1-2) destroyed the opposition. Further afield there were stars aplenty, especially Paul Curran and also Conor O'Mahony, Padraig Maher and a flying Shane McGrath.
For me neither semi-final painted an accurate picture of either team for the simple reason the beaten teams failed to deliver good, solid opposition. But that doesn't matter now. Sunday will be a very, very different match between two evenly matched teams with proven credentials.
Kilkenny and Tipperary have nothing to prove in terms of quality. They have been the power boys of the game for the past three and four years.
Explosive opening
Tipp's climb into this final has been hugely impressive. Kilkenny have put 21 championship wins together, which is no mean feat.
Expect an explosive opening 10 minutes at Croke Park. Don't be surprised if the closing 10 minutes are similar, because this one will be blasted out to the finish.
Tipperary folk shouldn't expect things to fall neatly into place because of last year.
Kilkenny are not an accommodating team. The likes of Jackie Tyrrell, Tommy Walsh, J.J. Delaney and company don't know what it is to retreat.
Kilkenny have a love affair with success. The Cupid of hurling hasn't left the camp!
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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