Hogan and Rice savour moment

By Fintan O’Toole

Monday, September 07, 2009

BRIAN Cody has long espoused the critical importance of Kilkenny’s strong squad maintaining their glorious run of success.

After each of their recent All-Ireland triumphs, Cody has been gushing in his praise of every member of their squad, yet for those in the background, the satisfaction on these big September days can surely not be as great as it is for those immersed in the action on the pitch.

Yesterday the opportunity was afforded to two players to step forward from the shadows and share the spotlight. Carrickshock midfielder Michael Rice and Danesfort attacker Richie Hogan have served their apprenticeship on the Kilkenny squad over the past few seasons. Their talent and skill is undoubted, they shone throughout their underage days, accumulating a slew of honours and whenever pitched into action for the senior side, have illustrated their ability to figure at this level.

Still, a starting 15 jersey on that marquee September occasion has proven elusive. But for yesterday’s final, Cody offered the chance to both Rice and Hogan. Injuries to Derek Lyng and James Fitzpatrick earlier this year freed up midfield spots and Rice pounced on the opening, to produce a series of impressive displays that nailed down the No 9 jersey. For Hogan, the summer of 2009 has been about a series of sparkling substitution cameos and when the starting Kilkenny 15 was named on Friday night, Hogan’s form was rewarded as he got the nod ahead of Martin Comerford. Thus for both players, there was greater pleasure and satisfaction to be extracted from yesterday’s game having featured strongly.

"This is probably the most satisfying of the last few All-Irelands that we have won," remarked Hogan. "For myself it’s just great to have played in it. But it’s also because of the way that we won when it was close nearing the finish. It’s also down to the rivalry that’s between Kilkenny and Tipperary. It really was the best two teams in the country this year that came together today for the All-Ireland final and played out there in Croke Park. It was a great day for hurling because it was such a high-quality game all through. It was great to be involved that way."

For Rice, being involved in the intense midfield battles was a tough experience as the sides exchanged shuddering challenges.

"It being the first final I started, I enjoyed it," revealed Rice. "Once you win it, you enjoy it. If we had lost I wouldn’t have enjoyed any minute of it. Winning is the whole thing really and I am just happy to get there in the end. It was tough but we expected that. I am sure Tipp expected that as well. We were going out thinking that it was going to be a tough, physical battle. That happens in every match but eventually things open up.

"It took a long time today for that to happen. I don’t know what minute it was but it was a long time. It was my toughest game in four years anyway. We knew that it was just a case of staying going and staying going and eventually it did open up."

During the second half, the game appeared to be slipping out of Kilkenny’s grasp, but both Rice and Hogan were adamant afterwards that their side would hang in there.

"We were under serious pressure," admitted Rice. "At one stage it was 0-20 to 0-17 down and we thought: ‘God, we really need to up it here or something needs to happen.’ As Brian always says that could just be a foot in somewhere or a flick of a ball. You are always thinking it is not gone, keep going. The thing that looked so unimportant is actually the most important thing that you do in a match. It was never a case of us giving up."

"We were worried near the end," stated Hogan. "When they got the man sent off, they came back out to get three points in a row. It looked as if they were going to push on from there. Thank God Richie Power won a great ball and went on to win a penalty. Martin Comerford went through to get the next goal, and that was the winning of it, really."

For Hogan the action does not stop yet, as he readies himself for another All-Ireland final battle next Sunday with the U21s against Clare.

"I suppose I don’t realise how lucky I am playing in all these All-Ireland finals. It’s a great position to be in. That’s my third All-Ireland senior medal today and I’ve a chance to get a third All-Ireland U21 medal next Sunday. So I’ll be doing everything to try and make it happen."

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, September 07, 2009