Mistakes are punished when Henry’s about
I wrote on Saturday that great generals focus on the weaknesses of the opposition. Davy Fitzgerald, Waterford’s manager stuck with the defence that played against Galway, holding them goal-less.
However, Kilkenny placed the vastly experienced Henry Shefflin at full-forward on the inexperienced full-back Aidan Kearney (who did well when moved outfield later on) and it paid major dividends.
Shefflin set up Eddie Brennan for Kilkenny’s first goal and knocked over a few points from play which must have forced Kearney to question his confidence in playing in that position.
Subsequently, a direct long ball from Tommy Walsh from Kilkenny’s half back line should have been cut out. Kearney seemed to be caught in two minds as he went to the ball. He didn’t have the control with one hand on the hurley and it presented a gilt-edged chance to Shefflin.
Henry has always gambled that mistakes will happen around his opponent’s square and on this occasion he wasn’t disappointed.
He is a special player and he demonstrated this again yesterday. His skills and work-rate were again in evidence, giving a man of the match performance closely followed by his left half back colleague John Tennyson.
2. WATERFORD’S manager and players deserve great credit for devising and implementing their game plan. Apart from last year’s final Waterford have seldom been found wanting in the self-belief stakes. Yesterday they fought tooth and nail and never gave up.
But when you’re playing real champions as Kilkenny are, mistakes must be kept to a minimum. Waterford’s downfall in big games in recent years has come down to defensive mistakes and unforced errors.
For Kilkenny’s second goal Aidan Kearney set up in front of Henry Shefflin under a high ball instead of behind as experienced full-backs should. I have already referred to Shefflin’s goal which resulted from a poor delivery straight to Tommy Walsh. For me, this was the crucial play of the game; it gave Kilkenny a vital six-point cushion and although Waterford reduced this to two points early in the second-half, Kilkenny were never put in a position of real discomfort.
Waterford will look back on this game and see the little errors that cost them. They made a number of misplaced passes out of defence that led directly to Kilkenny scores. They gave away scoreable frees at vital times and they had a substantial wide tally in the first-half.
3. KILKENNY’S move of Shefflin to full-forward was a crucial decision. The introduction of Richie Hogan and PJ Reid in the second-half was also vital. Hogan, in particular, brought great energy and enthusiasm to the proceedings. The switch of Eddie Brennan to centre-forward created other opportunities and he played deep in midfield. These switches and substitutions galvanised Kilkenny as they came under increasing pressure from Waterford in the second-half.
In contrast Waterford’s John Mullane, having a superb season, failed to make the necessary impact. He was closely marked by Jackie Tyrell but Mullane’s running wasn’t direct enough at times. He turned away from goal when in possession on a few occasions when the direct route may have yielded a free at least.
Shane Walsh with two good goals and Eoin Kelly were the main threats to the Kilkenny defence, who held their positions well despite the pressure.
Waterford’s management will get a lot of deserved credit for their performance but they may regret leaving Eoin Kelly in the corner for too long. A lack of supply hindered his efforts and he knocked over some good points from the wing when switched outside. He struck a wonderful ball which brought a great save from PJ Ryan which might have yielded a fourth Waterford goal.
All in all it was a brave display by the Déise but Kilkenny’s greater all round balance, physical strength and scoring potential was the difference. Waterford’s reputation has been redeemed but sport is cruel in that no prizes are handed out for being a gallant second.
