Eddie O’Sullivan, the former Irish rugby coach and now US Eagles coach, was fond of the phrase ‘ducks in a row’. Kilkenny had their ducks in a row as they ‘loaded up’ before this final.
I’VE long believed Anthony Daly is an astute tactician and it was no surprise they deployed an extra body around the middle to cut down space yesterday.
Three factors that may decide tomorrow’s outcome in Croke Park
MY first encounter with Seán Óg O hAilpín in January 2003 as Cork hurling manager was an abrupt one – he was late for our first training session in the Old Mon Field and I had to tell him it wasn’t good enough.
SARSFIELDS are county champions for the second time in three seasons because they had a bit more scoring potential up front than Glen Rovers.
THIS game was decided between the 41st and 43rd minutes in the second half.
CORK’S victory at Croke Park was never in doubt yesterday.
THE main talking point from yesterday’s Muster final was the crucial decision to award Waterford a 20-metre free in the closing stages of a very competitive second-half.
1. Kilkenny won this Leinster final playing well within themselves.
MOTIVATION is all governing when it comes to human challenges particularly in sport.
Munster SHC Semi-Final
Waterford v Clare
Monday, Semple Stadium, Thurles, 3pm
THE first step in Davy Fitzgerald’s planning strategy for Waterford this season was to rest his more seasoned players and cast his eye over emerging players. However, he would have known that of the few positions he needed to fill only the full-back slot continues to give him concern.
When a player in the mould of Jerry O’Connor lines out at centre-forward, it’s obvious that the game plan will be linked through him, rather than by sending long balls down the middle.
IN the final minute of last night’s final, Cork came forward and drove though the middle but failed to finish.
MANAGERS of all teams need enthusiasm when seeking success. It is a key ingredient.
A number three can hurl a lot of ball, make vital interceptions, thunder out of defence, but cannot afford any mistake in front of goal. The full-back can win lots of ball but all the full forward needs is one.
1. TS and TN number-plates whizzed by – at 120kmph, if any gardaí are reading – as I drove to Dublin yesterday, and it struck me that this county was in a hurry.
1. KILKENNY’S victories in major championship games over the past number of years have been based on scoring goals.
WATERFORD’S big confrontation against Galway came down to the final five minutes and the turning point was the introduction of Big Dan Shanahan.
DUBLIN hurlers are in the quarter-finals of the All-Ireland and, let me stress, they’re hot favourites.
THE CRITICAL DIFFERENCE. A seven-point gap was a little flattering to Galway and a little harsh on Cork. This was a tight affair where possession around midfield and in the half lines was at a premium.
THIS Munster final was decided in the five minutes after half time. In that spell, Waterford dominated the play and Tipperary looked in trouble.
AS I strolled down to Cusack Park from the centre of Ennis on Saturday, I passed a funeral home a hundred metres or so from the pitch. The thought flashed through my mind that the joust with Galway might be the final nail in the coffin for Clare’s hurling season where they have failed to win a game in league or championship.
THE cover of the match programme in O’Connor Park on Saturday night for Cork-Offaly was significant.
1. Davy Fitzgerald came to this game with a plan.
© Examiner Publications (Cork) Limited, City Quarter, Lapps Quay, Cork. Registered in Ireland: 73385.
