Ridiculous throw-in time shows contempt for league
The GAA had an opportunity to play these two finals at reasonable times, whether on the Saturday, Sunday or Monday of this Bank Holiday weekend, but look at what they’ve done – afraid to go head-to-head with the rugby, they’ve set the finals for 5pm and 7pm.
What kind of time is that for a so-called major GAA decider? I would say that one of the top hurling games last year was the NHL final between Kilkenny and Tipperary, a tie that was played at the right time of the day – the middle of the afternoon.
This isn’t a gripe about breaking with tradition, nor am I saying that the players won’t be able to adapt. They will. But I’m thinking of families with kids who will be up until all hours getting home from Thurles on Sunday. What were the GAA thinking?
Who makes these decisions? If they were afraid of the rugby then they could have had the finals on the Monday, had the whole day to themselves and had extensive coverage on the Tuesday in the newspapers. They could have had it on the Saturday, or the decision I felt they should have taken was to bring the games forward a week and play them last Sunday. What they’ve done makes no sense, and I don’t think there will be a big crowd in Semple Stadium – who’s going to get into their car to drive to Thurles, probably get caught in last-minute traffic, after watching the rugby? I’m thinking particularly of Galway, who aren’t great to travel at the best of times, the hurling supporters especially.
Anyway, it is what it is, but those who make these decisions need to do a bit more consulting before they make the fixtures, because obviously they’re unable to think straight themselves.
Now, to the games.
This was a good Division One campaign with a lot of very good games, and without question the best teams are in the final. Starting with Galway – this is a vital game in a vital season for them. Year after year, people say Galway are the team to watch, that Galway are the team that could beat Kilkenny, that Galway are the dark horses for the championships. But year after year, they fail to deliver.
Nowadays there is one man in particular mentioned: Joe Canning. And in fairness to Joe, though he’s still only 21, in his two years with the seniors he has delivered with big scores in every game. But it is time he got some help. On a few occasions in the last couple of years, teams have been able to target Joe, knowing that almost everything Galway do is going to be fed through the big youngster from Portumna. The time has come for someone like Ger Farragher to take some of the scoring pressure off Joe. I see the Galway management have started that process, with Ger continuing to take the frees, which is a good thing. If and when a few more forwards step up to the plate then maybe Galway can finally deliver on all that promise. They have a good keeper in Graham Callanan, and I like the idea of his club mate, Shane Kavanagh, at full-back – they know each other well which helps form a great last line of defence for the Tribesmen.
To Cork, and I’m not surprised at the team named, nor at the naming, nor the positioning, of the ‘twin towers’. Michael Cussen on the wing and Aisake at full-forward. That’s how I’d have had it as well. Be sure a lot of Donal Óg Cusack’s puckouts will be going down that wing, though Cussen has a problem, and surprisingly – for such a big man – it’s not his hurling, which is fine; it’s the way he plays.
He stands 6’7” but he needs to play like he’s a foot shorter, he needs to think like a terrier. If he does, he will be some player. You look at the other big man, and no such problems – in fact, he is the complete opposite. Aisake has the aggression, but still lacks the touch. Still, he’s able to field, and he’s able to break through – when he learns to lay off more accurately, with better timing, then he too will be some player.
A word on the Cork full-back – this is a tester for him, but one advantage he has, the man in goals. Be sure that Eoin Dillon won’t be lacking for coaching tomorrow!
A winner? Everything in Cork and Galway seems to be going well, good spirit in both camps, but I have a fancy for the Rebels.
To the other game, and it’s huge, absolutely huge, for both counties, neither of whom want to spend another year in Division Two. With Wexford having lost last year’s final, after topping the table, I think they have just that extra bit of motivation.
