Strength on the bench a bonus for crafty Cats
Instead I was in the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick where the team I’m coaching, Kilmallock, won their county quarter-final. This, then, is the first time since I started doing this column for the Examiner that I wasn’t able to actually see the game ‘live’. I did, however, see it on television, and you know what – though you do get a far better idea of what’s happening, I’m sort of glad I wasn’t there. I did notice though, on the television, that those who were on the Cusack Stand side of the ground at least got a bit of sunshine for their troubles – they didn’t get a contest.
For about 20 minutes, this was a contest, Cork contesting everything, closing down space everywhere. And then, like the old soldiers a lot of them are, they just faded away.
They can have no excuses; okay, they were without Shane O’Neill from the start, but Kilkenny lost both their centre-back and centre-forward in the first half hour, Brian Hogan and Henry Shefflin going out off injured, and they continued on as though nothing happened. No, in terms of injuries, Cork can have no complaints – this was their best team, and they were overwhelmed.
On the Kilkenny side, if we wanted any more proof of the strength of the Kilkenny bench than we’ve already had so many times over the last five years, we got it again yesterday, five subs brought on, everyone getting their chance.
I’ve commented here before on the fact that Kilkenny seem to play fewer challenge matches than most other major hurling counties. Why would they, when the matches they have among themselves are probably more competitive than any? I’d say you’d need to be in the full of your health to survive those games! The hallmark of this Kilkenny team over the years is the ability they have to bury a team with goals – they did it again yesterday. Two goals in the first half, the first by Eddie Brennan, made by Henry Shefflin, the second by Aidan Fogarty – no half-measures with this Kilkenny team, just lethal, perfect timing.
Then you go to the third goal, and the man for whom I’ve been predicting great things – Richie Power. This was his coming of age. He was brilliant in last year’s final, but when Henry went off yesterday, Richie took over more than the free-taking duties. He took over leadership up front. A brilliant performance.
Then again, who replaced Henry? Martin Comerford, with a super point – a reminder he’s still capable of operating at this level. look At the other end of the pitch and John Dalton was another who came of age yesterday with a brilliant performance at corner-back.
Outstanding performer on the day, however, from my point of view anyway, was Kilkenny midfielder Michael Fennelly. What workrate, coolness, intelligence – typical Fennelly.
Two players I had question marks over coming into this game were PJ Ryan and Noel Hickey, goalkeeper and full-back respectively; no questions now.
Brian Cody went with them, and that should have been enough – Cody doesn’t carry passengers. A problem for him now, however – who is he going to start for the final?
A dozen points in it at the end – it could have been even more. How is it achieved? Superior hurlers, superior workrate also – look at the contribution of Eoin Larkin. The wing-forward scored only one point from play, while his marker, John Gardiner, had two, but Eoin never stopped working, had a fantastic game.
To Cork; what I said about Cork before was that where a lot of these lads are concerned, it was time to fold the tent and move. I say the same now. Too many weren’t up to the task.
One man who did measure up, however, was Patrick Horgan – getting a point off Jackie Tyrell at any time isn’t easy, but the young Glen man managed four from play. Jerry O’Connor also played well when he came on, and Ben blossomed when his twin was alongside him. Overall, however, this was a poor day for Cork, and the management team also must look to themselves – Cian McCarthy found the step up too much and Aisake hasn’t really improved, was left there too long.
Kilkenny had four games to win to complete the five-in-a-row, one game a month; June, July, August, all won, and now, one to go. Let’s hope that next week’s game will give us the prospect of a decent final.
Finally, a word on the referee – I thought Brian Gavin did a fine job.
