Tuesday, August 31, 2010
FIVE legendary Kilkenny captains have backed Brian Cody’s side to secure a place in hurling history by winning a fifth consecutive All-Ireland SHC title on Sunday.
Eddie Keher, Pat Henderson, Kevin Fennelly, Noel Skehan and Willie O’Connor all skippered the black and amber and know what is required to capture the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
And yesterday the former greats, guests of Avonmore in their 11th annual customers day/former hurlers golf outing at Gowran Park, predicted another senior title will head to the Marble City on Monday evening.
Keher is adamant this crop of Cats, regardless of the weekend outcome, are the best team of his lifetime.
Keher, captain in 1969, heaped praise on the squad for their "manliness" and lack of theatrics which he fears is becoming a growing trend in Gaelic games.
Keher said: "I think they can do it, definitely. These lads just love hurling, they have a great passion for the game.
"Their attitude is perfect, but what’s most impressive about them is their manliness.
"There’s no throwing themselves down, no trying to get their opponents yellow-carded or sent off.
"That is something coming more and more into hurling and football.
"I think our lads are honest players, and regardless of what happens they’re the best team ever, for overall consistency, certainly they’re the best I’ve ever seen. I believe they’re going to do the five in a row."
Pat Henderson who skippered the side in 1971 shared Keher’s optimism but expects Tipperary to have learned hugely from last year’s final meeting.
He reasoned: "I think Kilkenny are in the right frame of mind, and if the injuries don’t kill us – and by that I mean whether it’s right to play Henry Shefflin and John Tennyson or not – that could have a big bearing on it.
"Tipperary will be coming as strong, if not stronger, than last year, but Kilkenny – if the injuries don’t prove to be a problem – are stronger also. I’d be familiar with Tipp, they won’t fear Kilkenny.
"They will come with a lot of determination, a lot of skill, and that experience gained from last year.
"They should have learned from that defeat, and if they have, they’ll be hard to beat.
"But I think Kilkenny will do it."
Kevin Fennelly (captain in 1989) has concerns that Tipperary could learn from Kilkenny teams of the past.
He explained: "Tipperary have been very quiet, which bothers me. They believe they should have won last year.
"The test for them is to do what Kilkenny did after losing in 1971 and 1991 – two years when we felt we should have won – and come back and win the following years, which we did in 72 and 92."
But he has seen positives in the 2010 campaign. He said: "Our backs are better this year with Noel Hickey back at full-back, JJ back to his best position of wing-back, Michael playing well in midfield, and Cha has an extra game under his belt. We’re slightly better than last year, and if the forwards play up to scratch, we’ll win the match."
Even with the uncertainty surrounding Henry Shefflin and John Tennyson, the 2000 All-Ireland winning captain Willie O’Connor has no doubt about the outcome of the Croke Park battle. "I’m not sureexactly what state either Henry or John Tennyson is in, a lot of question marks there, but I think Kilkenny can win. They’re better balanced than last year, John Dalton is playing great in the corner, Mick Fennelly is a powerhouse at centre field, Cha and Michael Rice are fighting for theother midfield position.
"Kilkenny hurling, in my opinion, is twice as good this year."
And the legendary Skehan (captain in 72) agreed with O’Connor with regards this team’s development.
"I think Kilkenny are playing better this year than last year. They’re playing a more direct ball into the forwards, their defence is a bit better – they struggled in a few games last year but they seem to be more in control at the back this year and are winning much handier.
"The return of Noel Hickey at full-back, allows JJ back to the wing, something which has strengthened both those lines. And with Michael Fennelly playing powerful hurling at midfield, this has all added to their performance. Tipperary ran Kilkenny to the pin of their collar last year, and will be all out to so again this year.
"But I think Kilkenny have too much strength in depth."
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