In Kilkenny, much wants more
I hope to God he’s wrong.
Am I looking for too much, in hoping for another great game between Waterford and Kilkenny? Staying with the Cork theme, there’s a song from the western part of this huge county, Revenge For Skibbereen – surely that thinking has to play a part tomorrow for Waterford? It’s to their credit they are back again in Croke Park at this late stage of the year, but you can’t help but wonder — is it a good thing or a bad thing for Waterford, or for hurling in general? We won’t know the answer to that til tomorrow evening, but one thing that’s surely in their favour this time round — there isn’t as much hype around the place. Last September it was all about Waterford, about them finally reaching the All-Ireland final, about the opportunity they had to challenge Kilkenny, put it up them. As we all know now, it didn’t work out. This time around it’s about trying to figure out what went wrong on that terrible day, about how to put it right.
They’ve had nearly a year to sort it out — have they? Surely they must have something figured out, because if they haven’t, and with Kilkenny back to full strength, it could be a very short 70 minutes for them again, and a very long day for their supporters. Fifty years ago, Waterford were All-Ireland champions, but that was the last time, which means that most of those who are now following this team have never seen Waterford win the All-Ireland. That’s some testimony to their loyalty — it’s about time they had the ultimate reward.
Since Waterford made the Munster breakthrough in 2002, they have been one of the most consistently entertaining teams in the country. Problem for them, however; since that win they are still largely dependent on several of those who figured on that team. First, I will single out Seamus Prendergast — a real team player, if ever I saw one. Then, Brick Walsh, one of the most outstanding hurlers in the country for the past few years. Those two are also outstanding sportsmen, an example to any youngster, team players first and foremost. Next, I want to mention John Mullane, a man who has worked so hard to get himself right in the last few years; John is still a fiery player but he has really got his temper, and his temperament, under control. I will add a latecomer to this group, Stephen Molumphy, another superb team player. Those four players have done wonders for Waterford in recent years, but they’re going to need support against Kilkenny.
What of Ken McGrath and Tony Browne, of Dan Shanahan? Enough has been written about those guys over the years, so no point in adding any more. They’re still part of this team but they’re not the main men anymore, and no fault to them for that. They have been outstanding servants to Waterford, but it’s time the mantle passed on, and I think it has.
CONTRAST that with Kilkenny. I’ve named four top Waterford players there since 2002, all still in their prime — I could name three or four times that for Kilkenny. Michael Kavanagh, Noel Hickey, Jackie Tyrell, Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan — I could go on, right through the Kilkenny team, but why waste the space? Match-winners in every position, and that’s what Waterford came up against last September, that’s what they come up against again tomorrow. People talk about Kilkenny’s physicality, about them living on the edge, but every one of those players can hurl. To beat Kilkenny, you have to match that hurling. It’s not just about living on the edge, it’s about having that edge — Kilkenny have it. And in Brian Cody, they also one of the best managers ever in hurling, not just a quality manager either, but a quality individual. This is what shines through the whole Kilkenny set-up, players and management — their character.
At the time of writing I haven’t seen the Kilkenny team, but if Noel Hickey starts, I’ll be surprised; Brian Hogan is different, was outstanding last year, played all through the league, made the centre-back position his own. His absence has been felt, he has turned out to be a fine leader at the heart of the defence, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back, but Noel? A bit too soon. I know he only made his comeback at the same stage last year, was outstanding against Cork, but this year I think his injuries have been more severe, and two injuries in the same season — doesn’t look good. Other than that I expect Kilkenny will be more or less as they were in the Leinster final.
We’ve all seen great teams beaten, flat on a given day, not up for the challenge. Hunger is what makes the difference, on those occasions — we all know of the millionaire who only wants to make another million, then another, then another. Well, that’s this Kilkenny team. They have three All-Irelands in a row — they want four. I have no doubt about their hunger, and because of that, I’m going for a Kilkenny win. Will it be another trouncing? Hard to know – everything depends on Waterford. We know what we’re going to get from Kilkenny – what will we get from Waterford? If it’s the same team as turned up in Croke Park last September, with the same attitude, we’re going to get the same result, but my sources in Waterford assure me that this time it’s different, that this time the training is going really well.
We shall see.
- A final word: I’m absolutely disgusted there’s a football match between the two hurling games tomorrow. Why couldn’t Meath-Mayo not have been played on Saturday? Why couldn’t it have been played last, allowing the hurling supporters to leave early, if they so desired? If this is Croke Park’s way of ensuring a crowd for the football, it’s a cheap way of doing it.
