Cats won’t be caught napping this time
In Kilkenny, the whole city and county is behind Brian Cody and his team. They’re totally immersed in it with men, women and children decked out in the black and amber.
But in Galway, I didn’t find that unity of support. Is it because Kilkenny is such a much smaller county, much more tight-knit? Is it because Galway is a dual county? Or maybe even a triple county, with hurling, football and then everything else.
I didn’t even get that sense of anticipation in the east of the county, where hurling is strongest. Maybe they’re just playing it all down, maybe the bitter disappointment over the years has just dampened expectations. That’s a pity, because no matter what county you’re from, if you manage to get to an All-Ireland final you should celebrate it and enjoy the build-up. !
My outstanding memory this year was the Leinster final; not that Galway won it, but the reaction of all those Kilkenny people around me at the time. They were shocked and shattered.
Even after all these years of success, I was amazed to see that in them, and it says so much about Kilkenny’s attitude. If that’s how it affected the supporters, how did it affect the players? The few I got to see, they were distraught. Then again, the way they played they had reason to be upset, and knowing who they were going to have to share the journey home with, Mr Cody, they had even more reason to be upset.
I’d say that was a quiet bus-trip, most of the talking done by one man.
Was it the shock of Galway’s start that got to them? Everything Galway tried came off, every position on the field was won — it was almost perfect hurling and Kilkenny had no answer.
I wonder though, were Kilkenny just complacent or were Galway that good?
I think it was the former — Kilkenny hadn’t had any real test going into that game, probably got a false impression of themselves after the Dublin game, and were caught totally unawares. And how Galway took full advantage.
Kilkenny won’t be caught tomorrow. Anything Galway throw at them, Kilkenny will be ready. And Galway will throw everything at them.
Let’s look at the individual battles, and let’s start with Joe Canning at full-forward on JJ Delaney, which is where I believe Joe should start. He can roam all he likes but this is where he can do most damage. Then again, in JJ he would be meeting one of the all-time great defenders. People are already conferring greatness on Joe — you’re great in my book when you’ve produced on the biggest day of all.
Let’s look at Damien Hayes — where will he play, corner, wing or midfield? Who’ll pick him up if he does go as a third midfielder — Richie Hogan, coming out from the Kilkenny corner? Because believe you me, Kilkenny won’t be inclined to leave anyone wander free around Croke Park tomorrow. Look at the Michael Fennelly/Iarla Tannian midfield battle — I’d say we can expect some sorting out here early on! Another potentially huge pairing will be Richie Power on Tony Óg Regan. If Regan can hold his own here, Galway will have taken a huge step towards winning this game.
Tommy Walsh and Cyril Donnellan — isn’t that a match-up you’d go to see all on its own? We all know Tommy’s importance to Kilkenny, but I think Cyril Donnellan is now the engine of this Galway team up front.
But the biggest battle of all will be waged by the Kilkenny full-forward line against their Galway markers. Fergal Moore is proven at this level in this position but Kevin Hynes and Johnny Coen are newcomers to their positions at full-back and left corner respectively. They both played very well in the Leinster final win, but, remember, Johnny was the loose man that day, hit a huge amount of ball. He won’t have that latitude tomorrow.
Kilkenny were fooled by Galway in that Leinster final; I don’t think they’re going to be fooled again, and we’re going to see history at Croke Park tomorrow.
Both John Doyle and Christy Ring had one shot at winning their ninth All-Ireland senior medal on the field of play; both fell short.
I don’t think Henry Shefflin, or Kilkenny, will fail.
