Break enabled Cody to do his homework
Kilkenny had obviously done their homework in the three weeks since the drawn game and the rest in that time was hugely beneficial.
James Skehill and Joe Canning were both injured in the lead-up to the game and this was a psychological downer for Galway and a boost to opponents Kilkenny, who looked far sharper than in the drawn game. They looked hungry and eager, they tackled well and put intense pressure on their opponents all over the field.
Galway, in contrast, looked a little flat. There was none of the high intensity covering from their half-forward line that inconvenienced Kilkenny in the Leinster final or the drawn game.
The Galway keeper looked cumbersome and uncomfortable dealing with any balls around the square, though his puck-outs were good. This must Galway some unease.
In the first half Kilkenny were by far the better team and Galway scored no point from play, while their two goals were a little flattering. Normally in a tight game goals are huge psychological scores but Galway got no real bounce from theirs as Kilkenny hit back on each occasion — with a point from TJ Reid and then a Richie Power goal.
Having said that, Galway, completely outplayed in the first half, would have been happy enough going in at half time only four points down and if Cyril Donnellan had snapped up the ball a minute before the break, they could have had a third goal.
Five minutes in the second half decided the game. Galway’s defence got to grips with their opponents and by running at the Kilkenny defence, the westerners were on their way back.
Cyril Donnellan shot a ‘goal’ but was called back by the referee for a free, which Joe Canning pointed; a few minutes later Canning hit the butt of the post with a stunning shot but Cillian Buckley then had a great point for Kilkenny when the Cats cleared. A minute later Donnellan was justifiably sent off for aiming a flick at JJ Delaney.
One felt at that stage Galway’s fightback was over, and so it proved. The game was also over as a contest.
Kilkenny’s management will be very pleased with the changes they made for this game. Walter Walsh was an inspired selection, causing huge problems for Jonnny Coen, scoring 1-3 until substituted to a standing ovation with twelve minutes to go.
Coen was unable to play his normal game, driving out and linking with his half-backs and midfielders, as he had done in previous games, and both Walsh and Richie Hogan were immense for Kilkenny, causing all sorts of problems for Galway’s inside defenders.
Cillian Buckley, Cody’s other change in selection from the drawn game, also gave a workmanlike display in midfield, and whereas Galway dominated this sector in the last two games against Kilkenny, the Cats won the battle there yesterday.
As a consequence, Kilkenny’s forwards were well supplied with ball, scoring 3-20, whereas Joe Canning was the only Galway forward to score a point from play.
Kilkenny also learned from their previous two games regarding defensive duties. Instead of man-marking duties and following players around, they played a zonal defence, keeping players in their selected positions, and that paid dividends. They looked far more comfortable and their defensive unit, so impressive down the years, was at its best again yesterday.
Brian Hogan was a colossus at the back while Paul Murphy swept up any ball that broke inside, particularly when Galway were down to 14 men.
Brian Cody and his selectors will take the kudos for this one, whereas Anthony Cunningham will be questioned on the selection of Skehill and the failure to switch Kevin Hynes and Johnny Coen in the first half when both were under huge pressure.
Sincere congratulations to Henry Shefflin on his ninth All-Ireland medal, a legend of the game. He proved again yesterday — and in the drawn game in particular — his value to this great Kilkenny team.
