Time for new Kilkenny brigade to step up
The big issue surrounding Kilkenny is how much last year’s exertions have taken out of them? After losing the Leinster final, they were forced through the back door and one extra game, an All-Ireland quarter-final. Indeed they might have lost to Limerick only for the first-half heroics of Henry Shefflin.
Then they had the All-Ireland final and a replay, two really tough games where they had to dig very deep and call on their reserves of energy and experience.
They’re not a young team – not as old as people think either by the way – but even the ‘middle-aged’ ones have been on the road a long time.
Is it all starting to take its toll? And is this the reason they find themselves facing Dublin for the second time in a week in this evening’s Leinster semi-final replay.
Two huge men for them last year in all those big games were Henry Shefflin and Michael Fennelly. Both were missing last Sunday, both are missing again today. How does a team deal with the loss of two such outstanding leaders? And leaders is the critical word here. They’re also two outstanding hurlers, but even when they’re not at the top of their game they are still driving on those around them. How much are Kilkenny missing that onfield guidance and direction? This evening will tell.
Kilkenny will now be looking to the new brigade, to the fresh brigade like TJ Reid, Cillian Buckley, Conor Fogarty and especially Walter Walsh. None of those have hurled that much for Kilkenny this year or last, they are the ones on whom the mantle of responsibility now falls. Walter did the business last week for the full 70 minutes, TJ did the business at the very end with a fantastic point to draw the game. They must all step forward this evening.
What of Dublin? Again they’re in a great position. There was nothing expected of them last week and they drew; there’s nothing expected of them again this evening with everyone saying they blew their chance.
It’s there for them again. I like the way Dublin are looking now. Some of their big players are having big games, the likes of Peter Kelly, Conal Keaney, Liam Rushe, Joey Boland, Dotsy O’Callaghan, young Danny Sutcliffe. These are very good hurlers, physically strong, well able to match Kilkenny.
A major criticism I have of Dublin – their shooting. They’re not composed on the ball in front of the posts, seem to rush their shots when scores are there for the taking. Remember, you’re allowed four steps in possession (more if you happen to be from certain counties!); if the space has opened in front of you, take those steps, compose yourself. If Dublin iron out that problem they’ll be back to being a real threat again.
It has to be said here too, and I hope none of my friends in Kilkenny take exception, but we’d all love to see Dublin making progress. The Munster final sees Limerick take on Cork in the Gaelic Grounds, a pairing we haven’t had since 1992. Wouldn’t it be great to see Galway and Dublin in the final in Leinster? Will we though? Kilkenny have gone to well so often in the last few years, some day it’s bound to be dry. however. I don’t think it will be this evening.
To the other games, in the qualifiers. I’m going with the flow, expect Waterford to beat Westmeath and Wexford to take Carlow.
