Tipp close, but it’s their era that has been ended
Anything could have happened in this game such was its importance to both counties, but Brian was on top of things from the very beginning and the way he controlled everything contributed hugely to the way this game went.
Saturday evening should also send a message to the GAA — play more of these games at local venues, get the crowd but, above all, get the atmosphere because Nowlan Park was rocking all evening.
In Leinster they should look at taking the hurling final out of Croke Park — think of what 30,000 people would have been like in Portlaoise or Tullamore yesterday.
And when you get that atmosphere you also get the best out of players.
Saturday was real championship, old-style championship, as good a game as I’ve seen in years, and great credit must go to both teams for that. This was every man willing to play his role to do whatever had to be done. Fellas going bald-headed for the ball on both sides, and in a manly way too, nothing underhand or sneaky. It was a pleasure to watch.
A few major turning points proved crucial.
I said on Saturday that I felt Eamon O’Shea and Tipperary had made a mistake in picking Shane McGrath; that’s nothing against McGrath, who is a fine player, but he has struggled since he was given the captaincy, and was taken off again yesterday at half time.
And to think then that his midfield partner, James Woodlock, wouldn’t even have been playing but for an injury to Paul Curran. And Woodlock went on to have a fine game.
The other turning point was Eoin Kelly’s goal chance which was stopped by the save/block of JJ Delaney early in the second half, and Kelly’s failure to convert the resultant 65. That was huge because it really woke up the Kilkenny defence. Every man played inspired hurling after that, especially of Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan and Kieran Joyce, although my man-of-the-match, corner-back Paul Murphy, showed what a loss he was against Dublin.
Great credit is also due to the Kilkenny management team for the switch of Eoin Larkin to midfield. Larkin had been struggling for form but Brian Cody showed his faith in the James Stephens man and gave him a new position and new responsibility. Larkin responded in the best possible fashion and was outstanding. It just goes to show though, you give this Kilkenny management time to think and they’ll come up with a solution.
They also moved their forwards around, kept experimenting against a Tipperary defence that was also outstanding. Eventually they got a return of nine points from play from the attack.
Which brings me to Tipperary. This loss was no fault of their backs, that’s for sure. Then again you couldn’t fault their defence against Limerick either.
Conor O’Brien, Paddy Stapleton and Michael Cahill were outstanding and the half-back line also played its part. The forwards though, and the midfield didn’t come up to par. Four Tipperary forwards were replaced again. What does that tell you? I know Corbett was injured, and he was beginning to look dangerous, but what of the others? Their big problem was winning the ball — this was a night when that had to be done. Tipperary failed miserably up front in that regard. I think a few of them might be looking at retirement after this. But maybe it’s time for Tipp to move into a new era now.
One thing they can’t be accused of though, is caving in. They stood up, they asked real questions of this Kilkenny team, and they just weren’t good enough. It was an evening when defences dominated, but ultimately it was the Kilkenny defence that came out best.
Tipperary have skill, there’s no doubt about it, as have Kilkenny; both also showed character here. But Kilkenny — what a team! This was do-or-die and they’re not ready to die just yet.
