Yes, there really is such a thing as a handy All-Ireland

League finalists Kilkenny and Tipperary were the favourites to contest this year’s All-Ireland final, even if the statistics over the past 20 years were against league final opponents staying the pace to September.

However, when first Tipperary and then Kilkenny fell by the wayside before August, some suggested this year’s championship would facilitate a soft All-Ireland. Tony Considine, of this parish, expressed his annoyance with fans who spoke of a ‘handy’ All-Ireland. “There is no such thing as a handy All Ireland, never was, never will be,” believed the Clareman.

All winners like to feel they really dug deep, sweated blood and had to give their all to subdue forces of almost equal standing in their quest for glory. But does this notion actually stack up for winners every year? It’s interesting to look back through the results, as there was certainly ‘handy wins’ on the big day, if not throughout the whole campaign.