Hennessy: only the strongest will survive

FORMER Kilkenny star Joe Hennessy has a double wish for the weekend. Naturally, he hopes that his native county can defeat Tipperary and continue its bid to retain the All-Ireland SHC crown. But there’s more.

Secretly, he relishes the prospect of meeting Cork in the final, as he is still stung by the defeat by the Rebels in the 1978 decider, and the loss of another title four years ago.

Hennessy has three All-Ireland medals from five final appearances, along with numerous other honours. But to many of his generation, he is remembered as one of the most stylish hurlers of the era.