All-Ireland is ‘wide open’
Skehan, part of the Kilkenny management set-up, believes that five or six other counties will be in serious contention. From their perspective, the concession of such a high score in Monday's game in Croke Park would be a concern just as it would obviously be for the Tipperary selectors.
Agreeing that they were in trouble after falling behind by eight points, Skehan pointed to the fact that two goals resulted directly from mistakes on their part once when a player was blocked down around midfield and another time when a good run at goal ended with possession being conceded needlessly.
"Even though we were hurling well at times, we were making a lot of silly mistakes like giving bad hand-passes, getting blocked and getting hooked,'' said Skehan. "We were not moving the ball well. At the same time I would have to agree that Tipperary were on top for long stages.''
Likewise, he readily conceded that Tipp had the better of the first-half exchanges, once they settled.
For Kilkenny, attempting to win back-to-back titles, it was always going to be that bit more difficult. It was last achieved by them in 1982/1983, when they also won the All-Ireland titles both years (against Cork) and Brian Cody shared in the "double double" as a player. Additionally, in Skehan's opinion, Tipperary "had one over them" after having won the game in Nowlan Park on April 13 except that it increased their incentive to succeed. "The boys had something to prove,'' he added.
"At half-time, we spoke about the players going out and putting in an honest effort for the second half. I thought they put in a hell of an honest effort.''
Victory, therefore, was all the more rewarding for the team. And, for players and management there is the added bonus of strengthening their panel. They introduced young Tullaroan star Tommy Walsh for a few games (in a variety of positions), gave PJ Ryan some badly needed experience in goal while James McGarry is recovering from injury, and introduced Aidan Cummins to the defence on Monday. "We have 30 on the panel and we have played quite a few of them during the League. We have an idea of what we need now at this stage. We know who can start and who came come in. So. we're not too badly off.''
Taking an overview of the championship, Skehan says he could not agree with the view that the League finalists will also it out for the championship title. "Looking at Monday's game, if you allow that kind of a score to go in, five or six other teams would fancy their chances of getting a good score against you. Even though there were great scores and there was great hurling, it was still a bit loose.
"It won't be easy for Tipperary to pick it up against Clare on Sunday week, but then again championship hurling is very different. It's the be-all and end-all of hurling. It's what you have to be 'right' for.
"It will be a different sort of contest for them. It will be different hurling.
"I would say that Clare will put it up to Tipperary and I would say that there will be those five or six other teams in the running for the championship not just Kilkenny and Tipperary.''
* It will be interesting to see if Charlie Carter's contribution after coming in for John Hoyne for the last 15 minutes and the fact that he was the one who received the trophy from Sean Kelly will placate him and eliminate whatever tensions may have existed. On the evidence of this game, it would appear that Eddie Brennan has consolidated his position for the second corner-forward position .
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