No complacency in Kilkenny mindset

THEY have again strolled through Leinster and are clear favourites to retain the Liam MacCarthy Cup but there is little fear of complacency creeping into the Kilkenny mindset this weekend.

Four times they have met Galway in the last five championships and in both the 2001 and 2005 All-Ireland semi-finals, it was the Connacht side that emerged on top.

Said Martin Comerford: “We have lost four (championship) matches since 2000 and Galway have beaten us twice, which is a poor record.

“We’ve beaten them twice so this is a kind of deciding encounter on Saturday. Whoever wins is playing an All-Ireland semi-final and that’s the carrot.”

Both of Kilkenny’s triumphs came at Semple Stadium while Galway’s were achieved at Croke Park. Does the venue make a difference?

“We don’t mind where it’s played to be honest,” Comerford smiles. “Thurles, Portlaoise, Nowlan Park or Croke Park, it doesn’t really matter. It’s still one ball on the pitch and 15 against 15 so we’ll take it as it comes.”

Maybe so but the presence of Ger Loughnane on the line always seems to add another dimension to any game and this one is no different after his comments about Kilkenny last week.

Brian Cody kept silent and Comerford was similarly adept at avoiding the controversy when questioned on it yesterday.

“Ger is only trying to create a bit of publicity for the match and create a bit of interest around it. I admire Ger Loughnane for that. He’s been great for hurling over the years and brought great success to Clare.

“He’ll probably do the same for Galway. He’s very enthusiastic and his record speaks for itself. I’m sure he’ll have his charges motivated for Saturday.”

Galway have had the advantage of three qualifier games to get to this juncture. Kilkenny arrive after another canter through Leinster. Does it matter?

“It’ll be a slight handicap to us that we haven’t been put to the pin of our collar, unlike Galway who had a very tough, competitive game against Clare. We’ve been training hard in Nowlan Park.

“It has been tough, there’s been a good work-rate so hopefully there will be a good showing on Sunday. Training is a different kettle of fish to championship though.”

The bottom line is they approach Saturday without a truly competitive game to their names since the league final defeat to Waterford.

Offaly manager John McIntyre claims Kilkenny are a fiercely driven team this year but Comerford admits that the jury won’t be returning a verdict on that just yet.

“That’s the big question, have Kilkenny got the hunger to try and win another All-Ireland? I can say from my own point of view that it is definitely there.

“You are only around playing inter-county hurling for a set number of years so you have to try and make the best of that. We’re all hungry to win another All-Ireland but we will just focus on Galway for the time being.”