Worthy adversaries promise a real thriller

HOW do you predict a winner from these two? Three years ago, in 2006, a Ballyhale Shamrocks side whose talents had been flagged inside Kilkenny for some years finally made the breakthrough, winning the club its first county senior title in 15 years.

Already, however, they were three years behind the current Portumna outfit. In 2003, the Shannonside club, from the most eastern part of the county, made their own breakthrough and won a first Galway senior title.

They came a cropper in their first venture into the All-Ireland series, lost in Clones to Dunloy of Antrim.

In 2005, they were back as Galway champions, and this time they made no mistake. On St Patrick’s Day, 2006, they suffocated Newtownshandrum’s running game and, backboned by the Hayes and Canning brothers, inspired by then 17-year-old Joe Canning, they went on to win their first All-Ireland. In 2008 they were back, and again against Birr of Offaly, again with Joe Canning leading the scoring, again they were crowned kings of Ireland.

Meanwhile, the Shamrocks too were making waves, and inspired by their two big guns, Henry Shefflin and Cha Fitzpatrick, by the three Reid brothers, in their first year out of Kilkenny, they won the All-Ireland title.

Two exceptional sides then, several overlapping years of success. Strange to relate, however, through the last three years, when both have been at the top, shared the All-Ireland titles between them, they have never met. Through those years, debate has grown — if they were to meet, who’d prevail?

Would it be the Galwegians, powered from the back by Eugene McEntee, by the Canning brothers Ivan (in goal) and Ollie, by the stylish Tipp man Micheál Ryan at centre-back? In midfield they are also well served, the industrious pairing of Eoin Lynch and Leo Smith, while up front you have the Hayes boys, brothers Damien and Niall. Oh, did I mention Joe?

Or would it be Ballyhale, with that defence anchored by Aidan Cummins on the 40 and the powerful Eamonn Walsh on the edge of the square. In midfield of course they have Cha, alongside Michael Fennelly — Kilkenny stars both — while up front, well, another trio, high-scoring TJ, Eoin and Patrick Reid.

And oh, did I mention Henry?

If conditions are right, this could be one of the games of the year. If I have to make a call — and that’s the job! — I go with, let’s see, eenie, meenie…

* Verdict: Ballyhale Shamrocks.