A true Premier challenge but Kilkenny to prevail

ANY meeting between Kilkenny and Tipperary hurlers is a highly attractive proposition, although nowadays it’s a more healthy rivalry compared to the acrimony which some of their games generated back in the 1960s.

Given the counties are clashing in tomorrow’s Allianz NHL final in Thurles a short time after Tipp received a trimming in Nowlan Park makes it all the more interesting.

Brian Cody’s oft-quoted comment that Kilkenny are “beatable” on a given day, is factual up to the point. In the league, their only significant defeats of recent times were at the hands of Tipperary in the semi-final last year and by Waterford in the 2007 final, while the latter were the only team to beat them in this campaign.

Tomorrow, they are chasing their fifth title since 2002 and Cody has proven that a serious commitment to league hurling is not a deterrent to progress in the Championship. Here is where the Kilkenny record is most intimidating, with Galway the only team to beat them over the last four seasons and Wexford the last county to knock them out in Leinster – in the semi-final of 2004.

They qualified for tomorrow’s final without having the services of Noel Hickey, Cha Fitzpatrick or Derek Lyng, but such is the richness of talent at Cody’s disposal that they can still continue to field powerful teams. It’s evidenced by the form of players like Richie Hogan, Michael Fennelly, Michael Rice and the returning James Tyrrell and confirmation of the potential of others like TJ Reid.

Most of all, it is reflected in the brilliance of key players like Tommy Walsh, Henry Shefflin, Eddie Brennan and the consistency of others like Michael Kavanagh, Jackie Tyrrell and Martin Comerford.

The message for Tipperary, not that Liam Sheedy or his players are unaware of the huge challenge they face, is that they have to get everything right on the day if to compete on even terms. And, if they are to win, they have to take it to a different level.

Nobody can doubt there is a lot of potential in the team. It can be argued that other than Galway and, to a lesser extent, Waterford, they are best placed to dethrone Kilkenny – although hardly this year. Last year’s campaign showed how players like Conor O’Mahony and Shane McGrath have matured as serious hurlers and others like Seamus Callanan are continuing to enhance their experience at this level. And, once Eoin Kelly is back in harness and giving the type of leadership he is capable of providing, they will present a serious threat.

The probable outcome of this game is that Kilkenny will win, but we can be certain we will get a contest worthy of the occasion. No pussy-footing around here and talk of it being “only” the league. There is prestige at stake and markers to lay down for the summer.

* Verdict: Kilkenny