King Henry taking Cats’ four-in-a-row quest in his stride

THIS week Kilkenny manager Brian Cody commented on the fact that teams had actually outmuscled them in their last two matches – the Leinster semi-final win over Galway and the National League final win over Tipperary.

For Henry Shefflin, it’s just par for the course. “I don’t know if you are actually conscious of the physicality. I think you would know it was a high intensity match and if it was a match like you describe where both teams are going at it hell for leather, I think the physicality of it is up anyway. I don’t think you are very much aware of it when you are playing.”

It’s important to note here, however – though seriously tested, Kilkenny won both games. They showed their battling qualities in each tie, and with three points from the King in the second against Galway kick-starting their effort they took off on a game-winning 10-point run.