Kavanagh keen to quench Tipp’s attacking flame

MICHAEL KAVANAGH’S career has spanned over a decade of Kilkenny storming hurling strongholds, but Sunday’s All-Ireland final still has a sense of novelty to it.

Kavanagh’s club, St Lachtain’s in Freshford, is only a stone’s throw from the Tipperary border, but the two great rivals have avoided each other in an All-Ireland decider during Kavanagh’s playing days. Until now.

“It’s unusual alright not to have played together too much,” he remarks. “You’re going back to 1991 for the last one and 1971 before that. It’s unusual but it’s the two form teams of the last few years that are there. Tipperary have shown really good form this year. They were unlucky not to make it last year but are here on merit now.”

Both sides have crossed paths in the recent past. The league final between the two back in May hurtled along at a breakneck pace and produced plenty of fire and brimstone. That encounter in Semple Stadium whetted the public appetite for a repeat showdown in September.

“It was a cracking league final,” says Kavanagh. “Everyone was then hoping the two teams would meet in the All-Ireland and the public got their wish. I kind of expected Tipp would get to the All-Ireland final after that league game. We’d have been very aware of Tipperary in the last year or two with the work that was being done under Liam Sheedy.

“He’s put faith in a lot of the younger lads that he came through with from those minor teams. Things seem to be in good state for them, with the success at under-age and colleges level. They’re building nicely and they’re looking forward to the challenge of getting at us. It’s the two form teams of the summer and it sets it up for an enthralling final.”

In Kavanagh’s sector of the pitch, the onus will be on quenching Tipperary’s attacking flame which has burned brightly all summer. The All-Ireland semi-final against Limerick was the most prominent example of their attacking proficiency.

“I was very impressed with their form against Limerick,” reveals Kavanagh. “They showed a ruthless streak like we have in the past and showed they can play for 70 minutes. Tipperary are a proven force and they are top class.

“Their forwards took their scores well and that’ll give them a confidence boost. They played some sublime hurling. But it’s our job to look after those forwards and to limit them as much as we can. We’d be hoping to do our bit in defence, and that our midfielders and forwards will limit the supply going into those lads.”

The familiar presence of Noel Hickey has been absent from the Kilkenny full-back line all summer but Kavanagh insists that JJ Delaney has ensured that Hickey’s injury has not generated defensive chaos.

“I’m not surprised at how well JJ has done. He’s a top-class natural defender. You could throw him any jersey in the defence and he’d do a job. He’s a top-class defender and is highly regarded around the country. I know he favours playing out on the wing, but he’s a completely natural hurler who’s capable of playing anywhere.”

Kavanagh shifted into the bracket of inter-county hurlers in their 30s earlier this year, but he feels that has not detracted from his own form and impact.

“I turned 30 there early on in the year. I suppose players start to get questioned the moment that happens so I was expecting that! But there’s plenty of players who have proved that wrong and kept going in both hurling and football. To be honest, I’m happy enough now with my own form. I’ve stayed injury-free as the summer has gone on, which is a big thing. I picked up a serious hamstring injury there after the league final and that derailed my training a bit. I’m back training hard and feeling good.”

KILKENNY’S campaign has been pockmarked with opponents launching displays of stunning intensity at them. Kavanagh feels that trend was likely to develop as teams attempted to challenge Kilkenny’s dominance and it was always going to be difficult to replicate the dizzying heights which the Cats scaled last season.

“This has been the toughest campaign we’ve come through in the four years. We got a serious test from Galway in Tullamore, Dublin put it up to us and then Waterford threw everything at us. The quality of opposition has certainly improved. Leinster was strengthened greatly by Galway, and Dublin are making great strides.

“I don’t think we were ever that far ahead of the pack. In that respect, some of the league games were misjudged as regards some of the scorelines. I think our league wins over Tipp and Cork had too much written about them.

“Judging ourselves on last year, we haven’t hit top gear this year. We’re not flying it but we’re doing enough. But if you’re judging it on 2008, it’s very hard to get back to those heights.

“Realistically you’re not going to get back to that kind of form. But I do feel that we’re well-equipped now and certainly battle-hardened after the season. The winning feeling is something we’ve grown used to and we don’t want to give it up now.”