Gaels have become battle-hardened

WHAT is it about Kilkenny teams, be they club or county, that once in the national arena and no matter what the circumstances, they just don’t panic?

There was Brian Cody’s side in their opening Allianz league game last weekend. Trailing 1-6 to 0-4 against All-Ireland champions Tipperary in Thurles after 22 minutes, they led 0-13 to 1-7 at the break and were easy winners in the end.

Then there was O’Loughlin Gaels in the Leinster Club SHC final three weeks ago. Ten minutes into the second half Oulart-The Ballagh were 1-7 to 0-6 clear and looked the slicker side. And then in a flash the Kilkenny men were transformed. Martin Comerford went from the edge of the square to the half-forward line and almost immediately flashed over two superb points, Seamie Cummins came in to full-forward, notching two more, while Mark Bergin also got a brace. Twenty five minutes later, the Gaels were crowned champions.