Big two test the waters

Kilkenny v Galway in Thurles this Sunday in the second of the two All-Ireland U21 hurling semi-finals (Clare v Antrim 4pm, Kilkenny vGalway 6pm) — a prelude to what might happen on September 9 in Croke Park, the big one?

Perhaps, perhaps not, but one thing is certain — given the circumstances in the lead-up to the game, many will see a win for Kilkenny as a major setback for Galway. Are they correct? Let’s look at the background.

First, there’s the fact that the Galway team comprises the bulk of the senior panel that recently overcame Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final. Johnny Coen starred in that game, (man of the match in these eyes), Niall Burke, James Regan and Conor Cooney also started, while Davy Glennon, Jonny Glynn and Joseph Cooney saw action.

Also on the senior panel that day were goalkeeper Fergal Flannery, Brian Flaherty, Pádraig Brehony, TadhgHaran, Paul Huban, Darragh Burke and Shane Maloney — that’s 14 of the 26 named.

Consider also that several others on the U21 panel have also seen time and action with the senior team this year and you now have a situation where some senior panellists won’t even start for this U21 team.

Throw in the fact that Galway are reigning All-Ireland champions and that many of those who starred last year are still there now, stir into the mix the added ingredient that three years ago, 2009, in the equivalent minor All-Ireland final, Galway beat Kilkenny by four points, 2-15 to 2-11, and what do you have? You have everything set up perfectly forKilkenny, that’s what.

This is a Kilkenny U21 team without a single member of the senior side that started against Tipperary last Sunday though two — Cillian Buckley and Richie Doyle — were brought on as subs. They have one more — giant inside-forward Walter Walsh — on the senior panel, but that’s it.

This is a helluva good Kilkenny team, as they showed when demolishing Wexford (3-20 to 4-6) and Laois (4-24 to 1-13) in turn inLeinster.

That they don’t have more senior stars is explained very simply — just look at who they are trying to displace, look at what those senior stars have achieved, then wonder no more.

Reigning All-Ireland senior champions, choc a bloc with guys still very much in their prime, Brian Cody was never going to perform any major disruptive surgery to his team.

Galway senior manager Anthony Cunningham, meanwhile, who has also retained his position as manager of the U21 side, had a free rein and had a mind to perform a major clear-out. And so, we have arrived at this situation, this very false situation, where it would appear that everything points clearly to a Galway win.

Don’t be fooled. A few names with which ye can conjure, because believe me, sooner rather than later ye’ll be hearing from all of them. Buckley, Doyle and Walsh we’ve already mentioned, but there are two other Walshs — Pádraig, brother of Tommy; Ollie, son of Michael Walsh, grandson of the great Ollie; John Power, son of Richie, brother of the ultra-dangerous attacker Richie Jnr; Ger Aylward from another renowned Kilkenny family, likewise lethal in attack; full-back Willie Phelan, another great Kilkenny name; Richie Reid, youngest son of the Ballyhale clan and could well be — well, let’s wait and see.

So no, it’s not that simple. If Kilkenny win it will be because they have serious talent; it will not be the setback for Galway many might fear. IF Kilkenny win!