Keher says Galway now have psychological edge

Kilkenny legend Eddie Keher believes Galway have gained a psychological edge ahead of the All-Ireland SHC final replay on September 30.

Six-time Ireland SHC medallist Keher insists the Cats have “more work to do” than the Leinster champions ahead of the eagerly-anticipated rematch.

Keher admitted he understood why manager Brian Cody was “incensed” by referee Barry Kelly’s decision to hand Galway the late free which Joe Canning converted to equalise deep in stoppage time. And Keher struggled to understand why Kelly booked Cats defenders Tommy Walsh and Kieran Joyce in the second half for off-the-ball incidents, when no action was taken against their Galway opponents.

Sitting in the Cusack Stand on Sunday, Keher did not have a good view of the late call by Kelly to penalise Jackie Tyrrell’s challenge on Davy Glennon. But having watched the incident again, Keher is in no doubt Kilkenny were hard done by.

He said: “The video shows it was a very harmless free. But that was the call the referee made and it was a fair result in the end. And our supporters would have been sorry in a lot of ways if Joe missed that one. If would have been a pity if the All-Ireland was lost as a result of a missed free by him.”

The late call to hand Galway another chance, after Canning had missed a 69th minute free, was fiercely contested by Cody. And Keher said: “They were in front before the decision about the free. Whether it was or it wasn’t, you could understand them being incensed. I would be incensed.

“There was one in the first half when Eoin Larkin was penalised. I don’t know where in the rule book it says that was a free. I saw our own fella Kieran Joyce, a most upright and fair guy that I know personally, was singled out and got a card for I don’t know what. He wouldn’t be the instigator, I can assure you. Tommy got a regular yellow card for God only knows what. It’s a pity that officials get a thing for guys that are stars.”

With the dust settled on an enthralling final, Keher fears Galway have the whip hand ahead of the replay.

He reflected: “Galway have learned to cope with Kilkenny’s power very successfully. Kilkenny learned something from the Leinster final but not enough. A lot depends now on their thinking and how they can counteract some of the Galway play.

“They’ll have a lot of work to do in that regard. Galway will have gained further confidence from their display.”

Keher also backed Henry Shefflin’s decision to take a point from a 68th minute penalty, a score that edged the Cats a point ahead.

“He would feel himself whether he had it in him to get the goal or not. If Galway had stopped the penalty it would be worth almost a goal to them. It was the right decision.”