Kilkenny seeking leaders, Tipperary seeking answers

On top for so long, has the wheel finally turned for Kilkenny’s hurlers? All will be revealed by 9pm tonight. They established a hurling empire but great empires decay from within.

This year, injuries have ravaged their forces. Over the last two seasons, Paul Murphy in defence, Michael Fennelly at midfield and Henry Shefflin up front, have been their top three performers. They’re irreplaceable and missing for this game.

Jackie Tyrell, another ‘big’ performer and defensive cornerstone, who brings brain and brawn to the left corner-back position, has been plagued by persistent leg injuries which have clearly impinged on his pace and fitness. His club colleague, Eoin Larkin, second only to Shefflin up front, hasn’t performed in general play this year to the high standards accomplished in previous seasons while Tommy Walsh and JJ Delaney could have done with a rest during the league. Appetite and enthusiasm are two obligatory and indispensable requirements to win championship games.

Kilkenny have to focus mentally for the third weekend in-a-row, as they face into the biggest game of their season. This could prove difficult after the manner of their unexpected defeat by Dublin — being outdone in the ground tussles and tackle departments, where Kilkenny are normally supreme. Leadership is a quality that was never in doubt in the Kilkenny set-up since Brian Cody commenced his managerial reign in ’99. It is being seriously questioned for the first time in the absence of Shefflin and Fennelly.

Richie Power was seen as the heir apparent to Shefflin, a natural with the necessary pace and skill to take his place. There has been a question mark over his leadership but if he is ever to fill the space vacated by the All-Ireland record holder, the time is now.

Manager Brian Cody was faced with a selection dilemma this week. Should he go to his bench, introducing a few younger enthusiasts or stick with the tried and trusted, even though some are struggling for form? Managers go with the campaign veterans believing and trusting that the group will perform in the darkest hour rather than relying on the inexperienced. A few changes might have brought some badly needed enthusiasm. But Cody has gone with the tried and trusted, hoping they can dig deep for one more visit to the well.

It’s a gamble and he’s banking on them ‘getting up’ for the Blue and Gold, their nemesis, in their own backyard. It just might work.

If it succeeds, his cool, calm judgement will deservedly attract the highest accolades. If it fails...

Tipperary look to be in pole position from an appetite and freshness standpoint. They approach the game having had enough time to energise themselves and plan for this contest. Worryingly, they fell away badly against Limerick in the last 20 minutes.

The jury is out as to whether this was a matter of fitness, a matter of mental frailty or a misjudgement with substitutions. Their response tonight will go some way to answering this question. Tipp’s ‘bottle’ has been questioned by former Kilkenny-winning captain Eddie O’Connor. A public pronouncement from one of the old enemy questioning opponents’ guts always inspires and demands a positive response. It will be given pride of place in Tipp team-talks as well as making an appearance as a press cutting on the dressing room wall at training.

It’s music to the ears of Tipp manager Eamonn O’Shea providing timely motivation. Brian Cody must have winced when he read the comments. In their present vulnerable state, he certainly didn’t need that type of ammunition being handed to the Premier. Fervour and passion were two words that were associated with Tipp’s big encounters with the Cats in 2009 and 2010. Their performance against them in this year’s league final produced a display where they were never out of the game but it lacked the necessary zeal and enthusiasm to deliver a win.

O’Shea has gambled on captain Shane McGrath, struggling to find his best form, making an impact at midfield while major question marks remain over his attack. In the 2010 All-Ireland final, with 10 minutes left, I witnessed Shane and Noel McGrath, deep in their own defence, harassing a Kilkenny forward with determination, dispossessing him and then driving forward with passion. It’s an emotion that has been absent since.

It will need to make a dramatic reappearance up front for Tipp to have any chance.

Over the past two weekends, Dublin provided the planning template to O’Shea to overcome the Cats. It was based on ferocious workrate. The question is, do Tipp have the forward personnel to follow the tactics? Bonner Maher and Noel McGrath could operate as the extras in midfield but it’s inside that they lack the players as the constant movement is not tailor-made for Lar Corbett or Eoin Kelly. I’d play Corbett at the edge of the square and leave him there as he’s a distinct goal threat.

This contest is like a prize fight. The champion of many years enters the ring barely hanging on to his crown. In this situation, an early knockout is his desired result. Above all Tipp cannot afford to concede early goals. They need to wear down their opponents gradually, hanging on, even to extra time. The mentality on both sides will be not to lose rather than going all out for a win, thereby serving up a tight, tense encounter. It may not be pretty but it will be ultra absorbing, and career-defining for the loser.