Leinster dead? Not a hope

There have been many contentious changes introduced by the GAA in recent years, the hurling penalty/20m free debacle just the latest example.

One decision taken, however, must now surely be accepted unanimously as a positive – Galway’s inclusion (and to a lesser extent, Antrim’s also) in the Leinster SHC. So many reasons why but we’ll stick to five:

1 It has broken the Kilkenny dominance. When Galway were admitted in 2009 Kilkenny were utterly in control, had won 10 of the previous 11 titles (denied in 2004 by a last-minute Rory Jacob goal). Watching their traditional Leinster rivals such as Offaly and Wexford take the field against the Cats in those years was like watching Mike Tyson when he was in his ferocious prime – teams were beaten almost before the first whistle, such was Kilkenny’s psychological mastery. It took a few years but eventually, in 2012, Galway did what Galway were surely going to do some day. They beat Kilkenny and in the Leinster final at that, a whopping 10-point win (2-21 to 2-11) after a truly destructive first half.