Experience will swing it for ‘no-nonsense Cats’

Players from two of the three teams both Kilkenny and Tipperary have beaten this summer expect the Cats to edge Sunday’s All-Ireland final.

Galway’s David Collins and Offaly captain Joe Bergin believe Kilkenny’s experience will tip the scales in the favour, although Dublin skipper Johnny McCaffrey fancies Tipp.

Kilkenny easily overcame Collins’ Galway in a Leinster semi-final replay and six days later they bowed out of the Championship to Tipperary despite Jonathan Glynn’s second-half goals giving them a commanding lead.

“Having seen them both first hand, I’d go with Kilkenny based on their experience and hunger,” said Collins. “When you look back on our games with them, we had chances to beat them the first day although we had come back at them from a good bit behind. But what stood out was how they turned the screw on us in the replay. They were very tuned in. Against Tipperary, we were on top and six points up. To lose from that position was disappointing.”

The margin of Offaly’s defeats by Kilkenny and Tipperary were 26 and 17 points respectively. Bergin likes how Brian Cody’s side go about their business in every line of the field.

“I know they were at home against us but they were awesome. It was typical of what they do. They rattled us early and ended it as a contest. They’re ruthless in everything they do. Tipperary have to be mind of that.

“Tipperary was a slightly different game but they did the same thing and got the goals early. They’re two similar teams in that way although we did fightback a bit against Tipperary.

“I was a bit more impressed with Kilkenny. They’re no-nonsense all over the field. Their full-backs are tigerish and tough. Their midfielders sweep up and get the ball in as fast as they can. Their inside men are ruthless.

“I think Kilkenny may shade it based on experience and the amount of All-Ireland medals they have. Tipp have some as well but not as many and not the same degree of experience.”

However, McCaffrey senses there is more hunger in the challengers. Like Collins’ Galway, Dublin directly followed a defeat to Kilkenny, in the Leinster final, with one to Tipperary, in an All-Ireland quarter-final.

“The momentum is with Tipp, they had a big win against Cork and have been playing quite well. They fact they haven’t won it since 2010 and probably feel they should have won one since will be a motivating factor.

“Our goalkeeper (Alan Nolan) was man of the match in the Leinster final but Tipperary had that bit more scoring power against us. I think that might shade it for them by two or three points.”

Collins appreciates the threat posed by Seamus Callanan and Patrick “Bonner” Maher but regards Kilkenny as being more able to withstand Tipperary’s star forwards than Tipperary are of coping with theirs.

“If Jackie (Tyrrell) is marking Callanan it will be a serious battle and I think Cody will put him in that position. If Jackie can hold him, it will go a long way towards Kilkenny winning the game. Brian Hogan will need to hold his position against Maher too but I just believe Kilkenny’s inside forward line could do serious damage at the weekend.”