All Ireland S.H.C. Final

[gallsman]

Corbett touched the ball 3 times and scored 3 goals. An invaluable contribution certainly, but for me the best player on the field was Brendan Maher. His work may have gone unnoticed by the sunday game analysts, but for me he was the reason Tipperary won that match. He ran the center and was the pick of the 4 midfielders. Once Tipp had control in that sector they seemed to have that little more time to pick out their passes to the inside line. That was in contrast to Kilkenny who seemed to hit every ball under pressure and who seemed hellbent on ballooning high ball after high ball on top of Power. Thats all well and good, but with talented corner forwards, the odd ball to them would have been worth a try too (acknowledged Eddie wasn't at the races at all).

The questions about what would have happened if Tipp took their chances last year were answered yesterday. Rather than coasting to 5 titles, its probably fair to say that Kilkenny actually got one more than they might have by scraping that win last year. But thats Kilkenny. A truly great team, and having lost yesterday does nothing to change that.

Kilkenny's dominance was always going to come to an end at some point. It was always likely Tipp would be the team to end it. Now its up to the likes of Galway and Cork to get themselves up to the level where they can have us all doubting until the very end, as to where Liam McCarthy is bound.

Congrats to Tipp. Somehow I can't see it being 9 years til their next title, but its hard to see anyone other than Kilkenny or Tipp getting their hands on Liam for quite some time.

Agreed.

[gerrykeegan]

I thought it was a nice touch when Shane McGrath gave his commiserations to Shefflin as he left the field. It reeked of respect, and Shefflin, and the rest of that brilliant team have earned that respect at least.

.

That was a special moment for me. The intensity that Tipp were playing at yet the man had the grace to say tough break or whatever he said. I dont know how he could be able to switch off from the mad rush/pace of the match to feel for a member of the opposition. Great match. The time flew by.

[imtommygunn]

I thought in all Kilkenny's interviews they were very gracious in defeat. Not a complaint from them. Many's a team could have said about steps for Corbett's goal or pernicity things like that. They deserve a lot of credit for that.

[amallon]

Fantastic game, two worthy teams to grace the final.  Well done to Tipp who were deserving winners. 

[gallsman]

I thought it was a nice touch when Shane McGrath gave his commiserations to Shefflin as he left the field. It reeked of respect, and Shefflin, and the rest of that brilliant team have earned that respect at least.

.

That was a special moment for me. The intensity that Tipp were playing at yet the man had the grace to say tough break or whatever he said. I dont know how he could be able to switch off from the mad rush/pace of the match to feel for a member of the opposition. Great match. The time flew by.

Same kind of moment last year after Corbett patted PJ Ryan on the back after one of his wonder saves. Immense respect between the two teams.

[seafoid]

I think it's a great result for hurling. The next step would be for one of the non core counties to win the all-Ireland. Galway will surely feel they re not so far off. 

Eoin Kelly definitely deserved another medal.

It will be interesting to see what happens the cats. They came across like Italy in the World cup after all the hype. Surely a load of players will retire.

[Bogball XV]

Corbett touched the ball 3 times and scored 3 goals. An invaluable contribution certainly, but for me the best player on the field was Brendan Maher. His work may have gone unnoticed by the sunday game analysts, but for me he was the reason Tipperary won that match. He ran the center and was the pick of the 4 midfielders.

I agree with that, if he hadn't scored that last minute goal would he have got it?  I thought Brendan Maher, Padraic Maher or Noel McGrath had better games than Lar, but it is hard to argue with a 3 goal haul.

Now, if only Galway could come through and take it next year, with Clare building on a few fine underage teams and an Offaly side looking to be on the way up, we could have a championship again.
It's 1998 now since one of the big 3 didn't win the trophy and Galway are 22 years without a title, all the more amazing given their underage success and the fact that they've always been capable of contesting with the big boys throughout that period.

[GaillimhIarthair]

Corbett touched the ball 3 times and scored 3 goals. An invaluable contribution certainly, but for me the best player on the field was Brendan Maher. His work may have gone unnoticed by the sunday game analysts, but for me he was the reason Tipperary won that match. He ran the center and was the pick of the 4 midfielders. Once Tipp had control in that sector they seemed to have that little more time to pick out their passes to the inside line. That was in contrast to Kilkenny who seemed to hit every ball under pressure and who seemed hellbent on ballooning high ball after high ball on top of Power. Thats all well and good, but with talented corner forwards, the odd ball to them would have been worth a try too (acknowledged Eddie wasn't at the races at all).

The questions about what would have happened if Tipp took their chances last year were answered yesterday. Rather than coasting to 5 titles, its probably fair to say that Kilkenny actually got one more than they might have by scraping that win last year. But thats Kilkenny. A truly great team, and having lost yesterday does nothing to change that.

Kilkenny's dominance was always going to come to an end at some point. It was always likely Tipp would be the team to end it. Now its up to the likes of Galway and Cork to get themselves up to the level where they can have us all doubting until the very end, as to where Liam McCarthy is bound.

Congrats to Tipp. Somehow I can't see it being 9 years til their next title, but its hard to see anyone other than Kilkenny or Tipp getting their hands on Liam for quite some time.

A good summary BT7 but I would probably go for Padraic Maher as my MOTM.  I thought he was having a super game at wing back and even improved when switched to the centre when Conor O'Mahoney went off injured.  We will have our work cut out for us on Sat night in Thurles to keep the ball pucked out to some of these fella's. 

[mouview]

Why KK will win on Sunday;

•   Proven winners and big day performers, don't panic or do off-days
•   They are so in-sync with each other's style of play, e.g. under the dropping ball and in a ruck, invariably a black-and-amber jersey emerges with the sliotar
•   They don't need to do tactics or systems, just play the orthodox 15 in position
•   Great back-up off the bench, especially for the crucial midfield sector
•   5-in-a-row is a great incentive

Why KK mightn't win on Sunday;
•   I don't necessarily believe they're better this year than last; their league campaign wasn't as good and the toughest test they've had to date was against a poorly-selected and tactically-bad Galway side who still stuck with them for 35 minutes. In 2009 Galway gave them a tougher test and W'ford did too in the semi.
•   The KK forward division rely on Shefflin much more than many realise; the rest of them, bar Power, are having relatively quiet years. Additionally the full-back line may be vulnerable; Dalton may not be the finished article (yet), Hickey can be slow and Tyrrell had a tough outing v Cork. If they all start, I predict that at least 4 of the following will be replaced on Sunday *by necessity* - Dalton, Hickey, Comerford, Reid, Brennan, Larkin, Fogarty.
•   Tipp have had a tougher campaign to date; had a great win over Galway and had a good outing v W'ford. Their form is good, especially in the forwards. Also, they have the only midfield in the country that can possibly break even with KK. Their bench has improved too.
•   Tipp won't lack for hunger and will want revenge for last year.
•   KK's injuries and fitness doubts may finally catch up with them.
   
A lot of permutations there; it's dodgy to back against the house but I just think Tipp have more going for them and that KK have too many question marks over their heads. Tipp, (by anything up to 7!!).

Ahem.

[AZOffaly]

You're not the only one to tip Tipp mouview. Self praise is no praise at all

[Homer]

A lot of permutations there; it's dodgy to back against the house but I just think Tipp have more going for them and that KK have too many question marks over their heads. Tipp, (by anything up to 7!!).

Ahem.

Ahem, Tipp won by 8 

[funtime frankie]

Has anybody got the Galtee Mountain Boy from yesterday on You Tube?

[mouview]

You're not the only one to tip Tipp mouview. Self praise is no praise at all

No indeed, but allow me my Fearonesque moment of hubris!

Anyway, congrats to Tipp for doing yesterday to KK what the cats usually do to others; the ecstasy of their fans afterwards was almost visceral. Overconfidence by some KK fans was surprising and out of character - a team carrying injured players into a final (Tennyson spent a good while yesterday limping also) will always be vulnerable.

Thoughts now turn towards the future. Will Tipp and KK dominate the next few years? Maybe. The age profile of this Tipp team is quite young but they also may be a bit immature, i.e. without any insight into the players whatsoever they give me the impression that they could hit the beer and forget about what it was made them reach the summit, thus they could be beatable in 2011. Believe me, no slight intended, but early success could go to young players heads very easily. In addition, winning Tipp teams over the past 2 decades haven't tended to go on and win several AIs over the following few years, unlike Cork and KK.

KK may also be contenders next year, but just by default. Cork are nowhere near producing a team good enough; Waterford's better players are getting old or gone; it's hard to know if Galway have the players and McIntyre needs to learn very quickly from the mistakes made in the past 2 years, especially in midfield and half-forwards, and to stop picking players who aren't of county standard. Clare may be a coming force?

As for KK, a very dangerous thing to say I know, but I think that team as played yesterday may now be slowly past it. Noel Hickey looks vulnerable; the half-back line should be fine but will Michael Fennelly need a new partner in midfield? Cha hadn't a great day yesterday and Derek Lyng is the wrong side of 30. Rice will perhaps be restored to this area next year. Up front the cats will have problems IMO. Henry's importance to this division was shown by his withdrawal but will he be back? As good as ever? Richie Power will still be menacing but Eddie Brennan has regressed; Eoin Larkin has had a quieter year and Taggy Fogarty and TJ Reid don't inspire too much fear on their own, though the latter was unlucky to be subbed yesterday I thought. Gorta isn't going to get better at this stage either and for all the talk about KK's panel and strength off the bench, Tipp were better in this dept. when it came down to it. How many of these will be motivated to come back next year with no 6-in-a-row as a carrot? Cody may pack it in also. The production line may not be as good as was perceived; lost last year's Minor final and weren't overly impressive yesterday; lost 2009 U-21 final and didn't even win Leinster this year.

A whole load of ifs and buts there and it's easy to write this in the wake of a disappointing defeat, however once a team loses it's air of invincibility it makes the rest less fearful.

[orangeman]

It's hard to believe how we all can over react to a single defeat / win.

Last night on the Sunday game, they were talking as if KK were finished.

Had KK won yesterday we'd have been saying that Tipp were finished. Somebody was on here after KK bate Cork and said that KK would do 10 in a row.

A few weeks ago, we were saying that Noel Hickey was a colossus - now he's finished.


It's very hard to come to a balanced view in the immediate aftermath of a game like yesterdays given the huge number of variables out there. Tipp were on a mission after last year's final defeat  -after the game in the Pairc on 30th May this year, we were saying Tipp were finished - 94 days / 13 weeks later they're AI champs and are set to dominate ?? I for one don't think so.

[Reillers]

It's hard to believe how we all can over react to a single defeat / win.

Last night on the Sunday game, they were talking as if KK were finished.

Had KK won yesterday we'd have been saying that Tipp were finished. Somebody was on here after KK bate Cork and said that KK would do 10 in a row.

A few weeks ago, we were saying that Noel Hickey was a colossus - now he's finished.


It's very hard to come to a balanced view in the immediate aftermath of a game like yesterdays given the huge number of variables out there. Tipp were on a mission after last year's final defeat  -after the game in the Pairc on 30th May this year, we were saying Tipp were finished - 94 days / 13 weeks later they're AI champs and are set to dominate ?? I for one don't think so.

Cork got the same in 06..and I was like, ya right..good one. But inevdiably, it was true. Whether the same applies for Kilkenny I don't know..I wouldn't set my heart on it. But for me, the main thing that stood out, from a Kilkenny point of view, is how much they rellied on Shefflin. People were saying how Kilkenny had gotten lucky over the years, easy few games a season in Leinster, not testing them, so it was easier to win it, and I was one of them, but at the end of the day you can only beat what's in front of you. Tipp were incredibly unlucky not to win last year, and I think for me KK were on their way down (from their standards) after that win the year before last which was probably the closest thing you've seen to perfection in the game.
This Kilkenny team, were going up and up and hit their peak about 2 years ago, and for every team, even the great Kilkenny, at end of the day, there's only one way to go after that, even Cody can't prevent the impact of time.