Galway vs. Kilkenny 2012 Leinster hurling final

[seafoid]

They have to build on it this time.
2005 came out of the blue as well but they couldn't win the all-Ireland


http://www.highbeam.com/publications/the-irish-times-p409649/aug-22-2005

GAELIC GAMES: Old men with leathered faces and eyes which have seen everything twice, stood and gazed out at the turf upon which the tribes were dancing. The best game ever, they said, the best game ever.  Nit-picking purists and dreary scholars will argue, of course, but for context and excitement and sheer wonder, Croke Park yesterday was the place to be. The centre of the universe. There were just under 40,000 there but in years to come at least five times that amount will claim to have breathed the same northside air through these 70 minutes of hurling  What we saw was a Galway team who were humiliated to the tune of a 19-point margin by Kilkenny last summer come to Croke Park on a big day and drive five goals past Kilkenny. The last time that was done to Kilkenny was 33 years ago (an 80-minute game and they managed a draw) and it's something which one could go a hurling lifetime without witnessing.  And Galway conceded four goals as they rode the carriage to the top of the hill and then hurtled into the valley below. They led by 11 points at one stage and were clinging on with white knuckles at the finish.Picking stories out of the game is like scooping fish from a teeming barrel. When young Niall Healy saw Kevin Broderick warming up on the sideline early in the second half he can only have assumed that his own number was up. He was scoreless and making little impression. Broderick warmed his hamstring for the longest time. He did indeed replace Niall Healy. By then Healy had scored three goals. You've never heard such crazy boasting.  "I was lucky for the first one," said Niall. "Richie (Murray) took a shot and McGarry made a good save. For the second one I had a bit of space. I couldn't miss. Couldn't miss the three of them, really. I was lucky for them all."  And when he came off, did he reflect on the glory of the hour? "Sure it doesn't matter who scores them," he said "Just being in a final is what counts. I couldn't watch. I lay down and just listened to the crowd roaring. Eddie Brennan was on fire. And DJ. I just couldn't look."

Ah. Days like this. The stories just come out with their hands up. Surrendering en masse. Ger Farragher, who had a wonderful underage career, has made the senior breakthrough this year and all winter and summer people have looked at him and said "yeah he's good, but he ain't Eugene Cloonan". The last time Galway beat Kilkenny on a big day was four years ago - same greasy sod, inferior game. Cloonan scored 2-9 that afternoon. Yesterday Ger Farragher matched that amount. 2-9 v Kilkenny. A made man."Words can't describe it," he said. "They were never going to be easy beaten. They're a super  team. For us, though, next Tuesday and we're back out again. We've a final to train for." Galway with an All-Ireland final to train for. It feels as if the season itself is owed an apology. Freighted with inevitability, it seemed we wrote the season off as banal and grey and depressing. Cork and Kilkenny saving themselves for each other. Instead on September 11th, Galway bring the best minor side of recent years to Croke Park to play Limerick and their seniors surf in on a wave of confidence to play a Cork team who are struggling with their form. We were watching perestroika all along, without knowing it."An incredible game really," said Conor Hayes who played in a few of them himself. "the speed, the scoring. It was open and fast. To be honest, we're a bit flabbergasted by it all."  So was every witness to it. We'd settled back into our seats early on when Eddie Brennan, dusted down and re-inserted into the Kilkenny line-up, ran around like a crazed arsonist lighting up everything he touched. A goal and two points in the opening nine minutes. Galway having to switch Damien Joyce off him before he'd broken sweat. By the end of the half the game had gone crazy, though, and Brennan was a vanishing sub-plot.

From the 31st minute of the half until the whistle to take a break Farragher had his two goals, David Tierney had a point, Henry Shefflin had a goal and so had John Hoyne.When we settled again we looked at the scoreboard. Kilkenny had scored three goals and trailed by three points. It was a day for strange magical things. Niall Healy had scarcely touched a ball. We lacked the equipment to make any sense of it all but assumed that Kilkenny didn't suffer the same deficiency. They would come out and make short work of the second half. Order would be restored.  It was not to be and afterwards Brian Cody was as calm and gracious in defeat as he has been on the days of so many victories."Amazing game, really. On the sideline it was just going every way. At the end of the day it's an All-Ireland semi-final. They're in a final and we're not. I don't attribute the loss to any of our players, the commitment and love of hurling is there in every player. These fellas are used to being in All-Ireland finals every year but life's not like that."It's not but we'd come to expect it too. Yesterday's absurd and beautiful turn in events changes the way the game looks and how the summer feels. A little drop of history.

Galway 5-18 Kilkenny 4-18: Galway manager Conor Hayes will have cast a wry look at the jubilant throngs acclaiming his team's sensational - forgive the understatement - victory in yesterday's Guinness All-Ireland hurling semi-final.Less than a year ago he acknowledged he was about to walk the plank before hanging on in fraught circumstances for a season that until the quarter-final win over Tipperary had aroused little but scepticism within the county. So the aftermath of this match will have seemed a little unreal. But Hayes has well deserved the break. Not only did he achieve a famous victory but he also did it according to his stated preferences. This wasn't a craftily planned ambush executed according to a variety of cunning plans. This was a come-and-get-us shootout.   A modest crowd of 39,975 witnessed a frenetic, nine-goal eruption of a match. It was reminiscent of the old days in the 1970s and '80s when Galway, including the teams Hayes played on and captained, would burst out of the traps in August and blitz teams, often unexpectedly.   Adding to the pleasure of this one was it was against a Kilkenny team who as well as being distinguished opponents and a trophy scalp, were owed one for the lowest point in this Galway side's life cycle, last year's annihilation in Thurles.Now it is Kilkenny who face the questions and the possibility that great and legendary servants like Peter Barry, DJ Carey and perhaps manager Brian Cody may have played their last hands in Croke Park.

In the 28th minute Galway took the lead for the first time since for a few seconds in the third minute. They lost it for only an instant in the 43rd minute but apart from that and despite the operatic grandeur of Kilkenny's comebacks, the Leinster champions couldn't break Galway despite all the pressure.   The high-tempo exchanges confirmed the worst forebodings of the Kilkenny management. Having thrashed the same opposition the previous year there was bound to be apprehension at the possibility of a backlash. On top of that the Leinster champions' form has been subdued this year and Cody had been striving to rekindle the fire that roasted Galway 13 months ago.  Even before the throw-in there were indications the backlash was on the way. As he had famously done as a teenager four years ago against Brian McEvoy, Richie Murray buckled into his marker before the start, a statement that Galway weren't going down easily. But within three minutes they had leaked a goal after a mistake by one of their renowned corner backs, Damien Joyce, and were shortly afterwards forced to switch him off Eddie Brennan, who seized the opportunity to rehabilitate himself with a match total of 2-4 that included 1-2 in the first 10 minutes. 

That was the only move Hayes made at the back. Shane Kavanagh moved on to Brennan and - for a central defender - made an improbable success of quietening the Kilkenny man for the rest of the first half.  This achievement was emulated by Tony Regan who played a good match on Henry Shefflin, restricting the great man to two scores from play, albeit that one was a goal before the break.  The match gradually attained equilibrium with Ger Farragher's free-taking hauling Galway back into contention thanks to the increasing incursions of the team's speedy forwards and Kilkenny's tendency to foul under pressure. The win and even the first-half superiority were achieved without a major scoring input from Damien Hayes. That the team could put together 5-18 with only a point from their most feared forward was unexpected and owed something to Michael Kavanagh's marking and something to the less than premium service Hayes was receiving. But on this occasion it didn't matter.   A Farragher free pushed Galway in front at 0-9 to 1-5 before, not for the last time, the sky fell in on Kilkenny with two goals in the space of a minute.Farragher got both, the first a crisp finish after David Tierney, excelling in the middle despite the hard work and at times ubiquity of Tommy Walsh, slashed through to set up the corner forward. The second was the first of two created by a penetrative through-ball from David Forde. Hayes got on the end of it, drew a great save from McGarry only for Farragher to ram home the rebound.

That left eight points, 2-10 to 1-5, between the teams. Consolidation and a point or two might have left Kilkenny too much to do although the evidence of the second half suggested that the interval might have been a bit early to call time on the Leinster champions.  Two goals of their own in a minute, again from defensive blunders leaving first Shefflin and then John Hoyne one-to-one with Liam Donoghue in the Galway net, suddenly sobered up the Western rapture, leaving just a score in it at the break, 2-11 to 3-5.  In a way this was good for Galway. Alan Kerins, a constant buzzing threat on the left wing throughout, acknowledged afterwards that they might have been complacent sitting on a big half-time lead. Instead there was nothing for it but to hurl away. Kilkenny were struggling but their struggle was at times magnificent. A determined pursuit of Galway's lead achieved parity at 2-12 to 3-9 in the 43rd minute but in keeping with the match's abiding theme, the goals began to flow again.  A minute into parity, Kerins ran at the defence and slipped Murray in for a shot on goal well saved by McGarry (who ironically with his defensive cover in bits finally had a chance to demonstrate his shot-stopping prowess) but Niall Healy was on hand to net the rebound.  The tension in the ground was rising by the minute and one consideration governed it. How long could Galway hold on and what constituted a safe lead? The winners responded when the gap was again cut to the minimum with an unanswered 1-3. The goal came when a Kilkenny free was lost to some backchat from captain Peter Barry and the throw-in was flashed down the field to Niall Healy who caught and turned John Tennyson for his second goal.   On Galway drove and Healy got his hat-trick when Kerins again played provider for the full forward to kick in for an 11-point lead with just 13 minutes left.   It nearly wasn't enough. Kilkenny responded fiercely and outscored Galway by 1-6 to 0-1 in the time remaining. Brennan got the goal and replacement Richie Power added a couple of points.  They couldn't quite get there. Brennan might have gone for goal instead of a point and Shefflin might have been better serviced but Galway kept ahead with Kevin Broderick arriving as a late replacement to land his side's only point of the closing exchanges.

GALWAY: 1. L Donoghue; 6. S Kavanagh, 4. O Canning, 2. D Joyce; 5. D Hardiman, 3. T Regan, 7. D Collins; 8. F Healy (0-1), 9. D Tierney (0-2); 10. R Murray (0-2), 11. D Forde (0-2), 12. A Kerins; 13. G Farragher (2-9, eight points from frees), 14. N Healy (3-0), 15. D Hayes (0-1). Subs: 24. K Broderick (0-1) for N Healy (67 mins).
KILKENNY: 1. J McGarry; 2. M Kavanagh, 3. J Tennyson, 4. J Ryall; 5. R Mullally, 6. P Barry, 7. JJ Delaney; 8. T Walsh (0-1), 9. D Lyng; 10. M Comerford (0-1), 15. H Shefflin (1-9, seven points frees and one 65) 12. J Hoyne (1-0); 13. E Brennan (2-4), 14. DJ Carey, 11. E Larkin (0-1). Subs: 20. R Power (0-2) for Hoyne (44 mins), 17. B Hogan for Barry (52 mins), 22. E McCormack for Lyng (53 mins), 18. J Tyrell for Larkin (63 mins).
Referee: S Roche (Tipperary).
Attendance: 39,975

[Croí na hÉireann]

Some first half by Galway yesterday. I thought they'd win it for a couple of reasons but not by ten (should have been more if it wasn't for all those wides in the second half). They were hungrier, Cunningham is an excellent tactician, KK were missing too many key players and KK coasted to the final with comparisons to the All Blacks ringing in their ears, i.e. they were complacent. The rematch if it happens in September will be interesting. Can Galway keep the fire burning for the semi?

[GalwayBayBoy]

Still buzzing today. You just cannot beat a good quality game of hurling. Some fantastic hard hitting and even better scores yesterday.

Would be hard to pick a man of the match to be honest. Joe Canning, Cyril Donnellan, David Burke, Damien Hayes and Johnny Coen would all have been worthy winners.

Just hope we can take the same form into the All-Ireland semi-final now. Barring another shock in the Munster final next weekend I don't think we could meet either Kilkenny or Tipp again until the final. The only black cloud on the silver lining is that Kilkenny are still in the championship and to beat them twice in the one Summer would be a huge ask. I expect them to rise zombie like out of the grave now to terrorise all before them again. Although a Kilkenny v Tipp semi would be a blockbuster.

[seafoid]

Still buzzing today. You just cannot beat a good quality game of hurling. Some fantastic hard hitting and even better scores yesterday.

Would be hard to pick a man of the match to be honest. Joe Canning, Cyril Donnellan, David Burke, Damien Hayes and Johnny Coen would all have been worthy winners.

Just hope we can take the same form into the All-Ireland semi-final now. Barring another shock in the Munster final next weekend I don't think we could meet either Kilkenny or Tipp again until the final. The only black cloud on the silver lining is that Kilkenny are still in the championship and to beat them twice in the one Summer would be a huge ask. I expect them to rise zombie like out of the grave now to terrorise all before them again. Although a Kilkenny v Tipp semi would be a blockbuster.

It is hard to get the head around the fact that Kilkenny are NOT Leinster champions. That all Ireland semi final place is not the automatic right of Kilkenny after all. I am going on holidays to Wexford for a week and it will be super to talk about the Galway hurling team with the locals. For the first time in a long time there is something to talk about. 

I wonder what the old hands think this year


http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/vincent-hogan/vincent-hogan-have-galway-become-a-soft-touch-2678858.html

Lynshkey must have been over the moon with all the ball caught. 

[seafoid]

The Kilkenny forwards didn't do much . It is very hard to win when 3 of your forwards are held scoreless.

10 H Shefflin (1-8, 0-7 frees), 11 TJ Reid, 12 E Larkin; 13 C Fennelly, 14 R Power (0-2), 15 R Hogan (1-0).

[AZOffaly]

Kilkenny looked human. Galway blitzed them and Kilkenny were all at sea. This has happened before, and as I've said, Galway are the type of team that can hurt Kilkenny. What was surprising to me yesterday was the poor displays of the basic skills by some Kilkenny lads. They were so rattled by Galway that their lifting, shooting and even their striking was way below par. At times it looked like Kilkenny were using one of the old 1950s sliotars such were the poor distances they were getting on shots and clearances. I can't remember the last time I saw poor striking like that from a Kilkenny team.

Galway were brilliant, and I hope they keep it up.

[seafoid]

Kilkenny looked human. Galway blitzed them and Kilkenny were all at sea. This has happened before, and as I've said, Galway are the type of team that can hurt Kilkenny. What was surprising to me yesterday was the poor displays of the basic skills by some Kilkenny lads. They were so rattled by Galway that their lifting, shooting and even their striking was way below par. At times it looked like Kilkenny were using one of the old 1950s sliotars such were the poor distances they were getting on shots and clearances. I can't remember the last time I saw poor striking like that from a Kilkenny team.

Galway were brilliant, and I hope they keep it up.

Someone on RTE maybe it was Babs said that you can't get 20 all Ireland winning performances out of anyone. (He couldn't even get one out of Offaly but anyway)
I'd say the cats hit the wall. They didn't have the energy yesterday. First point after 25  minutes or something.

[AZOffaly]

I wouldn't listen to Babs. He'll say whatever he thinks will generate interest.

[seafoid]

I wouldn't listen to Babs. He'll say whatever he thinks will generate interest.

He is a bit of a parody but I think he has a point about how many times those players went to the well.

[CitySlicker11]

Quarter finalists could now be Cork, Kilkenny, Clare and Waterford, these pairings could offer up two great quarter final games as well, if that is who ends up there. Overall yesterdays win for Galway could just have lifted the whole championship, I can see this being a great year for hurling.

[johnneycool]

Quarter finalists could now be Cork, Kilkenny, Clare and Waterford, these pairings could offer up two great quarter final games as well, if that is who ends up there. Overall yesterdays win for Galway could just have lifted the whole championship, I can see this being a great year for hurling.

Cork should slightly shade the Wexford game, but after that the two other hurling games this weekend can go either way. It wouldn't be a big shock if Limerick beat Clare or even Waterford getting one over on Tipperary!

thankfully it's all got a bit interesting again.

[seafoid]

It is definitely more interesting now 

The Irish Times - Saturday, July 7, 2012


The most striking thing about the way Brian Cody handles team selection is how straightforward it is, writes NICKY ENGLISH
AT THE start of the season I made the point that the shadow of Kilkenny as an all-conquering presence was everywhere after the league final but that there had been high hopes of Dublin really putting it up to the champions and a feeling maybe that the league final had been primarily down to Cork being so poor.
Kilkenny's demolition of Dublin in the Leinster semi-final proved that those hopes were just wishful thinking.
The over-riding feeling about the championship now is that although the Cork-Tipp match in Páirc Uí Chaoimh was exciting, Kilkenny are performing at a different level and if they replicate that level of performance others are going to struggle.
It's not Kilkenny's fault but they're getting better and better, finding new quality players every year and of the other counties, only Tipperary are anywhere within reach

[johnneycool]

It is definitely more interesting now 

The Irish Times - Saturday, July 7, 2012


The most striking thing about the way Brian Cody handles team selection is how straightforward it is, writes NICKY ENGLISH
AT THE start of the season I made the point that the shadow of Kilkenny as an all-conquering presence was everywhere after the league final but that there had been high hopes of Dublin really putting it up to the champions and a feeling maybe that the league final had been primarily down to Cork being so poor.
Kilkenny's demolition of Dublin in the Leinster semi-final proved that those hopes were just wishful thinking.
The over-riding feeling about the championship now is that although the Cork-Tipp match in Páirc Uí Chaoimh was exciting, Kilkenny are performing at a different level and if they replicate that level of performance others are going to struggle.
It's not Kilkenny's fault but they're getting better and better, finding new quality players every year and of the other counties, only Tipperary are anywhere within reach

In all fairness to Nicholas, even the most ardent Galway fan didn't expect that! (unless they are on medication)

[seafoid]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fAb7Khl9G8

[Asal Mor]

Downloaded and watched the game for the first time. It would do your heart good to see a Galway team playing like that. The tackling from every Galway player was ferocious. The workrate and the ability of the Galway players to win possession was something  we've never seen from them before. Every time a Kilkenny player got the ball he was hit hard and it caused them to make lots of mistakes in possession. No doubt, Kilkenny were below par on the day and will come back stronger than ever but if Galway keep going out and playing with that level of workrate and aggression they won't be far off anyone. Joe looked so lean and fit. He always looked a little chubby before but the few pounds he shed made a big difference to his mobility. Donnellan was unreal - six points and a couple of wides as well. I never thought Donnellan was that fast but he gave the Kilkenny backs the run around. Hayes , Coen, collins and Tannian in the first half all outstanding too. Oh and David Burke - the 1-2 he scored must have been aesthetically the most beautiful 1-2 ever scored at Croke Park.

It's still only one game though and we've produced great performances before that weren't followed up on so hopefully this one will be different. We are still only third favorites for the All-Ireland and teams like Waterford and Cork would be over the moon at the prospect of playing Galway to get into an All-Ireland final. Also the pressure will come on now. Before the last game most people in Galway would have been happy if they'd lost by less than 10 points. That's all changed now - it's gonna be difficult.

Anyway it's probably time to move on to thinking about the next game - at least for the players. I'll probably watch the video another dozen times. Certainly those 2 points scored by Canning and Burke in the second - half will put a smile on my face for a long time to come. The west's awake - at long f**king last!!!!