Monday, March 08, 2010
WHAT an outstanding advert for the National Hurling League this was.
Just goes to show what can be achieved when there’s a bit of effort put into the marketing of a game, as there was for this one in Thurles yesterday, with free admission after the two previous efforts to play the game were called off due to bad weather.
It was a fine sunny day, admittedly, with no other big hurling games on, but a crowd of over 20,000 proves that even in early March, the appetite is still there for hurling.
It wasn’t a classic by any means, a lot of mistakes made by both sides, but you’d make allowances for that so early in the season; what stood out, however, was the effort and the commitment, and it made for great entertainment.
The only disappointing thing for me was that it finished too soon; when the board went up on the sideline, one minute of additional time, I thought to myself – a pity it isn’t 10, especially after the two managers, Brian Cody and Liam Sheedy, had just shown their teeth on the sideline!
It isn’t often you see two managers getting stuck into each other, but that told you how important this game was. It was only handbags stuff, and nice to see them shake hands immediately after the game, but still, it was great while it lasted – that’s what I spoke of on Saturday, the bite that exists, all the time, between these two great hurling counties.
It was a manly game, a fine sporting game with a bit of spice thrown in – exactly what the 20,000 came to see. Value for money or what?! But do you know something? I think if people had been asked to pay going out from this game, they would willingly have put their hands in their pockets.
Maybe the GAA should have done that, and maybe that’s something for them to consider in the future – free admission, but let people pay what they think the game was worth, on the way out. ! Somehow I don’t think that’s a runner though.
Finally, before I get into the game itself, I want to compliment whoever made the decision to allow the kids onto the pitch after the game, let them puck around for a while, score a point at the town end just like their heroes. It’s gestures like this that keep the kids involved, with not a yellow vest in sight.
To the game: I said on Saturday that this meant more to Tipperary than it did to Kilkenny. Tipperary suffered that embarrassing loss to Dublin last week – and with all due respect to Dublin, embarrassing it most certainly was, not just beaten but badly beaten, nine points – where Kilkenny are still understrength, missing the likes of Noel Hickey, Cha Fitzpatrick, Derek Lyng, Michael Fennelly, TJ Reid, Eddie Brennan, Martin Comerford, Richie Power and of course, Henry Shefflin.
This, then, was a game Tipperary had to win. On the day, it was a game they nearly lost, but you had to admire the way they fought for the win. Four points the final difference, and in a low-scoring game that’s more than enough; nevertheless you’d have to worry for Tipperary, they are still relying on just a few guys to bring them across the line.
Lar Corbett, Shane McGrath, Eoin Kelly (superb day up front), Brendan Maher, Paul Curran, Brendan Cummins, but head and shoulders above all, the full-back Pádraic Maher. We can see now why he got that All-Star last year, and I know it’s early in the year, but it will take a fair man to take that All-Star off him this year. Still only a young fella, but already such a leader.
The weakness that Tipperary have, a huge weakness, is the half-forward line. They must get themselves some strong ball-winners in this area, guys who can put the hand up and catch the ball. Okay, they were up against a superb half-back line yesterday in Tommy Walsh, Jackie Tyrell and JJ Delaney, but they weren’t at the races, weren’t even able to contest.
That’s a major challenge now facing Liam Sheedy, find ball-winning half-forwards. Another challenge, get a midfield partner for Shane McGrath, who did so much work on his own yesterday.
A lot of encouraging signs for them, however, especially the way they battled, ground out the result. It meant a lot to them to win this game, regardless of what team Kilkenny had out, and it showed, during and after the game.
To Kilkenny, and – while he hates to lose – I don’t think Brian Cody will be too disappointed.
Canice Hickey played well at corner-back, Brian Hogan again played well at full, the half-back line we’ve mentioned, Tyrell superb as the pivot (will he be there for the championship? I wouldn’t be surprised).
John Tennyson did well in midfield, Michael Rice stood out at centre-forward, John Mulhall’s workrate was superb, but he needs to steady up a little on the ball.
Overall, however, up front, rarely have I seen a Kilkenny team so ineffective, not even a hint of a goal, no conviction. It’s early days, but the signs for Tipp yesterday were positive, positive also for Kilkenny, who still have so many big guns to come back.
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