There’s life in the old “CATS” yet

Over the past few months many of us, including this writer, have written off Kilkenny in the 2011 senior hurling championship. In head quarters on Sunday last we witnessed a return to form of Kilkenny but also and probably most importantly a return of form of King Henry. Shefflin scored an impressive 1-09 but his all round game was a joy to watch. Leadership, skill, accuracy and his ability to find space around a Dublin defence that was so effective against a much fancied Galway side was great to witness once more. These are traits that could be used in any game to great effect. He can drift into space away from his marker in the blink of an eye. In the modern game where defence is the priority this is an asset that Kilkenny sorely missed in the 2010 All Ireland Final.
Of course he was not alone – Tommy Walsh once again put on an exhibition of fielding and play making. To outfight and out jump an athlete of Conal Keeney’s stature is no mean feet. He did this with ease on Sunday. His timing when he is fielding the ball is simply superb. Time and time again he is the fulcrum of Kilkenny attacks by catching the opponents puck outs. This puts massive pressure on the opposing defence when they are not retaining their own ball. When the Cork side of the early to mid 2000’s were dominating they used the short accurate puck out to great effect. This kept the ball away from the Kilkenny half back line and minimised the influence on the game of half backs like Tommy Walsh. Teams now need to come up with a similar idea. Kilkenny looked sharp and hungry and now have set their stall for the summer ahead.

In the qualifiers we seen impressive wins for Galway and I team I quite fancy Limerick. Their youthful forwards have no fear and just go at the defence with every opportunity. It is a joy to watch. Pace is a nightmare for any defender and this is something this Limerick team have in abundance. Donal O’Grady deserves great credit for this and they now could become serious contenders at the business end of the season.


In the Munster Football Final the two best teams in Ireland took to the field. I think it’s fair to say that it was a game of two halves. Kerry showed all their quality with a flawless first half. It can be argued they did this without their three best players in Tomas O’ Se, Paul Galvin and by his high standards an off form Gooch Cooper. Like in most Championship games at the present time midfield is the pivotal position on the field. When Kerry were dominating up front their Midfield of Maher & Sheehan were winning the midfield battle and giving their forwards the platform to express themselves. During this period the O’Sullivan’s – Declan & Darren – Donaghy and Co. destroyed the Cork defence. They had no answer to the pace and movement of the Kerry forwards. The goal form Darren O’Sullivan further emphasised this point. He left three Cork defenders in his wake and buried the ball past Alan Quirke. Game Over? Not quite!!!
Alan O’Connor came out in the second half a different man and when he took over at midfield, Kerrigan, Goulding, Kelly etc. began to run the show for Cork. This must be worrying for Kerry. When Cork ran at them they simply could not handle their pace. Kerrigan destroyed them. Scored three points but also should have scored two goals. They had no answer to his pace. I believe if John Miskella took his point instead of going for goal (and missing) Cork would have won the game. Kerry have got older and when the Cork forwards get them in Croke Park, they could cause them serious damage. It is going to be a long 10 weeks until the All Ireland but it will be no surprise if it’s these two teams competing for the major honors again in 2011.


Score of the Week: Eoin Brosnan – When Kerry needed something special Brosnan delivered

Player of the Week: Declan Hannon (limerick) – Teen Sensation Brilliant performance from a man that couldn’t play the game against Waterford because of his leaving cert.

Moan of the Week: The Curse of the Cruciate – Ciaran Sheehan (Cork) – One of the best young footballers in the country was the latest in a long line of players to tear the dreaded cruciate and miss the season. It now leaves Corks options very tight up front with Sheehan joining Colm O’ Neill on the sidelines for the rest of the season.

Footnote: Looking at Kerry and Kilkenny teams on Sunday I taught to myself that players put in some time and effort to become the best in the game. Longevity to me is a great symbol of how much a player really wants to help his county succeed. Shefflin has won everything and still after numerous All Irelands, All Stars etc he still shows the hunger to come back. Nicolas Murphy, Canty, Lynch, Kavanagh, are examples of players who really wanted an All Ireland and stuck with it and in 2010 got their reward. Eamonn O’Hara Sligo, Hoey Louth and many more have served the counties with great pride over the years. Is there any stats out there that can put everyone’s league & championship games together?

Please respond and give us your counties best serving stars over the years?


If you have any comments on our report you can place them here:

http://www.totalgaacoach.com/talk/Weekly-Championship-Review