Kilkenny half-back J.J. Delaney believes Kilkenny were lucky to win last year’s All-Ireland final against Tipperary, and have a point to prove this year.
The Cats defeated Tipperary 2-22 to 0-23 thanks to the performance of their goalkeeper PJ Ryan and a controversial Henry Shefflin penalty.
“I think Tipp are the best possible team to face. It’s kind of an unusual thing to say, as we won the final last year but I don’t know if we were the best team on the day,†J.J. Delaney said.
“Being 100 per cent honest, looking back on the game, they threw everything bar the kitchen sink at us but they just couldn’t get over the line.
“A small little thing built up – the penalty that was or wasn’t. But Henry scored the penalty and then Martin Comerford came on and got the goal as well.
“I know it’s a fairly unusual thing to say, we won last year but we have a point to prove as well. We were expecting a massive game last year, and we’re expecting that and more again this year.
“They’re the form team over the last couple of years, bar probably one blip early on in the year against Cork.
“Since then they’ve been racking up massive, massive scores. So it’s going to be a big challenge for us, but sure that’s why we play sport.”
The All-Ireland final between Kilkenny and Tipperary will take place on Sunday, 5 September at 3.30pm.
Delaney’s Cats will be going for an unprecedented five in a row.
