Ahead of the All-Ireland final on Sunday, JOE has picked out a few crucial battles where the game could be won and lost.
Noel McGrath v John Tennyson/James Ryall
With Brian Hogan the only definite absentee from Kilkenny’s squad for Sunday, there is every chance that Tennyson, like Henry Shefflin, could make a dramatic return and take Hogan’s place at the heart of the Cats’ defence. Ryall was more than competent when replacing Hogan in the All-Ireland semi-final win over Cork, but one suspects that if Tennyson is anywhere near right, Brian Cody would prefer that he – as a more natural centre-half back – occupy the number six jersey against Tipp.
Whoever it is likely to be, there is a good chance that Liam Sheedy could repeat a tactic that was so successful against Waterford in the All-Ireland semi-final. It is often said that the best way to beat a top team is to target their strengths rather than their weakness and it was a maxim that Sheedy followed to the letter against the Déise.
By placing the explosive Noel McGrath on Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh, the inspirational centre-half was distracted by McGrath’s darting runs all around him, which drastically lessened his influence on the game. McGrath ran riot, scoring 0-5 from play and he also took on the free-taking responsibility when it wasn’t going right for Eoin Kelly.
Tipperary aren’t shy of rotating their attack, so McGrath may not necessarily be stationed on the 40’, or at least not for the entire 70 minutes. He looks to be absolutely brimming with confidence and at only 19 years old, he could go on to be one of hurling’s biggest names for the next decade or so. The stage is set for a big McGrath performance.
The midfield
With Shane McGrath restored to his rightful and more natural position in the middle of the park, Tipperary have a more balanced look about them and his partnership with Brendan Maher could be crucial in determining the outcome of Sunday’s game. Both McGrath and Maher are dynamic and mobile operators and against Galway in the quarter-final, Maher delivered arguably the outstanding midfield performance in this year’s championship.
Michael Fennelly has established himself in the Kilkenny XV this season
If Michael Fennelly, Michael Rice and James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick had been given sterner tests in their three championship games so far this year, scribes like myself might have been glowing about their performances, but the simple truth of the matter is that the Kilkenny centre-field partnerships have had it relatively easy against Dublin, Cork and Galway.
That is of no disrespect to the players involved. Fennelly has now established himself in the starting line-up having flirted with the fringes of the squad for a few years. He and Rice were impressive against Dublin and Galway, while ‘Cha’ fitted in seamlessly in Rice’s absence against Cork. All three are tenacious yet skilful players and will keep the scoreboard ticking over when required.
Whatever two of Fennelly, Rice and Fitzpatrick take the field on Sunday, they will be ready and they’ll have to be for what will be most difficult pairing they will have faced all year.
Richie Power v Paul Curran
As Kilkenny have waltzed to their fifth All-Ireland final in succession, Power has arguably been the Cats’ most impressive performer in attack. When Henry Shefflin had to withdraw against Cork, Power assumed the role as the leader in the Kilkenny forward line and seemed to relish the responsibility of free-taker in the King’s absence.
Power had hardly been over-troubling the scoreboard operators prior to the clash with the Rebels, but he is a strong and powerful performer, whose mere presence alone can unsettle any defence. Like most of his counterparts in black and amber, he possesses a killer instinct and won’t be shy of going for goal if given the opportunity.
Curran had something of a baptism of fire in this year’s championship when coming off second best in his individual battle with Aisake ó hAilpÃn in Páirc Uà Chaoimh earlier in the year. Like many of his teammates, he seemed to be caught up in the hangover of the 2009 campaign, but to his credit, he has been one of Tipp’s best performers since and was outstanding in the semi-final victory over Waterford.
Curran is one of Tipperary’s most inspirational players and if he catches a few balls or makes a few lung-bursting forays up the pitch early on, it could do wonders for the confidence of himself and his teammates. Whether or not he’ll be allowed with Power in his vicinity is another matter, but in any case, this should be a fine battle between two players at the top of their game.
