Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4321 - 05/08/2019 23:36:04    2221393

I'd worry that when Limerick went to town on Tipperary in the munster final so many Tipp fellas went hiding and they just lay down and got steamrolled. Now I'm not suggesting that Kilkenny would steamroll with such ease or anything like it. But when wexford beat Kilkenny in leinster final everything went right for wexford on the day. Chin didn't miss a free, they only hit 3 wides, scored a penalty. Still Kilkenny fought like dogs , died with their boots on, and only lost the game by a goal. They were in it till the bitter end.
Kilkennys hunger and work rate has been a hallmark of Brian Cody's era, I doubt they would have let a 5 point lead slip against 14 men.
That Tipp forward division have the potential to cause mayhem on any given day as they've shown this year.
Should be a great occasion, I fancy Kilkenny to shade it by their whiskers.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1909 - 05/08/2019 23:40:47    2221395

Is this the first time in history that the two provincial runners up are playing each other in the final?

Both teams are suspect in defense and both have some outstanding forwards. Tipp have a habit of racking up big scores against KK in finals but I fancy KK to shade it by 1-3 points. I think Wexford should have buried Tipp in the first half. They had a number of chances to orchestrate goals and took their points. If those chances fall to Reid, Hogan or Fennelly in the final they will head straight for Tipp's throat.

KK will need a plan for Callaghan, if Tipp are to win, he's the man who will do the damage.

Faithfull (Offaly) - Posts: 573 - 06/08/2019 10:01:09    2221455

I fancy Tipp for this by three or four points.

lionofludesch (Down) - Posts: 475 - 06/08/2019 11:04:31    2221497

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4321 - 06/08/2019 11:16:05    2221503

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4321 - 06/08/2019 12:31:32    2221556

If Tipp allow TJ Reid the time and space he will murder us on his own. I fear for our full back line number 3 and 4 is still a major problem and has been all year. Not settled in my view.
If we win the midfield battle and half forward line contribute more we may shade it but something tells me Cody has a trick or two up his sleeve. Four years without an all Ireland in his reign is unheard of I just hope it's a game of hurling and not tactics.

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 06/08/2019 19:31:40    2221823

Why the change in thread title, a bit unnecessarily goady?

ballydalane (Kilkenny) - Posts: 1246 - 06/08/2019 22:31:57    2221949

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4321 - 06/08/2019 22:37:00    2221956

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2164 - 07/08/2019 18:46:32    2222324

Very quiet lead up to an All-ireland in my view. Personally looking forward to these two taking lumps out of each other. Still fancy Tipp though.

Buachaillbui (Clare) - Posts: 118 - 13/08/2019 17:33:59    2225202

There's the hurling prediction thread which has become a de facto thread on the all Ireland final.

From what I can see, most people tipping Tipp, no pun intended.

ballydalane (Kilkenny) - Posts: 1246 - 13/08/2019 18:53:35    2225240

It still amazes me how supporters try to lump the favorites tag on the opposition and are afraid it will somehow affect their chances.
Kilkenny and Tipp are fairly evenly matched I'd say so I personally don't see a clear favorite and that's not sitting on the fence It"ll be on the day and will be close. If you're good enough you'll win no matter what tag the put on you.

Dubh_linn (Dublin) - Posts: 2312 - 13/08/2019 19:31:09    2225250

ZUL10 (Clare) - Posts: 693 - 13/08/2019 22:03:27    2225317

...cause every night I lie in bed
The brightest colours fill my head
A million dreams are keeping me awake ....

The day of the all Ireland hurling final is the greatest day in Irish sport. Those who have played in it have shed tears recalling memories; those of us who are fans recall days of heroism or heartbreak. All star awards have been won on the day and single acts of genius have sent the Liam MacCarthy cup all over the country. On Sunday two of hurling's traditional 'big three' face each other for their sixth final of this decade. The first, where Tipperary stopped Kilkenny's 'drive for five' was arguably the greatest game of hurling ever played. In between those two finals at opposite ends of the decade have been amazing days. We have seen three replays, Clare Galway and Limerick end absences at the top table and a new format seeing more games, bigger squads and shocks galore. But the decade ends as it began, with these two great opponents doing battle for the biggest trophy of all.

Croke Park on all Ireland final day is special. The colour, the atmosphere, the pre match parade. It can be a surreal experience even when supporting a team not to mind playing or mentoring. There is that adrenaline rush when your team comes out onto the field followed by the nervousness of the warm up. But when they get behind the band there is that unique feeling of pride that is hard to beat. People you know, care about, down there as Gladiators in the Coliseum. There is the singing of the National anthem complete with the last line 'C'Mon your_county' and that joy in the heart right before throw in.

Hurling is a game that has changed over the last forty years. The ground game, overhead pulling and wild swings have been replaced by possession, control and repeated hits to the body. Yet the game has retained that unique trait that lifts the hearts, ignites passion and offers belief. Hurling is bred into us. It has always been. All week both sides will prepare as best they can. These have been the most consistent sides in Championship this year and rightly take their places in the final. Tactics will be ran through and statistics will be analysed. Yet there is something about Kilkenny and Tipperary that suggests all those things will go out the window at throw in time and hell will be unleashed.

Cody

Brian Cody is known to those of us who are older as a fine Kilkenny player. Captain of the all Ireland minor winners in 1972, he won Senior All Irelands in the 1970's and 1980's in a dominant Kilkenny outfit again captaining the '82 side. As a Manager he is the greatest ever at Inter County level. Seventeen all Ireland finals, eleven wins, two draws, four defeats. His ability to regenerate the Kilkenny hurling machine is unquestionable. Many times he has made the call to end a player's career in the Black and Amber. The more his teams win, the more he earns the right to make those calls. His current team are not of the same class as teams with Delaney, Tyrell, Carey, Shefflin or Brennan. He has taken a group of under 21 players who were beaten by Westmeath in Leinster in 2016, outclassed in the all Ireland final of 2017 and moulded them into Senior finalists. He trusts the players and the Kilkenny system to deliver. The intensity shown when beating Limerick in the semi final was vintage Cody. A bit of know how mixed with ferocity and the fuse was lit.

Sheedy

Liam Sheedy represents all that is good in Tipperary hurling. When Wexford dumped Tipp out at the quarter final stage in 2007 there were clear problems in the camp. Brendan Cummins and Eoin Kelly hadn't started the game. Damien Fitzhenry had finished them. There is a sort of honour in Tipperary that means they will not withdraw their playing services or cause division as has been seen in other counties. Instead Sheedy was put forward as Manager. In his first year Tipperary were Munster Champions. In his second year they retained Munster and lost the All Ireland final to Kilkenny. In his third year they lost to Cork in Munster and took a scenic route to end the Cat's five in a row quest. Sheedy returned to the helm at the end of the 2018 campaign. Two points from four games in Munster 2018 became the maximum in 2019. When Limerick broke down Tipp's puck out strategy in the Munster Final heads dropped and the home side took the spoils. But to the credit of all connected to the panel they overcame Laois and then a superb Wexford team in the semi final. Sheedy has brought them to within seventy minutes of the promised land.

Match ups

Tipperary's launchpad has been their half back line. From the opening game against Cork this line has been strong in aerial duels with the ability to pick out forwards for scores. At times their full forward line has been lethal. Sheedy has got the players extremely fit and in Seamus Callinan they have hurling's finest goal grabber since Dan Shanahan in 2007. Tipperary have recovered very well from the loss of Patrick Maher a proven ball winner.

TJ Reid was magnificent in the semi final. His experience in getting on the ball and setting up runners for scores was vital to Cody's men. Walter Walsh is always a threat and in Richie Hogan Kilkenny have a magician even if he is not fit to play seventy minutes. Adrian Mullen chipped in with a fine haul in the semi final and whilst this Kilkenny team are not the goal merchants of a decade ago, Colin Fennelly is capable of raising at least one green flag.

Up for the match

This is always an entertaining program to watch in advance of finals between these teams. In 2014 Joe Hayes and Fan Larkin traded verbal jousts. We have seen the legendary 'Rattler' Byrne (RIP) speak about his days in the Tipp colours. There will be no shortage of All Ireland medals regardless of what guests emerge and with both counties sharing a border the one thing they won't want to share is Liam MacCarthy.

Where it could be won

Perhaps if Tipperary study Kilkenny's semi final win lessons could be learned. If Tipperary keep their full forward line moving close to goal they could cause Kilkenny trouble. Kilkenny are able to upset any team and once in a war they are superb at moulding a victory from the ashes of battle.

In the Munster Final Tipperary scored two excellent goals by running at the opposition. They can find space and punish teams with their movement. Kilkenny conceded a semi final goal to Shane Dowling where the ball was ran from deep. However their aerial prowess means if Tipperary go long scores could be harder to come by. All the more reason for manic intensity from the Cat's forwards to stop the ball being worked upfield.

In 2016 Seamus Callinan ran riot in the final. Many people asked why Cody didn't play a 'sweeper' in front of him. Cody's strength is the ability to adapt. If Kilkenny need to play with extra players in defence on Sunday he might just do that to win.

Bring on the day

It has been difficult (more difficult as time has gone on since July 27) to be from Limerick and watch the day draw nearer. It must be the same for Wexford folk who saw their team lose just one championship game all year and who are not there on hurling's greatest day.

As Sunday draws closer though there is the realisation that we are living in great hurling times. Four different counties have won each of the last four finals. One of those sides will win it again in 2019 but they will deserve it. The current format is punishing with Management teams wondering when is best to peak or how to maintain a level that gives them the best chance of winning the final. Both of these teams have found their way to the final. Good luck to them, either will make great champions.

Croker will be a see of colour. Blue and Gold, Black and Amber. We should see a frantic game and bar a draw there will be a group of people, their friends, their families, devastated. We have to realise that no matter how much financial assistance these counties put into their game, behind it all are a group of human beings giving hours towards our entertainment. Relatives will be stressed just hoping for the best for their loved ones. There will be thrills and spills and above all else there will be THE greatest occasion in Irish sport.

Aftermath

Brian Cody versus Liam Sheedy. Cody's record will hardly be bettered in the next fifty years. But given how rarely he loses to the same opposition Manager, Sheedy could steal a march on his great rival on Sunday. One of these Managers has the chance to become the greatest showman even if just for a year and young children in both counties will go to bed on Saturday night imagining themselves playing in a final one day. We have all been there in our dreams. Some are lucky enough to get there.

This is indeed the greatest show. Good luck to all, safe travels.

Prediction

Having seen both sides up close in 2019, the gut feeling is that Tipp will shade this.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 13/08/2019 22:25:19    2225329

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2466 - 13/08/2019 22:32:46    2225334

Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 13/08/2019 22:44:39    2225339

ballydalane (Kilkenny) - Posts: 1246 - 14/08/2019 01:41:01    2225372

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1109 - 14/08/2019 06:41:06    2225389

baire (Galway) - Posts: 1801 - 14/08/2019 08:51:04    2225406