Good post finsceal. I don't think tipp are naive enough to let the cats get away with what they did to Seamus hickey. Anyway, tipp by 2

flack (Dublin) - Posts: 1054 - 03/09/2014 14:52:07    1647533

Well lads, I've been flat out busy at work and haven't had a chance to do a proper preview of the Kilkenny forwards. I, and everyone else I think, expects Richie Power to replace Mark Kelly at full forward. A massive improvement, especially if he brings anything approaching his best form. It may also force Tipp to relocate Paraic Maher to FB which they definitely would not do for Kelly.

I have a feeling Padraig Walsh's place could be under threat. A talented young hurler who takes his points well but he goes missing for long spells. Not particularly well built and lacks the divilment of elder brother Tommy to compensate. If Tipp put Brendan Maher on him, I think Maher would eat him for breakfast, and would allow Maher an inordinate influence on the match. I feel it's a match-up Cody should avoid at all costs. The height and strength of Walter Walsh, with strict instructions to bloody well use it for a change, might be a better option to disomfit Maher.

Michael Fennelly will be assigned the role of ball-winner-in-chief in the half forward line. Apart from a good early catch against Limerick where he set up brother Colin for a point, and two first half points, he was fairly subdued. He needs to buck up his game big time. He and Colin play well together in close proximity, as brothers often do - watch out for Colin looking for breaks off Michael and using his pace to run at Tipp. Colin's workrate is phenomenal but in my opinion he misses too many goal chances, usually hitting the ball straight at the goalie. If he gets a chance Sunday he needs to take it, it's that simple.

I'm tired, rest of the forwards to follow tomorrow.

ballydalane (Kilkenny) - Posts: 1246 - 03/09/2014 21:42:00    1647736

I would say there is another draw on the cards

clonjon (Dublin) - Posts: 665 - 04/09/2014 10:27:03    1647811

I see Eddie3

tiobraidArann (Tipperary) - Posts: 362 - 04/09/2014 10:59:36    1647825

flack
County: Dublin
Posts: 411

1647533 Good post finsceal. I don't think tipp are naive enough to let the cats get away with what they did to Seamus hickey. Anyway, tipp by 2

true flack so very, very, true!
Id say Tipp by 7 though

tiobraidArann (Tipperary) - Posts: 362 - 04/09/2014 11:08:41    1647832

Not long now lads, should be a cracker. I think the start will be crucial, give Kilkenny a lead and they are hard to real in. Not suprised Mickey Cahill didnt start, Tipps backs have been solid without him. Tipp at 6/4 is a tempting price alright. Really feel they will come good Sunday and beat Kilkenny after a titanic tussle.

222 (UK) - Posts: 695 - 05/09/2014 10:58:50    1648299

Really looking forward to the game , racked my brain and its a coin toss , in most coin tosses your probably best going with the Cats ,not very original ,
Just hope no refs influencing game , no hawkeyes , just a proper hard game with a dollop of skill for good measure ,
Wouldn't have picked this pairing at beginning of the year myself to fight it out .

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 05/09/2014 11:21:21    1648311

Damothedub
County: Dublin
Posts: 2083

1648311 Wouldn't have picked this pairing at beginning of the year myself to fight it out .

Neither would I Damo - didn't expect either of them to regroup so soon after their run of finals had come and gone. Thought a young Clare team would be here again ( which they will, just not this year ).

AnFearDonn (Kilkenny) - Posts: 65 - 05/09/2014 11:29:49    1648319

I've been at 4 of the Tipp games this year and and I've seen a significant improvement with each game. Tipp are playing as a "team" particularly the backs and I wasn't surprised that Mickey Cahill did not make the team. I've been really impressed with the team ethic that Eamaon O'Shea has instilled in this team and any of media statements from the both the management and the players has been very coherent basically the players and management are very clear on their goals and objectives. It is very obvious that the overall team performance is more important than individual heroics.
Kilkenny have been a bit more patchy this year great individual performances think of Tyrell, C Fennelly and sub R Power in the semi final vs Limerick and overall I'd believe KK this year are a bit short of the KK team of 2009-2010. Kilkenny have unsurpassed collective experience in finals and their ability to win tight matches is proven. However this Tipp team do not fear Kilkenny and I believe it will be a tight and tough game with Tipp to win by 3-4 points. For the sake of both teams I hope B Kelly gets all his calls right as one bad decision could have an enormous impact on this final.

Brendanj (Westmeath) - Posts: 67 - 05/09/2014 11:49:57    1648330

I'd believe KK this year are a bit short of the KK team of 2009-2010.

Of course they are, come sunday there will only be 5/6 survivors of the 09/10 finals on the kilkenny side. On the Barry Kelly issue, this is his fourth All Ireland, two were cakes walks for Kilkenny, I know 2006 was close on the scoreboard but Kilkenny never looked in danger. Two years ago, I thought he handled Kilkenny/Galway quite well bar the free he give to Galway to draw it. He is a good official with plenty of expierence, players know him well and hell do it to the best of his ability.

222 (UK) - Posts: 695 - 05/09/2014 12:09:06    1648348

tiobraidArann come sunday evening you will either have a grim smile across your face ready to post on this forum over the winter months saluting Tipp and saying 'I told you so' or you wont be heard of until next summer. Whats it going to be? Good luck and may the best team win!

222 (UK) - Posts: 695 - 05/09/2014 12:13:26    1648351

Best of luck to both teams on Sunday and may the best team win it out.

Hoover78 (Limerick) - Posts: 865 - 05/09/2014 12:24:46    1648361

Got a ticket this morn = :)

I'll make a fortune off that

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 05/09/2014 12:26:07    1648362

I had a feeling Kilkenny would be in the final from the very start and predicted they would win it. So far this year I have got all my predictions wrong.

Lets hope I'm wrong on Sunday but hard to look past Kilkenny. They are just so hard to beat in September. For me Tipp are in bonus territory. If you had told me leaving Nowlan Park last year or Thurles in June that Tipp would be in the AI Final You'd have felt the right ear of ya burning up.

Please god we'll get a good game and may it go down to the wire!!Epic!!

Best of luck to both teams , great rivals and also best of friends off it.

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 05/09/2014 12:33:39    1648368

Fancied the cats all year tbh but the closer it gets to sunday i think Tipp might sneak it.

Lets hope its a cracker to follow last weekend's fare.

I'll be glued to it like many more with Bottle/pint of Harp in hand (well in ulster anyway)!

Good luck to all involved

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 05/09/2014 12:55:30    1648382

Team announced:

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Paul Murphy, JJ Delaney, Jackie Tyrrell; Joey Holden, Brian Hogan, Cillian Buckley; Richie Hogan, Conor Fogarty; Michael Fennelly, Colin Fennelly, TJ Reid; Walter Walsh, Richie Power, Eoin Larkin

Looks good to me, in fact I'm off to see Mr P Power.

Osraige (Kilkenny) - Posts: 8 - 05/09/2014 20:52:36    1648619

Team announced:

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Paul Murphy, JJ Delaney, Jackie Tyrrell; Joey Holden, Brian Hogan, Cillian Buckley; Richie Hogan, Conor Fogarty; Michael Fennelly, Colin Fennelly, TJ Reid; Walter Walsh, Richie Power, Eoin Larkin

Looks good to me, in fact I'm off to see Mr P Power.

---
J Power i think you mean

ruanua (Donegal) - Posts: 4966 - 05/09/2014 21:08:29    1648627

Murphy for Herity, Power for Kelly and Walter for Padraig Walsh are all changes that make the team stronger than the semi final line up in my opinion, and not to toot my own horn but all changes I predicted in this thread (well, Power for Kelly was a no-brainer but the other two were good calls!)

ballydalane (Kilkenny) - Posts: 1246 - 05/09/2014 21:25:15    1648631

Hope we have two good games for hurling's big day tomorrow. Everything looks perfect weather wise, sunny dry day expected with temperature's of around 16 degrees and little wind. Some Kilkenny players going for a tenth All Ireland medal, Some record. Minor game start at 1.15 Limerick v Kilkenny. Limerick aiming to win first All Ireland in thirty years. With due respect to KK i hope they do it.

clonjon (Dublin) - Posts: 665 - 06/09/2014 12:28:49    1648706

Does anyone else think Sheflin will start tomorrow? I find it hard to believe that Walter Walsh will start ahead of him.

Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 06/09/2014 12:55:27    1648718