Brendan Cummins: More Kilkenny glory, Joe's struggles and Fennelly's power surge

THE MORE THINGS change, the more they stay the same.

The Kilkenny machine picked up an eleventh All-Ireland title under the stewardship of Brian Cody this afternoon and the formula for success is no different.

They took whatever Galway had to throw at them in the first half, when Joe Canning was electrifying and Jason Flynn was landing those long-range bombs.

It was as if Kilkenny were behind the barricades, feeling the strength of Galway but remaining composed nonetheless.

At no stage did Galway threaten a goal during their period of dominance and that was crucial.

Kilkenny withstood the barrage, minimised the damage, and then inflicted their own after half-time.

In that first half, Galway were at, and above, the Kilkenny tempo and reaping the rewards on the scoreboard.

Taking off Richie Hogan was a massive statement from Brian Cody. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

They’ll reflect on this but understand that when you’re on top against Kilkenny, you need the X-Factor I referenced during the week, the Kryptonite that is goals against the Cats.

What a bold statement that was too from Cody in the final ten minutes, taking off the 2014 Hurler of the Year.

Richie Hogan had his hamstring encased in strapping but took it off at half-time, hoping to show Cody that he wasn’t injured and it was merely a case that he couldn’t get on the ball.

But there was only so long that Cody’s patience would hold and when Richie was taken off with nine minutes left, his demeanour said it all.

Richie shook his head from side to side but Cody had sent out yet another clear message – nobody on this Kilkenny team is indispensable.

Remember, this was at a time when the game was still very much in the balance, with Kilkenny three points clear.

Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

In my pre-match analysis of Kilkenny, I predicted that Walter Walsh would start at full-forward, and that’s how it turned out. 

I also warned of TJ Reid’s threat coming off the shoulder to collect possession and this was what occurred for the goal, when Walter did the spade work before offloading to TJ.

It might seem like simple stuff but it’s a clear example of how Kilkenny can adapt to any situation. 

A word on Joe Canning. In 2012, when Kilkenny needed a colossus on the pitch to turn the tide in the drawn final, Henry Shefflin stepped up to the plate.

Henry came from full-forward to centre forward, pointed his finger in several directions, conducted the orchestra and won a couple of vital puckouts.

He nailed crucial frees, brought teammates into the game and generally called the tune.

Contrast that to Joe, who cut a lonesome figure on the edge of the Kilkenny square.

There was Joe, looking out the pitch, wondering what was going to happen.

Joe Canning should have been moved out to the half-forward line in the second half. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

If you want to win Celtic crosses in times of crisis, you must make it happen.

It was disappointing that Joe couldn’t bring his best first half form 50 yards from goal after half-time.

The game was tailor-made for that switch. Was it tactics to leave him in there? Whatever the story was, he should have been brought out.

Meanwhile, Kilkenny were busy making things happen. They say in Kilkenny that Michael Fennelly doesn’t do much of the heavy-duty training anymore, that most of his nights are spent running long distances in straight lines because of his back problem.

But if you put Fennelly into the bearpit of an All-Ireland final, when the tide needs to turn, watch him plant his two feet on the 65m line and defy those who dare to pass him.

Fennelly and his midfield sidekick Conor Fogarty were key figures in Kilkenny’s second half revival.

The provided the first line of defence in a half-back line that was struggling with the high-fielding of Johnny Glynn and the sniping runs of Cathal Mannion.

But the supply dried up and slowly but surely, the oxygen was cut off from Galway’s head and the rest of the body died. That summed up their day.

Michael Fennelly was a colossal figure for Kilkenny. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

In fairness to Conor Whelan, he never stopped trying and David Burke had a good game. 

David Collins was another who did well, scoring two points after coming on, and goalkeeper Colm Callanan brought his good form into the game.

But Kilkenny had more players who stepped up to the mark, with nine different scorers.

I watched them at the end of the match, from the press box in the Upper Hogan Stand.

Joey Holden collected the MacCarthy Cup and Kilkenny embarked on their lap of honour.

It struck me that I hadn’t seen the stadium so empty in a long time after a game of such magnitude.

When they returned to the Hogan Stand and before making their way down the tunnel, the men in black and amber stood with hands on hips, content with the job they had done.

But each and every one of those Kilkenny players will also carry a nagging worry that they might not be back next year and wearing the jersey again. That’s how it’s always been in Kilkenny, and especially under Cody.

Joey Holden and Kilkenny on their lap of honour. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

They’re not casual about success on Noreside, they don’t take it for granted. 

The All-Ireland hurling championship of 2015 is over now and Kilkenny will, rightly, celebrate their success.

It’s back to business with their clubs next week but with Cody in charge, these boys can’t rest on their laurels. They’ll have their period of reflection but before long, it will dawn on these players that the drug could be taken away from them if they’re not careful.

A final word on the minor game. Disappointment for Tipperary and one of my former teammates Liam Cahill.

Credit to Galway, who are an exceptionally good team and fully deserving of the win.

In a few years, the dual question will raise its head in a serious way in Tipperary.

It’s a debate for a later time, perhaps, but the eight players involved in both the minor hurling and football camps can now turn their attentions to the football decider in a fortnight’s time.

One thing’s for sure, they won’t want to experience that sick feeling for a second time.

Cody: ‘I’ve yet to see a match that was won on the sideline’

Cunningham laments ‘unforced errors and a couple of decisions’ after second-half collapse