COULD ANYONE HAVE envisaged this final pairing at the outset of 2013? Surely not.
People looked at 2013 for Kilkenny to dominate. For signs that Eamonn O’Shea would resurrect Tipperary. For signs that Galway would not disappear after having had a fine season.
They were the three teams being heavily focused on. Yet the longer the season progressed, the more people started to take notice of Clare and Cork. They are two really innovative teams.
Counties needed to stop looking at what Kilkenny are doing and try to match that. Instead they needed to conjure up something different as they weren’t equipped to take Kilkenny on at their own game.
Clare and Cork have done that in devising systems of play that have proved effective. They’re being steered by a demure individual in JBM and an effervescent figure in Davy. When JBM and Davy’s teams collide, it will be fascinating.
Clare’s Darach Honan and Stephen McDonnell of Cork
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Of course they have already met this summer. Back in the Gaelic Grounds in June, Darach Honan was causing serious problems for Cork early on. Cork were struggling to deal with him but they weathered that storm.
The template was shown that day in the great fitness and skill levels that Cork demonstrated. They broke Clare’s game down, broke their spirit and forced mistakes. By the end they were deserving winners.
If Cork can get ahead of Clare by three or four points tomorrow, they will create difficulties and force problems. If Clare take the lead from the start, they are in their comfort zone and they will not be forced to change their gameplan.
Key Players…
Who are the key players tomorrow? For Cork I think it’s Patrick Horgan and Lorcan McLoughlin. If Cork win tomorrow and Horgan plays well, he will win the ‘Hurler of the Year’ award. That’s how good his form is at the moment.
Lorcan McLoughlin is key around the middle of the field. He’s not a very imposing physical player but has a scoring ability that could be crucial. If he replicates what he did against Dublin, then Clare have a problem.
For Clare, Brendan Bugler in defence is a real leader. He goes forcefully for the ball and plays a structured game. His increased contributions have been drawn out of him by management teams.
Then there is Paraic Collins up front. The kid is a sensation. It’s rare to get a guy as good as he is and as skilful as he is, to have such a work ethic off the ball. Very few modern players have it and he reminds me of what Tim Crowley used to do for Cork years ago.
Cork’s William Egan and Clare’s Paraic Collins.
Pic: INPHO/Cathal Noonan
A lot to me boils down to Cork’s skill level. They are supreme stick men. Their passes are on the money. That’s down to what they have as a county.
They are notorious for it and it’s critical to this particular team. Those supreme skill levels were central to getting past Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final.
I don’t think Clare have an individual first touch that is comparable but they make that look redundant. They place high octane pressure on the passer and the receiver.
Whoever gameplan holds up on the day will win. But I believe it’s going to be cagey game. Neither side are renowned for goalscorers and I can’t see this being a scorefest that ends up with a scoreline of 3-18 to 2-17.
Verdict…
I fancied Kilkenny at the outset this year but I put Clare down as my dark horses to land the All-Ireland title. I couldn’t see them losing against Galway and Limerick in their last two games.
I go for Clare to win again on this occasion but I’m not as certain. Compare Cork to Galway and they have more brains, compare them to both Galway and Limerick, and they have more skill and belief.
Cork have a lot more going for them than what Clare have faced this year. There’ll be an inherent belief in this Cork group that if they get it right, they will win.
But Clare will come at them with a challenge like they’ve never had before this year. When Clare get their periods of dominance, they’ll go for the jugular and I believe that will carry them over the line.
Mcdaids performance should be lauded the same way as Clifford’s and Walsh’s. Actually think mcdaid should get player of the year.
@Barry Newell: Mcdaid was unbelievable yesterday, MOTM for me.
@Barry Newell: Yes indeed, I’ve watched McDaid since the CShip started, He was excellent in every match . Scored Four points yesterday from Midfield- he is a powerhouse . Just a pity they have a habit of giving Man of the Match to the winning side. There was a case for JOINT Man of the Match there yesterday , — Walsh gave an exhibition .
I think everyone was expecting Kerry to annihilate Galway yesterday BUT Galway were brilliant. They might have been second best but that only happened when things began to unravel near the end. They have the tools and talent and have obviously bonded well that it is now only a matter of working on the finer points of the game before they start collecting several Sam’s over the coming years. As a Dub, I cannot help but admire the resilience of that Kerry team and even though they beat Galway and Dublin, in the game of the year, given their ‘resources’, I expected them to be more convincing against both Congratulations to both Kerry and Galway on a brilliant game and the real winners in the future will be the fans. I hope the Ulster teams will learn from these displays, get rid of ‘ possession football’ and incorporate the hidden skills they obviously have.
@Barrycelona: an Ulster team won Sam just 11 months ago or did that slip your mind
@Barrycelona: it might have Been because I was hungover but I thought the game was crap. Virtually no atmosphere for long periods and possession seemed to be what we were watching for the most part. Soft fouls as well are terrible to watch. I hate to back up hurling snobs but it’s such a better game to watch now.
Walsh was clear MOTM match IMO – even better than brilliant Clifford
Mayo next year me thinks?
Barrycelona Kerry had 14 men in their own half for much of the game it appears that they have adopted the Ulster way. One very bad Refereeing decision yesterday at a vital time in the game.
@Kevin Byrne: 2 very bad decisions in quick succession. Both teams scored from the frees so evened out.
A dour affair, we were all spoiled by the silky skills of the Dublin six-in-a-row team. Maybe next year.
@Jim O’Sullivan: are ya catching much lately Jim. Great time for fishing.
Rule is 4 steps – 7 or 8 by Walsh for one great point that should have been disallowed