NEAR THE TAIL end of the 2013 All-Ireland SHC, the presence of Clare, Limerick, Dublin and Cork in the final four signalled the dawning of a new era for the small ball code.
But that optimism was short-lived as Tipperary and Kilkenny reclaimed their stranglehold on the Liam McCarthy Cup over the next three seasons.
But hurling’s ‘Top Two’ have been dumped into the qualifiers once again this year, amid hopes the likes of Galway, Waterford, Clare and Wexford can compete for top honours in the short-term at least.
“It’s going to be a serious championship,” says former Galway skipper David Collins.
“Everyone is feeding off the energy that the likes of Wexford have brought to it. You look at Tipperary, I don’t think they’ve performed this year yet really. Kilkenny, you look at the mistakes they made, the points and goals that were missed, they’re not going to go away any time soon.
“They didn’t play well the last day but it’s nice to see there’s new teams coming through. The likes of Wexford have reinvigorated the whole championship. Galway are stepping up there, winning Division 1 out of 1B. It’s really confidence building for teams to get good games and wins.
“It’s going to be a great championship. Cork, Waterford, there are some serious teams in it. You’re looking at five or six serious contenders this year and it hasn’t been that way for the last couple of years.
“Tipp and Kilkenny have dictated it and we’ve always come up against Tipp or Kilkenny in the semi-final or final and never come out the better end of it. But this year it’ll hopefully be different. ”
Collins, who is the President of the Gaelic Players Association, departed the Galway squad over the winter but admits he’s enjoying watching his former team-mates blossom.
“You look at them and you go, ‘class’. The boys in there are just class, they’re fantastic young lads and they’ve really set out their stall now. Obviously Offaly this weekend coming is going to be a really important game for them to get over and then build on that.
“Micheál (Donoghue)’s attitude is just ‘next game, next game, next game’, and that’s just all he focuses on. So, yeah, I hope to god they win it and I hope to God they go far. Of course I’d be jealous, but you’ve made your bed so lie in it.
“You can see it in them, they were hungry for breaking balls, they were hungry for tackles in their faces.
“They are an incredible bunch of athletes. You can see their physical strength, and that’s all been laid down in the last four or five years really in terms of conditioning and it’s really come to fruition now.
“The likes of Cathal Mannion back and Joe Canning at centre-forward really commanding the game. Just exceptional. ”
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What an absolute legend who won it all as a sprinter. If anyone hasn’t seen the documentary Never Enough, take a look. Very insightful into what a brutal sport cycling is, and his struggles with depression.
@Kevin Dillon: yes it also shows how much of an assh0le the man is. Didn’t have many friends in the peloton in his career
@Ellis Dewald: well if that’s what you got from that documentary I feel sorry for you. Just heard Hincapie on a podcast and he was saying how he was not just a great cyclist, but a great person, and was well respected in the peleton. Should I believe you or George Hincapie?
@Kevin Dillon: well if you want to believe a man who lied for his whole career about doping and biging up his best mates lance and Johan Bruyneel you do that Kevin
Genuinely world class performer over a long pro career. Very open and honest chap. Long and happy retirement.
@Kiersn OConnor: Amazing rider but to be honest always thought he was a pr*ck. Pog has shown how to win with style and grace and that it doesn’t have to be win at all costs.
Good riddance.
@Barry Baz: Good morning