1. Kilkenny show their reserves of strength
BRIAN CODY WOULDN’T have much tolerance for using the absence of several established stars as reason for a poor start to the league. Yet despite retirements, injuries and Ballyhale’s club exploits, the Kilkenny side that took to the field last night reaffirmed the notion that it is business as usual on Noreside.
Kilkenny were excellent, blowing Cork away in the third quarter. Richie Hogan’s 0-11 haul was crucial to Kilkenny’s win but it was the input of Mark Kelly, Walter Walsh, Lester Ryan and Jonjo Farrell that was most encouraging for the Cats. They hinted of their desire to become more prominent players in Kilkenny’s 2015 campaign. FOT
2. Bad opening night for Cork
The favourites tag didn’t rest easily with Cork last night. They couldn’t live up to those expectations in front of their home crowd and their ineffectual display after half-time was the root of their problems. In a high-scoring first-half, Cork competed and were only two adrift at the break but they only scored two points in the opening 20 minutes of the second-half.
Jimmy Barry-Murphy couldn’t mask his disappointment afterwards and willingly conceded that the late scoring spree that yielded goals from Luke O’Farrell and Conor Lehane, applied gloss to the final scoreline. The pressure will be on for improvement against Clare next Saturday night. FOT
3. Gavin O’Mahony’s new Limerick location
Kilmallock’s progress to the All-Ireland club final has deprived Limerick of some key players but they did have Gavin O’Mahony at their disposal last night. He was suspended for last weekend’s club semi-final against Portaferry and in need of game time, he was released to TJ Ryan’s county setup last night to face Waterford.
O’Mahony was a valuable asset for Limerick but not in the half-back line where he has played most of his senior inter-county career. He played centre-forward, weighed in with 0-5 and produced a performance that could be a portent of where Limerick can most maximise his talents. FOT
4. Galway step up under pressure
For a second straight weekend, Galway’s tenacity will have left a smile on Anthony Cunningham’s face. These are early days but the Tribesmen are showing a dogged streak that they have often been accused of lacking.
They rallied from seven points down to beat Dublin in the Walsh Cup final last Saturday night and today, when Clare looked to have taken the two points, they dug out the win at the death.
Credit to Jason Flynn who, in the absence of the injured Joe Canning, stepped up when it mattered. He finished with nine points, none more important than the winning free from a tight angle out underneath the Pearse Stadium stand. NK
5. Cunningham already making his mark in Dublin
It might take a while t0 get used to Ger Cunningham’s new-look Dubs with Liam Rushe at full-forward, Conal Keaney at wing-back, and another handful of familiar faces lining out in not-so-familiar positions. The new boss used the Walsh Cup as a testing ground as he gets to know his charges and continued the experiment against Tipperary to great effect.
Rushe created one goal and scored the other in a 2-20 to 0-14 win, Keaney was a constant thorn in the side of the misfiring Tipp attack, and Michael Carton — named again at full-back — ensured that it was a quiet afternoon for one of last summer’s stars, Seamus Callanan.
As well as bringing in some young blood, Cunningham is obviously intent on developing a versatile panel. So far, so good. NK
6. Tipp too wasteful to threaten
Tipperary were so far off the pace that it’s hard to know where to begin analysing their defeat to Dublin. Slow starts are not unusual for the Premier (they’ve lost four of their last five games on opening weekend) and there’s no need to overreact to a disappointing performance.
“The opposition were hungrier to win the ball,” Eamonn O’Shea said by way of explanation but there must be some concern with how Tipp used the ball they did have. They only managed 10 points from play — five of which came from John “Bubbles” O’Dwyer, one of their better performers — while wasteful shooting saw them rack up 16 wides.
Without John O’Brien and Eoin Kelly this season, the Tipp attack will need a few new leaders to step up. That certainly wasn’t the case on Sunday. NK
– Fintan O’Toole and Niall Kelly
Cody is some man. Gets the best out of every man, guys like Roy Curtis today are saying the Cats are finished, he is a joke, only making headlines! Go on the black and amber!
I’m a corkman but the respect and admiration I have for Cody and Kilkenny hurling in general is immense. To be so consistantly good for such a long period of time in any sport is simply incredible. To go from being knocked out by my own beloved Cork in the quarter finals two years ago and being told the end had arrived for that team, to go and win it the following year just oozes class. I have no shame in saying I am incredibly jealous of Kilkenny hurling.
Well that shows unbelievable sportsmanship,fair play to ya
In fairness Roy Curtis is the worst sports journo on planet earth. Absolute drivel he speaks on every sport…
The cats are never finished .. from tipp
5/2 at throw in and 6/4 at half time while 2 points up!! Never ever saw KK at 5/2 for any match. Thank you for the free money Paddy Power.
Yes very disheartening night in…cork public deserve better….everything thats wrong with cork hurling was on full show again last nighr…and they were the exact same problems 3yrs ago wen jimmy took over…terrible under the high ball, cant win the dirty ball wen it breaks, defense that give up too much scores and foul too much and forwards that cant win a 50/50 ball and sideline thats too naive tactically and slow to make changes…..and the list goes on
Pretty much agree with everything said here. Cork’s first touch poor also. Think final appearance in 2013 puts a false perspective on status of Cork hurling.
Look it’s early days yet no need for panic
Intimidates refs!
Cork are a lot better than what we saw last night….Fair play to the Cats .. Every player in their side is as good as those that were missing .. Cork and Clare next week should be a great game… ..
Watched the Dubs and Tipp . .. Ger Cunningham has them rocking…
Tipp were just stink today. Was at it, worst I’ve seen from them live. Couldn’t catch a cold. Shooting like Stevie Wonder. Take nothing away from Dublin, they were every bit better as the score line suggests. Sick to death of the foostering and over-elaboration on the ball the last few years, they were haunted to make a final last year, let alone get to a replay. The nutty professor needs to stop trying to re-invent hurling and get them to get the basics right.
Limerick and Waterford the ultimate game of two halves. Both will be relying on Wexford now to beat the other. It’s set up 1B for a great run in.
All Munster teams lost this weekend except Limerick and Waterford who drew (and no Kerry don’t count). The Cats to win all competitions again this year!
Kerry drew with Derry
When you’re making a point about six counties, and three of those counties are exceptions to that point; your point no longer holds any validity. Just sayin.
Just saying no Munster could win a game.
Go back to bed Larry
Munster must be finished…
Serious question;
What is the start and end of the GAA season ?
Inter-county scene starts with the leagues in late Jan/early Feb and finishes with the All Ireland Finals in September. Roughly 8 months.
The viper is down
Clare the one hit wonders! Ha ha ha