You have to go all the way back to 1968 for the last time Tipperary overcame Kilkenny in a league final, 3-9 to 1-13.
Since then, Tipp have faced Kilkenny in the final three times – 2003, 2009 and 2013 – only to come out narrowly on the losing side on all three occasions; 5-14 to 5-13, 2-26 to 4-17 and 2-17 to 0-20 respectively.
However, though they have only won six league titles since beating Kilkenny 46 years ago, Tipperary’s 19 National Hurling League crowns remains the mark to beat.
2. The wait for eight
Since Brian Cody took charge in 1999, Kilkenny have won seven league titles and lost two other deciders. The fact they have reached a 10th league final in 15 years is a phenomenal achievement for a team for whom the league is not a priority.
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Before Cody took charge, Kilkenny had won nine league titles at an average of one every eight years, under the James Stephens man – and should they win this weekend – they average one every second year.
3. Séamus Callanan v JJ Delaney
Who wins this battle could be crucial on Sunday. INPHO / James Crombie
INPHO / James Crombie / James Crombie
The battle between Callanan and Delaney will probably be worth the entrance fee alone on Sunday. The Drom-Inch club man must be in with a real shout of Hurler of the Year if he carries his league form (5-52) into the championship.
Averaging over 11 points per game, it should come as no surprise that Tipp’s worst performance of the league campaign – losing 4-15 to 0-20 to Clare – came in Callanan’s absence.
Delaney may be in the twilight of a stellar inter-county career but he’ll know that keeping Callanan off the scoresheet as much as possible in the early stages will be key to a third league title in three years for the Cats.
4. Kilkenny’s turnover of players
Care to guess how many players Brian Cody and his selectors have used in this year’s Allianz National Hurling League campaign? 24? 28? 30? No, they’ve used an astonishing 32 different players as they look to rejig a defence and attack that were found so wanting in last year’s championship.
However, with the likes of Jackie Tyrrell and the aforementioned Delaney still featuring prominently for the Cats this spring, the influx of new talent – players like Pádraig Walsh and former U21 captain Brian Kennedy – will look to Sunday’s game to really force their way into Cody’s championship plans.
5. Goals, goals, goals
As exciting as Kilkenny’s 5-20 to 5-14 win over Tipperary was for neutrals, you can’t imagine that either Cody or O’Shea were happy to see their team concede five goals.
The Tipperary manager must have been especially concerned as he watched his side ship seven more goals against Clare and Galway in their following two games, a run that saw them slip into relegation trouble.
All told, Tipp have conceded 18 goals in seven games. Not good news when you’re facing an attack that has found the net 19 times so far this campaign.
5 talking points ahead of the Allianz Hurling League final
1. Tipperary out to end a long famine
You have to go all the way back to 1968 for the last time Tipperary overcame Kilkenny in a league final, 3-9 to 1-13.
Since then, Tipp have faced Kilkenny in the final three times – 2003, 2009 and 2013 – only to come out narrowly on the losing side on all three occasions; 5-14 to 5-13, 2-26 to 4-17 and 2-17 to 0-20 respectively.
However, though they have only won six league titles since beating Kilkenny 46 years ago, Tipperary’s 19 National Hurling League crowns remains the mark to beat.
2. The wait for eight
Since Brian Cody took charge in 1999, Kilkenny have won seven league titles and lost two other deciders. The fact they have reached a 10th league final in 15 years is a phenomenal achievement for a team for whom the league is not a priority.
Before Cody took charge, Kilkenny had won nine league titles at an average of one every eight years, under the James Stephens man – and should they win this weekend – they average one every second year.
3. Séamus Callanan v JJ Delaney
The battle between Callanan and Delaney will probably be worth the entrance fee alone on Sunday. The Drom-Inch club man must be in with a real shout of Hurler of the Year if he carries his league form (5-52) into the championship.
Averaging over 11 points per game, it should come as no surprise that Tipp’s worst performance of the league campaign – losing 4-15 to 0-20 to Clare – came in Callanan’s absence.
Delaney may be in the twilight of a stellar inter-county career but he’ll know that keeping Callanan off the scoresheet as much as possible in the early stages will be key to a third league title in three years for the Cats.
4. Kilkenny’s turnover of players
Care to guess how many players Brian Cody and his selectors have used in this year’s Allianz National Hurling League campaign? 24? 28? 30? No, they’ve used an astonishing 32 different players as they look to rejig a defence and attack that were found so wanting in last year’s championship.
However, with the likes of Jackie Tyrrell and the aforementioned Delaney still featuring prominently for the Cats this spring, the influx of new talent – players like Pádraig Walsh and former U21 captain Brian Kennedy – will look to Sunday’s game to really force their way into Cody’s championship plans.
5. Goals, goals, goals
As exciting as Kilkenny’s 5-20 to 5-14 win over Tipperary was for neutrals, you can’t imagine that either Cody or O’Shea were happy to see their team concede five goals.
The Tipperary manager must have been especially concerned as he watched his side ship seven more goals against Clare and Galway in their following two games, a run that saw them slip into relegation trouble.
All told, Tipp have conceded 18 goals in seven games. Not good news when you’re facing an attack that has found the net 19 times so far this campaign.
This class promo will get you excited for the 2014 Allianz Hurling League Final
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All-Ireland Senior HC Allianz Hurling League Division 1 GAA Hurling Nuns Ted Kilkenny Tipperary