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James Crombie/INPHO
Analysis

5 talking points for Kilkenny after yesterday’s epic draw

Hogan stakes his claim, Cody’s selection and more…

1. Shefflin denied the potentially perfect swansong

The roar of approval started to grow amongst Kilkenny fans when Henry Shefflin was pictured on the big screen in the closing stages in Croke Park yesterday. The tracksuit top had been unzipped, the helmet was ready to be put on and the most famous hurler in the game was set to enter the action as Kilkenny were on the cusp of glory.

It looked set up for Shefflin to feature in the closing moments as Kilkenny rounded off All-Ireland final day on a successful note. They had pointed the way on the scoreboard in the second-half but then Tipperary reeled them with three late points. Shefflin was denied the potentially perfect swansong and there must have been relief in the Kilkenny camp that they were not floored by that late point attempt from an O’Dwyer free.

2. Richie Hogan boosts Hurler of the Year claims

The general sense before yesterday was that the Hurler of the Year race had boiled down to a straight fight between Richie Hogan and Seamus Callanan. With a haul of 0-7, Callanan certainly delivered in the scoring stakes for Tipperary yet Hogan was simply exceptional and his heroics seemed set to turn the game in Kilkenny’s direction.

Shane MCGrath and Cathal Barrett dejected as Richie Hogan celebrates scoring a point Richie Hogan: immense. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Shifting him to the half-forward line in the second-half was a smart move by Brian Cody and also enabled Michael Fennelly to power in to the game at midfield. Hogan was excellent and he weighed in with six points from play to demonstrate the influence he exerted on proceedings.

3. Those penalty calls

Kilkenny saw two penalties awarded against them in this game and there was periods of deliberation before referee Barry Kelly blew for both. The first saw Patrick Maher grounded by Paul Murphy and there was a suspicion of over-carrying. The second was more dubious as it looked like Jackie Tyrrell’s foul on Lar Corbett occurred outside the 20-yard line.

Kilkenny didn’t seem happy with those calls and were certainly incensed with Brian Hogan being penalised in the dying embers of the game. They were big calls in the game but Kilkenny kept their composure to block out Tipperary’s two shots from penalties and saw O’Dwyer’s late free go wide. If Kilkenny had lost, those referee decisions would likely have come into sharper focus.

4. Cody vindicated by selection decisions

Brian Cody shuffled his cards in the wake of the semi-final win over Limerick and made three changes to his starting side for this game. Walter Walsh may not have replicated his blinding form from the 2012 All-Ireland final replay but both Eoin Murphy and Richie Power ensured Cody was vindicated by his selection decisions.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Murphy was impressive between the posts as he stopped two penalties, smothered an early second-half shot from Callanan and showed great reflexes to divert a last-gasp Patrick Maher shot over the bar. Power displayed his scoring instincts in attack as he shot 2-1, the first goal demonstrating a cool head to juggle the ball past Darren Gleeson before he finished with aplomb to the net for his second.

5. Plotting for the replay

Kilkenny now face the prospect of plotting for an All-Ireland final replay for the second time in three years. Will that be beneficial to them ahead of the second instalment on September 27th? Kilkenny need to clear their heads and focus on the replay after this pulsating encounter.

It will be interesting to see if Cody opts to switch Michael Fennelly and Richie Hogan from the start given the success that positional change had during the second-half yesterday. Will Henry Shefflin see more game time in the replay? Can Kilkenny plug the holes in their defence that Tipperary punched during the second-half? The next few weeks of plotting and preparing will be key.

5 talking points for Tipperary after today’s epic draw

Kilkenny and Tipp inseparable after an All-Ireland final that just kept giving

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