Kilkenny v Waterford
The fear that used to exist amongst teams towards Kilkenny is gone. There is still huge respect but teams are not overawed by the challenge and that’s why we’re seeing Brian Cody’s side so severely tested this summer. It’s a massive credit to them that they are still standing but all of these games suggest to me that there are warning signings for Kilkenny.
Three times Waterford came back at them during Saturday night’s epic game and this was not as strong a Waterford side as Kilkenny have previously faced. Michael Ryan has done a fantastic job at keeping Waterford competitive. They gave Kilkenny a massive examination on Saturday yet what Kilkenny did in extra-time to notch points when they conceded goals was phenomenal.
Richie Hogan, Colin Fennelly and Richie Power all showed great form with Power dominating Michael Walsh. He epitomises what Brian Cody likes in a forward. If Kilkenny can get more of their forwards firing, they will be unstoppable. But that’s not happening at the moment and other teams smell blood. It’s going to be fascinating to see if Kilkenny can be stopped.
John Mullane
The criticism of John Mullane’s retirement decision after Saturday’s game by Ger Loughnane was very harsh. I thought it was an incredible thing to now suggest that he has let his county down. Every player knows when it’s time to go. He made his decision and must be respected for that.
John was a warrior for his county, even on days when they were defeated. He has young children and the demands are now massive at inter-county level. I suspect that may have felt if it didn’t happen with the great sides, that wasn’t going to achieve his goal of winning an All Ireland medal.
But he’s in charge of his own career and was perfectly entitled to make the call that he did.
INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan
Cork v Limerick
I always felt that Limerick would win yesterday’s Munster final. But the sending-off of Patrick Horgan certainly didn’t help Cork. I can understand both sides of the argument and it’s not enough to say the guy wasn’t a dirty player.
Yet I still think it was an extremely harsh decision. There was no malice in Horgan’s foul, he didn’t swing his hurley and there was no force to it. It was awkward and mistimed but it was not pre-meditated. You compare it to some of the fouls in recent Dublin Wexford game and they were dirty strokes. Horgan’s wasn’t in the same category.
I still think Limerick would have won it as Cork looked to have shot their bolt with the wides they hit early on. Cork came back at Limerick in the second-half but missed a free at a vital stage from Jamie Coughlan.
Limerick’s response reminded very much of Dublin’s reaction the previous Sunday when Galway were coming at them. There was a determination that they would drive on and would not suffer heartache.
What happened at the finish was magical. I understand that there are health and safety regulations when it comes to pitch invasions but there was no one going to get hurt yesterday. No one can argue that the pitch invasion didn’t add to the occasion. It was an extraordinary moment to see all the supporters on the pitch when Donal O’Grady lifted the cup.
INPHO/James Crombie
Clare v Wexford
I pinned Clare down as my dark horse for the summer earlier on this year and I’m sticking with that forecast. Saturday’s match against Wexford was not a great spectacle and it took Clare a long time to ensure victory despite being superior to Wexford by 8-10 points.
But I think there is a really big performance in Clare. I like what Davy Fitzgerald has done with them. They mix it up well, have great movement, a strong half-forward line and there’s a defined pattern to their play.
They’re always trying to probe and exploit opponents. Fitness wise, Clare are in an extraordinary position. They just need to try to piece that altogether to produce a strong performance over an entire game.
Wexford need to realise that they are at a different stage of development to Clare. There have been signs of improvement with their minor side beating Kilkenny earlier this year and their U21 Leinster title win last Wednesday which was huge for them. There’s promise but right now Wexford are not genuine contenders.
INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan
