FORMER GALWAY BOSS and ex-Tipperary player John McIntyre believes that the result of Sunday’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final between the counties is academic, as Kilkenny will finish the season as champions.
McIntyre claims that he left last Croke Park last Sunday “a bit depressed” after watching Kilkenny book their place in the September 6 decider.
McIntyre suspects that the Cats will claim victory next month, irrespective of the opposition placed in front of them at GAA HQ.
He told Tipp FM: “I left Croke Park a bit depressed (on Sunday).
“I don’t want to sound fatalistic but I’m not sure it matters who wins next Sunday because it’s very difficult at the moment to see Kilkenny being dethroned in the All-Ireland final.
“They just smothered and suffocated Waterford, their intensity was as strong as ever and their hunger is still savage.
“Bearing in mind that the likes of Colin Fennelly, Eoin Larkin and to a lesser extent Walter Walsh didn’t have good games, that they shot 13 wides and had a couple of clear-cut goal chances, there’s massive scope for improvement.
“I firmly believe that if Waterford had lined up orthodox, they would have been beaten by a dozen points or more.”
McIntyre predicts that his native Tipperary will have to “earn it big” against Galway in next Sunday’s semi-final and he also believes that the media are “besotted” with Joe Canning.
He added: “I think they (Galway) have improved significantly from 12 months ago.
“They regrouped well after losing to Kilkenny, they have discovered a lot of news players and the two Mannion brothers have given them fresh impetus.
“Young Conor Whelan (18) came on the last day against Cork.
“I know it was probably against the worst defensive display I’ve ever seen from a Cork team but I’ve been following his progress in Galway and he’s quite a talent.
“Of course, now that his cover is blown, it makes it a bit more difficult for him.”
McIntyre doesn’t believe that Canning will endure as bad a day in front of the posts again, after registering some poor wides in the victory over Cork.
“I believe the media are besotted with him (Canning).
“In the daily papers on the Monday after a Galway game, even if Joe plays poorly he’s still the main talking point, or so it appears.
“He had a bad day against Cork, responsible for eight of Galway’s 23 wides, which underlines how much they dominated that match.
“I would expect that Joe will be more on his game next Sunday in terms of his trademark accuracy. He represents a big threat to Tipperary.
And McIntyre has warned Tipp that Galway have the potential to end their championship season.
“To be honest, Galway have no excuses for not performing on Sunday. They have recovered from the Leinster final defeat to Kilkenny, they have discovered some talented young players, they have momentum and they won’t be afraid of Tipperary.
“I’d be worried about Galway on Sunday. I remember the Monday evening of the Galway Races and the Tipperary fundraiser in the Grandstand.
“I met a few Tipperary people on the evening and to a man, they were all saying they felt they would have too much for Galway.
“I’m not necessarily certain. This Tipperary team is far from bomb-proof.
“If they were, they wouldn’t be waiting five years to add to their All-Ireland title win in 2010.
“I still expect Eamon O’Shea and his mentors will have Tipperary primed for a massive performance on Sunday. They know what’s coming down the tracks.
Galway’s cover is blown but if they (Tipp) do set up the final collision with Kilkenny, I believe they’re going to earn it, and earn it big.”
