IT’S ALMOST TIME for what could be another gripping hurling encounter between Tipperary and Kilkenny. The two sides meet at Semple Stadium on Sunday in a clash which could have far-reaching consequences at both ends of the Division 1A table.
Here, we take a look at the main talking points ahead of the Thurles showdown:
1. Can the Cats claw their way out of the bottom two?
Kilkenny find themselves second from bottom in the divisional standings with just two rounds of fixtures left to stave off the threat of a relegation playoff. Sheer will and a refusal to yield against Cork on the opening weekend saw Brian Cody’s depleted charges claim maximum points but since then, they’ve lost two on the spin.
Dublin ran riot against the Noresiders at Nowlan Park and Galway were victorious at Pearse Stadium last Sunday, although Kilkenny were within two points of the Tribesmen at full-time. A struggle for Kilkenny during the League was expected after they lost key names to retirement, injuries and club commitments with Ballyhale Shamrocks. And while Cody will naturally want to avoid the prospect of a shootout for Division 1A status in 2016, he won’t be unduly concerned by his team’s formline at this time of year.
Kilkenny love playing Tipp, as evidenced by their brilliant record against the Premier County in recent years, and victory at Semple Stadium would put them right back in contention for a quarter-final spot. But at this point in time, and with Tipp anxious to lay down a marker, achieving a second victory of the season is a big ask, even for the League and All-Ireland champions.
2. Can Tipperary improve on their poor record against Kilkenny?
Having collected just one victory in their previous 12 competitive outings against Kilkenny, Tipp could badly do with a win on Sunday. Since winning the 2010 All-Ireland final, Tipp have been scalped by the Cats in every championship season since. Kilkenny won the 2011 and 2014 All-Ireland finals, a 2012 semi-final and a 2013 qualifier. They’ve also won the last two Allianz League finals against Tipp.
Another defeat for Tipp against a Kilkenny side minus a host of key figures would represent a major psychological setback. It’s imperative that Tipp, at the very least, avoid defeat in Thurles. They began their League campaign with a disappointing loss to Dublin at Parnell Park but have shown steady form since, clocking up victories over Galway and Clare.
And there was real fight in Eamon O’Shea’s men last Sunday as they stood toe-to-toe with Clare in the Cusack Park cauldron to emerge bloodied but unbowed, and with a five-point victory.
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3. What’s Tipperary’s new jersey like?
One avid fan on Twitter let the cat out of the bag this week when he posted a picture of Tipperary’s new jersey, with Elverys/Intersport on board as new sponsors of the county’s various teams. Tipp’s previous deal with Skoda terminated following the 2014 campaign but they have been wearing shirts bearing the logo of the car manufacturing giants until now.
That’s all about to change on Sunday, however, as the hurlers don their shiny new gear against Kilkenny while the footballers do likewise on their travels in Louth. County board chiefs and sponsors might not to overly impressed that pictures of the shirt got out before Sunday’s official launch in Thurles but they surely can’t complain with the levels of publicity that the leak has generated since.
And as the summer approaches, the new blue and gold attire is sure to sell like hot cakes in the Tipperary GAA shop in Thurles and various outlets nationwide.
4. Is this the strongest panel at Tipperary’s disposal since the 2010 All-Ireland win?
When quizzed on this during the week, Tipperary goalkeeper Darren Gleeson highlighted the current blend of youth and experience available to Eamon O’Shea. Young guns Ronan Maher, Mikey Breen and newly-crowned Fitzgibbon Cup medallist John McGrath have put their hands up for regular starting positions in the team with Conor O’Mahony, Pádraic Maher, James Woodlock and Seamus Callanan providing the experience and know-how.
O’Shea now has competition in virtually every position and that can only be a good thing as he begins to settle on a summer championship team, injuries permitting. The absence of Denis Maher with a dislocated shoulder robs the manager of a ballwinner in attack but as well as boasting a real scoring touch, McGrath also proved against Clare that he can mix it with the big boys. And Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher’s comeback will further strengthen the Tipperary forward line.
It’s early in the season to be making any bold predictions but Tipp are moving nicely towards the championship and will make a huge push for Munster and All-Ireland honours later in the year.
5. Will Brian Cody need to send an SOS to his Ballyhale men?
Only time will tell. If Kilkenny gain a positive result against Tipperary, Cody may be in a position to grant his Ballyhale Shamrocks contingent some breathing space after their All-Ireland club final next Tuesday. But if the Cats need a result from their final group fixture with Clare, the manager may be tempted to call upon TJ Reid, Michael Fennelly, Colin Fennelly and Joey Holden after St Patrick’s Day.
The big question that will be answered soon is whether or not Henry Shefflin will commit to another season of intercounty hurling. The ten-time All-Ireland SHC medallist will announce his intentions after Ballyhale’s season concludes. On the form he showed in the All-Ireland semi-final victory over Gort, Shefflin is still one of the game’s finest performers on his day. But only the King himself can decide if his body is up to another season of elite-level hurling.
Colin Fennelly is already on the record as stating his desire to get “straight back into it” with Kilkenny following the conclusion of the club campaign. And Cody might well need him if the champions suffer a third straight defeat on Sunday.
