Shefflin delivers when it counts

Although he may not retain his Hurler of the Year gong, Kilkenny's Henry Shefflin swooped at the right time on Sunday to nail down the All-Ireland.

Two points in the final 10 minutes, plus the assist for Martin Comerford's goal, represented a significant contribution to the three-point victory.

Manager Brian Cody certainly didn't miss the significance. "A great player who's a marked man," he said. "Hurler of the Year last year, he still came out this year and produced the goods. He won't get the same press for doing it or the same accolades. That's the hallmark of absolute greatness."

Shefflin, still only 24, was yesterday savouring his third All-Ireland medal in four years but was under no illusions about the future.

"It's every team's ambition to win the All-Ireland final. We've been very lucky with the players we've had over the past few years so we enjoy each one. Just look at DJ. He lost one in '91 and then he won the next two and that was it then until 2000. They don't keep rolling."

Although his contribution and Comerford's defined the difference on the scoreboard, Shefflin believes that credit for the latest success belongs further back down the field.

"Although the forwards get the headlines that's not a true reflection. It was definitely the backs that won this championship for us."

Frustrated by a few wides earlier in the match Shefflin didn't allow himself to become flustered.

"The one thing that Brian says - which shows what a great manager he is - is that it's not about driving the wide. If you're driving the wide at least you're winning the ball and getting on it. It would be worse if you were going out and not hitting ball at all.

"That's what Brian says. Get on the ball, make mistakes. It'll come good for you. And it did."

Despite a six-point lead Kilkenny found themselves staring down the barrel of a gun going into the final quarter, and a sense of déjà vu was beginning to settle, particularly for those who played in the final four years ago when Cork nicked the verdict in a low-scoring encounter.

"The first thing you think of is naturally '99," said Shefflin. "That was my first All-Ireland. I looked up at the scoreboard and saw it stuck on 11 points. I didn't think we were going to get past that or maybe get one more, 12 points - like in '99 again."

Meanwhile, the GOAL challenge will be played tomorrow evening in Nowlan Park between Kilkenny and their county champions, Young Irelands. Throw-in will be at 6 p.m. and the proceeds - everyone in attendance will be asked to donate €5 - will go to GOAL, the sports-based Third World development agency.

The organisation's Jersey Day takes place this Friday when people will wear the jerseys of their favourite team into work and make a donation to GOAL.