Hurling National League finals Division One final Kilkenny v Tipperary Croke Park, 3.40For all the upcoming distractions and squabbling over the venue, this afternoon's Allianz National Hurling League final brings together what are currently hurling's two best teams.
Winners of the double in each of the past two years, neither has any evident hang-ups about success in the league (which for about a decade previously had been the prelude to championship disaster) although natural caution at having a major championship match in 13 days' time is a distraction for Tipperary. However, there's so much time and hurling between now and any likely championship meeting that what happens today is unlikely to be more than a footnote.
Tipperary have already made their point against the champions with last month's win at Nowlan Park and to that extent the motivation has swung back in Kilkenny's direction. On the field there are some interesting issues for both managers although Michael Doyle's in-tray stacks higher than Brian Cody's.
The campaign has been mixed for Tipperary. Doyle has lost the invaluable resource that John Leahy's presence in the panel would have represented. Eamonn Corcoran's silky efficiency could be lost to suspension until after the Munster championship and injury has prevented the bedding in of a centrefield partnership.
On the credit side Martin Maher and Benny Dunne have looked really well at corner back. Dunne has his loose moments - unsurprisingly for someone who scored 2-2 from wing forward in last year's Munster final - but his craft and anticipation have lessened the worry of Paul Ormonde's prolonged injury. And Redser O'Grady has passed the full forward tests so far.
The hissing discontent that surrounds Kilkenny's preparations isn't that surprising. Cody is in his fifth year in charge and has racked up a good bit of accumulated dissent on account of his decisive selection policies. Managers are there to pick teams, as he pointed out during the week and results rather than bruised feelings are the criteria of success and failure.
Cody had plenty to frown at in Kilkenny's defeat by Tipp but it was hardly the stuff of panic attacks. His half forwards played poorly, which seems to have prompted the move of Tommy Walsh to the wing. The tendency will be to chalk Noel Hickey's destruction at the hands of O'Grady down to a bad day. But it ensures Kilkenny's full back will be under scrutiny today.
Although the win was a great fillip to Tipperary, the odd thing was that the margin was so tight. Three points was poor enough return for a match they largely dominated. There will also be long-term apprehension at how things go at centre back. Although David Kennedy's rehabilitation looked nicely under way by the end of the Nowlan Park match, he had looked less assured during the earlier stages when Shefflin had a supply. In Corcoran's absence the pressure will intensify.
Doyle will probably be happy with some good displays in key areas and no injuries. Kilkenny have the space to be a bit more ambitious and that should tell.
Meanwhile, in the control and passion of their hurling in this final last year could be seen the great improvement Dinny Cahill had wrought in Antrim. Laois might have overhauled them by the end but there was enough to suggest the Ulster team was on the right track.
Again for long periods of the All-Ireland quarter-final against Tipperary, Antrim impressed and their return to Croke Park this afternoon is no great surprise. In fact it would be a setback for Cahill were his side not to proceed to Division One.
Kerry are more of a story in the way they have put behind them the demoralising failure to even contest the senior championship and the shambles that prompted Bernie O'Connor to walk away last year shaking his head.
When these counties met recently Antrim were narrow winners in Tralee but the Ulster champions will be comfortable at Croke Park between last summer and Dunloy's All-Ireland club final outing. With virtually the same team that pushed Tipp so hard, Antrim look too strong.
KILKENNY: PJ Ryan; M Kavanagh, N Hickey, P Larkin; R Mullally, P Barry, JJ Delaney; D Lyng, P Tennyson; J Hoyne, H Shefflin, T Walsh; E Brennan, M Comerford, DJ Carey.
TIPPERARY: B Cummins; M Maher, P Maher, B Dunne; B Horgan, D Kennedy, P Kelly; T Dunne, N Morris; J Carroll, C Gleeson, L Cahill; E Kelly, G O'Grady, L Corbett.
Referee: P O'Connor (Limerick).
Division Three final: Mayo v Sligo, Castlebar, 3.0.
