Canning's View - Hurling Column September 2

And so it has come to pass.

Most of us started the year speculating that the likely make up of this year’s final would involve Tipperary and Kilkenny for the third year running and that’s exactly how it has turned out.

Despite the fact that hurling supporters will flock to Croke Park to see these two traditional powers do battle for the third year running, there is no evidence of fatigue factor or boredom.

That in itself is an indicator of the lure of the fixture and by extension proof of the entertainment value of the past two finals, both of which have been superb encounters.

When it came down to it no one else came with a push big enough to dislodge either of the Big Two and in light of what has gone before these two there is even more riding on the game than normal – if that’s possible. In a way last year’s result has spurred both teams on in getting back to this stage.

Tipperary have grown in confidence and stature as a team despite the change in management and the goal for them is attempt to retain their crown for the first time since the 1960s. Kilkenny on the other hand have an obvious source of motivation and will not want to lose two consecutive finals.

All told I don’t think anyone could argue against the fact that we are left with the two best teams in the competition and it has the makings of an intriguing duel.

I think it would be unrealistic to expect a repeat of the last two finals because in some ways we have been spoilt. I expect it to be tight and tense, especially in the opening stages and I find it hard to imagine a fast free flowing game emerging thereafter.

There is a real need for Kilkenny to shore things up at the back particularly in the opening stages in light of what happened last year. I expect to see their midfield dropping back minimising the space in their defence for the Tipp forwards to operate in and you will also see JJ Delaney and Tommy Walsh sweeping around.

However there will be no sweeper employed the way other counties have used this tactic this summer, quite often in games against Tipperary. Their tradition is to go 15 v 15 and that’s the way they set themselves up.

Simply put, Kilkenny have to be compact at the back and avoid Tipp getting a run on them the way they did last year.

One of my abiding memories from last year was the stray hurl being thrown in the direction of Lar Corbett and in a way it symbolised the problems Kilkenny had on the day. There are changes to the Kilkenny team this year but crucially they will have two men back who were badly missed last year.

Henry Shefflin’s injury and the speculation surrounding his involvement led to the generation of a circus last year with thousands turning up to see the county training. That he only lasted part of the first half was a massive blow both to him and indeed the team’s chances because he is such an inspiration to his team mates.

In his absence their league form was patchy. Even if he is not producing moments of magic his presence is still a massive plus for a team.

Brian Hogan was also badly missed last year and John Tennyson was only back from injury so Tipperary would do well to brace themselves for a different challenge this time around.

If sweepers are not to be deployed there will be an added emphasis on who comes out on top in the middle because much of the supply to the forwards will stem from this area of the field.

Michael Fennelly has been hurling really well and his tussle with Shane McGrath is a stand out clash for me.
Both of these players have the ability to set the tone for their respective teams and expect both to have a major impact on proceedings from the word go.

Tipperary were hugely impressive against Waterford and the question for me was whether or not they could maintain those levels. They dipped against Dublin but that was much down to Dublin as anything else and this test will really stand to them.

Tipp will feel that they should be chasing a third title in a row after losing in 2009 in a game they could have won.
However the edge on motivation lies with Kilkenny after the 2010 decider defeat.

A lot has been made about the possibility of a draw which is something that we haven’t had since 1959.
However, I believe Kilkenny will scrape through in what is likely to be a battle to the end. It may not be for the feint hearted but it should be fascinating nonetheless.

In the minor game neutrals continue to be amazed at Dublin’s progress and this is further evidence that they are on the right path.

Galway hurling continues to produce strong underage teams and their win over a fancied Clare team in extra time was a shot in the arm combined with the U21 success over Limerick.

Dublin conceded goals against Waterford despite winning this game and expect Galway to focus in on this.
It too should a great game setting the tone for what is likely to be a day to remember.