Keeping it simple often works best

FROM THE moment you arrive in Kilkenny, there is a certain simplicity in everything they do. They love hurling people and treat them with a respect regardless of where you come from, and make you feel welcome from the first hello.

True, they are a different animal when they hit the field and forget about any favours during the 60- or 70-minute period when there are no better men to go to war.

Their success can be attributed to many elements, but a stand-out for me is their ability not to over-complicate either on the field or off.

As I chatted to Ned Quinn and Paul Kinsella, I was aware that I was in the presence of greatness as few have had more influence on black and amber success by their common-sense approach to the county’s administration over the years.

‘Make sure you get a cup of tea before you go in Tom’ was the parting call and, despite the chastening experience inside, post-tea Nowlan Park is always a friendly place to visit.

I read an article this week about the increased size of many backroom teams, and I certainly have no problem with this as delegation can be an important key to success.

Tipperary are reputed to have 27 or so working with the players, with Limerick, Dublin and our own Wexford high up in the 20s.

There can be no argument here, with the last two All-Irelands, a Leinster and Munster title secured from this group, but again the Cats buck the trend with Brian Cody’s behind the scenes team numbering ten.

Their warm-ups are straightforward, and the over-use of tactics doesn’t seem to have infiltrated the set-up, with workrate their primary mantra.

Many, including myself, have felt that our neighbours may fall back a little in the hurling pecking order over the next few years, but last Saturday - after watching one of the most complete performances I have ever seen - I am now well convinced that our neighbours are on the button with their tried and tested approach.

Despite being straightforward, it exudes professionalism and will ensure that Kilkenny will continue on a very successful path.

Alan Kennedy, when he first joined the greatest Liverpool team ever, asked Bob Paisley for some advice before his first game.

Paisley, looking quite frustrated with his new signing, said, ‘when the opposition have the ball get it back and give it to someone in a red shirt’.

After having a first-half stinker, Kennedy went back to Paisley for further instruction at half-time to be told that he had no more to say, other than he was beginning to think they shot the wrong Kennedy!

Hurling, like soccer, is a simple game, so perhaps we need to be careful not to lose the run of ourselves.

From the moment Evan Shefflin split the Piercestown defence to set Brian Cody up for a 16-second goal, there was only going to be one winner as Ballyhale dominated every area of the field thereafter.

The power, skill and physicality of Henry Shefflin’s men was frightening at times, and in T.J. Reid they have one of the greatest stickmen ever to grace a field. His scores came from every skill, with one sideline cut being worth the admission money alone.

The comparisons with D.J. and Henry become more interesting every time he picks up a stick.

For the Martin’s, there is no doubt that the loss of Paudie Kelly and Willie Devereux were devastating, but they will be disappointed at their inability to make inroads in Leinster.

Joe O’Connor and Jack O’Connor at times tried to bring the fight to the Kilkenny men, but overall it was a lost cause from the off.

If any consolation can be gained, we may be looking at one of the best club sides ever, and even the might of Galway was beaten by 16 points in last year’s final.

As I travelled back through Thomastown, the sobering thought was that we must never be complacent and allow gaps develop in the standards of our club hurling when compared to theirs.

We have had our warning and must beware that ‘the friendly monster looms’.