How the final four rate ahead of the All-Ireland semis
IT HAS been an unbelievable Championship so far. Overall, the standard of hurling from nearly all the teams have been phenomenal. I know it’s all based around the top eight or nine counties but if you factor in the players’ physical fitness, their size, their pace, their skill, their scoring ability – hurling at the very top level has never been as good. I’ve never seen so little between the top five in Munster which is now ultra-competitive.
With the All-Ireland semi-finals next weekend, it’s a time to celebrate where the game is at and take a close look at the four teams left – Cork, Limerick, Clare and Galway.
In rating them in four different categories, it’s hard not to be positive about where they are all at. Cork haven’t won a senior All-Ireland since 2005; Limerick have to go back to 1973 – instead of supporters staying at home, get up there and watch it. This summer, the live hurling days have been truly special.
Yet only 19,000 people were at Thurles for Limerick’s thrilling All-Ireland quarter-final against Kilkenny. Come on – that should have been 40,000.
I have some sympathy for the strange scheduling of Clare versus Wexford in Páirc Uí Chaoimh but 10,000 isn’t near enough for what is on offer.
Kilkenny’s absense removes the fear factor for any of those left. Clare won’t fear Galway; Limerick won’t fear Cork. Galway stand apart from the remaining teams for a reason: the big difference between them and rest is the strength of the starting 15. To different degrees, every other team is still a work in progress.
Look at their age profile as well. A number of their key players have been involved at the business end of the Championship for six or seven seasons. None of the other teams have as many boxes ticked.
They still look the team to beat.
MOMENTUM
From a players’ point of view, even getting that shaky first half against Clare allowed them to learn a lot about themselves. Mark Ellis is back in the frame as well, a really strong defender, and the fact that they haven’t lost a game all summer has to bring its own momentum.
They are in a nice position heading back to Croke Park and they will look to exploit the pace in the team in the open spaces.
I’m a big fan of Cork hurling, always have been. They play with that swagger, a positive arrogance. The experience of last year’s semifinal also has to stand to them. 9/10
STAR PLAYERS
I’ve been singing the praises of Patrick Horgan for a while now. He has been spectacular. Note how outstanding David McInerney was against Wexford yet Horgan gave him a torrid time in the Munster final.
Every day he goes out he has the main marker on him, yet he is able to rise above it. His scoring averages have been phenomenal.
So much of Cork’s game is based on Anthony Nash’s puck-out strategy. Limerick have a half-back line packed with men well over six feet who are so strong in the air. When they met in Munster, I loved watching the movement of Conor Lehane, Shane Kingston, Seamus Harnedy, Daniel Kearney – Nash’s ability to implement the same strategy of hitting runners is going to have a key bearing.
The captaincy is resting very lightly on Seamus Harnedy. His catch against Clare just before half
time was so vital, setting up the goal when the Munster final was going away from them. Scored 1-4 himself that day and wins a lot of hard ball.
9/10 MANAGEMENT
I’ve been blown away by the ease with which John Meyler has taken over.
At a certain age, whether coaching or commentating, you can be seen as past it. Here is a man involved in hurling all his life, with club, with county and with country through the shinty.
No wonder he has been very cool, very calm.
Sean O’Donoghue has been a real find at corner-back and he used the League to blood players like Tim O’Mahony and Robbie O’Flynn.
With Cork in big trouble in the Munster final, he made key changes at half-time, right up the spine of the team. It worked. Someone who obviously has the trust of the players. 9/10
CLARE FORM
We’ve seen every aspect of Clare in the Championship. Lacking confidence at the start, lacking a game plan. Then snatching victory from the jaws of defeat against Tipperary, producing some sublime hurling against Cork before collapsing in the second half. Very good against Wexford but Wexford were very bad. So they have to put it together for 70 minutes.
8/10 MOMENTUM
All four teams left have momentum. In Clare’s case, a knock-out game against Wexford in Páirc Uí Chaoimh with only 10,000 people will generate a certain amount.
What will give them a huge lift is being back in Croke Park for the first time since the 2013 All-Ireland final replay, which should suit their running game.
And it is significant is that an awful lot of top players from 2013 have regained their best form. The likes of Tony Kelly, Colm Galvin, David McInerney, Shane O’Donnell and Podge Collins – all of them have clicked into form together.
8/10 STAR PLAYERS
Tony Kelly is judged on a different level, along with Joe Canning and TJ Reid. It’s very strange to hear this talk of him getting back to form because his form has generally been top class. It’s just so much is expected every time he goes out. His hurling is so effortless. Then there’s the ground he covers. Right now, he is at the very top of his game. After being brilliant against Tipperary, Shane O’Donnell suffered a little dip against Limerick. I was critical of him not taking his scores enough but he answered that with four from play against Wexford. His work rate, his ability to win ball and bring others into play, his speed – it makes him a tough proposition to mark. Jamie Shanahan has been very good at wingback. A player I didn’t know an awful lot about coming into the Championship, he has been brilliant. I love his use of the ball which has been top class.
9/10 MANAGEMENT
Joint management brings a different dynamic. I’m experiencing it myself with Daithí Regan with our club’s Under-21s and the key is to have a clear divide in terms of roles. Who is making the calls on the day? Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney have been together a long time so they know each other inside out.
They were filling big boots after the departure of Davy Fitzgerald. It’s funny how much can swing on tight margins. If Jake Morris nails that goal for Tipperary, they were gone. Instead, they got over the line that day in Munster.
Clare were brilliant against Limerick in Ennis and reaching Croke Park has seen the duo come of age at adult level. 9/10