9 September 1999 Edition
Sportsview: Cats to win by a whisker
By Dan O'Neill
Although the 1990s has been the open decade in the hurling championship's history, with no fewer than six different teams tasting glory, the century will end with Cork and Kilkenny reclaiming their hegemony
The last hurling championship of the millennium has reached its finale. Sunday's decider will bring the curtain down on what has been a great year for the game. The Munster championship was as exciting and hard fought as we all expected. Leinster also had some fantastic games and high scores as DJ Carey rediscovered his taste for goal. And God bless the `back door system', which gave us the Clare-Galway epics, Offaly-Cork, and the best game of the year, as Kilkenny finally overcame the great fighting spirit of the Banner County in the semi's.
It has also seen the emergence of a very young and talented Cork side and quite possibly heralds the end of an era for the two best sides of the decade, Clare and Offaly.
We've had record crowds at Croke Park, and in a week when we had Irish soccer and rugby internationals, the crowd at one All-Ireland semifinal was higher than the combined total at the internationals. Interest in our national games has never been higher.
I suppose it is fitting that the last game of the century should be contested by the two greatest sides to play the game - the Old Firm of hurling.
Although the 1990s has been the open decade in the hurling championship's history, with no fewer than six different teams tasting glory, the century will end with Cork and Kilkenny reclaiming their hegemony.
This year's championship was crucial for Cork boss Jimmy Barry Murphy. Anything other than glory would have surely meant the end of his tenure. His record until then had been less than impressive and there was criticism from a public used to success. When he took over in 1996, he underestimated the work at hand as Limerick dished out a 16-point hammering. There wasn't much joy in 1997 and 1998, which coincided with Cork's worst run in history. Something had to be done. Together with former players like Jim Cashman, Johnny Crowley, and others behind the scenes, a plan was hatched by JBM to scour the county for new talent. Out of this came the present young guns, skillful and light with an average age of 22. The brave decision to bring six untested players into the cauldron of the Munster hurling championship against Waterford was criticised.
The gamble paid off. The victory over Clare in the Munster decider dispelled any lingering doubts over JBM's credentials. The inexperience may have been a blessing, as the memories of 1996 meant nothing to the fearless youngsters. The guillotine set was put away. They went into the Offaly game as favourites, despite the fact that half their starting 15 had never been to GAA headquarters before, and they gave a great performance against the 1998 winners. The old champions died hard but champions of the future were made in that fateful game as the Cork boys became men in a fine finish that gave them victory. Cork were back in an All-Ireland final - where they belonged. All the disappointments since 1992 behind them.
Many people questioned Kilkenny's resolve to come from last year's disappointment at losing the All-Ireland final to bitter rivals Offaly. But with a new boss at the helm in Brian Cody, the Cats have undoubtedly played the best hurling of the championship.
Laois and Offaly felt the wrath of their deadly attack. DJ was proving he was the finest hurler in the country again after last year's inconsistency and new sensation Henry Shefflin, only 19 years of age, was proving he would make a suitable inheritor of DJ's crown in future years.
They put six goals past a hapless Laois and five past the All-Ireland champions - impressive. More was to come when they put away the legendary fighting spirit of Clare (at the first attempt!).
Of course, both managers on the touchline have been here before as players. Brian Cody marked Jimmy Barry Murphy in the All-Ireland final of 1983. On that day, Cody had the upper hand. Will JBM have the last laugh or will the Cats boss smile again?
I feel experience will be a crucial factor and it's here that Kilkenny have the edge. Pat O'Neill, Willie O'Connor, John Power and DJ Carey already have a couple of All-Ireland medals. They have all bounced back from that All-Ireland final defeat of 1991 to win back to back titles in 1992/93. They know what's ahead of them. They have been here before.
However, Cork have already shown this year that they can handle big occasions and they have beaten more experienced teams. A great game is in store!
The Cork defence of Sean Og O'Ailpin , Corcoran, O'Sullivan and Browne have been excellent this year, but the deadliest attack in the country in Carey, Power, Carter and Shefflin may get the upper hand. My bet is that the Cats will be purring come Sunday.
Sunday's teams
Cork: D Og Cusack, F Ryan, D O'Sullivan, J Browne, W Sherlock, B Corcoran, S Og O Ailpin, M Landers, M O'Connell, T McCarthy, F McCormack, N Ronan, S McGrath, J Deane, B O'Connor.
Kilkenny: J McGarry, P Larkin, C Brennan, W O'Connor, M Kavanagh, P O'Neill, P, Barry, A Comerford, D Byrne, DJ Carey, J Power, B McEvoy, K O'Shea, H Shefflin, C Carter.
All-Ireland Hurling Final Preview
Although the 1990s has been the open decade in the hurling championship's history, with no fewer than six different teams tasting glory, the century will end with Cork and Kilkenny reclaiming their hegemony
The last hurling championship of the millennium has reached its finale. Sunday's decider will bring the curtain down on what has been a great year for the game. The Munster championship was as exciting and hard fought as we all expected. Leinster also had some fantastic games and high scores as DJ Carey rediscovered his taste for goal. And God bless the `back door system', which gave us the Clare-Galway epics, Offaly-Cork, and the best game of the year, as Kilkenny finally overcame the great fighting spirit of the Banner County in the semi's.
It has also seen the emergence of a very young and talented Cork side and quite possibly heralds the end of an era for the two best sides of the decade, Clare and Offaly.
We've had record crowds at Croke Park, and in a week when we had Irish soccer and rugby internationals, the crowd at one All-Ireland semifinal was higher than the combined total at the internationals. Interest in our national games has never been higher.
I suppose it is fitting that the last game of the century should be contested by the two greatest sides to play the game - the Old Firm of hurling.
Although the 1990s has been the open decade in the hurling championship's history, with no fewer than six different teams tasting glory, the century will end with Cork and Kilkenny reclaiming their hegemony.
This year's championship was crucial for Cork boss Jimmy Barry Murphy. Anything other than glory would have surely meant the end of his tenure. His record until then had been less than impressive and there was criticism from a public used to success. When he took over in 1996, he underestimated the work at hand as Limerick dished out a 16-point hammering. There wasn't much joy in 1997 and 1998, which coincided with Cork's worst run in history. Something had to be done. Together with former players like Jim Cashman, Johnny Crowley, and others behind the scenes, a plan was hatched by JBM to scour the county for new talent. Out of this came the present young guns, skillful and light with an average age of 22. The brave decision to bring six untested players into the cauldron of the Munster hurling championship against Waterford was criticised.
The gamble paid off. The victory over Clare in the Munster decider dispelled any lingering doubts over JBM's credentials. The inexperience may have been a blessing, as the memories of 1996 meant nothing to the fearless youngsters. The guillotine set was put away. They went into the Offaly game as favourites, despite the fact that half their starting 15 had never been to GAA headquarters before, and they gave a great performance against the 1998 winners. The old champions died hard but champions of the future were made in that fateful game as the Cork boys became men in a fine finish that gave them victory. Cork were back in an All-Ireland final - where they belonged. All the disappointments since 1992 behind them.
Many people questioned Kilkenny's resolve to come from last year's disappointment at losing the All-Ireland final to bitter rivals Offaly. But with a new boss at the helm in Brian Cody, the Cats have undoubtedly played the best hurling of the championship.
Laois and Offaly felt the wrath of their deadly attack. DJ was proving he was the finest hurler in the country again after last year's inconsistency and new sensation Henry Shefflin, only 19 years of age, was proving he would make a suitable inheritor of DJ's crown in future years.
They put six goals past a hapless Laois and five past the All-Ireland champions - impressive. More was to come when they put away the legendary fighting spirit of Clare (at the first attempt!).
Of course, both managers on the touchline have been here before as players. Brian Cody marked Jimmy Barry Murphy in the All-Ireland final of 1983. On that day, Cody had the upper hand. Will JBM have the last laugh or will the Cats boss smile again?
I feel experience will be a crucial factor and it's here that Kilkenny have the edge. Pat O'Neill, Willie O'Connor, John Power and DJ Carey already have a couple of All-Ireland medals. They have all bounced back from that All-Ireland final defeat of 1991 to win back to back titles in 1992/93. They know what's ahead of them. They have been here before.
However, Cork have already shown this year that they can handle big occasions and they have beaten more experienced teams. A great game is in store!
The Cork defence of Sean Og O'Ailpin , Corcoran, O'Sullivan and Browne have been excellent this year, but the deadliest attack in the country in Carey, Power, Carter and Shefflin may get the upper hand. My bet is that the Cats will be purring come Sunday.
Sunday's teams
Cork: D Og Cusack, F Ryan, D O'Sullivan, J Browne, W Sherlock, B Corcoran, S Og O Ailpin, M Landers, M O'Connell, T McCarthy, F McCormack, N Ronan, S McGrath, J Deane, B O'Connor.
Kilkenny: J McGarry, P Larkin, C Brennan, W O'Connor, M Kavanagh, P O'Neill, P, Barry, A Comerford, D Byrne, DJ Carey, J Power, B McEvoy, K O'Shea, H Shefflin, C Carter.