Cats will take some catching

Tipperary’s NHL win has catapulted them into the realms of genuine All-Ireland contenders, along with the team they beat in the final, Galway, and old stagers Cork and Waterford. But champions Kilkenny remain the team to beat, writes Eamonn O’Hara...

BY EAMONN O'HARA
THE price is being shelled out by some former power-brokers for, as GAA president Nickey Brennan, stated during his address to Annual Congress last month, taking their “eye badly off the ball”.
He isn’t comfortable with the state of the All-Ireland Championship, its current structures, and gave a broad hint that major change is on the way.
For those passionate about the game from its grassroots to its superstar players, those who follow every puck of the sliotar from Pairc Ui Chaoimh and Semple Stadium to Croke Park, will see, he hopes, a better format that is “fair and balanced” and appeals to all.
How radical, in terms of dealing with the lopsided provincial system (there is really only one competitive provincial Championship worth its salt which influences the McCarthy Cup at present) and the interests involved in it, remains to be determined.
Brennan emphasised any “new proposal” was in the hands of the Hurling Development Committee to frame, after consultation with counties. When the HDC offers a recommedation for acceptance it will probably be for a
five-year period and Brennan told delegates at Congress it was “high time that this matter was finalised”.
Until this revamping is wheeled out before the public, supporters are bracing themselves for another game of monopoly, one Kilkenny have swept the boards at again in recent years, Cork periodically, with brief title cards falling the way of Tipperary, Offaly, Clare and Wexford in the 1990s, Galway in 1987 and 1988.
Brian Cody is expected to have his full compliment of Allstars back for what will be a straight-forward retake of Leinster to get their timing sharpened for the main event, the
All-Ireland, which kicks in on July 27. Before then the McCarthy Cup shootout will be primarily dominated by the cut and thrust of Munster’s old rivalries, its atmosphere, colour and live TV draws.
The deep south’s hostilities have again been boosted by victory for the Division One title. Last season it was Waterford. Last month resurgent Tipperary excelled, gave it a great lash by the banks of the Nore to see off Kilkenny in the semi-finals, then out-gunned young Joe Canning and co from Galway in a terrific final at Pairc na nGael.
A replenished defensive steel stood up brilliantly to all Kilkenny could hurl at them and, with Paul Curran immense at its heart, proved strong enough to cope with Galway’s exciting front three to allow Eoin Kelly and Lar Corbett to dish out the damage for League glory.
Tipperary’s stock has risen steadily this season. Unbeaten, confidence high, contesting better than they have for some years, they are fancied to make inroads in Munster and beyond. Their first test, at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, the graveyard of so many Tipperary teams through the decades, will indicate how strong their prospects are for McCarthy.
Cork’s delayed start to the season left them with a lot of catching up in practice. The latter stages of their Division One play-off against Galway, when they posted 24 points, suggested the potential for them to peak at the right time (July 27-onwards). Waterford may have slipped a few times in the League but they were never at full strength and, after winning Division One last year, perhaps their approach to the Championship was altered.
Arguably they peaked too early last summer though the fixture planners made their task exceptionally difficult. After two absorbing battles with Cork they were handed the short straw, exhausted, of an All-Ireland semi-finals a few days later against a fresher Limerick side that hurled brilliantly to qualify via the scenic route.
But we were left think what might have been had Waterford made it to the final.
Can any of the chasing pack deny Kilkenny? Majority opinion would argue no. Some have have a sneaking feeling for Galway. Fabulous full-forward line but doubts persist about the defence. Cork, Tipperary and Waterford all look to have stronger claims. Can’t see Limerick going as far again or Clare progressing past the quarter-final stage.
In this game of monopoly, despite building excitement and hope for a better final than 12 months ago, Kilkenny are too good to pass by.

Eamonn O'Hara's Predictions
Ulster SFC: Armagh
All-Ireland SFC: Derry
Ulster SHC: Antrim
All-Ireland SHC: Kilkenny