Cork Has The Power To Win

The Irish Examiner USA's All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final Preview

For all the hand wringing and protestations that emirate from the usual quarters at the continued dominance of Cork and Kilkenny in hurling, nonetheless the nearer that the All Ireland gets the faster the heart beats with excitement and anticipation. In almost every other team sport it is always desirable, and indeed welcome, that the two best teams should contest that sports premier final.

So, until the other hurling counties wake up and put themselves into a position to challenge the Cork - Kilkenny hegemony let them all sit back and enjoy the game, being played by the codes premier and most honour laden counties.

To date, Cork lead the Roll of Honour with 30 All Ireland wins, followed closely by Kilkenny with 28 wins. Curiously Cork also lead the Roll of Honour of McCarthy Cup wins, since that cup was first donated, 1922, as the All Ireland trophy. To date Cork has registered 23 wins as against Kilkenny's 21.

Since that 1922 final, the counties have played each other 13 times in finals, with Kilkenny winning the title on 8 of those occasions. What relevance, if any will those statistics have on Sunday's game. Probably none, other than to confirm that neither county will be in any way intimidated or over-awed by the presence of their traditional rival in the opposite corner.

On current and on all known previous form Cork should just about shade the issue on Sunday. Kilkenny's chances were dealth a major blow with the training ground injury sustained by their most consistent defender, JJ Delaney. The Johnstown man is now out of the game and the Kilkenny mentors must now fill what must seem to them like an unfillable gap. The most likely replacement will be Martin Kavanagh, already the holder of three winner's medals. Kavanagh will not lack experience of the big day, but one wonders at his level of confidence given that apart from the quarterfinal game against Galway, he has been overlooked all year. If selected, and if you can contain Cork's livewire corner forward Kavanagh will help Kilkenny's cause.

The Cork team will in all probability be that which was decidedly lucky not to have been held to a draw by Waterford in the semi-final. Undoubtedly the strength of the team is where their supporters describe as "the diamond", that area of the field where the half back line of Gardiner, Curran and O' hAilpin together with the midfield pairing of O'Connor and Kenny operate. If Kilkenny are unable to at least break even and prevent the Cork men from hoovering up all the loose ball that is normally available in this area, their chances of success will be seriously if not fatally damaged.

If the Cork team has any weakness it would appear to rest with the half forward line. Inadvertently, two if not all of their original selections on this line are replaced during the game for a variety of reasons. It is essential for Kilkenny that their half back line dominates this area and limit the supply of ball to Cork's full forward line. If full forward Corcoran is permitted to dictate matters around the square as he did in the last two finals he will bring his corner men, O' Connor and Deane into play. Kilkenny must at all costs not allow those two corner men the freedom of the park.

Another possible area of Cork unease this summer has been the displays of Mulcahy and O'Sullivan in the Cork fullback line. Team captain Mulcahy must not repeat the rough play that he so frequently displayed in the recent club All Ireland Final, for which he was correctly sidelined at the end of the game. Full back, O'Sullivan, while he never fails to deliver on the big days is occasionally prone to overzealousness, a weakness that one day could be his undoing. The remaining last line defender, Murphy has been that lines most dependable player all season.

What of Kilkenny? Rarely if ever have the black and amber brigade entered a final with such uncertainty, both in relation to the personnel of the team and its current form. In fact, it is not certain that team captain Tyrell would make the starting line up if it were not for Delaney's injury. The temptation to place the dashing, play anywhere Tommy Walsh in the full back line is strong. If that move were made, the most immediate effect would-be to rob an already edgy half back line of its most reliable defender. Maybe, manager Cody might now recall Richie Mullally to this line, the failure to do so in 2004, when the defence was in serious trouble still rankles with Kilkenny followers.

At midfield Kilkenny should do well provided the more experienced Lyng can make sufficient space for Fitzpatrick to display his array of skills.

In the Kilkenny attack Shefflin is having a tremendous year. Scoring almost at will, he is undoubtedly Kilkenny's main hope for success. A crucial factor for Kilkenny's chances will revolve around where the selectors place Shefflin on the team. It will be critical for Kilkenny that the selectors do not revisit the mistake of 2004 where Shefflin was put into direct opposition with Cork's charismatic leader, O' hAilpin, with dire consequences.

For Kilkenny to win two happenings must occur. Firstly several Kilkenny players, particularly amongst the forwards will have to raise their performances to new heights. Secondly, Cork must not be allowed to dominate the open spaces, thereby giving them the opportunity to play the running, hand passing game that Kilkenny found so difficult to handle in 2004.

So far, this year Cork has won all their games without actually playing to their optimum. That ability to win games without reaching expected heights is frequently advanced as the hallmark of a great team - time will tell.

To summarise, this writer's choice is for Cork to win. They appeared not to have to depend on one or two of their star players to carry them through. There is more of a team effort, combined with some brilliant performers. From goalkeeper Cusack, the spiritual leader of the team to corner man, Deane the team ethic shines through, and they have the results to prove it, Kilkenny, on the other hand, appear to have problems in too many areas to have confidence in their ability to win. However they already know how Cork will play and if all their patching up works on the day, who knows?

One concern for Cork is in relation to the statistics referred to earlier. Generally in Cork/Kilkenny finals the underdogs usually upset the odds and achieve an unlikely win. While Cork are the choice to win, don't rule out an upset.