The Cats Win Their Second Successive McCarthy Cup

By Dermot Kavanagh

We didn't realise it al the time, but this match was effectively over after 10 minutes.

Kilkenny had by then registered 2 goals and 3 points while Limerick had barely put one meaningful attacking movement together, not to mention opening their account.

That Limerick matched Kilkenny on the scoreboard and also in terms of possession or the remaining 60 minutes of play will be of little satisfaction to them over the winter months as they attempt to come to terms with this defeat.

Readers may recall that in this observer's pre-match analysis it was felt that certain separate developments had to be cemented before Limerick could entertain any reasonable thoughts of winning.

The most critical of those developments was that all Limerick's better-known players had to perform to the height of their capabilities. Sadly, for Limerick of those named, only centre forward Ollie Moran played up to form and was probably the only Limerick player to consistently cause Kilkenny any serious trouble throughout the game.

That is not to say that Lucey, Geary, Begley and O Shaughnessy were to blame for Limerick's defeat but such was the overall strength of the opposition that Limerick could just not suffer a below par performance from any of those players, not to say all four at the same time.

Contrast Limerick's meteor with that of Kilkenny where all their star players delivered.

That the full back of Kavanagh, Hickey and Tyrell held the highly vaunted Limerick full forward line scoreless from play is clear evidence of their contributions. Wing backs, Walsh and Delaney hovered up all and every Limerick attack with some sublime but ruthless defending.

Up front Shefflin and Brennan, the goal scores showed their class and constantly created havoc every time the ball passed the halfway line.

To their credit Limerick did not surrender without a fight, but in fairness, barring a calamitous collapse by Kilkenny, Limerick was never likely to claw-back the results of Kilkenny's blistering start.

Kilkenny's lead swung throughout at between five and ten points and as the game progressed there was an air of inevitability that the McCarthy Cup was bound for Shefflin's sideboard from far out.

The strength of the Kilkenny subs bench was again clearly demonstrated following injuries that forced both Shefflin and Hickey to be substituted.

The Carrickshock men, Tennyson and Power seamlessly fitted into the pattern of the play to great effect.

Contrast that luxury with the Limerick situation where none of the full quota of used substitutes made any notable contributions.

While the game was at all times entertaining, due to Kilkenny's blitz-like start it became somewhat frenzied and chaotic as Limerick fought to get back into the fray.

The only time that Limerick looked really comfortable within themselves and hurling with the same sureness and calmness as in their semi-final clash with Waterford was prior to the lead up to Moran's goal in the second half.

However no sooner had they cut the deficit to five points than a lapse in defending yielded up three points for Kilkenny to restore their eight-point advantage.

That pattern of Limerick slightly reducing the deficit only for Kilkenny to undoubtedly restore it was repeated many times over the hour.

Kilkenny now lead the roll of honour with Cork, both counties on 30 titles each. Tipperary lies in third place on 25 titles.

Fifty years ago Kilkenny won their 14th title to close the gap on Cork (19) and Tipperary (16). That Kilkenny have added 16 titles to Cork's 11 and Tipperary's 9 in the intervening years clearly demonstrates that in regard to winning All-Ireland titles Kilkenny have no equals.

Next year the Kilkenny road show will set off in pursuit of their third title in-a-row. Pursuing that elusive target proved too much for Kilkenny in 2004 and Cork in 2006.

On current form and in the almost certainly that no retirements are imminent, Kilkenny will begin the 2008 championship odds as favourites to retain their title. While outclassed on the day in most departments, Limerick should be given every credit for their magnificent contribution to one of the best hurling years of recent times.

They appear to have put all their internal problems behind them for good. All those involved in the promotion of the game, i.e. the County board, the team management, the players and the supporters now have only one goal in mind and that is to bring the McCarthy Cup back to Limerick.

The sooner the better, for a traditional hurling county.