Kilkenny vs. Tipperary

The Irish Examiner's All Ireland Hurling Final Preview

By Denis O'Brien

All Ireland champions Kilkenny and their great rivals Tipperary go head-to-head this Sunday for the right to be crowned Ireland's best hurling team for 2009.

It has been billed the dream final as the two have reached the final on merit and are the two best teams in the country.

Surprisingly they have only met 14 times in finals over the 125-year history of the GAA with Tipp leading the series by 9 wins to Kilkenny's 5.

They last met in the final in 1991 with Tipperary coming out on top by four points and the stakes couldn't be higher when they go at it once more as Kilkenny bid for a historic four All Ireland titles in a row with Tipp the ones left to stop them.

They met twice this year with Kilkenny dishing out a massive 17-point walloping on their rivals at Nolan Park in the National League in March. However when they met again in the league final the game was much closer with Tipp leading by a sizeable margin with Kilkenny left to chase the game. Eventually Kilkenny fought back to force extra time and won it by three points in a thriller.

Kilkenny were pushed all the way by Galway in their opener in the Leinster semi-final having to haul back big leads at several intervals throughout the game. Nevertheless the way in which they overcame Galway, reeling off a succession of scores near the end, was impressive when coming out four point victors.

They looked somewhat less impressive in beating a lively Dublin side by six in the Leinster Final but last time out in the All Ireland semi final, when pushed all the way by Waterford, they held off the challenge and looked as if they had more to offer.

Tipp meanwhile looked really good when taking an early lead against Cork in their opener in the Munster Championship but were nearly caught napping when holding on for a three-point win.

In the semi-final they outclassed Clare for the majority of the game however their defense looked vulnerable once more as they let a big lead slip but they held out for the win.

In the final they looked impressive when building an 11-point lead against Waterford but faltered anew as they allowed the Deise to get within four points of them by the final whistle.

They have been excellent in the goal-scoring area all summer as they put four past the Deise that day and another six past a hapless Limerick in the recent All Ireland semi final. And, they got four goals against Kilkenny in that league final.

Lar Corbett, young 18-year old Noel McGrath, John O'Brien, Seamus Callinan, Pat Kerwick and to a lesser extent the lethal Eoin Kelly, who has also been suffering with injury, have all been finding the net.

Kelly's fitness on Sunday could be crucial and if on form he could turn the tide Tipp's way.

A worry for the Cats is that is that they have been conceding goals at a much higher rate than last year even though they have been without the services of their injured All Star full back, Noel Hickey all year. He has recovered from injury for the final if picked.

Should Tipp strike early for a goal against Kilkenny it should make for an enthralling encounter. However, Kilkenny will be weary of Tipp's goal scoring prowess from the league final and will be forewarned and it is hard to see them concede as many again.

Kilkenny's forwards haven't set the world alight in the championship to date although they still have averaged 28 points a game. They have had big individual performances from Eoin Larkin, Martin Comerford and Henry Shefflin in each of their championship games to date and will need at least four forwards scoring freely on Sunday if they are to win.

While 20-year-old, Padraic Maher for Tipperary had an excellent game at center back in the league final; he will be also be severely tested on Sunday in his new position at full back. He did well there in the semi-final against a limited Paudie McNamara but with the possibility of coming up against an in-form Henry Shefflin he will have a battle on his hands.

An area that could decide the game is centerfield and Kilkenny may hold the edge here as Michael Rice has been a revelation there all year and if he starts he will influence the game. James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick though substituted in the semi-final is making a comeback from injury and sickness (mumps), and he should, if selected, improve on that performance on Sunday.

Tipp's Shane McGrath, who is also making a comeback from the mumps, and James Woodlock, both substituted in the semi final win over Limerick will need to be at their best on Sunday. Word from the Tipp camp is that veteran Benny Dunne could replace one or the other at the start.

Even though Tipp have looked impressive particularly when it comes to getting goals, they will need a really big performance all over the field to topple Kilkenny as the last few years have seen the Cats razor sharp on final day.

Expect no less on Sunday from Kilkenny as they chase a fourth title in a row and they will relish a chance to even the score of McCarthy Cup wins with great rivals Tipperary.