Dublin seagulls know when a sporting venue event is finished. With 37k in attendance yesterday for the Joe McDonagh and Leinster SHC finals, the seagulls were already in position. They secured their evening dinner well before John Donnelly stepped forward to receive the Bob O’Keefe Cup.
Hawkeye Sidekick reflects on last weekend’s hurling fixtures. It sparked untold excitement in Limerick. In contrast, Croke Park’s double header didn’t catch a spark, let alone a fire. Is it a product issue or are there more factors at play?
The Cork penalty shoot out win over Limerick in the Munster SHC final late into Saturday evening felt strange.
Declan Hannon’s last penalty effort trickled wide. This sparked celebration within Cork ranks. Limerick players and management needed to evacuate the pitch due to the Cork supporter invasion. The closing of this final felt wrong.
All credit to Cork. They had a massive point to prove in this final. The sixteen point loss to Limerick at the same venue during the round robin series needed to be addressed.
Cork management and players took the game to Limerick who were knocked out of tempo. They matched up physically. Thomas Walsh let things rip in the opening half (only six frees called).
It was every man for themselves. Both sides will look at frees not awarded. Limerick were not happy with the Brian Hayes pass assist for Shane Barrett’s Cork goal when Aidan O’Connor was pulled up for a similar hand pass action. The action was related to Cian Lynch’s disallowed effort.
The atmosphere within the TUS Gaelic Grounds was incredible. it was uncomfortably aggressive both on the pitch and sideline. Supporters emotions tested, some lost the plot in the stands with each passing minute.
The Cork half-forward line was a key story from this final. The unit of Healy, Barrett and Harnedy contributed to 1-8 from play. They answered the challenge from the Limerick half-forward line unit in the round robin fixture. Their movement, pace and scoring rate forced Limerick’s half-back line off balance.
Shane Kingston, Tommy O’Connell, and Conor Lehane made huge contributions off the bench. They were impactful at the end of normal and extra time for Cork. 0-6 from the trio in extra time provided Cork a lifeline as Limerick looked to pull clear. Aaron Gillane excellent throughout in the full forward line for Limerick with 0-9 points overall.
Limerick’s bench impact was impressive with 1-6. Shane O’Brien, Peter Casey, Declan Hannon, Cathal O’Neill, and Darragh O’Donovan all contributed. Cork hung in there despite their seventeen wides. This secured them a penalty shootout opportunity. Credit to Cork for this success!
Surely a provincial final replay or golden score would be better for all concerned moving forward? Pens in a hurling game feels wrong but with a shortened GAA intercounty fixture blocks, this will be the norm. Limerick will need to suck it up and regroup for an All Ireland quarter final. Cork triumph as the Mick Mackey Cup leaves Limerick for Cork.
Limerick’s seven in a row bid thwarted. The six in a row is an incredible achievement. Not many teams will get to this milestone. The bid ends for Limerick. The changing of provincial champions adds an intriguing subplot for the rest of the championship. Change is good.
TUS Gaelic Grounds saw 43k attendance. The contest would have sold out Croke Park. This is especially true given the two fanatical county support bases. The same can’t be said for the Sunday fixture list in Croke Park.
The atmosphere was flat even with the excellent Kildare Joe McDonagh Cup final success. They dominated the second half and the ten point win did not flatter the Lilywhites. Laois exposed due to changes in the starting lineup. Substituting Tomas Keyes, the top scorer in the campaign, as the first man was a baffling call.
Kilkenny and Galway was incredibly cagey and tense early in the Leinster SHC final. Galway defensive and looking to stifle than create themselves for long periods. Kilkenny took time to solve the problem but when they did put this game out of reach. Thirteen points up. Galway roused themselves in the final quarter but their challenge was well short. Nothing for the fans in attendance to grab onto.
Kilkenny the standout county in Leinster hurling this season across underage and senior ranks. The flat atmosphere yesterday spoke volumes. The lack of attendance points to a jaded provincial setup. Kilkenny cannot be blamed for this. It is down to others to catchup and elevate standards but who will challenge.
Dublin and Galway have tried and failed this season to compete against Kilkenny. Wexford senior player leadership departures look a certainty in the off season. Offaly survived in the provincial championship but squad depth was exposed. Kildare arrive next year with a big learning curve in 1B and provincial senior championship.
It should be a big worry for Leinster GAA officials. Dublin’s footballers enjoyed endless dominance in the province until this season. Kilkenny are already at the summit and do not look like being toppled. Kilkenny U20 side were comprehensively beaten by Tipperary two weeks ago. It was an example of a side ill-prepared for an All Ireland bid. Their Leinster campaign was too easy and routine.
The All Ireland minor hurling series has seen Wexford, Dublin and Galway exiting early. Kilkenny fly the flag for the province in this age group against Waterford this weekend in a semi-final fixture. Yesterday was so underwhelming in Croke Park.
Perhaps Joe Canning is right, is Croke Park the right venue for the Leinster SHC final? Yesterday would indicate that it is not. The event may need Nowlan Park, O’Connor Park or O’Moore Park to host the showpiece. It is sad to even think in those terms. The interest in Leinster hurling, even within the provincial gate attendances, is on the wane. A very worrying situation.
The Munster SHC brand has never been better but that is not guaranteed long-term. How does the GAA look to reinvigorate the provincial championships but while also looking to add more fair championship competitiveness. It is a question to be asked in the off season. Leinster participating teams apart from Kilkenny have not hit the mark this season.