AI SHC Kilkenny vs Limerick

smashey

Just to remind everybody here that there is more to the GAA than the football and dubs.

As a neutral, I would like to see Limerick do it but I can't see beyond the Cats. Could I be wrong?

monosharp

Now before I start I must say that Kilkenny are almost un-backable favourites and rightly so. They have lads on the bench that would make most other Senior counties starting 15 including Cork. They have talent, they have skill, they have fitness, they have strength and they have the right attitude. They have great management and they have fight in them.

Probably the greatest asset I see for Kilkenny is their attitude, their GAA men first and foremost, they give their all and I don't think they ever underestimate anyone. They see each match as much against the guys on the bench looking to take their place as they do against the opposition.

But ...

Limerick have an awful lot of fight in them and although Kilkenny beats them hands down in depth of talent and skill, I think Limerick beat Kilkenny in the amount of fight they have. Limerick want this, Limerick need this and every player on the Limerick team know it. If Limerick play with as much passion and intensity as they did against Waterford then I could see them just nipping Kilkenny. But they need to give everything they have for 70 minutes, fighting for every blade of grass, for every ball like it was the first and the last ball they're going to see.

Kilkenny are a fantastic team but if I were a Kilkenny man I'd be worried about the lack of competition. No offence to Wexford, Offaly and others but the only match Kilkenny had all year was against Galway and in my opinion Galway were nowhere near their best this year. I don't know what Ger is doing to them but they seem to be going backwards if anything.

Galway were right in it for 60 minutes and then they couldn't hold back the Cats any longer. Well I don't rate Galway this year anywhere, they were bad all year and then we're expected to believe they simply picked it up against the Cats ? The Galway Kilkenny game was good but was it really Galway picking it up to Kilkennys level for the first time all year or was it simply an open game ? I think Kilkenny haven't being tested this year and Limerick are going to give them a dogfight like they haven't being in since last year.

Still have to go with the Cats but I'll be putting money on Limerick and I'll be shouting for them.

Amazotheamazing

If Limerick allow a game of hurling break out them we're goosed, we need to disrupt and harry until the 80th minute. I predict a lot of throw-ins and a lot of extra time.

I don't expect Limerick to win, but I hope we can out there nad least give Kilkenny a game.

cruiserweight

A thread about GAA :eek:

In all honesty I find it very difficult to find a reason to back Limerick in this one. Limerick have done well this year and displayed a battling spirit in all of their games, in addition to this I think that the management have done a great job and made the right decisions at key times in games. However, this is Kilkenny who I think are ahead of all of the other teams at this stage. They have fantastic hurlers in every position and great strength and depth on the bench. Some people will argue that they got an easier run to the final and aren't as good as they seem. But Wexford and Galway are no push overs. Another point that I should make is that they are terrific sportsmen, they take every team seriously and never back off.

lukin

Sport is funny, in '94 and '96 Limerick went in as favourites both times and were beaten. This time they go in as underdogs so you never know...

Erin Go Brath

Kilkenny are of course unbackable favourites, and rightly so. They are the Champions, they are in the final almost every year, and they have great players and strength in depth.


Now how can Limerick beat them?

1) If they show the same hunger and intensity they showed v Waterford, they are in with a fighting chance. Fight vigourously for every ball. Much was made of Waterfords supposed superior players. However when you're in their face, and give them no time to showcase their trickery you can frustrate and deny them. Admittedly KK won't be pushovers in this regard.

2) Limericks key man is Andrew O Shaughnessy. If they get as much ball as possible to shocks, they have a chance. He is playing top drawer stuff at the moment, and I've every confidence he can get about 10 points, at least 5 from play. If we fall a bit behind, send long balls into Begley. He'll have a big height advantage over his man, and can see him being able to field a lot of ball at full forward, and possibly bagging a goal or two.

3) We need to be solid at the back. A big challenge is ahead for our defenders. Shefflin and Comerford are the best in the game. We need to get tight, deny them possession and opportunities, and not give away silly frees either.


In truth it's a huge task facing Limerick, but we can do it. We won't fear Kilkenny the way other counties do, mostly because we don't play Kilkenny that often. Kilkenny have had a very handy route into the final. Limerick will play with a toughness and intensity that Kilkenny haven't met in the Championship so far. So I think its going to be a close one. Hopefully Limerick can end up on the right side of the result. Suas Luimneach!!!!!!

cruiserweight

I would like to see Limerick win (even if it would add fuel to the fire in the arguement that Munster hurling is the be all and end all) but

Erin Go Brath wrote:

1) If they show the same hunger and intensity they showed v Waterford, they are in with a fighting chance. Fight vigourously for every ball. Much was made of Waterfords supposed superior players. However when you're in their face, and give them no time to showcase their trickery you can frustrate and deny them. Admittedly KK won't be pushovers in this regard.

Kilkenny are used to this, a lot of teams try to play with high intensity against them. But they normally weather any storm that comes and never panic

Erin Go Brath wrote:

2) Limericks key man is Andrew O Shaughnessy. If they get as much ball as possible to shocks, they have a chance. He is playing top drawer stuff at the moment, and I've every confidence he can get about 10 points, at least 5 from play. If we fall a bit behind, send long balls into Begley. He'll have a big height advantage over his man, and can see him being able to field a lot of ball at full forward, and possibly bagging a goal or two.

O'Shaughnessy had a good game against Waterford. But there have been question marks about Waterfords full back line, you can't say that about Kilkennys. If any player in the back is not playing up to the standards expected he will be replaced by a player who will. Having said that low ball in, is the type of ball that will suit O'Shaughnessy and if he gets that he might have a chance, but I would be suprised if he scores 0-5 from play. if you revert to the long ball then I don't see any success for Limerick, players have been dropped from the Kilkenny panel for not being able to field high balls.

Erin Go Brath wrote:

3) We need to be solid at the back. A big challenge is ahead for our defenders. Shefflin and Comerford are the best in the game. We need to get tight, deny them possession and opportunities, and not give away silly frees either.

So that leaves players like Fogarty, Brennan and Power. Again Kilkennys apparently limitless supply of quality players is one of their main strengths. Fogarty was an unexpected man of the match last year. If somebody is not performing they will be replaced with someone that will.

Erin Go Brath wrote:

In truth it's a huge task facing Limerick, but we can do it. We won't fear Kilkenny the way other counties do, mostly because we don't play Kilkenny that often. Kilkenny have had a very handy route into the final. Limerick will play with a toughness and intensity that Kilkenny haven't met in the Championship so far. So I think its going to be a close one.

I think that Limerick have done well to get to the final, but to say that Kilkenny have had no real opposition is unfair. Kilkenny have done remarkably well against Wexford in recent years. But Kilkenny aside Wexford have only lost to Waterford and Cork this season, and made the semi-finals of both national competitions that they were in. Galway aren't exactly useless either

Nalced_irl

smashey wrote:

Just to remind everybody here that there is more to the GAA than the football and dubs.

As a neutral, I would like to see Limerick do it but I can't see beyond the Cats. Could I be wrong?

There is?! I cant honestly see Limerick beating them altho i would love to see it. Would be good to have 2 AI champions this year that are not regular winners in each code. Im sure Limerick will put up a strong battle but we have all seen what Kilkenny are capable of in a tight game and i think they will be lifting McCarthy again this year.

Erin Go Brath

cruiserweight wrote:

Kilkenny are used to this, a lot of teams try to play with high intensity against them. But they normally weather any storm that comes and never panic

They've played Wexford twice. Two facile wins tbh. With respect to Wexford they had a great year, and made the semi by beating Tipp, good on them. They just gave up against Kilkenny twice, didn't show any fighting spirit. Apart from that Kilkenny outclassed Offaly, again a non-contest. Galway put it up to Kilkenny for an hour or so but how good are Galway? The fact that Clare beat them would suggest they're no great shakes. Kilkenny WILL be facing their most intense challenge on Sunday.

cruiserweight wrote:

O'Shaughnessy had a good game against Waterford. But there have been question marks about Waterfords full back line, you can't say that about Kilkennys. If any player in the back is not playing up to the standards expected he will be replaced by a player who will. Having said that low ball in, is the type of ball that will suit O'Shaughnessy and if he gets that he might have a chance, but I would be suprised if he scores 0-5 from play. if you revert to the long ball then I don't see any success for Limerick, players have been dropped from the Kilkenny panel for not being able to field high balls.

Limericks forwards don't really get the credit. Ollie Moran is another guy who is well capable of getting plenty of scores. Shocks is the big one for me. I'd be surprised if he doesn't get some scores from play. He's very capable from frees also. He'll give the Kilkenny defence trouble, i've no doubt. Begley will have 6 inches on his man, he will be a target man for Limerick. The rest of Limericks forwards are somewhat of an unknown quantity even to Limerick fans. Donie Ryan was the surprise package in the semi with 2 goals. Who'll step up to the mark in the final?

cruiserweight wrote:

So that leaves players like Fogarty, Brennan and Power. Again Kilkennys apparently limitless supply of quality players is one of their main strengths. Fogarty was an unexpected man of the match last year. If somebody is not performing they will be replaced with someone that will.

Kilkenny have serious quality up front. These guys won't be getting the free reign they got in the semi final though. Lucey, Geary, Reale, and the execellent young Hickey will need to be at the top of their game alright to stem the Cats attack. They are capable players though, and I've faith in them.

cruiserweight wrote:

I think that Limerick have done well to get to the final, but to say that Kilkenny have had no real opposition is unfair. Kilkenny have done remarkably well against Wexford in recent years. But Kilkenny aside Wexford have only lost to Waterford and Cork this season, and made the semi-finals of both national competitions that they were in. Galway aren't exactly useless either

Wexford for some reason or other, just gave up the ghost against Kilkenny. Being beaten by 15 points is pathetic really! Wexford aren't that bad, it just seemed like a psychological thing where they threw in the towel. Limerick will show much more courage, and intensity against the Cats.

One Cold Hand

Amazotheamazing wrote:

If Limerick allow a game of hurling break out them we're goosed, we need to disrupt and harry until the 80th minute. I predict a lot of throw-ins and a lot of extra time.

I don't expect Limerick to win, but I hope we can out there nad least give Kilkenny a game.

80th minute? 10 mins of injury time is quite a lot!!

nesf

Similar to most posters I'd like to see Limerick do it but I really can't see it happening. Kilkenny have too much depth in their side etc.

scoobydoo2

smashey wrote:

Just to remind everybody here that there is more to the GAA than the football and dubs.

As a neutral, I would like to see Limerick do it but I can't see beyond the Cats. Could I be wrong?

Although Limerick got a great win from Waterford, which by the way was well deserved, i can't see the Kilkenny full back line leaving a much space for as many goals. I think it will be close enough until the last 15 minutes with Kilkenny upping the pace and getting a 5 or 6 point win >>>>>>>>>

Amazotheamazing

One Cold Hand wrote:

80th minute? 10 mins of injury time is quite a lot!!

I expect there will be 5 mins added at the end of each half. Seriously don't think Limerick will want the game to flow at all.

Tanabe

Speaking from the heart, it would be fantastic to see Limerick go all the way & I'd honestly wish them all the best in that department but, as a betting man, my money will be on Kilkenny no doubt.

I imagine Limerick will opt for a very physical style of play but KK will have the skill (and will never shoot 17 wides) to keep ahead.

I do hope we get the fantastic final I've been looking forward to for weeks now. Shur, where else would you be on Sunday in all honesty?

May the best team win.

Kojak

A big thing about Sunday is the fact that KK have Noel Hickey back at number 3 (or at least according to reports, he is fit to play). Begley wont have it all his own way against him like he did against Prendergast in the All-Ireland semi-final. If Hickey wasn't there, then begley could create chances for Shaughnessey or Ryan, but with Hickey on the edge of the square it will be difficult.

As Anthony Daly said on the Sunday Game last weekend, Limerick got 5 goals against Waterford but you couldn't see them getting 5 goals the next day. Also their return of 11 points the last day has to be a worry for them. They would need to hit about 2-18 (approx) to be thinking of winning.

Andrew O'Shaughnessey will be marked tightly, probably by Jackie Tyrell. If Limerick can make space for shaughnessey by pulling out their 1/2 forward line to the middle of the field, the shocks could use his pace to trouble tyrell (who IMO will get an all-star this year, but is still rather slow).

Limerick, as has been said here by a number of posters, will have to keep the game physical and tight as I dont believe that the runnign game (which galway tried to employ) suits them that well. If Limerick concede some early goals, then the match will be over by half time. They will need to stay with KK for the full 70+ minutes in order to have a chance of winning.

Still, you can't look past KK. I'd say they will win by 6+ points although it would be good for hurling, and especially Limerick hurling, if they won as they have had some very bad years this decade...

killeoin

Tanabe wrote:

I imagine Limerick will opt for a very physical style of play but KK will have the skill (and will never shoot 17 wides) to keep ahead.

Most people seem to think this but i actually don't think so. If you look at the teams Limerick played they really only played physical on the teams they knew they could. Remember the Clare match? They didn't opt for the physical style as they knew Clare could beat them in that department. Against Waterford they went for that style as they knew it could upset them and it did.
Example: After the pull on Flynn in the first 10 mins he seemed afraid to go for another ball!!!
However KK are different, in that they love the physical stuff, (and they have the skill to match as well which, truly makes them a great team). They won't be fazed or upset by Limericks physical style, they'll just give it back harder.
Expect a tight-ish first 20 mins but then KK will pull away and by half time (even though the commentators won't say it) the match will be effectively over.