All Ireland SHC Semi Final: Kilkenny v Tipperary 19 August 3.30pm

The_Kew_Tour

This has the makings of a great game. Winners will be favourites to win the AI.

I fancy Kilkenny by 3 points.

Referee: Cathal Mc Allister

ShamoBuc

I think Tip will win by 4 points and win the final by about 6.

kk are of course always dangerous but they are not firing on all cylinders this year. Tip are the right team to beat kk. They've done it before and certain players will be looking for better performances than last years final.

Should be a fairly uncompromising match.

eastmeathroyal

Fantastic promo for the game

adrian522

ShamoBuc wrote: »

I think Tip will win by 4 points and win the final by about 6.

kk are of course always dangerous but they are not firing on all cylinders this year. Tip are the right team to beat kk. They've done it before and certain players will be looking for better performances than last years final.

Should be a fairly uncompromising match.

I more or less agree with you..On the the games we've seen so far tipp seem to be playing the better hurling and they also seem to have the stronger bench.

Kilkenny have been below their very best this year particularly in their last two games.

However if thee is one last kick in some of the key players Kilkenny could give tipp a great game here. It will require kilkenny to give their best performance of the year.

On form you have to go with tipp but if Kilkenny have one great performance left Sunday would be a great time to produce it.

Head says tipp by 3 or 4 but I hope Kilkenny bring a huge performance.

InchicoreDude

Kilkenny by 6 I think.

We havent seen the best of them this year. On Sunday, we may just see it. Hopefully both teams will be at their best. This match could potentially be better than any of the recent finals between them

Amprodude

Hard one to call. Tipp are definately playing the better hurling but Kilkenny are Kilkenny and are capable of producing a fine performance any time there are question marks over players and performances. I would say Kilkenny by four but Tipp will be out for revenge for sure.

Qwerty Dub

Really cant call it. Dont think either team has been firing on all cylinders this year. Tipperary though have come through some tougher games than Kilkenny got and remain unbeaten to date. Hard to know how KK will be after the loss to Galway. I could change my mind everyday between now and the game. Its 50/50 for me. Just hoping for a good game.

major1969

as a kilkenny man and someone who travells to all the club matches within the county as well as all the inter county games all i can say is having watched the kilkenny team train over the last week and they played a game behind closed doors i can just say i cant wait for the tipp game

aidan24326

This one is very hard to call. There's still a bit of a question mark about Kilkenny. Was the Galway game just a one-off or more of a sign that chinks are appearing in the KK armour? That they're not the invincible force they were?

Tipp haven't been overly convincing either but both teams are capable of upping it big time on Sunday. Both are coming into the game having been short of their best form, but with considerable scope for improvement.

If Kilkenny can recapture their very best form you wouldn't like to bet against them, but will they? Will Tipp for that matter? One is as likely to improve as the other. Can't predict this one but I reckon the bookies have it about right making Kilkenny slight favourites.

StephenHendry

i think we will win by 3/4, kk havent played well in the championship so far and they didnt look great against limerick. id expect sunday to be their best performance which will make it tough for us. tipp kk games are very hard to call at the best of times

premierstone

I really dont know and tbh I knew going up last year we would be beaten and was very confident in 2010 but this year Im at a loss.

KK are certainly on the wain, but when you start from such a high that is not always so detremental, even last years AI they were not themselves, Tipp were beyond terrible and never showed up, the 'old' KK would have hamered them out the gate like they did to Waterford and Limerick in previous finals, but instead they were hanging on, if that ball had have fallen into Lars hand near the end it was all up in the air.

I have no doubt KK will improve from the Limerick game, its just a question of by how much, Hogan back and the best midfield in the country having another game under their belts is huge, but on the negative side is Tommy Walsh looks well past he's best to me, JJ is out of position and their is a serious lack of pace in the forwards.

Tipp are not withourt their own faults, Conor O'Brien and Tomas Stapelton on the one side of the defense is very worrying for me, one is too slow and the other too small, something Cody has always been a master at exposing. Midfield are still not hitting the heights of 2010 but are slowly getting there. John O'Brien and Bonner are the only two forwards who can consitently win aerial possesion which is a worry.

I'm hoping at the end of the day that Tipp's stronger bench, which is undoubted, and the fact they have won a couple of tight matches will swing it in our favour but really we are all only guessing, this game will take a life of its own. I know its a cliche but hopefully hurling is the winner!

BQQ

premierstone wrote: »

Tipp were beyond terrible and never showed up, the 'old' KK would have hamered them out the gate like they did to Waterford and Limerick in previous finals

If I was a Limerickman, I'd be seriously fed up with being lumped in with Waterford like this. Limerick only lost by 7 points.

Anyway, back on topic, neither team has been at their best this year.
Hopefully both find top gear this weekend and we'll have a great match.
KK for me are a bit more reliable to produce on the big day.

The_Kew_Tour

BQQ wrote: »

If I was a Limerickman, I'd be seriously fed up with being lumped in with Waterford like this. Limerick only lost by 7 points.

Anyway, back on topic, neither team has been at their best this year.
Hopefully both find top gear this weekend and we'll have a great match.
KK for me are a bit more reliable to produce on the big day.

If you take away the bad start they actually won the rest of the game too.

Tombo2001

BQQ wrote: »

If I was a Limerickman, I'd be seriously fed up with being lumped in with Waterford like this. Limerick only lost by 7 points.

Anyway, back on topic, neither team has been at their best this year.
Hopefully both find top gear this weekend and we'll have a great match.
KK for me are a bit more reliable to produce on the big day.

Both matches were over after fifteen minutes to be honest, and what happened afterwards was more about playing for pride.

For this game I see Tipp as more of an unkown quantity.

KK have been 'waning' for the past three years, but they've still won two AIs in that time.

We know they did badly against Galway, we know they are building momentum again, we know they have some key men back. I'd expect them to be strong enough.

I just not sure what to expect from Tipp.

Amprodude

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

BQQ wrote: »

If I was a Limerickman, I'd be seriously fed up with being lumped in with Waterford like this. Limerick only lost by 7 points.

Anyway, back on topic, neither team has been at their best this year.
Hopefully both find top gear this weekend and we'll have a great match.
KK for me are a bit more reliable to produce on the big day.

If you take away the bad start they actually won the rest of the game too.

The bad start was Limericks downfall that day but they did give a good performance after that.

elguapo

Been back and forth on this one all week. Tipp have had three relatively good tests and passed them all without playing particularly well.

KK were caught cold by Galway and never really got into the game, but were impressive enough against a decent Limerick team.

A real 50/50 game; I maybe take Tipp to shade it purely on the basis that that avenging last year's AI non-performance will be a powerful motivator. Won't be putting money on it though.

holidaygirl

Has anyone else heard that one of the Tipperary players lost a brother last night. I've heard it from a few sources, but not on any media sources. Sympathies to the family involved.

premierstone

holidaygirl wrote: »

Has anyone else heard that one of the Tipperary players lost a brother last night. I've heard it from a few sources, but not on any media sources. Sympathies to the family involved.

Yeah its true, dont think I should name the player involved untill its made public knowledge though, RIP.

holidaygirl

premierstone wrote: »

Yeah its true, dont think I should name the player involved untill its made public knowledge though, RIP.

No that's why I didn't name him either, very sad news. May his rest in peace.

randd1

holidaygirl wrote: »

Has anyone else heard that one of the Tipperary players lost a brother last night. I've heard it from a few sources, but not on any media sources. Sympathies to the family involved.

Will the game be put back by a week? I think it would be the decent thing to do.

Condolences to the family.

randd1

randd1 wrote: »

Will the game be put back by a week? I think it would be the decent thing to do.

Condolences to the family.

Not possible, there's still football semi finals to be played as well.

Considering the scheduling and promotions etc I don't think you'd see a game called off bar over the death of a current player(if even then?).

randd1

Not sure that Kilkenny's form has been all that bad, to be honest. The Galway game? Of course that's where people point to Kilkenny's form and are question it. I honestly think it was just one of those days that every team has from Galway and a game where Murphy's Law was in operation for Kilkenny (don't forget it happened to Tipp against Cork in 2010), though you have admire the way Galway tore into them and the skill and attitude they showed.

Kilkenny have had a very good league, they obliterated Dublin and with 14 men, beat a very good Limerick side by nine points, who it shouldn't be forgotten, gave Tipperary a serious fright until they ran out of steam and who could just as easily had won that match.

There's no doubt Kilkenny are not the force they were, but their form apart from one game their form this year has actually been fairly good.

That said Tipp have had the tougher games, so maybe they have the advantage there. Hard to know, I can't predict it, heart is roaring and screaming for a Kilkenny win but the head says Tipp by 1 or 2 points.

Gotya

IMO tipp are a great bet...

Kilkenny 4/6
Draw 10/1
Tipperary 6/4

derealbadger

holidaygirl wrote: »

No that's why I didn't name him either, very sad news. May his rest in peace.

Very sad news may he rest in peace will be a very big loss to Tipp and very hard for the team to prepare under the circumstances

There has been no confirmation yet about the unfortunate death and i suppose part of me wants it to be a sick joke but the story has gained so much momentum now im starting to believe it myself. Really really unfortunate if it is true and it puts the upcoming game into perspective really.

Sundays game is really hard to call. Its a case of who wants it more on the day really and i've been suspect of Tipp's drive and ambition after last years no show. A few of them never turned up on the day and they didnt seem to want to know about the physical stuff. Granted it appears that preparations for this game will be shadowed greatly by these tragic circumstances that have come to light this week so really on that note all i can hope is they try their utmost which im sure they will

gilberto_eire

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Not possible, there's still football semi finals to be played as well.

Considering the scheduling and promotions etc I don't think you'd see a game called off bar over the death of a current player(if even then?).

I can remember the tragic death of James McGarry's wife back in 2007 and the quarter finals ended up being played the following Saturday but there was more of a gap between the quarters and the semi that time then there is between the semis and the final now.

derealbadger

Deleted User wrote: »

I can remember the tragic death of James McGarry's wife back in 2007 and the quarter finals ended up being played the following Saturday but there was more of a gap between the quarters and the semi that time then there is between the semis and the final now.

I think if the Tipp CB ask for it to be called of it will be called of I don't think that the KK set up would have any objection under the circumstances one way or another it is very sad may he rest in peace

aidan24326

derealbadger wrote: »

Very sad news may he rest in peace will be a very big loss to Tipp and very hard for the team to prepare under the circumstances

Strange that there's no mention of this anywhere ???

premierstone

Just to confirm that it is true that a brother of one of the Tipp players has passed away in tragic circumstances, funeral mass is tonight with burial tommorrow morning. May he rest in Peace.

MassDeb8r

Just saw this on the score, very sad for all involved and RIP.

http://www.thescore.ie/john-obrien-brother-funeral-560489-Aug2012/

willietherock

Monumental game for Tipp imo. Win and beat Galway ( not assured btw) and they'll go on and pick another few in the next couple of yrs and go down as the best Tipp side in decades. Lose and D Ryan's stint ends in failure and every chance they'll slip back into the pack.

Diabhal Beag

Condolences to the O'Brien family.

dastardly00

RIP Thomas O’Brien (brother of John O'Brien)

Statement from Tipp County Board.

phkk

dastardly00 wrote: »

RIP Thomas O’Brien (brother of John O'Brien)

Statement from Tipp County Board.

My sincere sympathies to John, Paddy and O'Brien family. Puts game on Sunday into context

The_Kew_Tour

Very sad news.

On the match I wonder what the crowd will be like. 45,000? thereabouts I reckon.

dastardly00

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Very sad news.

On the match I wonder what the crowd will be like. 45,000? thereabouts I reckon.

Tickets are available for the upper Cusack stand now so that must mean that the lower deck of: Cusack, Hogan and Davin; and the Hill must be nearly full. You'd be gutted if you bought a poor-ish seat in the Davin, and now you can have the front row of the upper Cusack on the halfway line.

dastardly00

Tipperary senior hurling team to play Kilkenny in Sunday’s All Ireland SHC semi-final:

1. Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon-Grange)
2. Conor O’Brien (Éire Óg Annacarty)
3. Paul Curran (Mullinahone)
4. Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields)
5. Thomas Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons)
6. Conor O’Mahony (Newport)
7. Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
8. Brendan Maher (Borris–Ileigh)
9. Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch)
10. Pa Bourke (Thurles Sarsfields)
11. Patrick Maher (Lorrha & Dorrha)
12. Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields)
13. Brian O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs)
14. John O’Brien (Toomevara)
15. Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)

KK will name their team Friday night after training as per usual.

CyberDave

It is impossible to call this one. Have Kilkenny been damaged by the Galway defeat? Was that result a one off? The general perception is that it was. Galway won't mind that, they will have motivation in the final if Kilkenny qualify. Kilkenny will desperately want to win this one to get revenge for the Leinster Final, but will that take their focus off this game and leave them open to a Tipp defeat. Kilkenny were strangely lethargic in the first half against Limerick. With no disrespect, how good were Dublin and Limerick? Tipp will want to avenge last year's Final defeat, make it 2-2 in the Series. Lar has a point to prove after Tyrell shutting him out in the Final. Looking forward to a classic.

KevIRL

My thoughts on the game

http://www.livegaelic.com/news/kilkenny-vs-tipperary-all-ireland-hurling-semi-final-preview-2012/

jossnjuice

From A galway supporter, im hoping Tipp win this purely because im still scarred from my first AI final in 2001............!

But cant do anything else but sit on the fence with regards the result........if pushed id have to say the cats.

Theres just something about Dec Ryan that irks me, and the difference between him and Coady could be the difference between winning and losing IMHO.

LeftBlank

dastardly00 wrote: »

Tickets are available for the upper Cusack stand now so that must mean that the lower deck of: Cusack, Hogan and Davin; and the Hill must be nearly full. You'd be gutted if you bought a poor-ish seat in the Davin, and now you can have the front row of the upper Cusack on the halfway line.

I would doubt that the Hill is fully opened, probably just the central sections. Was 42000 last weekend, I would say 45000 sounds about right for this weekend.

dastardly00

LeftBlank wrote: »

I would doubt that the Hill is fully opened, probably just the central sections. Was 42000 last weekend, I would say 45000 sounds about right for this weekend.

Yeah sorry I was referring to the central sections in the Hill that are normally only open.

premierstone

jossnjuice wrote: »

Theres just something about Dec Ryan that irks me, and the difference between him and Coady could be the difference between winning and losing IMHO.

It's not an uncommon perception of Deccy tbf, and alot of Tipp folk are still questioning him, personally I dont get it tbh, he took a job no one wanted, it was a no win situation really, and the truth of the matter is he has been in charge now for two years and has only lost one championship match, to a team widely regarded as the greatest of all time.

Yes he made mistakes last year, as Cody did in 2010, but I think he has learned from those mistakes tbh. He's record as a player and minor manager were extraordinary as well. I think he has handled both the Eoin Kelly and Lar Corbett situations perfectly, I guess Sunday will have a huge bearing on how history reflects on Deccy as a manager, I for one think it will look kindly on the big man, here's hopeing anyway, hon da premier :cool:

ManFromCheese

premierstone wrote: »

Just to confirm that it is true that a brother of one of the Tipp players has passed away in tragic circumstances, funeral mass is tonight with burial tommorrow morning. May he rest in Peace.

did i hear right that it was a car accident? awful news. very hard to prepare for such a monumental game under such circumstances.

premierstone

ManFromCheese wrote: »

did i hear right that it was a car accident? awful news. very hard to prepare for such a monumental game under such circumstances.

No it wasn't a car accident.

equivariant

As a Galway man, definitely hoping that Kilkenny win this one. I wouldn't fancy Galway against Tipp at all

The_Kew_Tour

equivariant wrote: »

As a Galway man, definitely hoping that Kilkenny win this one. I wouldn't fancy Galway against Tipp at all

Lot of Galway people seem to want Kilkenny more which is little surprising.

premierstone

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Lot of Galway people seem to want Kilkenny more which is little surprising.

It's shocking tbh, would have definitely thought they would have a far better chance of overturning Tipp.

jossnjuice

Only reason id like tipp is for retribution.

But I reckon if Galway get another crack at the cats, theyd have a better chance of winning the AI.

equivariant

premierstone wrote: »

It's shocking tbh, would have definitely thought they would have a far better chance of overturning Tipp.

Not at all. I think that you are overemphasising the revenge thing for Kilkenny. If it was an early round game, then the revenge factor would be a good motivator, but in a AI final motivation is never a problem I think for anyone. What is a problem is experience and confidence. I think that Galway would be more confident against a Kilkenny team that they have already proved they can beat (I know that Kilkenny can beat them too) rather than against a Tipp team against whom they no real championship form. Also I am be fairly sure that the Galway management have spent a lot more time thinking about Kilkenny (seeing as they are provincial rivals) than they have about Tipp and so they would be better prepared to take on KK I think.

Unfortunately (from my point of view anyway), I think that Tipp will win on Sunday as I think that they are hungrier and have better form this year than Kilkenny.

Tombo2001

equivariant wrote: »

Not at all. I think that you are overemphasising the revenge thing for Kilkenny. If it was an early round game, then the revenge factor would be a good motivator, but in a AI final motivation is never a problem I think for anyone. What is a problem is experience and confidence. I think that Galway would be more confident against a Kilkenny team that they have already proved they can beat (I know that Kilkenny can beat them too) rather than against a Tipp team against whom they no real championship form. Also I am be fairly sure that the Galway management have spent a lot more time thinking about Kilkenny (seeing as they are provincial rivals) than they have about Tipp and so they would be better prepared to take on KK I think.

Unfortunately (from my point of view anyway), I think that Tipp will win on Sunday as I think that they are hungrier and have better form this year than Kilkenny.

I'd disagree.

I'd be hard pushed to say Tipp were as motivated in last years final as they were the year before.

"Tipp will be hungrier".....do you think KK are lacking in motivation? Because if they arent as hungry as Tipp, then yes they are.....

I agree with you to a point on Galway, but my feeling is that Galway will think if they can beat KK they can beat anyone (and they are right).