AI Final 07/09/14. Tipp v Kilkenny

06-09-2014 11:04pm

The poor ould Rattler still as bould as ever. Quick off the tongue for a 90 year old

MfMan · 06-09-2014 11:06pm

Still so hard to call. At their best in this year's c'ship, Tipp (v Cork) have been better than KK and have, I think, the edge on scoring freely. However, with some of their defence playing in their first final, they could be vulnerable / overawed here, especially at FB. Midfield had a great day in the semi' but it was one of very few, and all the talk of Bonnar's importance can't quite disguise the fact that he's a fairly awkward, limited player. Noel McGrath and Lar also need to up the performance level and there's always the fear that Tipp don't quite believe they can beat KK these days.

OTOH, KK aren't even the team they were in '12 when they struggled for long spells. Galway, for all that they were wretchedly managed and prepared, were still able to keep on their coattails throughout on the 2 days in Tullamore. Changing a goalie on the eve of a final may be dodgy and Walter Walsh's form this year won't frighten the opposition. Given that Shefflin isn't starting, I don't know how much a 'drive-for-10' will be a factor and he is a long way off his form from previous years also. An ageing defence can be exploited for pace and Brian Hogan's deliveries v LK were poor. Colin Fennelly and Richie Hogan are in great form and Richie Power is always good enough to be dangerous. The rest of the forwards have been ho-hum though, (how match-sharp is Michael Fennelly?) and I don't buy into the (over)hype of TJ Reid's form this year - he's been quiet in a number of the bigger matches to date. KK though don't do AI nerves and won't be affected a jot by the big occasion.

So on balance, it's hard to know how it will go. However, I'm tending towards Tipp because they have (or should have) greater hunger, have a bit more momentum but can also improve more and because I'm not totally convinced about the power of KK's forward unit. Tipp +8 !!!!!

06-09-2014 11:07pm

Hotfail.com wrote: »

Up For The Match is absolute shíte, I just don't get the appeal. Even when Cork were involved it was a complete bore for me.

Bit of lighthearted good natured fun imo. Granted it can be cringey at times. Joe Hayes is funny though

Kaizersoze81 · 06-09-2014 11:10pm

Just when you thought it couldn't get worse. Garth brooks tribute band

Hotfail.com · 07-09-2014 12:42am

kala85 wrote: »

Any advice on where to get a good breakfast or lunch in dublin tomorrow. Will be walking up from heuston station via o connell street to Croke Park

There's a place called Madigans (I think) on Abbey Street (just beside O'Connell Street, on the LUAS line) that's lovely.

Peanut Butter Jelly · 07-09-2014 12:56am

Can anybody recommend a place to watch it near the University of Limerick? Is the Stables club a good bet?

Borders no.2 · 07-09-2014 1:03am

Walter Walsh is an interesting one. Where he's positioned and how he does will be pivotal in my view. Really hasn't impressed me in the games I've seen him. Unsettled Galway in the replay in 2012 but since then doesn't look up to this level. Kilkenny will have seen that Johnny Glynn gave Tipp plenty of problems but that was with Padraic Maher at full back. Will be interesting to see the match ups when the ball is thrown in. Not surprised to see Kilkenny dropping Mark Kelly who was a passenger for them for most of this year.

Just have a feeling the Tipp full backline will be exposed tomorrow. They've gone on a good run in the qualifiers but the games have fallen right for them in fairness and this will be a different intensity to anything they've played so far.

I expect an early Kilkenny blitz to open up a significant lead. I've been waiting for the Kilkenny backline to be exposed for legs all year but they have continued to prove me wrong so probably will tomorrow as well.

eoins23456 · 07-09-2014 1:44am

Peanut Butter Jelly wrote: »

Can anybody recommend a place to watch it near the University of Limerick? Is the Stables club a good bet?

Should be a good atmosphere in the stables all right!

savannahkat · 07-09-2014 1:49am

MfMan wrote: »

Still so hard to call. At their best in this year's c'ship, Tipp (v Cork) have been better than KK and have, I think, the edge on scoring freely. However, with some of their defence playing in their first final, they could be vulnerable / overawed here, especially at FB. Midfield had a great day in the semi' but it was one of very few, and all the talk of Bonnar's importance can't quite disguise the fact that he's a fairly awkward, limited player. Noel McGrath and Lar also need to up the performance level and there's always the fear that Tipp don't quite believe they can beat KK these days.

OTOH, KK aren't even the team they were in '12 when they struggled for long spells. Galway, for all that they were wretchedly managed and prepared, were still able to keep on their coattails throughout on the 2 days in Tullamore. Changing a goalie on the eve of a final may be dodgy and Walter Walsh's form this year won't frighten the opposition. Given that Shefflin isn't starting, I don't know how much a 'drive-for-10' will be a factor and he is a long way off his form from previous years also. An ageing defence can be exploited for pace and Brian Hogan's deliveries v LK were poor. Colin Fennelly and Richie Hogan are in great form and Richie Power is always good enough to be dangerous. The rest of the forwards have been ho-hum though, (how match-sharp is Michael Fennelly?) and I don't buy into the (over)hype of TJ Reid's form this year - he's been quiet in a number of the bigger matches to date. KK though don't do AI nerves and won't be affected a jot by the big occasion.

So on balance, it's hard to know how it will go. However, I'm tending towards Tipp because they have (or should have) greater hunger, have a bit more momentum but can also improve more and because I'm not totally convinced about the power of KK's forward unit. Tipp +8 !!!!!

for that to happen the ref will have to help out Tipp by sending off 3 Kilkenny players in the first half.

Mantis Toboggan · 07-09-2014 7:37am

Sangwedges are ready, just loading up the horse now.

This could be our year lads, this will be our year, mon tipp!!

Mushy · 07-09-2014 8:24am

savannahkat wrote: »

for that to happen the ref will have to help out Tipp by sending off 3 Kilkenny players in the first half.

Well I wouldn't go that far at all, but saying its hard to call then pick a winner at +8 isn't something that I'd call hard to call. KK are never/rarely well beaten though, so if Tipp do it, it'll be very close.

Mantis Toboggan · 07-09-2014 8:27am

Mushy wrote: »

Well I wouldn't go that far at all, but saying its hard to call then pick a winner at +8 isn't something that I'd call hard to call. KK are never/rarely well beaten though, so if Tipp do it, it'll be very close.

Well we won by 8 points in 2010!

Mushy · 07-09-2014 9:10am

Buddy Holly wrote: »

Well we won by 8 points in 2010!

I know, and I hope it happens again, but predicting that gap as close to call is a bit far-fetched IMO. Not having a go if that's how it came across.

MfMan · 07-09-2014 9:56am

Mushy wrote: »

I know, and I hope it happens again, but predicting that gap as close to call is a bit far-fetched IMO. Not having a go if that's how it came across.

It's a close game to call as both teams have been good this year and both have had their lean patches. However, it often happens that a team runs away with the game in the closing minutes if they're ahead, as the other team tries to chase down a deficit.

Mantis Toboggan · 07-09-2014 10:15am

Friend of mine is flying in for the game, anyone know a place to leave a bag?

Nightingale · 07-09-2014 10:25am

Hi All,

Hope you don't mind me posting on your thread - but just wanted to let you all know that there is a crash on the M7 inbound just after the Carlow/ Kilkenny slip with traffic back now to the Newbridge/ Curragh off ramp.

Just thought ye would like to know in case anyone is going to be leaving soon.

To avoid it come off at the Newbridge/ Curragh turn off and go all the way through Newbridge to the old Naas Road and get back on the M7 then at Newhall/Naas.

It may clear soon but it looked like it just happened when I drove by on the other carriaigeway about ten minutes ago.

Nightingale

DDC1990 · 07-09-2014 10:57am

I'm going for a draw.

Both sides are well matched, should be a decent game.

Don't think it'll be really high scoring (under 50 points).

Tipp to be leading but KK to score late on to get a draw, with the strong bench.

(If I had to pick a winner i'd side with Tipp by a point)

Best of luck to both sides, and anyone going to the match, enjoy it!

nice_guy80 · 07-09-2014 11:06am

Buddy Holly wrote: »

Friend of mine is flying in for the game, anyone know a place to leave a bag?

lockers in the airport and busáras

Lapin · 07-09-2014 2:41pm

TJ Ryan stood a little bit too close to the Gillette blade this morning by the looks of things.

Fireball07 · 07-09-2014 2:56pm

Disappointed by the minor result, but hoping for a cracking game in the senior.

It's almost impossible to call, I think. Going on instinct, I'd say Kilkenny... but despite digging deep to beat Limerick, they are definitely not the team they were. That would obviously be hard, since they were unbelievably good... they are still a good team.

Tipp shocked me by hammering Cork... Cork were poor on the day, but Tipp really stepped it up. I can't see Kilkenny being as naive, but where Limerick didn't get goals in the semi-final, Tipp definitely can.

I think the work rate of the Kilkenny forwards will play a big part in deciding it, they're not going to let Tipp deliver good quality ball. The Tipp forwards have to match that... no one is worried about Bonner Maher, but Bubbles, Noel McGrath, Callanan, Corbett... they have to run themselves into the ground, hassle and harry the Kilkenny backs, to stop them feeding the KK forwards and create scores for themselves. It's something that Limerick did quite well, admittedly in poor conditions.

I can see James Woodlock having a big game, and Richie Hogan will have to be contained to some extent.

I see KK edging it, they do have a good bench to turn to as well.