Kilkenny- The great

River Allow

Watching todays match between Kilkenny and Galway it hit me. Cork are all-Ireland champions yet, listening to Michael Duignan during the match, you'd think Kilkenny were. "Kilkenny, the great" " This great Kilkenny team!" Im sure he once referred to them as Kilkenny the champions. When are they going to realise that Kilkenny were beaten by eight points by Cork last year. Is it how they think that Corks title last year was fluke?? Even though we really did trash them.

Lemlin

Unlike Cork though, this Kilkenny team has been consistent over the years, has stalwarts like Shefflin and Carey, and has been going quite a while.

If Cork win back to back All-Irelands, which I think they will, and are consistent over the next few years, then they'll be the new benchmark for hurling teams.

Flukey

What a thriller! What an atmosphere! What a result. Kilkenny scored 4 - 18, and lost!


Kilkenny for the Rackard Cup 2006!:rolleyes:

jank

This is Cork's 3rd All ireland final in a row. Yet for all this year killkenny were the team to beat :rolleyes:
4 finals in 7 years for cork too

OK Killkenny won two in a row but you have to conside the easy pasages they usually get in Leinster. Killkenny were a great team but I think they are finished now and need to rebuild for the future.

This Cork team has a few years left in them yet to be fighting for All Irelands

lukin

River Allow wrote:

Watching todays match between Kilkenny and Galway it hit me. Cork are all-Ireland champions yet, listening to Michael Duignan during the match, you'd think Kilkenny were. "Kilkenny, the great" " This great Kilkenny team!" Im sure he once referred to them as Kilkenny the champions. When are they going to realise that Kilkenny were beaten by eight points by Cork last year. Is it how they think that Corks title last year was fluke?? Even though we really did trash them.

I must say River Allow I didn't notice it but I think Duignan sucks up to Kilkenny so much because he's an Offaly man and doesn't want to be accused of bias.

Lemlin wrote:

Unlike Cork though, this Kilkenny team has been consistent over the years, has stalwarts like Shefflin and Carey, and has been going quite a while.

If Cork win back to back All-Irelands, which I think they will, and are consistent over the next few years, then they'll be the new benchmark for hurling teams.

I think the reason we haven't been consistent over the years recently is because of our County Board treating the players so badly. Since they went on strike to improve things we have won an All-Ireland, contested one and are about to play in another one. Coincidence? I think not.

jank wrote:

OK Killkenny won two in a row but you have to conside the easy pasages they usually get in Leinster. Killkenny were a great team but I think they are finished now and need to rebuild for the future.

Yeah, true, the standard in Leinster has been much lower than Munster in recent years. Offaly are useless and Wexford not much better.
In Munster there is Clare,Tipp and Waterford like!

Flukey

Kilkenny may have lost today, but they put up a magnificent performance. I am glad they didn't win, but in all fairness you can't criticise Kilkenny for the way the played. They came back several times from large deficits and it was still in doubt up to the final whistle. They are still a great team.

jank

I am glad they didn't win, but in all fairness you can't criticise Kilkenny for the way the played.

Oh come man. They let in 5 goals for **** sake. They never gave up ok but 5-18!!!!

Wouldnt surprise me if brian cody steped down. Time for new blood and new faces I think

mdwexford

you cork an galway muppets can keep on dreaming, kilkenny are the best team in the country by a mile

River Allow

Oh yeah, of course they are. Thats why they were trashed by Cork last year, and only for a few silly mistakes by Galway culd have been annihilated tday. "Stalwarts like Dj Carey!" Come on, any man that hasnt scored in the last two all-Irelands and was scoreless again today cant exactly be considered the back bone of a team like!

Big Ears

Some muppet posting a thread a few motnhs ago saying that no one would stop Kilkenny this year and that they were destined to win the All-Ireland (or something along those lines) , I said Cork would win the All-Ireland and that Kilkenny could be beaten by several teams of which one was Galway .

I feel great , you'd swear it was Kilkenny's god given right to win the All-Ireland .

Flukey

Cork think it's their God-given right to win it and even Tipperary do too. The last 6 finals have been won by the big 3. It is time for a change again. Come on Galway.

Geg124

Flukey wrote:

Cork think it's their God-given right to win it and even Tipperary do too. The last 6 finals have been won by the big 3. It is time for a change again. Come on Galway.

agree with u hope galway win.

i'm glad kilkenny didnt make it again this year it will give other teams like galway etc. a chance for d next few years cause kilkenny will hav 2 start rebuilding.

cork will take ovr kilkenny's place in all d finals for a few years. wish they didnt, i'd like 5 or 6 teams fighting 2 get der to d final not just 2 or 3. it wud b more exciting if that happened.

hope galway win cause it wud give d other teams like dem confidence cause they wud find out dat kilkenny/cork are beatable which wud make dem try even harder.

COME ON GALWAY

jank

Flukey wrote:

Cork think it's their God-given right to win it and even Tipperary do too. The last 6 finals have been won by the big 3. It is time for a change again. Come on Galway.

No the best team of the year wins it. This year the best team has been (so far ) Cork and they have to still play to their potential.
If Cork play to their best then its an easy win for the rebels im afraid. Cork have never lost to Galway in the final, so history is against them.

Cork have been there and done it. They know how to lose a final and how to win one and im afraid its a year too soon for this Galway team. Maybe next year. The have some minor team though. Id expect an easy win for them though against limerick

Now its all good for the neutrals to see Galway to win it but Sport isnt always a fairytale. Just ask Dublin supporters

edit: Geg124 try and cut down on the text speak. Its usually frowned upon. Just a bit of advise

Flukey

Oh I know, believe me. I've been at a lot of All-Ireland Finals. Galway have a big job on their hands, but so do Cork. We're in for a real match, not a fairytale. Anyway there won't be many neutrals at the final this year. Anyone outside of Cork will be right behind Galway!

jank

But what does your head say Flukey?
Do you honestly think Galway should be favourites for this match or that Cork are the team that are up against it.

People are getting carried away by the performance today but when the hearts calm down and they analyse how bad galways defense (and KK's) were then people may have a quick change of heart.

Its defenses that win all-irelands imo. Corks is the best in the country. I just cant see it any other way then a Cork vicotry be it by a point or up to 8 points.
Cork can wear them down and then pull away. We have seen it so often this year. If Cork are within a sniff of galway going into the last 20 then its theri title.

Thats how much Galway are up against it.

Im rambling now Should be a brilliant match and to be honest im glad its Galway as it will bring a better atmosphere and new colour to the final.
Better start asking around for my ticket. I made it to the last 3 finals so hopefully my luck can continue

Maybe you can sort me out Flukey

Flukey

Sorry, no can do! Getting one for myself is a task in itself. As to the match, well Galway have good forwards and a lot of speed. They ran at Kilkenny which helped. Wexford and indeed Cork did the same against them when they beat them last year. Galway have a lot of heart and passion and that counts for a lot. They won't stop until the final whistle. They had it put up to them by Kilkenny and in the past those doubts would have crept in. This time they withstood the onslaught, even having seen two big leads whittled down and it being brought to a goal difference, and we know how good Kilkenny are at getting last minute goals. Galway will play for those last 20 minutes, as they have done in the last two games. Limerick, Tipperary and Kilkenny put it up to them and that will bring them along nicely.

Galway's defence will improve. They know they have problems there. They conceded a few poor goals against Kilkenny. They'll test Cork's defence too. They may not win, but they'll certainly give it a good go. They have nothing to lose.

Big Ears

Flukey wrote:

Cork think it's their God-given right to win it and even Tipperary do too.

Maybe Cork do to a degree seeing as they have won the most out of any county but after the last 10-15 years we have no such feeling here in Tipp .

I just feel Kilkenny feel that they have that right more so than Cork .

solice

The stalwarth DJ Carey, dont make me laugh!!!! He was pure useless in the last two finals. Not so much in the fact that he wasnt able to score in both finals, moreso in the fact that he was just plain crap when he had the ball. KK would do well to get rid of him, he is old and it seems that he is only there for past performance and not current crappness.

Cork supporters (me included in this) are very cocky! We all assumed that we would just glide past clare in the semi. Boy were we given a wake up call. We may consider it our god given right to be All Irelnad Champions but most of us are happy to keep the record of most all irelands and now that kk are out there is no risk of loosing that title. Dont get me wrong, if we loose the final we will be gutted.

On a side note. Its good to see a new team in the final, it was getting boring there for a while. Galway in the final can only be good for hurling. I suppose all the neutrals will be shouting for them.

Corcaigh Abu!

AthAnRi

I think kilkenny deserve any credit they get. Fair enough they may be on the ropes but they have been the pace makers for the last 7 or 8 years. Not only at Senior but U21, Minor and Club. I say give credit where credit is due. Plus they are very gracious losers.

As for people criticising DJ carey. Get lost.Try marking him and see how ye get on. Ye clearly know nothing about hurling if ye can criticise that man. He has beaten every team in the country on some ocassion and the fact that he was 'finished' 3 years ago speaks volumes for him. Even if he isn't scoring when he gets the ball every stands up to take notice. and usually something comes from it. Plus I think ollie Canning deserves some credit for his performance on DJ. this is not the first time Canning has kept one of the best hurlers in the country quiet.As for DJ He would still walk onto any hurling team in the country including this great cork team.

Waylander

Well said Athanrí, couldn't agree more. Don't really understand why people dislike them so much. Kilkenny play the game the way it should be played, are almonst always an entertaining team to watch, and consistently win major honours.

hawker

And I'll second that Waylander. DJ is the greatest hurler of my generation and it's seems it's mostly Cork people that give him stick. Is it his fault he keeps getting picked for Kilkenny?

I'm living in Cork and have heard nothing good about DJ Carey from any Cork man. Give the man a bit of credit for God's sake.

Flukey

He is past his best now, like Peter Canavan, but DJ Carey has been the best hurler of the modern era.

Flukey

Galway have a few incentives for the final. It is 17 years since their last win. Conor Hayes, the current manager, was the captain of that 1988 team. Galway are also in the minor final. The jubilee team this year will be the Galway team that won the All-Ireland in 1980. It was their first win in 57 years and was followed by one of the most famous acceptance speeches ever made. It was made by Joe Connolly mixing both Irish and English. Conor Hayes was on that team too.

That final was significant for one other reason. It was the first All-Ireland final I was ever at. With the exception of the 1984 Hurling final in Thurles, I have been at every one since, both Hurling and Football and including 3 football replays. That is 52 senior finals. How do I get tickets? With great difficulty! Oh, and before you ask, no I can't get any of you one.

GreenHell

I would have said Brian Corcoran is the best hurler of our generation, but thats the way it goes.

It was a good win by galway, stretched the Kilkenny backs and they couldn't make up the pace. Twas that, that won it for them really. Pace in the forwards against a dated defence. Thought Teirney was the best player on the field by a mile.

Don't think they'll beat cork though, the space they enjoyed in the semi is going to disappear and I think cork are going to run through that galway defense like its not even there.

No sympathy for kilkenny they've had their day and I've alway thought they were highly overrated in their twilight years. Looking forward to seeing the next generation of kilkenny hurlers.

jank

I'm living in Cork and have heard nothing good about DJ Carey from any Cork man. Give the man a bit of credit for God's sake

We give him stick because he has never scored against us in an all ireland final.

/*As far as i now. Definately true about 2003,2004 finals anyway.

Flukey

Well that is of course, as you well know, not something to judge him by. I am not a Kilkennyman and I was delighted to see them lose yesterday, but as a GAA person I can safely say that he has been the best player of the modern era, even if he didn't score against Cork in recent years.

Lilly81

ah dj needs to go away now. he's old! you've had your day carey, time to get put down.

River Allow

Well said Lilly81, couldnt agree with you more.

Culchie

River Allow, your bias is not really sporting.

The guy is now 34 years old, he's had 18 seasons playing championship hurling, he's the greatest hurler of this generation.

Show some respect, you wouldn't take too kindly to people slagging off Christy Ring would you?

The soccer forum isn't too far away if it's partisan drivel you are looking for.....full of immature kids who can't agree on what date of the year New Year's Day is.

True GAA folk know their stuff and love their sport, regardless of county allegiance ... you only let yourself down.

Isn't it past your bedtime?

rubberduckey

Even as a proud Corkman I have to agree with Brian Whelehan when he says that DJ is the greatest hurler of this generation.....closely followed by Lohan, Corcoran and Whelehan...

Hope DJ keeps going as he has an awful lo still to offer.

Flukey

He is past his best though, so he may not have much more. There are younger players coming up behind him looking for his place and indeed younger players on other teams keeping tabs on him. The 90s was his peak. He has been in decline in recent years as the likes of Shefflin have come into their own. He retired once already don't forget. He also said when he was interviewed by Miriam O'Callaghan on TV that 2005 would be his last season.

Culchie

Flukey wrote:

He is past his best though, so he may not have much more. There are younger players coming up behind him looking for his place and indeed younger players on other teams keeping tabs on him. The 90s was his peak. He has been in decline in recent years as the likes of Shefflin have come into their own. He retired once already don't forget. He also said when he was interviewed by Miriam O'Callaghan on TV that 2005 would be his last season.

No-one is disputing that at all.

Flukey

As you said yourself Culchie, true GAA folk know their stuff and love their sport, regardless of county allegiance. A lot of compliments about how GAA fans mingle together are often commented on by other sports and other nations. You see it all the time. It may have been the final nail in your team's coffin, but you'll still acknowledge that the score just got was a great one. You'll often hear fans around you saying "Great score" when one of the opposition players scores. Although it pains them to do it at times, most GAA fans acknowledge great players, great scorers, great performances, great teams etc. no matter who it is, and even if it was at the expense of their own team and by their greatest rival. It's one of the many beauties of the games we all love.

Sleepy

Just a point for the Cork fans. You know that it's the level of arrogance ye're showing that'll ensure every neutral in the country is behind Galway? And it'll be that same arrogance that'll mean you'll deserve every bit of stick thrown at ye when we beat ye

TBH, I think it might be a case of a year too early for Galway, much like it was for Cork in 2003. We've a young, athletic team that will test the Cork defense. As they demonstrated yesterday, the Galway panel has one of the most lethal forward lines in the country and that's what has us in the final. True, there are some problems to be sorted out in defence but remember, this team has been a fair few years in the making, our minor and under-21's successes of the past few years have been building towards this.

I think we can all be fairly confident of one thing: it should be a fast, attacking final and you can be sure Galway will be there to play hurling, not to roll over and let Cork's ego beat them

LegacyUser

I'm lucky enough to have been working in Croker since I was a teenager, and have seen all the games there in the last 10/11 years. I was at the match on Sunday, what a cracker, and what beat Kilkenny was the speed and strength of the Galway forwards. Wexford have a couple of pacy forwards, but they couldnt mix it physically. Galway ran at Kilkenny, the KK full back line got roasted, especially 2. Michael Kavanagh, who was on a yellow card after 25 minutes or so. Galway always had clean ball in the forward, more so in the first half then the second, and once they had the ball in hand, they had the strength and pace over the first 5/10 yards to make space for themselves, thats where the damage was done. Granted their back line look shaky, especially under the high ball, but the half backs never let KK get the ball in their hands first time, and the did a great job of cleaning up the loose ball. IMO if Galway can get past the Cork half-back, (which is the challenege!) the can really give O'Sullivan et al a torrid time. Playing high balls in the Cork full back line is a waste, because you will see O'Sullivan block down and bat every ball, and generally make it imposible for the full-forward to get a clean ball. If they run at them and shake them, then you'll have O'Sullivan on a yelow within 20 minutes, and he's be ultra-careful for the rest of the game. Curran looks like he'll be dropped if Cork decide to bring Gardiner into centre back, and if Galway can use their pace and strength to pressure 2/3/4 then it will be on

GreenHell

Sleepy wrote:

Just a point for the Cork fans. You know that it's the level of arrogance ye're showing that'll ensure every neutral in the country is behind Galway? And it'll be that same arrogance that'll mean you'll deserve every bit of stick thrown at ye when we beat ye

TBH, I think it might be a case of a year too early for Galway, much like it was for Cork in 2003. We've a young, athletic team that will test the Cork defense. As they demonstrated yesterday, the Galway panel has one of the most lethal forward lines in the country and that's what has us in the final. True, there are some problems to be sorted out in defence but remember, this team has been a fair few years in the making, our minor and under-21's successes of the past few years have been building towards this.

I think we can all be fairly confident of one thing: it should be a fast, attacking final and you can be sure Galway will be there to play hurling, not to roll over and let Cork's ego beat them

2003 was a year missed not a year early It should be an exciting game but I don't see galway containing Cork at all. The midfield battle should be brilliant though.

Waylander

Any team that beat Kilkenny is capable of beating Cork. There is not much in between the two teams (Cork and Kilkenny). I agree with Sleepy, if the Cork team and management are nearly as complacent as there fans seem to be, they could be very embarrassed after the final. Don't get me wrong, I think Cork are probably a bit stronger then Galway, but they struggled against Clare, and they were a bit over confident going into that one.

GreenHell

I don't believe that for a second, this is a good galway team but their not all ireland winners yet. They let in 4 goals in a semi!

I agree that Cork have been complacent, or not as hungry for the game as they were last year I believe however if they stick with the 15 that finished the game against Clare, they will be the best team in the country by a long stretch.

Culchie

Boy, am I looking forward to this Hurling Final, go to try and get a ticket.

The interest and scrounge for tickets is going to be unprecedented for Hurling.

Galway always always perform on All Ireland Final day, be it football or Hurling, they are famous for it.

I've no idea who will win, I do think those make confident predictions risk alot of egg on face.

Two bloody good teams, different styles, all on the day !

Cork seem to have got very cocky, something they held and still hold against Tipp supporters .... they would want to be a little careful.

COME ON GALWAY !!!

Waylander

Greenhell you are living in dreamland. There is no team in the country streets ahead of Kilkenny. Galway may have conced 4 goals in the semi, they scored 5 and if your attitude is representative of the general Cork feeling I believe the smugness wont be long in getting wiped off your face. Clare are an ageing team yet Cork were VERY LUCKY to beat them by a point. In truth alot ofpeople think this should be a Clare v Galway final, and I think alot of people would be happier with that.

GreenHell

Waylander wrote:

Greenhell you are living in dreamland. There is no team in the country streets ahead of Kilkenny. Galway may have conced 4 goals in the semi, they scored 5 and if your attitude is representative of the general Cork feeling I believe the smugness wont be long in getting wiped off your face. Clare are an ageing team yet Cork were VERY LUCKY to beat them by a point. In truth alot ofpeople think this should be a Clare v Galway final, and I think alot of people would be happier with that.

I couldn't really care less what a lot of people think its a Cork Galway final. Proven Cork team that hasn't really done much this season but won every game. Do you think Galway would have come back from the performance Clare put to us?

Its not smuggness we are All-Ireland champions and Munster champions, we've won harder games than galway all season. I think we deserve to be confident about retaining the all-ireland.

Waylander

There is a difference between confidence and smug arrogance. I see more of the later in alot of the Cork fans.

GreenHell

Ya well your always going to get that, arrogant galway fines is another way of looking at it. I'd like to know how how galway are going to beat us, I don't see them getting another 5 goals against us and I believe our attack is a lot better than galways.

Waylander

I know what you are saying, but I believe most of Kilkenny would have said the same thing last Saturday. Don't get me wrong, i would make Cork favourites to win, but I think alot of Cork people are just taking too much for granted. It got them into trouble against Clare, Galway are a much younger team, who will be able to play to the final whistle.

GreenHell

What got Cork into trouble against Clare was a poorly selected team. We would have caused a lot more trouble had Neil Ronan started around the house, Corcoran legend still has all the skill but no pace.

I hope its a good game and would be disappointed if its a cake walk I expect galway to put in a good performance but I do think they are leak scores.

Culchie

GreenHell wrote:

What got Cork into trouble against Clare was a poorly selected team. We would have caused a lot more trouble had Neil Ronan started around the house, Corcoran legend still has all the skill but no pace.

I hope its a good game and would be disappointed if its a cake walk I expect galway to put in a good performance but I do think they are leak scores.

A more balanced view.

One thing I'd add is Galway will improve and learn alot from the game, being so young they are still learning.

Can you imagine the mauling if Kilkenny didn't get the 3 soft goals.

If they can eradicate these errors (and playing conditions were difficult) then it's going to be a cracker.

With the whippersnappers from Galway closing down and chasing, space will be at a premium where Cork enjoy it most ..... between the two 40's

Cork favourites and deservedly so, but Galway to put it up to them big time.

I fancy Galway, they are brilliant pedigree finalists.

chern0byl

Culchie wrote:

Can you imagine the mauling if

Could you imagine if...Galway backline was useless, like ours(Kilkenny). We were outpaced but we certainly had the fitness.

I do want Galway to beat Cork, but i cant see it happening. Cork are as fast as Galway, fitter and have had tougher challenges to get to the final. Do Galway have more hunger or heart or even desire? Probably..as Cork have been here and done this so many more times.

"Kilkenny The Great"...we have been riding our luck and the skill of a few individuals(carey excluded) for a lot of games. We finally were beaten and deserved it.

Carey was great, is still a legend but is a wasted position on the field.


As for who could be the greatest player of our generation then i would vote charlie carter if i could.

jank

I would also like to point out that the path to this years final was much more difficult for Cork.

Last year after the munster final they hammered both Antrim and Wexford.
This year they had much tougher tests against the better sides of Clare and Waterford

Yet they are still in the final. Thats says alot.

Also, Galway have never beaten Cork in an all ireland final.
Of course the neutrals would like to see galway win as they are under dogs and Cork are part of the big 3.

Galway always always perform on All Ireland Final day, be it football or Hurling, they are famous for it.

More like they are famous for NOT performing.

Cork arent arrogant but they know they can get the better of this galway team. The galway team has much more weaknesses than the cork team.
Get 10 level headed men to make a prediction and 8 would say Cork. They have had their fright of the clare match. They wont make the same mistake twice, expecially in the all ireland final.

Remember when KK lost the 99 final. They learnt from that and went on to dominate for the next 5 years years. As I said before, Cork have lost and won and all ireland. They know what it takes. This is totally un-precended teritory for galway and I fear its a year too early for them.

Come on the rebels!!

AthAnRi

jank wrote:

I would also like to point out that the path to this years final was much more difficult for Cork.

Last year after the munster final they hammered both Antrim and Wexford.
This year they had much tougher tests against the better sides of Clare and Waterford

Yet they are still in the final. Thats says alot.

that means nothing. Cork are a great team, no doubt about it, but so are KK. they may have been a little rusty this year but they have a lot of mileage on the clock. Cork will ocme to that stage too.

jank wrote:

Also, Galway have never beaten Cork in an all ireland final.
Of course the neutrals would like to see galway win as they are under dogs and Cork are part of the big 3.

True, Up until 2001 Kerrry had never beaten Galway in an all ireland football final. Up until 1987 Galway had never beaten Kilkenny in an All Ireland Final, Up until 1988 they had never beaten Tipp in an all ireland final. what happened in the past has no other baring other than psycolgicaly(pardon the spelling) and the fact that 8 or 9 of the present galway team have beaten Cork in a minor final not too long ago will help instill confidence in them.

jank wrote:

More like they are famous for NOT performing.

There is a difference between not performing and loosing. Yes Galway hurlers have lost a lot of All Irelands. But rarely have they ever been hammered and never have they contested an all ireland final after playing 3-4 competitive games.

jank wrote:

Cork arent arrogant but they know they can get the better of this galway team. The galway team has much more weaknesses than the cork team.
Get 10 level headed men to make a prediction and 8 would say Cork. They have had their fright of the clare match. They wont make the same mistake twice, expecially in the all ireland final.

Remember when KK lost the 99 final. They learnt from that and went on to dominate for the next 5 years years. As I said before, Cork have lost and won and all ireland. They know what it takes. This is totally un-precended teritory for galway and I fear its a year too early for them.

Come on the rebels!!

At the end of the day it's a no lose situation for Galway, they have already surpassed all expections. If cork win, which if they play to their potential they will, I'll be the first to say well done. But finally there is a system which suits galway.

Lads this has been an interesting thread but lets not turn it into a Man Utd V Arsenal type row that you see in the football threads. Lets act like GAA fans and have some craic pulling the piss outta each other on sat night and sunday morning. It's why I love All Ireland final day.

GreenHell

I don't think mileage on the clock should be an issue for this cork team, if they have the balls to drop players when they pass their peak (and I think John Alan and co do) we could keep challanging for All Ireland glory for a long time to come. Same could be said for kilkenny,galway,etc but I don't really care about them

AthAnRi

GreenHell wrote:

I don't think mileage on the clock should be an issue for this cork team, if they have the balls to drop players when they pass their peak (and I think John Alan and co do) we could keep challanging for All Ireland glory for a long time to come. Same could be said for kilkenny,galway,etc but I don't really care about them

Fair enough but some players are harder to replace than others.

I was simply sticking up for Kilkenny. People are so quick to criticise but at the end of the day had Kilkenny had Noel Hickey and a fit Peter Barry then they would probably be in the All Ireland final and would give cork a serious run for there money. I just say give credit where credits due.

If you take Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Gardner outta this Cork team then they would struggle against Galways attack too.