An All Ireland to relish with Champions dethroned
By Noel Dundon
Another all-Munster All-Ireland senior hurling final is on the horizon, but not the combination we might have expected. With all due respect to our Limerick neighbours, the final will probably be enhanced by the presence of our other neighbours Cork and Clare, rather that the five-in-a-row seeking Treaty County side which has given so much to the game over the last seven years or so.
Even this far out, you would probably be making John Kiely’s men the favourites to win the All-Ireland again in 2025, but one thing is definite, they won’t be winning the 2024 final and the history seeking quest is over.
What a game of hurling Cork and Limerick served up in Croke Park on Sunday. Following on from the All-Ireland minor hurling final a week previously, we really have been spoiled with top class, exciting fare and the senior semi-final was no exception. Granted the Clare vs Kilkenny final was less spectacular, but twenty four hours later, the second exhilarating championship clash of Cork and Limerick really delivered in spades.
So, both Clare and Cork can now win the All-Ireland senior hurling final having already lost two championship games – is that an acceptable scenario for the game of hurling? I’m not sure if it does any good for the championship, but on the other hand you have to hand it to the management teams to be able to lift their men and still navigate their way to the ultimate day.
Cork lost their first two championship games remember and really looked to be in big trouble – Pat Ryan was under enormous pressure – where are all those who were calling for his head now?
And what about Clare? Lost twice to Limerick including that rather disappointing Munster Final clash in FBD Semple Stadium. But, Brian Lohan has found the key to the championship door and now they remain just one game away from winning the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
The defeat of Limerick has really opened up the final and will certainly generate a lot of excitement in the hurling world. Patrick Horgan might finally get his hands on an All-Ireland medal – Tony Kelly and John Conlon could have something to say about that. Whatever way the result goes, great, iconic hurlers of this generation will be left disappointed, while others will be elated.
That’s the nature of sport at the highest level – it can be so rewarding, but also so cruel.
Divisional Championships
We are at divisional final time in Tipperary in the hurling championship race with most of the deciders on next weekend. There have been some really big results with Carrick Swans defeating Mullinahone and Killenaule seeing off St Mary’s in the south division to set up a mouth watering final.
Then in mid Tipperary we have a resurgent Moycarkey Borris facing off against the highly fancied Loughmore Castleiney side which rallied late in the semi-final to defeat Drom-Inch. Incredibly, Moycarkey Borris – a sleeping giant of Tipperary hurling – are seeking a first divisional senior title since 1982 – their last appearance was 2002 when they lost to this year’s opponents Loughmore Castleiney. A bumper attendance is expected in Templetuohy on Sunday afternoon for this one.
In the north final Toomevara are back there again thanks to their stirring two point victory over Nenagh Éire Óg with Darragh McCarthy getting 0-11 of their total – what a brilliant hurler he is developing into and it should be noted that he hit 0-5 of Toomevara’s 1-16 from play. The Greyhounds will face county champions Kiladangan in the final after they overcame Templederry at Dolla on Sunday evening – Billy Seymour’s second half goal really putting the game beyond the Templederry lads.
So, another interesting battle will ensue in the north final – let’s just hope that the Boards bang a few heads together and ensure that supporters have some chance of getting to a few of the finals. Check out fixtures on the County Board website for full details.
Do try to get to the games if you can – the more people who attend these games, the better the atmosphere will be. See you there.
Click here to follow Noel on Twitter for all the latest Tipperary News and Views