The View – Thunder and lightning qualifier was a damp squib
Now for the real storm as Galway ‘Bay’ for blood
By Noel Dundon
The 1939 All-Ireland final remains one of the most iconic of all time. Played on May 7th – the day that Britain declared war on Germany– the climax of the match took place during a terrific thunderstorm and earned the sobriquet of the “thunder and lightning final.”
Kilkenny won that final by defeating Cork on a scoreline of 2-7 to 3-3. It was the 53rd All-Ireland Final since the GAA was founded in Thurles in 1884 and it was Kilkenny’s 12th title. Tipp had lost out in the first round played at Thurles Sportsfield to a Limerick side which eventually lost the provincial final to Cork.
Perhaps we could place a similar title on the clash of Tipperary and Offaly in the All-Ireland hurling qualifier last Saturday evening in O’Connor Park, Tullamore. Although, to be honest, I doubt it. The thunder and lightning were about the only similarities between this clash and the one played out eighty four years ago in Croke Park. The 2-7 Jim Langton inspired scoreline which won the game for the Cats back in ‘39 had been racked up by Tipp within a quarter of an hour of hurling in the qualifier tie and the game was over as a contest.
Tipperary supporters would have to be pleased with aspects of the performance on Saturday and perhaps other aspects may give cause for pause. Certainly the sharpness of the attacking division was very notable and their willingness to work for, create and take, goals, very impressive -well, it was a record breaking scoreline after all. But, consideration would have to be taken of the opposition. Offaly were simply appalling – it’s hard to sugar coat it any more than that to be honest.
Having lost the MacDonagh Cup Final against Carlow, it was always going to be hard for the Faithful County to countenance facing Tipperary in the All-Ireland qualifier. This is a system failure surely? How can the runner-up in the Joe MacDonagh be expected to compete in the All-Ireland series? This needs review because what occurred last Saturday afternoon was of benefit to neither victor nor loser. To think that Cork were out of the championship, and yet Offaly and Carlow were still there, just does not make sense – no disrespect meant to either county, but sometimes the truth hurts.
The GAA’s thinking is that the prize for winning the Joe MacDonagh should be a place in the All-Ireland qualifier – fair enough and a laudable enough concept. And, Carlow acquitted themselves well enough too, to be honest. But this does need a re-think and the sooner the better.
Many Premier County supporters departed in the deluge of rain, thunder and lightning with mixed thoughts invading their psyche – lightning there might have been, but enlightenment there was not. On the one hand, the side had played well and racked up an unbelievable 7-38 – half of that score would surely see off Galway next weekend in the All-Ireland quarter final. On the other hand, they conceded 3-15 – if Galway manage to pilfer that kind of a score against Tipp they will probably prevail. Granted, when you are fifteen or twenty points in front, you take the foot off the gas and the intensity levels drop. You don’t mean to do so, but individuals won’t want to pick up injuries or red cards and so they stand off slightly and can appear lax. It’s not something I would be worried about, being honest.
Tipperary will have had their analysts and statisticians doing their usual work in Tullamore last Saturday -the best thing they could do with all that info would be to save it and park it. It will be worthless when it comes to framing the approach for next weekend because Galway in an All-Ireland quarter final will be a different animal entirely.
Galway will have a bit of a sting in their approach considering how the final seconds of their last outing played out. To have been taken down and denied the Leinster silverware in such dramatic fashion when they had more than one hand on the trophy certainly cut them to the bone. It was a horrible way to lose and psychologically they may well have been damaged by it. But, Galway will come strong at Tipp and will know that their record against the blue and gold jersey is pretty much even over the last decade or more. They will put the Leinster Final behind them and plough on – Tipp will have to be ready for that.
Galway will bring a big physical challenge to Tipp – much like Limerick it has to be said. Tipperary coped very well with that approach from Limerick and they will have to be on their game as much as they were in that Munster round robin clash in Thurles if they are to prevail against King Henry’s charges.
You would imagine that this game will come down to which group wins out – Galway’s defence, or Tipperary’s attack. If the Premier lads are free flowing, on plenty of ball and in the groove, Galway will not hold them. But, if they do manage to shackle the Tipp attack, Liam Cahill’s men could find themselves in trouble. Tipperary have racked up big scores this season and they will need another score fest to get through this tie – somewhere around 2-20 will be required, one would imagine. Granted the kind of day will have an impact too but whatever the elements, Tipperary will have to have more than a sprinkle of the essential elements to success – hard work, commitment to the cause, total concentration and luck.
TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick has had its fair share of big games already this summer. So, it came as a bit of s surprise when a double header was announced for the All-Ireland quarter finals. Yes, Limerick is the obvious location for a Tipp/Galway clash, but one would have thought that FBD Semple Stadium would be the venue for the Clare/Dublin encounter. And, if they were going to double header route, Croke Park seemed like the most suitable venue. Tipp and Galway could attract 40,000 on their own; Clare are supporting very strong these days; and while Dublin won’t bring a huge following, expect Limerick to be heaving at the seams again.
At least these games will be televised live on RTE 2. Happy viewing, either in person or remotely.
Up Tipp.
By Jonathan Cullen Wed 21st Jun
