Cats Meow for Three in a Row

It was a shame that on a bright, sunny -- and, for a change, dry - day perfect for hurling the game's showpiece ended in such anti-climax. For some of these Waterford players it will be the end of the road. They and their supporters will wonder how they left it behind them, and why they never did themselves justice after reaching their first All-Ireland since 1963.

They will also recognize the fact they were overrun by one of the most brilliant teams ever to grace Croke Park. Nickey Brennan's words were not caught up in the emotion of victory but shaped by the manner in which Brian Cody's charges have seen off all comers for the past three years. They will take some stopping and maybe it will be left to Tipp to stand in the way of four titles -- or even five -- in-a-row. The Cats remain champions and there's a lot of catching up to do.

"That was as good as we have played in all my time with Kilkenny," said Cody. "It is without a shadow of a doubt. To come up here on All-Ireland final day against Waterford, and to play at that level - to play at that level on this very day."

*In the minor final Kilkenny sub Danny Purcell stole in for a late goal to deny Galway a title they richly deserved. After conceding two soft goals Galway fought back with choice scores from Niall Burke and David Burke. They seemed to have done enough but like so many teams before them have discovered, holding a lead guarantees nothing against the black and amber. Trailing by a point Purcell latched onto a loose ball to fire to the net to make it 3-6 to 0-13. Very harsh justice on a fine Galway team; another piece of silverware for the home of Cats.

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