I think I just watched the greatest All Ireland hurling final ever played -- and I think I was the only commentator to predict a Tipperary victory
Tipperary's win over Kilkenny had everything, drama, a Kilkenny team out to make history by winning five in a row, a Tipp team bent on revenge from last year's final defeat and a setting before 81,000 fans in Croke Park that makes you realize so
many things are right about Ireland.
The gallant champions suffered a mortal blow early in this game when their hero Henry Shefflin, known as King Henry injured his already damaged knee ligaments.
It had been a huge gamble to play him from the beginning, but manager Brian Cody did the right thing letting his best player start.
Both teams tore into each other from the start and the field was not for the faint of heart. Tipperary pulled away to an early lead but by halftime Kilkenny had pulled them back to a one point margin.
It all looked right for the champions. They were playing with the strong wind at their back in the second half and were surely confident they could pull ahead.
Not against this Tipp team however. In a golden patch midway through the second half they netted two goals in a matter of moments and stretched to a seven point lead.
Kilkenny fought back heroically but this young Tipp team had the scent of victory in their nostrils.
They pulled away again and a last second goal made certain what was already sure.
And what an advertisement for the fastest field game in the world.
It was a final to never forget.
7 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Ms.Gail | Sep 06, 2010, 07:33 PM EDT
What an exciting report!! I think about my mother's cousin Jimmy Finn and her cousin-in-law Pat Stakelum and know they're smiling with the angles.
dessieglynn | Sep 06, 2010, 02:33 PM EDT
Only a great game if you are not from Kilkenny.
kilkenny999 | Sep 06, 2010, 02:23 PM EDT
ah well we had to lose sometime.
ganjadec | Sep 06, 2010, 11:37 AM EDT
It was truly a great game. It is rare to see the kind of hunger Tipp showed, in any sport.
tippgirl | Sep 05, 2010, 07:45 PM EDT
So happy that Tipp won today! I live in Michigan and my family texted me the great news!!
pat52rk | Sep 05, 2010, 06:23 PM EDT
thank you tipp. 5 in a row would have been too much to stomach ..we would have never heard the end of it ..
sirpeter | Sep 05, 2010, 05:30 PM EDT
As a Corkman I want to thank every Tipperary player for pulling down the shutters on Kilkenny's five in-a-row. In Kilkenny last week talked to a few Kilkenny guys and not only were the talking about bagging the five in-a row,but winning six or seven in-a-row. Their arrogance made me puke and the arrogance seems to be everywhere,something i never felt before from G.A.A fans. Considering Kerry have 37 all Ireland titles,Cork have 36 plus winning the double twice which has never been done by any other county and Tipperary have 30 titles and the sweetest one of all to-day. So thank you again Tipp for saving the rest of the country from having to suffer the collage of sporting wins of a 5 in-a-row on RTE television for the next 10 years.Wonder where that singing Kilkenny guy on you-tube is now..tee-hee