AS Kilkenny tacked on their final score of last weekend’s all Ireland semi final rout of Cork, (3-22 to 0-9) one could only sit and watch in amazement as the final point capped a game of hurling that was played almost to perfection by the current champions.
Indeed, one can also be amazed at this current Kilkenny side’s “drive for five”. Kilkenny have won the last four all Ireland finals. They have won 32 in total. This year’s final will be their 57th in all. A win ratio of 32-24 as it stands. These are mind boggling statistics. The ‘Cats’ dominance does not look like waning anytime soon either.
As the final point went over the bar. Kilkenny had subjected their fiercest of rivals to an absolute spanking. Cork, one of the leading lights in hurling, were taught a lesson in hurling skills, physical conditioning and brutality. Brian Cody’s men showed no mercy as they tacked on point after point after point. The win is even more astounding when you realise that the all time leading scorer in hurling, King Henry Sheflin, had gone off before half time.
Win or lose in September against Tipperary or Waterford, this Kilkenny team’s ‘Drive for Five’ will be their legacy. The fear now for hurling fans nationwide is, has their legacy ended everyone else’s chances of glory?
As mentioned above, Kilkenny hammered Cork. The Cats have also beaten Waterford and Galway and Tipperary over the last number of years. Limerick fans remember all too well the 2007 final. The point I am making is that Kilkenny have not just raised the bar, they may just have jumped over it and come back to break it so no one else can even attempt to make the leap. With such dominance comes several things. Kilkenny hurling will breed and multiply. Hurling in lesser counties will suffer. Counties who partake in both codes will never be able to compete with the Cats.
It is as simple as this. For every second a Limerick or Cork kid, (for example only) kicks a football or passes a rugby ball, they are behind their Kilkenny cousins. Kilkenny hurling might be great for Kilkenny, but it is not good for the GAA.
In a piece a few years ago, I claimed that all counties should have dual sides, actively participating in all codes. Kerry in recent years have failed to field a hurling team in the Munster championship. Yet, counties such as Clare, Limerick, Cork, Tipperary and Galway valiantly promote both of our national sports. You may think that this is a simplistic view, but look at it this way. Kilkenny have lost more all Ireland hurling finals than Limerick have even been in.
The hurling skills of this Kilkenny team are a joy to watch. They are without question the greatest hurling team of all time. The issue is though, how did they get here?
Are Kilkenny starting from the same block as everyone else? Are they splitting budgets and coaching hours between two codes? The answer of course is no. The GAA needs to take a look at this. While the basics of the game are being shown at the highest level, the levels being reached are unobtainable for every other county. There used to be at least eight counties who could win an All Ireland. Now there are only two left. Cork were a force, but no longer. Tipperary seem to be the only ones capable of getting close to the Cats and all they can hope for is close. Is the ‘Drive for Five’ helping you? I think not.
