Huge weekend for Tipp and Kilkenny followers…chasing an elusive title and chasing immortality…and who better to give an inside look on one of the camps than a good friend of mine, Richie Power…best of luck on Sunday lad…
Here’s hoping for a great final whoever wins.
Joe
After a long summer of enthralling encounters and some controversial decisions we’ve finally reached the climax of an interesting hurling year. Thankfully we are where we set out to be at the beginning of the year and that’s preparing for the biggest game of our careers. Everyone dreams of being in Croke Park on the first Sunday in September when they go back training in December/January and now it has all been worth it.
Also we see the two best teams at U-21 level clashing a week on Sunday in the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 All-Ireland Final which has the makings of a cracker. A young Galway team that we haven’t seen a lot of this year, up against likely favourites Tipperary who are blessed with players of considerable senior experience. Let’s not forget that some of these guys will be involved in two finals in the space of seven days.
Galway overcame an under strength Dublin team in the semi-final. The Dubs were plagued with injuries and were also without their influential centre-back Rory O’Carroll who lined out with the Dublin footballers the following day against Cork.
However I was very impressed with Galway especially their forwards who were very quick and looked exceptionally sharp. Also, a tough game was exactly what they needed and you’re always assured of this against the Dubs.
Tipperary on the other hand made light work of an Antrim team lacking in experience and lacking the game time needed to prepare them for a semi-final against a team like Tipp who could call on the services of five or six senior players.
Overall it has the makings of an interesting final with a young, hungry Galway team up against the more experienced Tipp side and as we’ve found out so many times already this year you can never underestimate the underdog. But if I had to pick the winner my marginal vote would go to Tipp on this occasion with experience pulling them over the line. It might just be a year to soon for this very good Galway team who will be a lot more experienced next year and are definitely the team to watch in 2011. Watch this space.
On a personal front we’re preparing for the biggest day in the hurling year and the challenge that lies ahead is Tipperary. This week is all about preparing myself to be in the best physical shape I possibly can be for Sunday.
It’s important to keep the body hydrated as much as possible and also my diet is probably the most important aspect of this week. Eating the wrong food can cause the body to act that one second slower than you need and not being hydrated leads to cramps and your body letting you down when you most need it to perform.
It’s also a big day for our club Carrickshock with four of us involved in the senior final and also my younger brother, John, in the minor final. Our house is a very tense place to be this week but also there’s a great sense of excitement building. With two of us involved I’m sure the parents will be on the edge of their seats until the final whistle on Sunday evening and regardless of the outcome I’m sure they’ll have something to say about both our performances (not always good either!).
I can always count on dad for some healthy criticism. I think that’s what the GAA is all about, family and friends who you can sit down with after a game and dissect every aspect, every score and every challenge that took place before their eyes.
Tipperary have been hugely impressive this year en route to the final. They have grown stronger and fitter with every game and we know the challenge that lies ahead. They showed great fight and spirit to overcome a very good Galway team in the quarter-final and showed how ruthless and punishing they can be against Waterford last time out. We can’t afford to be an inch off the pace on Sunday because if we are, we will be blown away.
Finally I hope everyone enjoys the hurling over the next week and a half and at the end of the day, hurling is the real winner. It’s been quite a rollercoaster of a season and I’m sure there’s still a few more shocks and surprises lurking just around the corner.
Happy Hurling!!!!!!!!
Tags: Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling All Ireland Final, Galway, Kilkenny, Tipperary