Kilkenny are odds-on favorites to win another All-Ireland Hurling title against Galway in three weeks time following their heavy defeat of Tipperary.
Going into Sunday’s clash, many experts were predicting that Tipperary would have too much for Kilkenny in what was widely expected to be a close battle. The sides have contested the previous three All-Ireland deciders, and this summer Declan Ryan’s Tipp had appeared to have the more powerful subs bench. Having trailed by five points following TJ Reid’s first half goal, Tipperary went in at half time leading by a point and with serious questions being asked of the reigning champions.
Brian Cody’s side could barely have produced a more emphatic answer in the second 35 minutes as they overpowered Tipperary in brutal fashion, running out winners by 4-24 to 1-15 in front of a stunned crowd at Headquarters.
As a result of this dominant success, Kilkenny are now 1/4 to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup with
Ladbrokes in three week’s time with Galway available at 11/4.
Tipperary simply had no answer for a rampant Kilkenny side during the second half at Croke Park on Sunday as Henry Shefflin, Aidan Fogarty, Eoin Larking and double-goalscorer Reid ripped the Premier county defence to shreds with some devastating attacking play.
Ryan’s side went through a 20-minute spell in the second period without registering a single score, whilst they could only manage five points during the entire second half, ensuring that this game was over as a contest long before the final whistle.
Those who were beginning to write the epitaph for this wonderful Kilkenny side in the wake of their Leinster final defeat to Galway will be forced to think again on the back of this phenomenal statement from Cody’s players.
Anthony Cunningham’s Tribesmen claimed a ten-point win over Kilkenny in that Leinster final, sparking talk that Cody’s troops may be nearing the end of their reign. Despite his side’s success over Tipperary, the cunning Cats boss insists they will need to prepare well for what he anticipates will be a close contest with Galway in the final.
“The last day we played Galway, there was only one team in it,” said the Kilkenny manager. “They gave us a lesson and we were miles away and they went on to follow that up with a great performance against Cork.”
He added: “I’m not going to start blowing them up and blowing us down. It’s a huge game ahead. Either team is capable of beating the other. It’s something to look forward to in the next couple of weeks.”
Kilkenny are 3/10 to win the All-Ireland final in 70 minutes with
Ladbrokes, with Galway 3/1 to repeat the success of their Leinster win, while the draw is priced at 12/1.
Stay with Ladbrokes for all the latest news and views from the Galway and Kilkenny camps ahead of the All-Ireland final on September 9.
