Galway v Kilkenny All Ireland Hurling Final 2012

Great work from the Galway player more so than a mistake by the keeper, he was hunted down and they didnt give him the foul most keepers look for in those situations.

Galway very much in the driving seat. Kk struggling almost everywhere. Hope Galway can keep it going now.

Very good performance from Galway. Winning at 11 and 14. Smith dominating Fennelly at midfield. Backs winning the 50-50 ball. They look good. All it takes is one of those factors to change for them to lose though.

that was a crucial free there from Joe before HT. Should be ahead by more.

Not much evidence of tactical acumen on Cody’s part alright. If they start to win a few balls in the forwards they’ll storm back into it, but if the Galway backs keep it going then it’s Galway’s to lose.

Kieran Shannon wrote an article before the Leinster Final about how Kilkenny were the ultimate first half team. That’s now the fourth game in a row where they’ve put in either a dire or a poor first half.

has Richie Power touched the ball from open play? Had forgotten he was playing until I saw him run in the tunnel there. Havent seen that lad Joyce at half back hit a ball either.

Apart from Paul Murphy, KK have been shocking and playing some awful brainless stuff. Shot selection, missing frees, even the striking from some of them has been very poor. Brutal tactics from Cody too, R Hogan at midfield and Walsh at corner back?

Game should be over really. Big 10 mins from Galway after half time and it will be.

On second viewing Colin Fennelly went to do Hynes alright. Duignan “all eyes on the ball” ffs the ball was 10 yards behind him and he was facing the other way.

Who do KK have to come on - Buckley, who else?

Great half from Galway. Set up for a cracking second half here.

has Richie Power touched the ball from open play? Had forgotten he was playing until I saw him run in the tunnel there. Havent seen that lad Joyce at half back hit a ball either.

Apart from Paul Murphy, KK have been shocking and playing some awful brainless stuff. Shot selection, missing frees, even the striking from some of them has been very poor. Brutal tactics from Cody too, R Hogan at midfield and Walsh at corner back?

Game should be over really. Big 10 mins from Galway after half time and it will be.

On second viewing Colin Fennelly went to do Hynes alright. Duignan “all eyes on the ball” ffs the ball was 10 yards behind him and he was facing the other way.

Who do KK have to come on - Buckley, who else?

Hard to see him fixing it at half time either.
If galway can reduce the errors in the halfback line they can close the game out from here.

Galway will be winning this and they can win it with something to spare. I didn’t fancy them before the match in truth but they are dominating Kilkenny everywhere, the cats have no answer and look out on their feet even.

Come on now Sid, everyone knows that Kilkenny play hard manly hurling, They don’t resort to dirt.:slight_smile:

Hope Galway shove it into them now.

Come on now Sid, everyone knows that Kilkenny play hard manly hurling, They don’t resort to dirt.:slight_smile:

Hope Galway shove it into them now.

Their backs just need to keep attacking and spoiling the 50-50 ball the way they’re doing it and they’ll stop the goal chances at source. No runners coming from midfield for KK (where is Fennelly today??) so the goals will have to come the hard way the way it’s going. I hope Galway do it but Tipp looked just as dominant in '09 and were caught at the death. They need to push it on in the next ten minutes and give themselves some breathing room.

Cunningham’s football background is key in what he has brought to the Galway defence’s style. Cody has always been a reactive rather than proactive manager in terms of innovation in how Kilkenny play. He’s rarely to had to change things from the line. In most games the class of his players will get him through. I’m not so sure it will this time. It’s difficult to name one Kilkenny player who has played well in the first half. Paul Murphy probably their best. But Galway still need the first couple of scores in the second half.

Dive there from Power to win a free and a yellow card.

TY and LK were both obliterated in the 15 mins after half time by KK.
Galway need to weather this and they’re home.

the much maligned duo of O’Regan and Tannian have been very dominant.

Burke with a bad miss

Tannian would be a HUGE loss. Has hurled a stormer so far.

Very bad mistake from one of the Galway players conceding possession extremely cheaply which resulted in a Kilkenny score.