It's hard to believe but either Tipperary or Kilkenny will be out of the championship come half eight tonight. We've become accustomed to these two giants meeting in the semi finals or final of the All Ireland but tonight we see them come head to head in the qualifiers at Nowlan Park. So is this a sign that these two colossal counties are taking a backward step? I don't think so.
Kilkenny have had a disappointing start to the season with poor performances against Offaly and twice against Dublin. They've conceded five goals in three games and only scored one, while they've really struggled to score from play, relying heavily on frees. Key injuries to Henry Shefflin and Michael Fennelly are taking it's toll and it shows that Kilkenny are not as strong behind their starting 15 as they used to be. Now is when Kilkenny are most vulnerable but could also be when they are at their dangerous best.
As for Tipperary they've been written off by many people after their loss to Limerick but the most surprising outcome of that loss was the criticism coming from inside the county. Tipp fans should know better than to write off the team after just one match. Remember the criticism that came after their 2010 loss to Cork? Tipp went on to win an All Ireland title. Eamon O'Shea is a fantastic manager and everybody knows the huge influence he had as coach of the All Ireland winning team in 2010.
The intrigue about this match coming so early is that neither team is ready for the other. Kilkenny have been so successful in the last decade or so because they play their best hurling come late August/early September which is what all great teams do. Tipperary under Eamon O'Shea will be the same. You just hope that you do enough to get through to that semi final and final stage. This year it didn't happen for either team but be under no illusions. Whichever team wins tonight will be contesting an All Ireland final this year.
I wouldn't expect this game to be of the highest quality. I think we will see a nervy affair with a lot of tension in the air. Kilkenny got the better of Tipp last August with a blistering second half display, similar to the one Tipp produced to beat Kilkenny in 2010. History suggests this game will be won in the first twenty minutes of the second half. Whichever team can get the upper hand early in the second usually closes out the game in style.
I think Tipperary will get it done today because they have so much more to prove. Redemption is the key word for Tipp. They were embarrassed last year and they won't want to feel that way again exiting the championship to their great rivals in early July. Players like Lar Corbett and Eoin Kelly need to show what they can do. Tipp will need to show they are willing to match Kilkenny physically, get a hit in early on your marker and don't be bullied. John O'Dwyer could be a huge factor tonight. He is a fantastic hurler and won't be afraid of the challenge. For me, Tipp shade this by three or four points.
