GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 31 – August 8, 2015 | Page 40

ALL IRELAND SEMI UNO
KILKENNY V WATERFORD
BY DENIS O’BRIEN
AUGUST 7, 2015
It’s the first of the All Ireland Hurling semi-finals this weekend and on Sunday Croke Park will be a buzz with supporters from Kilkenny and Waterford willing on their teams to
reach the big prize, an All Ireland Final.

could not handle Dublin’s physical intensity in that opening period, allowing turnovers even when their first touch
was good – a strong point of their overall play, particularly
in their half back and midfield areas.

All Ireland champions Kilkenny have done nothing wrong
so far in the championship putting Wexford to the sword
and then getting comfortably past Galway in the Leinster
final. And, usually when they get to this point they make
the best use possible of their break from the provincial final.
Though it wasn’t a runaway victory, Kilkenny controlled the
Leinster final and were impressive as is their norm in attack.
Galway never really looked like winning the game.
When Dublin, beaten convincingly by Galway after a replay, recently met Waterford in one quarter final they did at
one point look like they could win, especially in the first half
when they had the edge. Waterford did pick up their intensity early in the second half while at the same time Dublin
defensive errors during that period cost them the game. A
second Deise goal sealed victory near the finish but Dublin
were by no means out of it at the end when they attacked in
droves.

Kilkenny are a different animal when it comes to intensity.
Multiply Dublin’s efforts by a factor of four and you get a
taste of what the Cats bring to each game they play. In the
modern era they literally wrote the book on creating turnovers. Waterford have improved in the intensity department
this season and this element alone has been important to
their success in winning the league, reaching a Munster decider and now an All Ireland semi-final. Good first touch
and support play can alleviate pressure on the ball and Waterford’s handling and supportive structures were strong
against Dublin, yet conceded turnovers. The two goals won
them the game. Shane Bennett a very skilful Waterford
prospect out of U18 just two years, did will to connect for
the first goal with the ball sitting up nicely at the point of
contact. Maurice Shanahan did well also to get the second
from close range but poor defense as in the first made it
easier than it should have been. Dublin have a tendency to
lose focus at crucial times in games and it cost them dearly.

PHYSICAL PRESSURE

CATS QUESTIONS, DEISE OPPORTUNITY?

Waterford’s forwards scoring ratio improved in that
match as opposed to a more lacklustre attack when they
lost to Tipperary in the Munster final. But, Waterford

Defending and Leinster champions, Kilkenny are the favourites to advance but perhaps there are questions over
their defensive prowess, particularly in the full backline

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