Now that was a game of hurling.
It may have only been the first round of the National Hurling League but neither Kilkenny or Cork were taking a backward step. It was fiery, it was feisty and Tommy Walsh was like a man possessed in the eir Sport commentary box.
It had everything, except for sweepers. It was 15 on 15, it was attacking, open hurling. It was two sides plotting each other’s downfall through forward play and it was a joy to watch.
Páirc Uà Chaoimh was looking beautiful under the bright lights, the skill on show, from both sides was similarly easy on the eye.
Darragh Fitzgibbon lit it up for John Meyler’s men. Cillian Buckley, up until a sore looking second half injury, was typically class, as was Padraig Walsh behind him for the Cats.
You've got to love Tommy Walsh! 😂 #AllianzLeagues #MatchNightLive pic.twitter.com/2i8RPWvB6E
— eir Sport (@eirSport) January 27, 2018
Shane Kingston got the Rebels off to a flier with an early goal past Eoin Murphy – which given the Glenmore man’s lofty standards – we might have expected him to save.
He more than made up for it soon after, with a stop that no other goalkeeper in the country would have made from Seamus Harnedy.
The heavyweights traded blows in the first half. Conor Lehane ran Kilkenny ragged at times, as did Seamus Harnedy beside him.
Conor Lehane is @DaloAnto's @AllianzIreland Man of the Match! #MatchNightLive pic.twitter.com/d4tCl0WDiK
— eir Sport (@eirSport) January 27, 2018
Harnedy and Lehane are two of the best forwards in the game, with neither having many weaknesses in their games. Both are strong in the air, possess dynamite pace and a killer first touch. Their point-taking and striking off the run is effortless.
Cork’s pace on the run caused Kilkenny endless problems. From the aforementioned duo, but also from Darragh Fitzgibbon, from Alan Cadogan, from Shane Kingston, and from Jack O’Connor off the bench.
These lads are like lightening and when they get going they take off like the clappers of hell. Kilkenny couldn’t catch them, couldn’t contain them.
This score, from Fitzgibbon, just summed it all up.
Darragh Fitzgibbon with the score of the night pic.twitter.com/DKrwsxftf1
— The GAA (@officialgaa) January 27, 2018
That was the difference between the two sides out there – Kilkenny don’t have lightening speed up top, or in defence.
Cork seemed able to get their scores that little bit easier, and that saw them win by three in the end. Deservedly, too. 1-24 to 0-24 was the final score.
The moment of the match, however, went to Padraig Walsh. The Tullaroan tank picked up the ball two yards from his own small square, and ran up to stick it over the bar.
Tommy’s response was brilliant.
“It’s like me in my hayday!”
Padraig Walsh bursts out from full back position to give Kilkenny that much needed inspiration pic.twitter.com/G9u3t0kWfG
— The GAA (@officialgaa) January 27, 2018
