Kilkenny's semi-final record could face another dent & More Trending News

There was a time when Galway hurlers bought a bye straight into an All-Ireland semi-final. They would repeatedly seized their likelihood, earlier than usually falling considerably flat on remaining day. Was it a case of a lot being invested by the Tribes of their last-four conflict that they could not match that effort when Liam MacCarthy handed out?

Wins over Cork in 1975, 79, 85; towards Kilkenny in ’86 after which over Tipperary in ’87 and ’93, are semi-final tussles the place Galway brought about a shock of types. It was solely in ’87 the place they went on to land the large prize. That was then. The Connacht males, now enjoying out of Leinster, are on the similar beginning gate as everyone else.

Of course, it’s also value mentioning that previous to 1984, the Leinster and Munster winners, in alternate years, went straight by to an All-Ireland remaining. Antrim’s inclusion in centenary yr modified that.

Ahead of this weekend’s semis at Croke Park, the standout stat is Kilkenny’s spectacular return on the penultimate stage beneath Brian Cody. It’s simply 4 losses in 20 appearances to date, these got here towards Galway in 2001 and 2005, Waterford in 2020 and Cork in 2021.

The Cats usually had a 5 or six-week hole from profitable the Bob O’Keeffe Cup to creating their bow within the All-Ireland sequence, a break that didn’t appear to hassle them. From 2005-07, provincial winners did play on the All-Ireland quarter-final stage, so the hole wasn’t as lengthy. The straight path to the semis was restored in 2008. The solely years {that a} Cody group didn’t make the final 4 have been in 2013 (quarter-final loss to Cork); 2017 (qualifier defeat towards Waterford) and in 2018 (another quarter-final defeat, this time to Limerick)

Since Kilkenny’s final All-Ireland win in 2015, Cody’s semi-final record is just not pretty much as good. Yes there have been wins over Waterford, after a replay in 2016, and towards Limerick in 2019, {that a} precursor to successive defeats to Waterford and Cork. Last August’s reverse towards the Rebels was the primary time the Cats fell on the semi-final hurdle stage in successive years.

Another undesirable stat is within the offing in the event that they lose to Clare on Saturday subsequent. That would push Kilkenny’s All-Ireland drought out to eight years. Cody’s first All-Ireland win in 2000 ended a seven-year look forward to Liam.

Sunday’s joust with Galway can be Limerick’s fifth semi-final look on the spin. It’s three out of 4 wins, with the one setback for John Kiely’s facet coming towards Kilkenny in 2019. Darragh O’Donovan had a sideline minimize to pressure a replay. The ball sailed huge, however Limerick protested loudly that it took a deflection en route and {that a} ’65 ought to have been awarded. Nothing forthcoming from the referee, although replays confirmed the Treaty ought to have gotten an opportunity to attract the sport.

A case of what may need been.

As a supervisor, Kiely’s record in semi-finals, apart from his first yr in command of the seniors, is fairly spectacular. You also can add in his success as Limerick U-21 supervisor, following Munster and All-Ireland victories in 2011 and 2015 respectively. With Limerick favoured to retain Liam MacCarthy this yr and with a few league titles already beneath his belt, Kiely is on track to enhance on a really spectacular win return.

And so to the opposite males who can be patrolling the sidelines this weekend. Brian Lohan is a yr older than John Kiely, although he nonetheless ready to deliver silverware to Clare. He has been in cost since 2019, along with his two championship campaigns so far ending in defeats on the All-Ireland quarter-final and spherical two qualifier stage. His solely managerial triumph got here in 2015 when he took UL to Fitzgibbon Cup glory.

As a participant, Lohan was probably the greatest of his technology – an imposing presence on the sting of the sq.. Two All-Irelands got here his manner in 1995 and ’97, maybe there needs to be another one in ’98, with Clare on track to win their semi-final towards Offaly in ’98, earlier than Jimmy Cooney blew up early. The Banner granted the Faithful a replay, however have been flat on that August afternoon in Thurles. It was the primary of 5 semi-final defeats for Lohan earlier than he known as time on his profession in 2006. In between was the win over Waterford in 2002, which arrange a date with Kilkenny within the decider.

Clare’s place on this yr semi-final is effectively merited. Lohan and co, you believe you studied, would like to get another crack at Limerick. Taking out the Cats en route could be simply as candy.

If Brian Cody’s record in semi-finals is spectacular, then it goes with out saying that Henry Shefflin’s is simply too. Before he retired in 2015, Shefflin solely misplaced two as a participant – 2001 and 2005 – and solely as soon as, in 2013, did he not make that stage of the championship. As a supervisor, he’ll hope to emulate Cody’s profitable haul, although it’s spherical one to the ‘Master’ after the Cats’ Leinster remaining triumph.

After profitable two All-Ireland membership titles with Ballyhale Shamrocks, Shefflin then took over intermediate facet Thomastown, earlier than final October, in a shock transfer, he was named as Galway boss. In any yr, there may be a lot deal with the Tribes, hurling’s underachievers, you could say. With the ten-time All-Ireland winner on the helm, that focus solely will increase. Galway are underdogs entering into towards Limerick in Sunday’s semi-final. The method of the win the final day will not minimize it towards the All-Ireland champions.

If Shefflin can encourage his troops to a larger effort and, in consequence, a victory, then that will be a the primary of what Shefflin hopes can be many signature wins for him within the bainisteoir bib.

Follow the All-Ireland Hurling Championship semi-finals this weekend, Kilkenny v Clare (5.30pm on Saturday) and Limerick v Galway (3.30pm on Sunday), through our dwell weblog on rte.ie/sport or on the RTÉ News app. Watch dwell protection on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player with dwell radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.

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