The Irish Post February 27, 2016 | 37 GAA Tipperary have beaten Kilkenny just twice in 14 meetings since the 2010 All-Ireland fi nal SPORT Cats always land on their feet the arrival of just one substitute COMMENT TOP CATS: Kilkenny’s into the fray — when the starting Conor Fogarty and XV were underperforming so Shane Prendergast miserably — suggested the By Garry battle for possession quality wasn’t there, a theory Doyle against Noel McGrath strengthened by the fact that at of Tipperary Under-21 level, Kilkenny have not won an All-Ireland since 2008. Still while last year’s team — and squad — were regarded as ARK TWAIN, the the weakest in Cody’s tenure, not celebrated American only did they win an All-Ireland, Mauthor, may not have they did so without breaking spent much of his life sweat, posting 5-25 against pondering the fi ckle nature of Wexford, 1-25 against Galway in hurling, yet his observation the Leinster fi nal, 1-21 against that reports about his death Waterford in the All-Ireland were greatly exaggerated, semi-fi nal and 1-22 in the seem a perfect fi t vis-a-vis All-Ireland decider. Look at those Kilkenny. Written off by numbers and the consistency of almost everyone after their the scoring. Hence the predictions defeat to Waterford earlier of gloom when they returned this month, they responded to from Walsh Park with just 0-14 to the jibes about their lack of their name. Yet key factors have pace, lack of youth and lack to be accounted for regarding of fi ght by doing what they do that defeat, namely that it was best: winning. February, the fi rst round of the Yet again Tipperary were the League and the squad had just victims of their anger — just as returned from a team holiday in they have been for the bulk of the Thailand. Instead the post-match Brian Cody era, and while last analysis focused on the absence Sunday’s trip to Nowlan Park of Power, Aylward, Larkin and a was hyped as the start of a new subsequent absence of speed era, the narrative remained same and class. old, same old. Tipp started well, And then came last Sunday. dominated for a spell, built up a Kevin Kelly scored 2-1 to suggest lead… and lost. Lost, just as they he belongs at this level. Reid have done in almost every game have been asked, Brian Cody’s year, and realised it didn’t game was that they were was inspirational, but then again plundered 10 points to suggest the they have played against their men have provided the answers. matter. Not to them. hungrier and played with much he has been for the best part of mantle of leadership is something rivals since the 2010 All-Ireland The All-Ireland defeat in 2010 was After all, they spent the winter more aggression — and that is three years. What impressed he will relish rather than be — which was supposed to be the supposed to be the end, the heavy of 2014/15 watching one legend the sort of thing that will drive more about Sunday were the burdened by, while Maher –— year the baton was passed from loss to Dublin in the 2011 league after another retire — from JJ Brian Cody absolutely mad,” performances of two debutants: whose grandfather, Pa Dillon, one era (and one team) to the providing further proof of that. Delaney through to Henry Noel Hickey, their former full James Maher, who scored four decorated the 1960s — showed next but which instead has How did they respond? By winning Sheffl in — yet replacements were back, said. “He’d be totally against points, and Robert Lennon, hurling has passed down the initiated a spell of misery for the four of the next fi ve All-Irelands. found. So when Hogan was that because the No 1 thing with whose defensive solidity generations. All of which made Premier County and joy for the In this context, we should have missing on Sunday, combined with Cody, above everything else, is impressed at centre half. Hickey smile. “Kilkenny won Cats. Fourteen times they have known. We should have looked at Richie Power’s retirement, Ger that you have to work at least as The timing of their arrival another All-Ireland convincingly met since that fi nal. Just twice the defeat to Waterford — where Aylward’s injury and Eoin Larkin’s hard as the fella you’re marking. couldn’t have been better. After last year,” he said. “They have have Tipperary won. Kilkenny were outfought, as well sabbatical, we shouldn’t have Cody will be driven demented all, so much was made of the fact lost one league game. So it’s still Does that tell us more about as outplayed — and reserved jumped to conclusions. Unless, of listening to that talk and he’ll Cody underused his bench last way too early to be talking about them or Kilkenny, though? You judgement. We should have course, your conclusion was that have made a big point that things season, the implication being anybody being on the slide.” could say it is a bit of both. noted the absence of Richie their revival was about to begin. have to improve.” that he didn’t trust them. And Indeed, those reports were Certainly whenever questions Hogan, the 2014 hurler of the “All the talk after the Waterford And they did improve. TJ Reid again, in the defeat to Waterford, greatly exaggerated. Irish Guards serve up unique GAA experience at Hounslow Barracks UPON entry to the Cavalry Barracks PITCHED BATTLE: in Hounslow, London, a Union Jack The Guards and fl utters in the wind while St Clarets players identifi cation, signature and a tussle for possession reason for visit are taken from each external attendee. After watching hundreds if not tea, Guinness and Irish stew on Nonetheless, the Guards were growing pool of over 50 players to thousands of GAA matches from COMMENT offer for all visitors. creating chances of their own on the choose from, they will have no many different sidelines, entering a I was stuffed. But unfortunately muddy surface, but wayward trouble fi elding a team anytime British Army base to watch a game for the hosts, so was their team. shooting caused a sizeable number soon, even if some of their players of Gaelic football was indeed an By Jamie This was only the second match of wides. are unfamiliar with each other’s unusual experience. Casey the Irish Guards have played, and Many of their players grew up names thanks to the sheer size of the Inside the gates, the fl ag of St once again they were understrength playing GAA or rugby at youth level, barracks in which they’re based. Patrick fl ies above a makeshift GAA and comprehensively beaten, with St so the ball handling skills were there Despite the heavy defeat, those pitch, while a row of military vehicles Clarets showing no mercy in putting to be seen, and that lack of involved appear to be enjoying the next to the fi eld adds to the peculiar eight goals past them. confi dence in front of the target early stages of their journey and spectacle of St Clarets’ visit for surroundings for a man from Harlesden Harps scored 5-10 against could be eradicated with some they’re hoping for another practice Saturday’s friendly with Gardaí South Armagh, though it was them in their opening game in the much-needed shooting practice. outing against Tir Chonaill Gaels’ Eireannach, the team from the anything but. For once past same venue earlier this month and Due to the nature of their work, Junior side on March 5 ahead of British Army’s Irish Guards regiment. security there’s a real feel of Irish once again the difference in experience the Guards will struggle to fi eld a their fi rst competitive season in It may sound like intimidating hospitality about the place, with was telling from start to fi nish. consistent starting XV, but with a London GAA..