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30th Apr 2013

Puc Fado: The 2009 Hurling League Final, Tipperary v Kilkenny

The two big boys of hurling in recent years last met in the decider four years ago. It was a bit of a cracker too.

JOE

The two big boys of hurling in recent years last met in the decider four years ago. It was a bit of a cracker too.

We’re very much looking forward to the Allianz Hurling League final between Tipperary and Kilkenny. The two titans of hurling in the last five years have had some epic battles in recent times and while we all think of the three All-Ireland finals they played from 2009-11, their last League final meeting was pretty tasty too.

Played on May 3 in Semple Stadium the final score of 2-26 to 4-17 to Kilkenny barely does justice to the drama of the game. Tipp had shipped a severe 17-point beating at the hands of the Cats in March of that year and it looked bad for Liam Sheedy’s men after Henry Shefflin slotted over a score inside the opening 30 seconds.

But Tipp battled back and after a brace of goals via Seamus Woodlock and a John O’Brien goal they led by five points after seven minutes. The frantic action never let up. By half-time the Premier led 2-7 to 0-8 but the action in the second half was even more intense.

Seamus Callanan goaled to stretch Tipp’s lead but Richie Hogan struck back almost immediately. Shefflin left the field with a knock but Hogan took up the free-talking duties and Aiden Fogarty drew them closer with a second goal.

A Hogan free put Kilkenny ahead near the 70th minute but a Noel McGrath point sent the game to extra-time.

McGrath scored the game’s sixth goal in extra time but Kilkenny would not be denied and put on a display of point scoring in the closing stages, capped off by a phenomenal point from a ridiculous distance by Eddie Brennan.

With great Championship intensity, fine scores, and at least one brilliant save by Brendan Cummins, it deserves to be up there with the very best of these two sides’ battles.

The same again on Sunday would do just fine. Enjoy.

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