Final countdown

Setting dates: Another draw may see October 13th replay

No one has yet fully contemplated the prospect of a second hurling final replay, and that includes the GAA themselves.

If Kilkenny and Galway do end on level terms for the second time – and remember extra-time will be played, if necessary, on Sunday – then the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) will meet immediately after the game to discuss the options for a second replay (and likewise should Dublin and Tipperary end up level again, in the minor final).

The women’s All-Ireland senior football final between Munster rivals, Cork and Kerry, is set for Croke Park on Sunday week, October 7th, although the teams would most likely be given at least a two-week break, the amount of time necessary to distribute tickets for the third time, as well.

Interestingly, the football replay date had been pencilled in for the Saturday, October 6th, with possibly a later afternoon throw-in, which would suggest the Saturday, October 13th, as a possible date for a second hurling replay.

Not that anyone has contemplated that prospect.

2012 TOP SHC SCORERS

In the drawn game Joe Canning and Henry Shefflin finished locked together, with the Galway star hitting 1-9 (eight points from frees) and Shefflin scoring 12 points (just one from play). Unless Canning completely rules the scoreboard tomorrow then Shefflin looks poised to top the championship scoring chart once more.

Top-10 to date

Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny) 3-47 (56)

Shane Dowling (Limerick) 4-37 (49)

Patrick Horgan (Cork) 1-42 (45)

Joe Canning (Galway) 2-41 (47)

Pa Bourke (Tipperary) 2-29 (35)

Shane Dooley (Offaly) 4-21 (33)

Willie Hyland (Laois) 1-26 (29)

Diarmuid Lyng (Wexford) 1-25 (28)

Niall O’Brien (Westmeath) 2-20 (26)

Maurice Shanahan (Waterford) 0-24 (24)

Omen: Hotel change

It didn’t exactly prove a lucky choice of hotel for the Mayo footballers, who returned to The Regency on the old Swords Road following their defeat to Donegal in last Sunday’s All-Ireland football final.

The Galway hurlers originally intended on staying there too, win or lose in tomorrow’s final replay with Kilkenny, having booked in there for the night after the drawn game.

However, due to a large wedding reception, the Galway County Board found there was no longer enough room to accommodate the team, so they’ve booked into the Burlington Hotel tomorrow evening instead.

Guided tour: Hayes right up there with the legends

In perfect synchronisation with Galway’s replay showdown with Kilkenny, former Galway captain Conor Hayes presents a guided tour of Croke Park Stadium this afternoon, at 2.30 – with tickets still available from www.gaa.ie.

As Galway seek to capture their first All-Ireland title since 1988, when Hayes lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup as Galway captain, he will revisit the scene of some of his most glorious days in the maroon jersey.

One of only a handful of Galway players with three All-Ireland medals, Hayes was a corner back on the team in 1980, and then captained the side from full back in 1987 and 1988. He also won three All Stars playing for the Galway hurlers, in 1986, 1987 and 1988.

“To be noted as a legend at that level is great,” he says. “It’s an acknowledgement of the achievements of the team I was on, particularly back in the 1980s, the 1987 and 1988 teams that I was captain of.

“We had the 25-year walkabout there recently which was great as well.

“I suppose it’s an honour of the team and being captain of a team that won two All-Irelands, it puts me up there with the legends, I suppose, really.”