NHL final preview: Kilkenny represent Tipperary’s final hurdle to a return to the top table

KILKENNY v TIPPERARY, Nowlan Park, 3.30 (Live on TG4)

There is something of back to the future about tomorrow's Allianz league final in Nowlan Park. Four years ago Kilkenny went to Thurles having ambled through the league in the absence of a number of key players. Although holders and Munster champions, Tipperary were team building and not a huge amount was expected of them given the 27-point walloping they had sustained previously that league.

Yet after a fiery encounter – the players and Cork referee John Sexton clearly viewing themselves and each other as consenting adults – that went to extra-time just a score separated the teams and an enduring rivalry was born.

The rehabilitation of that rivalry means that anticipation of this year’s final is a good deal more eager but the mission for Tipperary remains the same: to deliver a performance that announces their return to the top table.

Methodically and creatively
Tomorrow also looks to reposition the counties' rivalry as the defining one in the modern game after Galway's intrusion last year. With Galway's resurgence apparently in recession, Tipp have been rebuilding both methodically and creatively.

Already the team is the only one in the top division to break double digits in goals scored and has hit twice as many as Kilkenny. Eamon O’Shea’s cerebral prescriptions have restored confidence and begun work on re-constructing the great oxymoron of his period as coach between 2008 and ’10 – the free-form framework from which the All-Ireland victory of three years ago was unleashed.

Aside from the high-concept stuff, there has been the introduction of new players and a determined rotation policy. That continues this weekend with the awarding of a senior debut at the age of 27 to Kieran Bergin, whose underage career was followed by migration to the US but who on his return has played well for DIT in the Fitzgibbon. Otherwise the team is taking shape.

There have also been negatives – the mauling by Cork on the first evening and a careless loss to Waterford – but the most important result – a first win against Kilkenny since the 2010 All-Ireland – was delivered in March and Lar Corbett took his first steps to dispelling the nightmare of last year by getting a goal.

This is qualitatively different, though. Tipp’s record in all-or-nothing matches since the All-Ireland semi-final in 2002 is one from eight and the seven defeats include two league finals and two championship annihilations.

Whereas getting that abysmal stat up to two from nine would be encouraging, Tipperary know they can’t afford their revival to be still born, as a thrashing would suggest.

Relaxed
Kilkenny's form to date has been relaxed, within themselves but effective and incorporated some bright new talents – Eoin Murphy, Conor Fogarty, Lester Ryan and Ger Aylward – a couple of whom may well be championship picks.

They’ve been missing Henry Shefflin and TJ Reid throughout and for the most part, Michael Fennelly. Brian Cody has also been indisposed recently but the teamhas ploughed on and tomorrow would be a seventh league in 12 seasons.

The decision to take the final to Nowlan Park is good one. The ground will be packed and its capacity (23,000) threatened in a way that hasn’t happened for a while in the bigger theatres. That will make for an excellent atmosphere and is also fitting recognition of the way in which Kilkenny have honoured the competition with their constant contention.

The background of last year’s nasty All-Ireland semi-final as well as the humiliating memories it created for Tipperary do create the danger of a confrontation that could disintegrate into something unedifying and Barry Kelly may be in for a busy afternoon.

The expectation here is that Kilkenny won't disappoint the home town but that any victory will be sufficiently hard won to satisfy Tipperary's honour and hopes for a transformative summer.

KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy (Glenmore); Paul Murphy (Danesford), JJ Delaney (Fenians), Jackie Tyrrell (James Stephens); Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan), Brian Hogan (O'Loughlin Gaels), Kieran Joyce (Rower Inistioge); Lester Ryan (Clara), M ichael Fennelly (Ballyhale ); CillianBuckley (Dicksboro), Michael Rice (Carrickshock), Eoin Larkin (James Stephens), Colin Fennelly (Ballyhale), Richie Hogan (Carrickshock), Aidan Fogarty (Emeralds)
TIPPERARY: Darren Gleeson (Portroe), Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields), Conor O'Mahony (Newport), Paul Curran (Mullinahone); Kieran Bergin (Killenaule), Pádraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Conor O'Brien (Éire Óg Annacarty); Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh), Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch, capt); Séamus Callanan (Drom and Inch), Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields), Patrick Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha); Shane Bourke (JK Brackens), Eoin Kelly (Mullinahone), Noel McGrath (Loughmore)