More than a numbers game for Tyrrell

THE KILKENNY story has not been overdone yet in 2009, ironically, as winning something three times in succession seems to spark more hype than four-in-a-row. Money is already piling in on the five-in-a-row. Just a better number. Just a number to these men.

“Not so much this year but last year there was a big hype about the three-in-a-row,” said corner back Jackie Tyrrell. “People were talking about how we didn’t do it (in 2004) and how Cork didn’t do it (in 2006). There is a small mention of the four-in-a-row but, to be honest, you just have to block it out. You just get yourself right for the match.”

After the defeat of Waterford manager Brian Cody was asked about containing the weight of history as one more victory would confirm them as the greatest team ever, it was suggested.

Cody gave the usual response to the media’s attempt to bestow greatness mid-season.

They wait until September to air grievances that continue to pile up. This should be taken as a compliment to their excellence.

This season it has been about their decreasing margins of victory in comparison to previous campaigns or tarring them as an over-aggressive team – an accusation that saw Cody’s wrath directed towards Ger Loughnane after last season’s All-Ireland.

“It comes with the success,” said Tyrrell. “You are there to be shot at. You just have to accept it and move on really. The results would reflect that but it is hard to keep up the level we reached last year. Teams are always going to analyse us. Dublin brought back an extra defender and Waterford tried to bring out their half-forward line. Things like that.

“Teams are all looking at how to beat Kilkenny. We just have to be aware of it every time we go out. It is like their All-Ireland final but, yeah, teams are getting closer.”

Tyrrell was denied the tag of first among equals by Henry Shefflin’s 1-14 last Sunday but his dominance of John Mullane deserves the accolades that will follow.

“He is a great hurler and I suppose I just marked him well. Yeah, it went well enough. He scored a point but things didn’t go his way. Overall we are happy with our performance,” he concluded.