Two big games to kick-start the summer

The consensus is the championship is more open but I can't see the ultimate winners not coming from Kilkenny, Tipperary and Galway, writes NICKY ENGLISH

SUMMER’S HERE. The good weather made an appearance last weekend and now we have the hurling beginning in earnest. The Cork-Tipp draw was the one that the championship needed to kick-start things, bringing a big crowd, lots of colour and excitement to Páirc Uí­ Chaoimh tomorrow.

This evening’s Wexford-Galway match also has the potential to be very entertaining so the championship is up and running.

This year is overshadowed by Kilkenny’s attempt to make history. The consensus is the championship is more open, but I still can’t see the ultimate winners not coming from the small group of Kilkenny, Tipperary and Galway.

The champions appear to be more vulnerable this year – and they possibly are – but we don’t really know, as, for the first time in six seasons, Brian Cody has seen his team not make an impact on the league. Whether this was planned or just happened, it marks a change in outlook from the approach that has won the last four All-Irelands.

One thing is fairly clear. The five-in-a-row will depend on the tried and trusted players, with the possibility of TJ Reid coming through in form and maybe John Mulhall. But Henry Shefflin’s the most important player and he’s put in a second extended season in four years with Ballyhale and that takes its toll. A team setting records also means mileage on the clock and the championship is more complicated now.

Kilkenny have to take a buffeting going through Leinster with Galway there and Dublin last year going at them with a game-plan that was about being competitive rather than necessarily winning.

They’re the greatest hurling team I’ve ever seen and they may win their fifth this year but history will show they hit their peak in August and September 2008.

Tomorrow sees pressure on both teams. After two difficult and controversial years left them short of ideal preparation Cork have no excuse now for not delivering their best and Tipperary are many people’s favourites to topple Kilkenny and that expectation perhaps overrates them.

They should have won the All-Ireland last year, but didn’t and this is a draw they wouldn’t have wanted – but if they’re the team they’re expected to be they have to come through this first test of the season.

Cork are very much a known quantity, dependent on the same players, despite Denis Walsh trawling extensively. They were competitive in the league and got satisfying victories over Tipp and Kilkenny down in the Páirc, but went out tamely to Galway. If it wasn’t for the final you’d have said it was a good league, but they haven’t unearthed much new talent.

But they have two things on their side. One, they are a very proud bunch of players, who will see this as an opportunity to give maybe their last big performance in Páirc Uí Chaoimh against a young, rated Tipperary team and show the supporters they still have that capacity. Two, the venue is still a factor.

Tipp might have won there two years ago, but statistically it’s not the easiest place to beat Cork.

There are, however, negatives as well as the age factor for Cork. Eoin Cadogan, who has done well at full back since coming in last year, and Tom Kenny, the midfield engine, are both coming into this after injury and will be facing energetic opposition.

Tipp’s new full forward, Brian O’Meara, has made a late run into the team, but has impressed the players around him. In the middle, Shane McGrath and Brendan Maher will be a dynamic unit and no place to rehabilitate an injured hamstring. Then there’s the half-back line which in its heyday was the rock on which the team was built, but which has looked vulnerable, even with John Gardiner in exceptional form.

Seán Óg Ó hAilpín has been struggling and Walsh will be hoping tomorrow offers him a shot at redemption after being taken off in the league final. In his earlier years, Seán Óg would never chance shooting for a point. In the great years that followed he was far more expansive, but now it’s noticeable how conservative his game has again become.

This is an opportunity at home to play with some abandon on what has been a much-criticised line for Tipperary, the half forwards.

Cork have also struggled to score in the past couple of years. The current team were never great goal scorers, but they compensated with the ability to take points. But Ben and Jerry O’Connor and Niall McCarthy in the half forwards have been around for a long time and are beginning to look a bit jaded.

Cork could do with the eye for goal, which used to be traditional for the county and they can’t win without goals tomorrow.

Tipperary on the other hand have scoring options. Larry Corbett’s fitness and Eoin Kelly’s form are of huge importance to the team, even if Brian Murphy has had some good days marking Kelly.

The maligned half-forward line is maturing and with Séamus Callanan getting physically stronger, they’ll be a tougher proposition.

They also have great adaptability, with two players capable of playing full back should Aisake Ó hAilpín repeat the discomfort he inflicted on Pádraic Maher in the league. Wing back Michael Cahill – who people in UCC couldn’t believe didn’t make the team sooner, and I agree – can play corner back or go to midfield.

The attack is also versatile, as Corbett and Noel McGrath can switch around. It’s hard to see Cork winning this, even as a one-off. Tipp have too much firepower as well as a better substitutes bench.

This evening I expect Galway to win, but Wexford have an experienced side and, as I remember from 2001, an ability to creep up on a team and really rattle them. This is their province and they’ll be up for a challenge no one expects them to win and are in the happy position of having achieved what they set out to this year by winning promotion to Division One.

Galway are in good physical shape, very committed and have greater unity of purpose this year.

They’ve brought in a few new players, like Aidan Harte and Donal Barry, who impressed during the league, and David Collins’ return strengthens them.

Not having Joe Canning on the frees allows him concentrate on general play. All in all, you have to go with them.

Antrim haven’t had the happiest year so far, falling off the pace in the league, whereas Offaly held their own in Division One.

If the county scene isn’t going well in Antrim the focus switches to the club and although at their best they’d see this as a game they’d be capable of targeting, I can’t see Offaly not advancing.