THE FINAL ACT in another dramatic summer of hurling takes place this afternoon when Kilkenny and Galway meet in the 2012 All-Ireland SHC final.
September Sundays in Croke Park just wouldn’t be the same without Kilkenny; after all, only twice since the turn of the century have the Cats not been among the final two counties left standing. And when Brian Cody’s men get this far, they tend to get the job done. A win today would be their ninth All-Ireland title since 2000.
Standing in their way are the men of the west, hoping to bridge a 24-year gap since the famous double-winning side of 1987 and 1988 brought the Liam McCarthy Cup back home to Galway. Anthony Cunningham’s men have already beaten Kilkenny once this summer when they handed down a 10-point thumping in the Leinster final. The question now is: can they do it again?
So what’s it going to be? Cat laughs once again? Or will we see a Joe show on the biggest stage of them all? Further evidence that Kilkenny are the greatest of all time? Or can Galway reproduce that Leinster magic to end that long, long wait?
Throw-in is at 3.30pm. While you’re counting down the next few hours, have your say in the comments section.
No Schweinstieger, Ozi, Khedeira or Reus is almost their entire first choice midfield and they’ve yet to settle on a forward replacement for Klose and are still adjusting to life without their former captain Lahm. As good a chance as we’ll ever get to catch them out.
Yes but we have McCarthy and Coleman out, our only two daycent players in truth..
They still have likes of Goetze, Muller, Kroos, Schurle, Hummels, Boateng and gk Neurer to call upon..
*gulps*
That said feck it- 0-0 draw the shit outa it over in Germany ha
Missing for 10-12 weeks? He has been pretty much missing since he arrived in North London!!
As an Arsenal fan I got to say this might be a blessing in disguise. His form just hasn’t been good enough this season. With the World Cup he hasn’t had a proper rest. Hopefully he’ll be back in January rested and ready to go.
Can’t say I agree. When is it a good thing that your record signing is injured for 3 months. His form is always up and down. Great against Aston Villa, shocking the following week. He is not fit for the premier league full stop. That was evident last season when he completely faded away after such a promising start. Don’t think he will ever live up to his price tag. This isn’t an attack on arsenal, I just don’t rate simply based on his inconsistency.
Yeah I think you’re right, just not suited to the PL. His first touches were so bad against Chelsea on Sunday. He still has moments of magic but not nearly enough. I really hope after the long lay off he’ll find form.
He just looks like he’s dying for a smoke as he lazily saunters around the pitch mid second half
Phew, that will give us a chance – assuming the rest of the 1st, actually 2nd squad and 3rd squad get injured as well!
In truth, this is probably a bigger setback for Ireland than it is for Germany.
so this means Germany will only win 3 or 4 nil instead
His eyes are off side….
Can see both corner flags at the same time whilst inside the 6 yard box