Galway can’t back off now ahead of the ultimate test

THE image is impossible to shift from the memory bank and it underlines Kilkenny’s zero tolerance of players who are not prepared to put their bodies on the line in pursuit of victory. It happened in the first half of the All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford and the individual in question was Ger Aylward.

Remember, this a young player from the Glenmore club who scored a staggering 3-5 on his championship debut against Wexford in June, before notching three points in their subsequent Leinster final win over Galway . . . but that counted for nothing when Aylward failed to prevent a delivery in his direction going wide against Waterford.

The body language of team manager Brian Cody on the sideline was that of a man none too pleased with his corner forward’s commitment in that tussle for possession. His enforcer – not that Cody needs one – Michael Dempsey, the team’s long serving trainer, was immediately dispatched in Aylward’s direction to remind him of his responsibilities to the black and amber jersey.

That incident sums up Kilkenny’s philosophy. Their players are expected to work harder and display greater intensity than any opponent. That has been the cornerstone of the county’s unparalleled dominance of hurling over the past 15 years, together with innate skills levels and some of the outstanding individuals who have ever graced the sport.

Cody has been at the helm for it all and his own hunger and drive admirably remains undiminished. It might be stretching things to suggest there is an environment of fear in the Kilkenny camp, but these men are ‘warrior-like’ in their pursuit of victory. They don’t do compromise and teams which fail to match their work ethic have zero hope of beating them.

The prospect of winning 11 All-Ireland titles in 16 seasons at Croke Park on Sunday leaves no room for ambiguity about the greatest era for any county in the history of the GAA. Kilkenny have become a sporting freak of nature and they clearly have no intention of letting their standards slip. You can rest assured they will be in the zone again on Sunday.

This is the type of unrelenting force that Galway will have to overcome: defenders who hit hard and live on the edge when it comes to tackling; physically powerful midfielders; and the most self-sufficient attack in the game when it comes to winning their own ball. It’s a powerful cocktail and has made them a model of consistency in the championship.

But Kilkenny are not unbeatable. Tipperary had them on the rack in last year’s drawn All-Ireland final, while the likely absence of Jackie Tyrell (foot stress fracture) and Richie Power, though he could still be a viable substitute in a year in which he has yet to play a single minute for the Cats due to a knee injury, leaves them more vulnerable than normal. In addition, they will be meeting a team from the West arriving in Croke Park with serious momentum and confidence in their ranks.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.