Category: 2000’s

Kilkenny Cork 2006

The beginning of Kilkenny’s great run under Brian Cody where they would win 4 in a row from 2006-2009 and add to that with further wins in 2011, 2012 2014 and 2015. Indeed it might even have been 7 in a row but for Henry Shefflin’s injury and Lar Corbett’s hat trick performance in the 2010 final.

Brian Cody had already managed Kilkenny to victory in 2000, 2002 and 2003 but this was a new team that was being built. The incentive on the day was to prevent Cork from winning another three in a row – a feat they had last accomplished against Kilkenny back in 1978.

Kilkenny brought a high level of intensity to the game -the plan was to swarm Cork in order to nullify their short passing / running game. James Cha Fitzpatrick dominated midfield and both back lines performed well with Noel Hickey overcoming a health scare and John Tennyson and James Ryall putting in solid performances. An injury to JJ Delaney in the semi final had ruled him out of contention for the final. Jackie Tyrell was the victorious captain. Up front, Henry Shefflin contributed 8 points, while Aidan Fogarty also had a solid game netting 1-3.

https://www.gaa.ie/hurling/news/flashback-2006-all-ireland-shc-final-kilkenny-v-cork/

KK v Tipp : 2009 League Final

Some Highlights

The game that kick started the greatest inter county rivalry in hurling history. A volcanic emotion charged contest which had several players dismissed resulting in wide open spaces all over the pitch. Tipperary playing on home turf, and irked by a previous league defeat to Kilkenny, brought a very physical game to their opponents from the outset and led by 8 points at one stage.

With both Brian Hogan and Henry Shefflin having to leave the field early, a then relatively unknown 20 yr old Richie Hogan assumed a leadership role and kept Kilkenny in the game throughout. A dramatic long range point by Eddie Brennan from 80 meters sealed the win for Kilkenny in injury time but Tipperary had fired a warning shot. A contender for greatest ever Hurling League Final and just a few months later the 2 counties would produce one of the greatest All Irelands of all time.

Full Game

Link to 2009 League Final Article

Kilkenny v Waterford

All Ireland Final 2008. Demolition Day. Kilkenny 3-30 Waterford 1-13.

Kilkenny’s Hurling Machine of 2006-2015 probably peaked on this day and their first half performance in particular was the most ruthless and perfect an All Ireland Final display that most Hurling pundits can recall.

Chasing their first 3 in a row since 1913, Kilkenny were in no mood to allow the neutrals favourite’s to stand in their way. A rather ill judged early attempt by the Deise to ‘out muscle’ Kilkenny was quickly quashed, and in true Kilkenny fashion, 2 goals by Eddie Brennan in as many minutes dealt a killer psychological blow.

By halftime Kilkenny had 2-16 versus 0-5 on the scoreboard meaning that Waterford would require the equivalent of 6 goals or 18 points without reply to go in front – an almost impossible task. I remember spotting Frank Cummins and a fan in conversation at the Hogan Stand Bar at half time shaking their heads in bewilderment at the latest standard Kilkenny had set. An emphatic way to take the lead in the Hurling Championship Honours over Cork.

DJ Carey 2002

DJ Carey collects his fourth All Ireland Medal with a commanding display, scoring 1-6 in the process as Kilkenny defeat Clare by 2-20 to 0-19. The video headline here is incorrect – Carey followed up with a 5th AI winners medal againt Cork the following year.

In one much lauded passage of play he wins possession, performs a neat roll lift, creates space and then outwits Ollie Baker with an ingenious ‘feint and swerve’ before soloing a little and landing a point over the black spot ‘off the hurl’ from 50m in one clean controlled movement.