League Final Win 1986

A number of Articles on the National Hurling League win of 1986. Kilkenny beat Galway comprehensively by 3-11 to 2-5 to take their 7th title and their 3rd of the 1980’s under Manager Pat Henderson. 9 of the double double team of 1982-83 lined out on the day with Ger Fennelly scoring 1-47 in the campaign.

Things were looking good for the remainder of the year following this win. Kilkenny had a strong run in Leinster overcoming both Wexford and Dublin before defeating Offaly in the Final by 4-10 to 1-11, helped by a hat-rick by Liam Fennelly. This was the knock out era when a loss meant that your county was out of the Hurling Championship until the following year.

However a nasty surprise lay in wait at Thurles in the All Ireland Semi Final, when Kilkenny perhaps complacent from their good run were at the receiving end of a similar scoreline from a resurgent Galway. Shocks are rare in Kilkenny hurling and this was one of the more disappointing days of the 1980’s with much grumbling among hurling purists about the introduction of 3 man midfield tactics by Galway Manager Cyril Farrell.

In hindsight this was the emergence of Galway’s great team of Joe Cooney , Tony Keady, Gerry McInerney etc. They would meet again in the All Ireland Final of 1987.

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

Pat Henderson

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Article on Pat Henderson from 1977. Pat Henderson played Centre Back and has been mentioned numerous times when the subject of all time greatest Kilkenny Backs is discussed. He won 5 All Ireland medals as a player with Kilkenny. Like Brian Cody, He then turned his hand to management guiding Kilkenny to All Ireland victory in 1979 against Galway aided by Eddie Keher. He was the manager for one of Kilkenny’s best loved teams – the All Ireland double and League double winning team of 1982-1983