TOMS MULCAHY writes exclusively for Hogan Stand When the final whistle was blown on the 2004 All-Ireland Hurling final at around 5pm on Sunday the 12th last, it became apparent to me the huge gulf that exists between winning and losing. First of all, to see the elation and joy on the faces of all the Cork players and management team showed exactly how important winning this competition was to the Rebel County. Joe Deane jumped into the open arms of fellow team mate Brian Corcoran at the same time as all the substitutes, selectors and back room staff ran to congratulate different players around the field. It was great to see such scenes as grown men fell around on the ground hugging each other. The satisfaction on the face of manager Donal O'Grady was there for all of the red and white army to see. These Rebel fans - young, old, male and female - came from every corner of the ground to worship their heroes. It was a first All-Ireland medal for many of the players, a second for some, but for the people of Cork it was a wonderful 29th All-Ireland title. It may have been five years since their last victory but most Cork minds were still focused on the final loss to Kilkenny just twelve short months ago. Those twelve months were filled with waiting, hard work, pain, suffering and the odd bit of enjoyment, all of which finally paid off as the final whistle blew. A quick glance around the field also brought into focus the utter dejection and disappointment on the faces of the Kilkenny players, some of whom were on bended knee while others were in tears. It was never meant to be like this for the Cats as the script was supposed to have included a three-in-a-row. Those thoughts had disappeared as the Kilkenny backroom staff and selectors tried to console the players as their support left the ground. For them the inquisition had already started as they wondered where it had all gone wrong. Last year it had been all so different. It is amazing the huge gulf that exists between winning and losing. When I wrote my preview to the match, I mentioned the important role that the half backs on both sides would play, but more importantly on All-Ireland final day, when chances come your way, you have to take them. The importance of this was evident in the first attack of the game. From the throw in the sliothar was pulled on and flew forward into the Cork full back line. The slippery Croke Park surface got the better of two Cork defenders as first the 'Rock', Diarmuid O'Sullivan, slipped and then Wayne Sherlock did likewise. Bearing down on goal are DJ Carey and Eddie Brennan with no one else in sight but goalkeeper Donal Og Cusack. I said to myself that all one of them had to do was pick it up on the run, take a few steps, then shorten the grip and pick their spot. It was going to be the first score of the match, the first goal of the game, it all seemed so easy. But in reality it never happened. Eddie was first to the ball, his first touch was good but for some reason he then took a few steps to the left and billowed his shot wide of the post, thanks in part to a good recovery by Sherlock, who put him under pressure. The next Kilkenny shot goes wide and a third one is missed, a sign of things to come in that first half, and all of a sudden it is advantage Cork. The game as a whole was tense, with scores very hard to come by. Kilkenny settled the quicker of the two but by not converting their chances, Cork managed to stay in touch with converted frees. The Munster men were not getting the space or time to settle on the ball that they like. A few puck outs were lost and Kilkenny began to take advantage. Cork were struggling in a lot of areas, especially in midfield which was hugely crowded. Tom Kenny and Jerry O'Connor were being hounded for every ball, in particular by the hard working Derek Lyng. Defences were very much on top and this was typified by the performances of two players at either end of the field. Sean Og O'hAilpin made a huge contribution in keeping Cork in the game up to half time. He appeared to be everywhere. He was quick onto the breaking ball and drove forward at every opportunity, which began to give the Cork forwards a more frequent supply of the ball. He used the hand pass to great effect but most importantly of all, he put the shackles on no less a player than Henry Shefflin. Most pundits had predicted that if Shefflin was kept quiet, Cork would be on their way. Thanks to O'hAilpin, Cork had one hand on the Liam McCarthy Cup. Likewise JJ Delaney was making his presence felt, particularly under the dropping ball, as he too drove his side on and kept one of Cork's best players this year, Ben O'Connor, quiet. It is amazing the consistency that both of these players have displayed throughout the summer and there is no doubt in my mind that the 2004 Hurler of the Year will go to one or the other of these two men. Tweet

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