They are not under-rated. They are definitely the best I've ever seen and many hurling fans would say the same. All the same, I'm thoroughly sick of the sight of them. This is not spite or jealousy - sport is boring when one team dominates to the extent that this Kilkenny team has. Hats off to the cats but I enjoyed the hurling championship much more in the '90s when at least half a dozen teams had realistic hopes of winning it in any given year.

Gaillimh_Abu (Galway) - Posts: 1034 - 25/06/2010 17:23:23    687246

This Kilkenny outfit have been such ambassadors for the sport this decade, with their awesome mix of skill, agression, will to win, and amazing strength in depth. They definitely are outstanding but it is only in hindsight we are qualified to judge just how great they really were. They have dominated for the past four years but the signs are they may take a tumble this year. Because of the dubious call of the penalty last year (which by the way I thought was a fair enough call in a game that was allowed to flow throughout) maybe they didn't get enough credit for what was a classic comeback. They would not want to go out with that All Ireland as their swan song. Cork, with several back-to-back All Ireland winners in their ranks before Kilkenny regrouped, may feel the mantle of "greatest team ever" could have been theirs if it were not for background issues in their set-up. This year more than ever they will want to dent the legendary status of their auld foe and plant the seeds of what-might-have-been. Galway (bolstered by the "Cuchulainn"-like feats of Joe Canning) and Tipp (hugely skillful, though lacking vital experience, and maybe aggression in key areas) have also proven themselves to be very real contenders. Despite the step back of several counties (Limerick, Clare, Wexford...) (Waterford also are rebuilding), this has the potential to be one of the greatest All Ireland series for some time. I for one hope Kilkenny finish it off in style.

MiAmigaVERONICA (Clare) - Posts: 324 - 25/06/2010 19:50:29    687353

I honestly believe they are the best ever and really hope they do the 5 in a row (unless the world goes crazy and Antrim somehow meet them in the final-zero chance like), but it has been an honour to watch this KK team. I suppose we all hear about the great players/teams of the past and wish we saw them, but this group of Cats are greats and will be fondly talked about for decades to come and fully desreve it. The players and fans are a credit to the sport, no arrogance nor airs nor graces, just an honest bunch that deserve everything that comes their way.

srb (Antrim) - Posts: 344 - 26/06/2010 12:18:48    687533

Mickeynora you have not got a notion of what you are talking about. It would take a Limierick man to included Oillie Moran in the hurling team of the decade

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2697 - 26/06/2010 13:56:55    687606

Without a doubt , this Kilkenny team is the best EVER!!

Bigapple (Kerry) - Posts: 495 - 26/06/2010 14:29:29    687628

Hi big apple the greatest hurling team of all time was the Tipp team of the 60s not this Kilkenny team who robbed Tipp in the final last year and were not good enough on the day to win 4 in a row. We will prove that this year in September.

thurlesblues (Tipperary) - Posts: 4475 - 09/07/2010 12:12:56    701265

thurles blues

That match was lost by Benny Dunne

dammon (Meath) - Posts: 1291 - 09/07/2010 12:17:46    701275

No Dammon Tipp would have beaten them handy with 14 men it was the penalty that should have been a free out for Richie Power overcarrying and steps and also Seamus Callinan was taken out of it in first half with a frontal charge and the ref chose to ignore it thats why Kilkenny won not because they were better the whole country knows Tipp were best team on the ay

thurlesblues (Tipperary) - Posts: 4475 - 09/07/2010 12:27:58    701295

That's nonsense trueblue. Cats were winding up in last 10/15 minutes and Tipp were starting to crack. Goals would have come anyway. Great game by the way, but think you had your chance.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 09/07/2010 12:33:18    701308

disagree hurling dub Tipp missed 3 goals that day should have beaten Kilkenny by at least 8 points like we normally do to them in all ireland finals look at the record books of tipp v kilkenny all ireland finals it speaks volumes.

thurlesblues (Tipperary) - Posts: 4475 - 09/07/2010 12:38:12    701318

I dont think so hurlingdub.KK were the ones starting to crack. The ref was gonna lose his bet of 4 in a row so he had to do something in order to make sure he was a winner on the day as well!!!!

Everyone saw what heppended on that forgettable day.The day hurling was ruined.

Callinan was busted only a free no card. Tommy Tugger Walsh was pulling & draggin andgetting away wit it. When Benny finally put the stick to him, he took it & got up but the ref again dismissed Benny. Benny is a hero in my eyes. To beat KK you have to push , shove & be physical like they are. If you dont hit them by god they would hit you quicker. Thats this KK team unfortunatly they have taken hurling to a whole new level & everyone has to follow suit.

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 09/07/2010 12:49:55    701336

Willpundit I couldnt agree with you more only for richie power pulling at paraic mahers helmet and getting a free in early on and the rest of what cats got away with on the day Tipp would have won by at least 3 goals especially if the legend didnt slip for the goal he missed earlty in second half.

thurlesblues (Tipperary) - Posts: 4475 - 09/07/2010 13:04:37    701360

wild pundit Tipp will alsways take Kilkenny we know it and they know it too!

thurlesblues (Tipperary) - Posts: 4475 - 09/07/2010 13:06:06    701363

Wildpundit I know Benny shouldnt have struck out but tugger Walsh is pushing up the helmet from behind and down over the eyes of the player for years and getting away with it how else could he physically catch high balls behind 6 footers

thurlesblues (Tipperary) - Posts: 4475 - 09/07/2010 13:10:31    701374

Wildpundit, it's good to see I am not the only one who thinks Tommy Walsh is getting away with murder. Yet again last Sunday he broke a hurl across an opponent. Now the last time I checked the rulebook striking with the hurl was a straight red. Eddie Brennan too got away with a deliberate attempt to injure an opponent. I cant believe referees are letting them get away with it. OK my own county men were lucky on a couple of questionable incidents and if there were sent off I would not have had a complaint.
But it is time referees started refereeing everybody the same.

perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 09/07/2010 13:12:10    701377

Hi perfect 10 I agree tugger Walsh threw the hurley at Johno Brien in the league final last year just after Johno scored a point and he got away with it. But wer sick of talking so wel finish them off this year like we should have last year we should have won all ireland by at least 8 points as we were that much better on the day

thurlesblues (Tipperary) - Posts: 4475 - 09/07/2010 13:17:17    701389

But the thing is yas still didnt win it.. So get over it. Hardly sore loosers. Same again this year for yas.

aboys (Wicklow) - Posts: 61 - 09/07/2010 13:34:09    701425

Aboys just stating the facts no need to be in denial of what the whole hurling country knows

thurlesblues (Tipperary) - Posts: 4475 - 09/07/2010 13:41:48    701442

The only record Kilkenny will break is the record for not having players booked or sent off after such disgraceful tackle's!!!!

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 09/07/2010 13:45:54    701456

Wwildpundit you are right again Fanning will sort out a few of those Kilkenny boys.

thurlesblues (Tipperary) - Posts: 4475 - 09/07/2010 13:55:37    701480