Cunningham relishes another crack against Kilkenny after Leinster final loss

GALWAY senior hurling boss Anthony Cunningham has told his Kilkenny counterpart Brian Cody that he has not seen the last of the Tribesmen this year, insisting the men from the West will be seeking to do to the reigning All-Ireland champions what the Cats did to his side back in 2012.

On that occasion, Galway gave Kilkenny quite a trimming in the Leinster decider, defeating the Cats 2-21 to 2-11, before Cody’s crew reversed that outcome in the All-Ireland series. “I said that to Brian Cody afterwards. I think we will return the favour from 2012.

“So, the ball is in our court to do that and July 26 (All-Ireland quarter-final) is D-Day for us now. That is our focus from now on. Look it, we have a lot to build on. We know these guys are really hurling at the top of their game and with a bit of sharpening up, we will be a match for anybody.”

Although disappointed with last Sunday’s 1-25 to 2-15 Leinster final defeat, Cunningham believed it would be easier this year to rally the troops for the All-Ireland series. “Absolutely and with a performance like that – being very close – everybody now knows it is that close.

“There was very little in it last year as well between ourselves and Kilkenny. It is all about how much you improve and drive on from today and it is on everybody to take that on board.”

Indeed, the Galway manager thought the Galway set-up was better equipped now to push on, particularly with Daithí Burke, the Mannions – Padraig and Cathal – and Jason Flynn all still finding their feet at this level.

“Today was a big day for us,” he noted. “Overall, there was very little in it. We probably had a few chances that we were in hard luck not to get or not to take and I thought our backs did very well for very long spells for the game really.

“Kilkenny are a class act and everyone knows that. They are All-Ireland champions but we were very, very close to them and we are disappointed that we didn’t finish out a few chances. But that happens.”

No doubt, there was great honesty and commitment about the Galway effort and with just eight minutes remaining they were still in touch being only three points adrift, 1-20 to 2-14. In the end though, Kilkenny’s guile and experience was enough to push them over the line.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.