Sunday 4 September 2016 18:26, UK
Kilkenny legend JJ Delaney previews Sunday's All-Ireland SHC final between the Cats and Tipperary...
The hardest thing about Sunday has been counting the days down to it! I really can't wait for this game.
Playing Tipperary always stirs something in the Kilkenny blood and it's the same for the lads across the border, I am sure.
The two counties have enjoyed a great rivalry down through the years and while in recent times Kilkenny have had the better of the exchanges, there are plenty of lifelong Kilkenny hurling fans who remember when it was exactly the other way around.
Anyway, back to the final at hand and there are many factors at play when it comes to sitting down and analysing this clash.
The match-ups will be massive but hurling management teams are so quick to react on the field nowadays - and they have so many other little game plans ready to go - that even if a player is struggling, a shift in position can change all of that in a flash.
Tipperary have really struggled against Kilkenny in recent years and lost games that they could well have won. It is a factor that needs to be explored.
You probably saw that when Seamus Callanan moved to corner-forward against Galway, took David Burke with him, and Burke's absence at full-back opened the door for John McGrath to score one goal and set up another for Bubbles O'Dwyer.
Players, too, can adjust very quickly. Against Waterford, for instance, a lot of questions were asked about the Kilkenny players.
In the replay, however, Kilkenny talismen like TJ Reid and Richie Hogan sat back more and Colin Fennelly was pushed up. And all of those moves worked.
Fennelly factor
The key question I have is Michael Fennelly's injury and absence from that team - how will it affect Kilkenny?
They will try not to dwell on it but the bottom line is that they would much rather have him on board, that is for sure.
Mick has made us tick for many years and he is a powerhouse in the middle of the field. A physical specimen, he is brilliant in the air and loves to drive forward too. His runs have created so many goals for Kilkenny over the years.
I think the whole country was looking forward to seeing him take on Michael Breen in the midfield battle. He will be a huge loss; we will only know on Sunday how big his absence actually is.
Half-back battle
Secondly, l would wonder if Kilkenny can get on top in their own half-back line? It will be a huge platform for their team if they do.
All year long they have done well in that department. Even on the first day against Waterford, when Waterford were lighting it up, Padraig Walsh and Cillian Buckley were absolutely super.
You might see Conor Fogarty staying at No 6 but he would be a loss at midfield and so Kieran Joyce might come back in. Kieran is very strong in the air and did a great job on Bonner Maher in the All-Ireland final of a couple of years ago.
If the three lads who do play there get on top it would be a massive boost for the rest of the Kilkenny team to press on.
All of that considered, Tipp will look to get the ball to their scorers as much as possible and their own half-forwards will be crucial in that regard.
Callanan is their main threat but John and Noel McGrath are two deadly forwards as well as O'Dwyer. All of these men can win games on their own and in a flash, too.
If Tipperary can get on top of the Kilkenny half-forward line and feed players like these, they will pick off scores and Kilkenny need to watch that.
Managing Maher
I would also feel that Kilkenny need to try and curb Padraic Maher's influence on the game. He was a beast against Galway and his tackle on Joe Canning in the semi-final shook Croke Park to its core and set the tone for the team to win.
Will we see Walter Walsh being placed on him? Or will Brian put Colin Fennelly out on him? These are all big decisions and one thing is for sure, if Maher can be kept quiet, Kilkenny will fancy their chances of coming through this test.
He is that important to Tipp. The crowd rise to him and he gets on so much ball. He is so good in the air too. It is vital that Kilkenny marshall him well.
Tipp's poor recent record
The final variable I would like to consider is this: Can Tipperary get over the line in a tight game against Kilkenny?
It's a serious question and given that Tipp have really struggled against Kilkenny in recent years and lost games that they could well have won, it is a factor that needs to be explored.
People say there is a new steel to Tipp this year and there certainly looks to be, but this will be the biggest test many of them will ever get. Playing Kilkenny in an All-Ireland final with so much at stake.
The Tipp boys will have to be prepared to work until the 80th minute to get over the line.
Watch Kilkenny v Tipperary live on Sky Sports 3 HD and Sky Sports Mix from 2.30pm on Sunday. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.
