2012 drawn All Ireland final, Kilkenny v Galway
Henry Shefflin’s career hasn't only been about statistics and silverware.
The range in Shefflin’s game made him matter in every way imaginable. Listening to JJ Delaney and DJ Carey on Newstalk on Tuesday was a reminder of the esteem in which Shefflin will always be held. Two Kilkenny icons spoke about the most decorated All Ireland striped figure of the lot.
In September 2012 Kilkenny were in deep distress; a Joe Canning goal had Croke Park rocking. Galway, who had already defeated Kilkenny in the Leinster showpiece, were strutting about, but Shefflin responded. “In the Galway final he single handedly brought us back into the game,” was Delaney’s assessment.
Shefflin’s words were followed by actions too according to Delaney. “He had it all; he was a big man, he was quick, he had a physical presence. He was very good off the right and left. He wanted the ball all of the time. He always demanded the ball. He never shirked responsibility. He led by speaking in the dressing room, but he led by actions on the field. People can talk in dressing rooms up and down the country, but when you do it out on the field it speaks volumes.”
That afternoon Kilkenny trailed 1-9 to 0-7 at the interval, but by the end it was Galway who required a last gasp free from Joe Canning to force a replay. Shefflin’s relevance to the Kilkenny cause had been underlined.
2009 All Ireland final, Kilkenny v Tipperary
Henry Shefflin's penalty decided the 2009 All Ireland hurling final.AN absorbing encounter from start to finish - decided by an icy goal from Henry Shefflin.
Tipperary’s performance dripped with attacking craft and class, but it still wasn’t sufficient to defeat Kilkenny.
When referee Diarmuid Kirwan awarded a controversial 63rd minute penalty Shefflin embraced the challenge, accepted responsibility confidently drilling the sliotar to the back of the Railway End net.
Suddenly Tipp, who had contributed to a high octane tense and tactical classic, were in bother. Kilkenny added a second goal moments later as a dramatic contest was ultimately turned by Shefflin’s coolness under pressure.
2002 All Ireland final, Kilkenny v Clare
Henry Shefflin celebrates following Kilkenny's 2002 All Ireland final win over Clare.THOSE fortunate enough to have been in Croke Park for this All Ireland final will always remember the flashes of class supplied by DJ Carey and Henry Shefflin.
Clare were in trouble from the first whistle as Kilkenny, scarred by their shock 2001 semi-final loss to Galway, enjoyed a hugely productive campaign.
It was Shefflin’s fourth year in the senior inter-county arena. This was his third All Ireland final, a second September success was posted. The signs from 1999 on had suggested that Shefflin was ready, willing, and able to prove his worth on this grand stage. The next decade confirmed Shefflin’s guile and greatness.
