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Published 15:30 9 Aug 2016 BST
Updated 10:21 10 Aug 2016 BST
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In contrast, the semi-finals not involving Kilkenny have been holding pretty steady. Last year's Galway-Tipperary thriller attracted over 58,000, Cork and Tipperary a year earlier almost 70,000 and the Kilkenny-free last four of 2013 attracted over 124,000.
Speaking on the latest episode of The GAA Hour Hurling Show, Kilkenny legend JJ Delaney admits there is no great mystery to the falling number of Kilkenny fans turning out for the second biggest game of the year.
"They were going for a 10th All-Ireland final in 11 years, so yeah they are spoiled. There is no point in saying any different. A percentage of people would have said, 'right, we'll wait until we get to the final if we get there'. "But the genuine hurling supporters have been there and will always be there and will be in Thurles next Saturday. I think what we will see is a lot more neutrals going to the match on Saturday."Former Galway All-Star Damien Hayes is also hopeful that Semple Stadium will play host to a bigger crowd on Saturday, with fans of both counties making the effort in the hope of seeing another blockbuster between a young, skilful Waterford team and a three-in-a-row chasing Kilkenny who just do not know when they are beaten. https://twitter.com/SportsJOE_GAA/status/762761563031887872 The sheer quality of Cody's teams has been the issue, however, in Hayes' opinion. "I was surprised myself when the attendance came out," he said on The GAA Hour. "They have unbelievable, fantastic teams that every year are representing them and getting into All-Ireland finals and they are the majority of people who don't travel for the semi-finals." We are a long way from the giddy heights of 2006 and 2008, when crowds of over 70,000 turned out to see Clare and then Cork fall at the penultimate hurdle to a team who would eventually be denied a five-in-a-row by Tipperary in 2010. Clare's shock win in 2013 is the only other year the Liam McCarthy has not travelled to the Marble City since 2005 and fans seem to be turned off by Kilkenny's dominance. It is a shame because, outside of the All-Ireland final (and possibly the Munster final), there is no bigger day on the hurling calendar than the semi-finals. While this Kilkenny team may be operating at a level below the team of Delaney, Eddie Brennan and Henry Shefflin, it is still a crying shame their very dominance seems to be acting against them. In an era when the GAA are pumping more than €1million into the likes of Antrim, Laois and Westmeath to develop hurling, it seems the best exponent of the sport are becoming something of a turn-off.
Listen to the GAA Hour hurling show – Wooly is joined by JJ Delaney, Damien Hayes and Mikey Stafford. Subscribe here on iTunes.
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