The Covid all Ireland hurling championship 2020/21

[mouview]

Galway threw that game away in 2 absolute mins of madness - 5 up and well in control and threw it away. Might be a blessing in disguise in the long run. A win would have glossed over a few positional issues.  Team and management will be rightly sickened this evening though.

It was the indiscipline that lost the match. Handing soft frees to KK is pointless

A pointer for Shane O'Neill to pick more specialised defenders for the next day.

[imtommygunn]

Only saw highlights of the Clare game there. Tony Kelly is some operator.

[seafoid]

 https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/hayes-expects-changes-in-galway-squad-after-shock-defeat-1.4410955
Former Galway forward Damien Hayes says he expects Shane O'Neill to make changes for Saturday's All-Ireland quarter-final against Tipperary, after the Tribesmen "blew it" in last weekend's Leinster final.

Galway lost out to Kilkenny by two points having led by five with 15 minutes remaining, and Hayes thinks the defeat could affect confidence levels in the camp ahead of their knockout clash with Tipp.

"It will be interesting to see if losing the Leinster final will drain Galway's confidence. You have to be straight about things . . . Galway blew that match against Kilkenny," said Hayes, who played 14 years of inter-county hurling for Galway.

[Ash Smoker]

Galway at 11/10 has to be great value. I don't think Tipp are going well at all.

[johnnycool]

Galway at 11/10 has to be great value. I don't think Tipp are going well at all.

Some big names not firing for Tipp indeed. If Galway can get a lot more clinical and bag a few goals then they'll win this one. Jake Morris will take some watching all the same.

[seafoid]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/1117/1178665-davy-i-dont-hate-ger-loughnane-i-feel-sorry-for-him/

Fitzgerald's former manager with Clare, Ger Loughnane, was critical in his newspaper column and the Wexford manager dismissed his views as irrelevant, in his opinion.

"He wouldn't really be up with what's going on in the GAA world, in my view," said Fitzgerald on South East Radio.

"My honest opinion is  I feel a bit sorry for him. Ger isn't involved with any clubs. He hasn't been involved with anyone since he went to Galway and did not have a good time. He actually couldn't read a game. If you read any of his articles, he can't read the game. He doesn't see what is going on," he added.

"I don't hate Ger Loughnane. I feel sorry for him.

[johnnycool]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/1117/1178665-davy-i-dont-hate-ger-loughnane-i-feel-sorry-for-him/

Fitzgerald's former manager with Clare, Ger Loughnane, was critical in his newspaper column and the Wexford manager dismissed his views as irrelevant, in his opinion.

"He wouldn't really be up with what's going on in the GAA world, in my view," said Fitzgerald on South East Radio.

"My honest opinion is  I feel a bit sorry for him. Ger isn't involved with any clubs. He hasn't been involved with anyone since he went to Galway and did not have a good time. He actually couldn't read a game. If you read any of his articles, he can't read the game. He doesn't see what is going on," he added.

"I don't hate Ger Loughnane. I feel sorry for him.

Davy can't help himself at times. Sometimes it's better to turn the mic off

[CitySlicker11]

what is the story with Clare's absentees? are both guys injured?

[johnnycool]

what is the story with Clare's absentees? are both guys injured?

duggan is in Australia it seems and Conlon is coming back from injury and only doing non contact training with the squad it seems.

Both a huge loss to Clare

[seafoid]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaa-statistics-water-breaks-making-hurling-a-game-of-four-quarters-1.4413006
GAA statistics: Water breaks making hurling a game of four quarters
Team in ascendancy either side of the stoppages has consistently changed this year
about 3 hours ago

Eamon Donoghue


Waterford and Limerick were level heading into the first and second half water breaks in Sunday's Munster hurling final.

The Déise had outscored Limerick 0-3 to 0-1 in the five minutes prior to both. The play was halted for two minutes for the first stoppage for H20, and for two minutes and 29 seconds for the second. They went on to lose the final quarter of both halves, 0-7 to 0-4, and 0-7 to 0-3. Outscored in the initial five minutes of each quarter – 0-2 to 0-0 in both.

Waterford will argue the speed and intensity they were bringing was diminished by the halts in play, but regardless of whether or not the end result would've been any different, the two breaks did alter the game's momentum. Coming right in the middle of both halves, how could it not.

The GAA's Covid-19 match regulations allow for a one-minute break midway through each half as to avoid players sharing water bottles during the match. The question is, what effect has this new and necessary rule had on the hurling championship thus far?

There's been 12 championship hurling matches to date in 2020, meaning 24 water breaks in total. For only seven of the 24, the team who won the five minutes before a water break maintained their superiority to win the first five minutes after the break. And on the same number of occasions the team who won the five minutes prior to the water break won the rest of the half. So, lots of momentum swings.

There's been 13 examples of momentum swings either side of a water break so far in the hurling championship. In 10 of the 12 matches
In the Leinster final, Galway had won the five minutes prior to the second water break 0-3 to 0-0. Kilkenny hadn't scored in 13 minutes. The teams gathered along the sideline with their coaches, took their break and assessed. Brian Cody team's went out and scored 2-1 to Galway's 0-2. That five-minute spell sent them on their way to what just minutes earlier had appeared such an unlikely victory.

Similarly Wexford in their qualifier defeat to Clare – they'd scored five of the six points before the second-half water break. Yet Clare came out and won the following five-minute period 1-1 to 0-2 en route to a seven-point victory.

Cork were gathering a degree of momentum against Tipperary, outscoring the reigning All-Ireland champions 0-3 to 0-1 approaching the second break for water. After the two teams convened by the dugouts and returned to their positions, Tipp's two point-lead was quickly doubled as they outscored the Rebels 1-5 to 0-6 on the home stretch.

That's all four matches from last weekend's hurling action. In total there's been 13 examples of momentum swings either side of a water break so far in this year's championship. In 10 of the 12 matches.


In the round one qualifier encounter between Cork and Dublin, Mattie Kenny's team outscored Cork 0-2 to 0-1 in the five minutes before the first-half water break. However, in the quarter which followed Cork doubled their lead, giving them a six-point advantage which they would maintain until the final whistle.

Earlier in the provincial championships, Clare were in the ascendancy 0-9 to 0-7 at the first water break against Limerick. They had registered 0-3 to Limerick's 0-2 in the five minutes before the pause in play to rehydrate. But the Treaty County outscored Clare 0-2 to 0-0 in the following five minutes, and went on to win the three remaining quarters to claim victory by 10 points.

In their 13 point Leinster semi-final defeat, Wexford won both five-minute periods before the two water breaks. However, in the two five-minute periods which followed they were outscored by Galway, by a combined 0-5 to 0-1. That was one of only two games so far when both teams involved failed to each win at least one quarter. The other was Limerick's win against Tipperary.

Games are now swinging back and forth far more frequently than we have seen in previous years. Despite several comfortable winning margins, no team has won every quarter thus far. Galway have come closest, losing only one - the final quarter against Kilkenny. Decisively.

For the likes of Limerick last weekend, who found themselves on the back foot during a key stage of the game - in the very heart of the half when the match was really opening up - the new rules give them a two-minute (or more) breather. A reset, and a chance to get the tactics board out to figure out what had gone wrong and address it immediately. How well they use the time afforded is up to them.

Hurling has become a game of four quarters, and respective managers of the six remaining teams are no doubt planning accordingly. Momentum is less of a factor, and the concept of starting and finishing a half strongly now applies twice as often and as much.

The crucial quarter so far this winter has been the second. In nine of 12 matches the team who wins the quarter before half-time goes on to win the match. Only once has an eventual winner lost the second quarter. The next most important quarter has proven to be the first, with seven teams winning it and subsequently winning the match. Only six – that's half – of the eventual winners won the final quarter, while even less (four) won the third.

Similarly, in nine of the 12 matches the team who went on to win the game won the five-minute period after the first water break.

The goalposts have been moved for the 2020 hurling championship. So teams now need to maximise the four breaks, and target the new key periods in the match. For one year only.

[Lar Naparka]

Even though the final last year was Tipp vs Kilkenny, I can't help feeling that Limerick were the best team in the country. They'll take some stopping this year.

They will indeed but I'll break into the confirmation money if Galway pull it off. 
Like 100% of Mayo fans, I hate them heron chokers where the big ball is concerned but 95% of us will roar on Joe Canning & Co.

[clonadmad]

Limerick lost 3 championship games in 2019

Hardly makes them the best team of 2019

They look to be a different proposition this year and winning the provincial crown gives them and KK an advantage this year which in other years would be a hindrance.

[johnnycool]

Limerick lost 3 championship games in 2019

Hardly makes them the best team of 2019

They look to be a different proposition this year and winning the provincial crown gives them and KK an advantage this year which in other years would be a hindrance.

My money is on a Waterford v KK semi-final with Waterford coming out on top on a dry sod in Croke Park.

The other is Galway v Limerick and as TJ Ryan says, that one is like a deaf dog, hard to call but the eventual AI winner comes out of it.


Down in the CR final this weekend, after beating Offaly, they'll be hot favourites and that has never been something a Down team has been used to.

The Joe Mcdonagh final must be the following week, Antrim v either Kerry or Carlow with both duking it out for the chance to play in the final.

[up the rovers]

Limerick lost 3 championship games in 2019

Hardly makes them the best team of 2019

They look to be a different proposition this year and winning the provincial crown gives them and KK an advantage this year which in other years would be a hindrance.

My money is on a Waterford v KK semi-final with Waterford coming out on top on a dry sod in Croke Park.

The other is Galway v Limerick and as TJ Ryan says, that one is like a deaf dog, hard to call but the eventual AI winner comes out of it.


Down in the CR final this weekend, after beating Offaly, they'll be hot favourites and that has never been something a Down team has been used to.

The Joe Mcdonagh final must be the following week, Antrim v either Kerry or Carlow with both duking it out for the chance to play in the final.

The Joe McDonagh final is the curtain raiser for the All Ireland final in December, I suspect it will be Antrim v Carlow but who knows. As for this weekend I am tipping Galway and for no good reason Clare. Given the quality of my tipping Waterford and Tipperary folk will be happy enough!

[Capt Pat]

Limerick lost 3 championship games in 2019

Hardly makes them the best team of 2019

They look to be a different proposition this year and winning the provincial crown gives them and KK an advantage this year which in other years would be a hindrance.

My money is on a Waterford v KK semi-final with Waterford coming out on top on a dry sod in Croke Park.

The other is Galway v Limerick and as TJ Ryan says, that one is like a deaf dog, hard to call but the eventual AI winner comes out of it.


Down in the CR final this weekend, after beating Offaly, they'll be hot favourites and that has never been something a Down team has been used to.

The Joe Mcdonagh final must be the following week, Antrim v either Kerry or Carlow with both duking it out for the chance to play in the final.

The Joe McDonagh final is the curtain raiser for the All Ireland final in December, I suspect it will be Antrim v Carlow but who knows. As for this weekend I am tipping Galway and for no good reason Clare. Given the quality of my tipping Waterford and Tipperary folk will be happy enough!

Tip v Galway looks like being another cliff hanger.

I don't see Clare winning unless Shane O Donnell has a big game. Tony Kelly can't do it all on his own every day.