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GAA Discussion => Hurling Discussion => Topic started by: Mossy Bruce on March 29, 2018, 12:09:15 AM

Title: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: Mossy Bruce on March 29, 2018, 12:09:15 AM
2018 Joe McDonagh Cup

Round 1
5 May 2018
Meath v Antrim
Carlow v Kerry
Laois v Westmeath

Round 2
12 May 2018
Antrim v Carlow
13 May 2018
Kerry v Laois
Westmeath v Meath

Round 3
19 May 2018
Carlow v Meath
Antrim v Laois
20 May 2018
Kerry v Westmeath

Round 4
2 June 2018
Meath v Kerry
Laois v Carlow
Westmeath v Antrim

Round 5
9 June 2018
Meath v Laois
Carlow v Westmeath
Antrim v Kerry

Final
1 July 2018 at Croke Park


I had to hunt around a bit to find these fixtures. Please correct any mistakes.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: redsetanta on March 29, 2018, 05:19:14 PM
Laois should be favourites but there will be stiff competition from Antrim and Carlow.

A great reward for the top two getting to play the final in Croke Park on Leinster final day. None of the current Laois panel have played a senior hurling game in Croke Park so they are very determined to get there.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on March 29, 2018, 06:34:49 PM
Antrim could be dark horses and they have been known to bate fancied Leinster opposition in CP.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: imtommygunn on March 29, 2018, 08:33:32 PM
When - 1989??
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: playwiththewind1st on March 29, 2018, 08:48:33 PM
I have this recurring dream, that I was at an All-Ireland semi final in 1989 that Antrim won & that I was at an All-Ireland final with Antrim appearing in it shortly after. Just shows you how far backwards we have gone that we are talking about the Joe McDonagh Cup nowadays.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on March 29, 2018, 09:18:19 PM
Quote from: imtommygunn on March 29, 2018, 08:33:32 PM
When - 1989??
Also 1943
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: playwiththewind1st on March 29, 2018, 09:23:08 PM
Milltown Row was at those games.....he will give us a rundown.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: manfromdelmonte on March 29, 2018, 10:04:47 PM
Westmeath should win this
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: imtommygunn on March 29, 2018, 11:18:13 PM
Quote from: playwiththewind1st on March 29, 2018, 08:48:33 PM
I have this recurring dream, that I was at an All-Ireland semi final in 1989 that Antrim won & that I was at an All-Ireland final with Antrim appearing in it shortly after. Just shows you how far backwards we have gone that we are talking about the Joe McDonagh Cup nowadays.

1st ever game at croke was that offaly game. It's been a bit downhill since then!

Didn't realise westmeath beat carlow in carlow. Looking at it i think this competition is very tough to call. I saw laois once and wasn't that convinced by them so even though highest status maybe nit best team. Should be interesting. I think it should produce some good matches. The christy ring could be very one sided at times so this is a definite improvement.



Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: Milltown Row2 on March 30, 2018, 08:27:41 AM
This is s very competitive competition... most teams will fancy themselves here.. Antrim need to put the effort in from the get go, they've no right to win these second tier competitions and have been found out by all of these teams recently!

As for days out in Croke I think the Dublin game was the last time I was watching Antrim in Croke. Stuffed if memory serves me right
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: imtommygunn on March 30, 2018, 08:32:49 AM
Ah yes how could i forget about the dublin game.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: Owenmoresider on March 31, 2018, 01:51:37 PM
Quote from: seafoid on March 29, 2018, 09:18:19 PM
Quote from: imtommygunn on March 29, 2018, 08:33:32 PM
When - 1989??
Also 1943
They beat Dublin in 2009 or 2010 as well if I recall right.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: Milltown Row2 on March 31, 2018, 02:07:22 PM
Quote from: Owenmoresider on March 31, 2018, 01:51:37 PM
Quote from: seafoid on March 29, 2018, 09:18:19 PM
Quote from: imtommygunn on March 29, 2018, 08:33:32 PM
When - 1989??
Also 1943
They beat Dublin in 2009 or 2010 as well if I recall right.

That's when Antrim didn't fear Dublin!
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: slippery dodger on April 01, 2018, 02:23:10 PM
Antrim having Carlow and Laois at home will be a big plus for them. Will the final be televised? I think that TG4 would be willing to cover one of these games a week if given the chance. You could have a weekly game at 3pm on a Saturday for example so as not to clash with any RTE or Sky Sports games. The players deserve a national spotlight and the GAA will want to push this comp more than the Christy Ring
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: Unlaoised on April 10, 2018, 10:31:30 AM
Quote from: slippery dodger on April 01, 2018, 02:23:10 PM
Antrim having Carlow and Laois at home will be a big plus for them. Will the final be televised? I think that TG4 would be willing to cover one of these games a week if given the chance. You could have a weekly game at 3pm on a Saturday for example so as not to clash with any RTE or Sky Sports games. The players deserve a national spotlight and the GAA will want to push this comp more than the Christy Ring

Antrim have to be favourites the way the fixtures worked out....

Carlow and Laois will also fancy it ...

Meath will be the whipping boys I think!
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on May 05, 2018, 04:27:35 PM
Westmeath beat Laois
https://www.rte.ie/sport/results/gaa/2018/6136/results/
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: AZOffaly on May 05, 2018, 08:18:00 PM
Quote from: seafoid on May 05, 2018, 04:27:35 PM
Westmeath beat Laois
https://www.rte.ie/sport/results/gaa/2018/6136/results/

Great win for Westmeath. Laois' slide continues.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on May 07, 2018, 09:31:58 AM
Quote from: AZOffaly on May 05, 2018, 08:18:00 PM
Quote from: seafoid on May 05, 2018, 04:27:35 PM
Westmeath beat Laois
https://www.rte.ie/sport/results/gaa/2018/6136/results/

Great win for Westmeath. Laois' slide continues.
They beat Antrim in the 1b relegation playoff iirc
I think they are the highest ranking league team in the JMC
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: manfromdelmonte on May 07, 2018, 07:16:40 PM
Westmeath messed up in the league final. They were the best team in that division. They finished top!
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: slippery dodger on May 13, 2018, 01:35:30 AM
Great win from Antrim today to make it 2 out of 2 but some disgraceful antics from the Carlow players. They finished with 12 and 3 Antrim players are currently in hospital. Should be lengthy bans given out! No place for it in our games.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on May 13, 2018, 02:27:55 PM
Antrim.are motoring. So are Westmeath. 
Antrim v Westmeath should be a cracker


Joe McDonagh Cup Round 2

1300 Westmeath 2-17 Meath 1-06, Cusack Park

Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: StGallsGAA on May 13, 2018, 10:03:38 PM
Quote from: slippery dodger on May 13, 2018, 01:35:30 AM
Great win from Antrim today to make it 2 out of 2 but some disgraceful antics from the Carlow players. They finished with 12 and 3 Antrim players are currently in hospital. Should be lengthy bans given out! No place for it in our games.
+1.  Apparently one player had his privates ripped open by the butt of a hurl in an off the ball cowardly strike.  The sort of stuff that should be dealt with by the courts rather than HQ.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: manfromdelmonte on May 14, 2018, 08:02:02 AM
Pathetic highlights from THE last night
No wonder hurling outside the top 8 teams is disregarded
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: AQMP on May 14, 2018, 09:44:38 AM
Quote from: StGallsGAA on May 13, 2018, 10:03:38 PM
Quote from: slippery dodger on May 13, 2018, 01:35:30 AM
Great win from Antrim today to make it 2 out of 2 but some disgraceful antics from the Carlow players. They finished with 12 and 3 Antrim players are currently in hospital. Should be lengthy bans given out! No place for it in our games.
+1.  Apparently one player had his privates ripped open by the butt of a hurl in an off the ball cowardly strike.  The sort of stuff that should be dealt with by the courts rather than HQ.

From what I've heard about that injury, the perpetrator should have the book thrown at him...at least once.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: imtommygunn on May 15, 2018, 07:37:21 AM
(https://scontent.flhr4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32332352_1924260264264340_3589102013746511872_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=8b923616aedd8d4457ca3813144201f7&oe=5B7CF394)

The stroke which broke michael armstrong's arm - and received no booking!
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: johnnycool on May 15, 2018, 10:16:54 AM
Yip,
   That'll do it every day of the week.

Cheap, cowardly shot to say the least.

in fairness to the ref his view was probably blocked by the other lad in front.

Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: AZOffaly on May 15, 2018, 10:27:12 AM
Your man doing it has his eyes closed!
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: Milltown Row2 on May 15, 2018, 08:34:57 PM
Hurl turned, dirty shit
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: Milltown Row2 on May 15, 2018, 08:39:44 PM
Quote from: hardstation on May 15, 2018, 08:38:02 PM
Nasty one for Mick. Only out of hospital today. Plate in. Will be doing well to play again this year. Big loss for club & county.

That's fecking shit!! Huge loss for the club, I seen huge improvement in Rossa this year too! Wish him a speedy recovery
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: imtommygunn on May 15, 2018, 08:40:56 PM
That was the tame tackle compared to mcmanus's >:(

It is a pity the gaa couldn't take that photo and do your man for it.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: Catch and Kick on May 15, 2018, 09:27:35 PM
Quote from: imtommygunn on May 15, 2018, 07:37:21 AM
(https://scontent.flhr4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/32332352_1924260264264340_3589102013746511872_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=8b923616aedd8d4457ca3813144201f7&oe=5B7CF394)

The stroke which broke michael armstrong's arm - and received no booking!

Looks shocking bad.
Hope he recovers asap.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: Catch and Kick on May 19, 2018, 01:49:42 PM
Have to say the coverage of this all week in the Irish News has been hysterical. I listened to a podcast about the game and it seems the game was actually played in a good spirit. Yes there were a number of serious injuries, one in particular which was off the ball. The ref dealt with the perpetrators and they have been suspended as per rule. There is no more to it than that. No one wants to see players badly injured but lets not be stoking things up.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: redsetanta on May 19, 2018, 03:06:50 PM
Only a point in it at the end but Laois get the win in Dunloy today. A glimmer of hope.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on May 19, 2018, 05:54:14 PM
What makes the competition interesting is the frequency of matches. The teams with the best panels have a huge advantage.
Carlow and Antrim are both on 4 along with Westmeath who have a game in hand

https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2018/0519/964652-nolans-late-burst-keeps-carlow-in-mcdonagh-contention/
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: Last Man on May 19, 2018, 07:43:05 PM
Quote from: Catch and Kick on May 19, 2018, 01:49:42 PM
Have to say the coverage of this all week in the Irish News has been hysterical. I listened to a podcast about the game and it seems the game was actually played in a good spirit. Yes there were a number of serious injuries, one in particular which was off the ball. The ref dealt with the perpetrators and they have been suspended as per rule. There is no more to it than that. No one wants to see players badly injured but lets not be stoking things up.
Worst behaved County team I've seen in years. Antrim lads being called "British Bastards" as they left the field at half time says plenty about the mindset.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: laoislad on May 19, 2018, 09:18:58 PM
Excellent win for Laois. 👍
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on May 19, 2018, 09:36:47 PM
Quote from: Last Man on May 19, 2018, 07:43:05 PM
Quote from: Catch and Kick on May 19, 2018, 01:49:42 PM
Have to say the coverage of this all week in the Irish News has been hysterical. I listened to a podcast about the game and it seems the game was actually played in a good spirit. Yes there were a number of serious injuries, one in particular which was off the ball. The ref dealt with the perpetrators and they have been suspended as per rule. There is no more to it than that. No one wants to see players badly injured but lets not be stoking things up.
Worst behaved County team I've seen in years. Antrim lads being called "British b**tards" as they left the field at half time says plenty about the mindset.
That is despicable
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on May 20, 2018, 05:27:05 PM
Shane Stapleton @ShaneSaint
Tipp will be hoping Kerry don't win the Joe McDonagh
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: AZOffaly on May 20, 2018, 08:43:20 PM
Quote from: seafoid on May 20, 2018, 05:27:05 PM
Shane Stapleton @ShaneSaint
Tipp will be hoping Kerry don't win the Joe McDonagh

You'd see a miraculous change in the rules then.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: manfromdelmonte on May 21, 2018, 08:03:48 AM
Quote from: seafoid on May 20, 2018, 05:27:05 PM
Shane Stapleton @ShaneSaint
Tipp will be hoping Kerry don't win the Joe McDonagh
Don't worry, they won't
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: redsetanta on May 21, 2018, 12:27:00 PM
From a Laois perspective we would need Westmeath to win their last two games and for Antrim to beath Kerry while we also make sure to beat Carlow and Meath. That would put Laois joint second on 6 points with Antrim but should qualify based on head to head. I take it head to head is used when only two teams and score difference used if 3 teams are tied on the same points?
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: johnnycool on May 21, 2018, 03:02:27 PM
Quote from: AZOffaly on May 20, 2018, 08:43:20 PM
Quote from: seafoid on May 20, 2018, 05:27:05 PM
Shane Stapleton @ShaneSaint
Tipp will be hoping Kerry don't win the Joe McDonagh

You'd see a miraculous change in the rules then.

You'd wonder that no one saw this long before now..
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on May 27, 2018, 05:46:24 PM
big match next Saturday between Westmeath and Antrim
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: johnnycool on May 28, 2018, 08:26:45 AM
Quote from: manfromdelmonte on May 21, 2018, 08:03:48 AM
Quote from: seafoid on May 20, 2018, 05:27:05 PM
Shane Stapleton @ShaneSaint
Tipp will be hoping Kerry don't win the Joe McDonagh
Don't worry, they won't

Anthony Daly was at the "sure lookit would be nice to keep Offaly up for another year" last night and whilst I agree with the sentiment it would mean extending the Leinster Championship to 6 teams..........


Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: manfromdelmonte on May 28, 2018, 02:36:08 PM
Quote from: johnnycool on May 28, 2018, 08:26:45 AM
Quote from: manfromdelmonte on May 21, 2018, 08:03:48 AM
Quote from: seafoid on May 20, 2018, 05:27:05 PM
Shane Stapleton @ShaneSaint
Tipp will be hoping Kerry don't win the Joe McDonagh
Don't worry, they won't

Anthony Daly was at the "sure lookit would be nice to keep Offaly up for another year" last night and whilst I agree with the sentiment it would mean extending the Leinster Championship to 6 teams..........
the following year it would be seven...

Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: SpeculativeEffort on May 28, 2018, 03:14:44 PM
The competitiveness of the top tier will diminish if it goes to 6 and 7 teams. I think the GAA need to bite the bullet on this and stick to their guns. If Offaly (or any other perceived strong county) get relegated and are serious about progression then they will be back up the following year and will have a prelim quarter final also. If they dont come straight back up then they arent up to top tier hurling. Simple as that. GAA have to be strong on this or the new system will turn into a farce.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: redsetanta on June 01, 2018, 10:45:58 AM
I would agree with that point. Rules should not be changed to suit particular counties. Offaly were relegated a couple of years back by Laois and were straight back up.

On this weekend s games, Laois have to beat Carlow and hope that Westmeath get the better of Antrim. Any other results and Laois are gone. If those results come to fruition then next week Antrim have to beat Kerry for Laois to have a chance. A very tall order but not beyond the bounds of possibility.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: ardtole on June 01, 2018, 11:14:29 AM
Offaly should take their medicine like every other county. Carlow Westmeath, Meath, laois and Antrim seem to be making huge efforts to improve their status as hurling counties and need a system that gives them a chance of competing with the big boys. Westmeath in particular have had some great results at underage level in the last 4 or 5 years.

I think the hurling is very close to having the perfect set up. Maybe a playoff between the Joe mcdonagh finalists and bottom team in the munster/Leinster groups is the way to go for the following year.

The joe mcdonagh finalists play in the all Ireland series as far as I know so for the romantics at least on paper they have a shot at the Liam McCarthy each year.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: johnnycool on June 01, 2018, 12:18:43 PM
Quote from: ardtole on June 01, 2018, 11:14:29 AM
Offaly should take their medicine like every other county. Carlow Westmeath, Meath, laois and Antrim seem to be making huge efforts to improve their status as hurling counties and need a system that gives them a chance of competing with the big boys. Westmeath in particular have had some great results at underage level in the last 4 or 5 years.

I think the hurling is very close to having the perfect set up. Maybe a playoff between the Joe mcdonagh finalists and bottom team in the munster/Leinster groups is the way to go for the following year.

The joe mcdonagh finalists play in the all Ireland series as far as I know so for the romantics at least on paper they have a shot at the Liam McCarthy each year.

The finalists play the third teams in both sections.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: Franko on June 01, 2018, 04:10:53 PM
I remember a good few years ago now, Derry gave Offaly a scare in Croke Park.  After a few close decisions by the ref (a young Barry Kelly??) went Offaly's way, the Derry management were up in arms.  The very same Michael Duignan commented that the ref "wasn't in the business of appeasing Derry hurling".  So for that reason alone I say f**k Offaly.  Take your ointment like the rest.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: Roashter on June 02, 2018, 12:02:25 PM
Duignan & Regan can be very hard to listen to alright.
Their main line this year on Offaly is that Offaly are on the right track with having a good hurling local man like Kevin Martin over the team, and that the outside managers last few years had done a lot of damage (completely ignoring that they won their recent all-Irelands under outside managers).

Last weeks defeat by Wexford was a complete collapse, especially at home. If they lose to Dublin I don't have much sympathy for them.

The one change I would make to the system though is that last team in Leinster would play last team in Munster and the loser gets relegated.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: manfromdelmonte on June 02, 2018, 12:39:15 PM
Quote from: Roashter on June 02, 2018, 12:02:25 PM
Duignan & Regan can be very hard to listen to alright.
Their main line this year on Offaly is that Offaly are on the right track with having a good hurling local man like Kevin Martin over the team, and that the outside managers last few years had done a lot of damage (completely ignoring that they won their recent all-Irelands under outside managers).

Last weeks defeat by Wexford was a complete collapse, especially at home. If they lose to Dublin I don't have much sympathy for them.

The one change I would make to the system though is that last team in Leinster would play last team in Munster and the loser gets relegated.
Offaly completely took their eye off underage hurling and football in the county for 10 years +

They absolutely hate to see Westmeath or Laois going well as realistically both those counties were at the same level as offaly before the late 70s and the glory years of 80s and 90s
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on June 02, 2018, 03:54:27 PM
Westmeath are doing well versus Antrim
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on June 02, 2018, 04:29:14 PM
Antrim back to within a point
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on June 02, 2018, 04:39:28 PM
FT Westmeath 2-19 Antrim 1-20

Antrim very, very close this year
I think the Joe McDonagh is a big improvement (unless you are from Offaly or Laois)

https://www.rte.ie/sport/results/gaa/2018/6136/tables/
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: Joeythelips on June 03, 2018, 01:09:55 AM
I cannot see the big complaint about the Joe McDonagh Cup, so what if a team gets relegated thats the way it should be. I agree with the other poster who said their should be a relegation playoff between bottom in Leinster and bottom in Munster. They say they want to develop hurling in weaker counties yet the thoughts of promotions a side seems to terrify them. The big key to the new structure is that the finalists of JM cup are in the latter stages of the AI series. Fair enough 95% of the time they will be well beaten but when there could be some shocks. Look at all the hard work put in by those Westmeath hurlers, and they have reached the final and will get a crack at one of they third teams (on current table would be Kilkenny or Clare) and they deserve a crack at it.  Loads of people are saying Offaly will lose ground if relegated from Leinster but if they lose they deserve to be relegated, in fact it might be a good thing for them as the Joe Mc Donagh route would mean they get further than this year.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: johnnycool on June 03, 2018, 11:08:46 PM
I'd agree with that.
If Offaly do get relegated then next year they'll not get everything their own way and even at that they'll get a crack at the AI via a qualifier
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: imtommygunn on June 04, 2018, 07:36:33 AM
Yeahi don't get this attitude around offaly. The system needs promotion and relegation and just because a county is one of the "traditional " rules shouldn't be bent for it which it seems like they might be.

It might do them good.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on June 04, 2018, 07:51:05 AM
Offaly would still be in the championship if they went down. I think they have to take their medicine  . If they are good enough they will be back.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: LooseCannon on June 04, 2018, 08:32:09 AM
Wexford were supposed to play Antrim in a relegation playoff a few years ago to see which of them would drop to Christy Ring. The GAA called it off, and allowed the Christy Ring winners that year (Carlow) to join the Leinster Championship for the following year.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: imtommygunn on June 04, 2018, 08:27:01 PM
Yeah that kind of thing shouldn't be allowed. Has to be the same rule for all. The "traditional " teams always seem to get favourable treatment.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on June 05, 2018, 07:46:01 AM
https://m.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/selfpity-will-get-them-nowhere-ger-loughnane-criticises-pr-campaign-against-offalys-relegation-to-the-joe-mcdonagh-cup-36974630.html
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: Minder on June 05, 2018, 08:55:09 AM
Quote from: seafoid on June 05, 2018, 07:46:01 AM
https://m.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/selfpity-will-get-them-nowhere-ger-loughnane-criticises-pr-campaign-against-offalys-relegation-to-the-joe-mcdonagh-cup-36974630.html

He is correct
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: AZOffaly on June 05, 2018, 09:09:02 AM
I think it's a sad state of affairs that it has come to this, but it is where we are. I said it a few years ago when we ended up in a play off with Kerry. This new format at least gives you entry to the All Ireland Series if you are good enough, so Offaly can aim for that. The round robin table doesn't lie, and while there were promising performances v Galway and Kilkenny, you now have to look at them in a different light. The Wexford game was a real eye opener, and there's no way Offaly should be falling that far off Wexford or Dublin. As it is, Offaly are no better than Laois, Carlow, Westmeath or Antrim. I think when people reflect a bit more, they will see it for what it is, an opportunity to regroup with a young team and get back into the Championship.

That said, I wonder what will the story be if next year sees the Joe McDonagh team staying up? Will the powers that be really want a Leinster Championship with Galway, Kilkenny, Wexford, Westmeath and Carlow say...
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: manfromdelmonte on June 05, 2018, 09:30:44 AM
Quote from: AZOffaly on June 05, 2018, 09:09:02 AM
I think it's a sad state of affairs that it has come to this, but it is where we are. I said it a few years ago when we ended up in a play off with Kerry. This new format at least gives you entry to the All Ireland Series if you are good enough, so Offaly can aim for that. The round robin table doesn't lie, and while there were promising performances v Galway and Kilkenny, you now have to look at them in a different light. The Wexford game was a real eye opener, and there's no way Offaly should be falling that far off Wexford or Dublin. As it is, Offaly are no better than Laois, Carlow, Westmeath or Antrim. I think when people reflect a bit more, they will see it for what it is, an opportunity to regroup with a young team and get back into the Championship.

That said, I wonder what will the story be if next year sees the Joe McDonagh team staying up? Will the powers that be really want a Leinster Championship with Galway, Kilkenny, Wexford, Westmeath and Carlow say...
why not?
Westmeath should be well able to compete with Dublin

more PR stuff for Offaly this morning
https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/martin-breheny-offaly-and-leinster-have-been-betrayed-by-system-changes-that-fail-fairness-and-equality-tests-36973998.html (https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/martin-breheny-offaly-and-leinster-have-been-betrayed-by-system-changes-that-fail-fairness-and-equality-tests-36973998.html)
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: AZOffaly on June 05, 2018, 09:41:05 AM
Quote from: manfromdelmonte on June 05, 2018, 09:30:44 AM
Quote from: AZOffaly on June 05, 2018, 09:09:02 AM
I think it's a sad state of affairs that it has come to this, but it is where we are. I said it a few years ago when we ended up in a play off with Kerry. This new format at least gives you entry to the All Ireland Series if you are good enough, so Offaly can aim for that. The round robin table doesn't lie, and while there were promising performances v Galway and Kilkenny, you now have to look at them in a different light. The Wexford game was a real eye opener, and there's no way Offaly should be falling that far off Wexford or Dublin. As it is, Offaly are no better than Laois, Carlow, Westmeath or Antrim. I think when people reflect a bit more, they will see it for what it is, an opportunity to regroup with a young team and get back into the Championship.

That said, I wonder what will the story be if next year sees the Joe McDonagh team staying up? Will the powers that be really want a Leinster Championship with Galway, Kilkenny, Wexford, Westmeath and Carlow say...
why not?
Westmeath should be well able to compete with Dublin

more PR stuff for Offaly this morning
https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/martin-breheny-offaly-and-leinster-have-been-betrayed-by-system-changes-that-fail-fairness-and-equality-tests-36973998.html (https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/martin-breheny-offaly-and-leinster-have-been-betrayed-by-system-changes-that-fail-fairness-and-equality-tests-36973998.html)

They'll have no bother with Westmeath going up, as long as they promptly get relegated the next year, ideally for Offaly. But if Westmeath don't play ball, and win a game, and say Wexford or Dublin come down, and are replaced with Carlow, I bet you €20 there'd be a 'review'.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on June 05, 2018, 09:53:30 AM
Quote from: Minder on June 05, 2018, 08:55:09 AM
Quote from: seafoid on June 05, 2018, 07:46:01 AM
https://m.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/selfpity-will-get-them-nowhere-ger-loughnane-criticises-pr-campaign-against-offalys-relegation-to-the-joe-mcdonagh-cup-36974630.html

He is correct
the Joe Mc D cup is a bit like Division 1 b
Less pressure. Allows you to test players. You are still in the game.
You make the progress you need and you get out.
We need a strong Offaly, not to pity Offaly. 
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: johnnycool on June 05, 2018, 10:24:00 AM
Quote from: seafoid on June 05, 2018, 09:53:30 AM
Quote from: Minder on June 05, 2018, 08:55:09 AM
Quote from: seafoid on June 05, 2018, 07:46:01 AM
https://m.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/selfpity-will-get-them-nowhere-ger-loughnane-criticises-pr-campaign-against-offalys-relegation-to-the-joe-mcdonagh-cup-36974630.html

He is correct
the Joe Mc D cup is a bit like Division 1 b
Less pressure. Allows you to test players. You are still in the game.
You make the progress you need and you get out.
We need a strong Offaly, not to pity Offaly.

1B is dead on if you've a young team and need to build or like Galway easing through the gears at the early part of the year. It doesn't seem to impact on teams championship performances.

Not sure Offaly could be described as a young team all the same as Dooley, Currams and all are bound to be touching 30.
Club wise I get the impression that St Rynaghs and KK are as good as anything else in Leinster so maybe the ground work is getting there to support a strong intercounty team.


Whilst there's no point lying about it there is still a good bit of a gulf between the Joe McDonagh and the Leinster round robin but if the likes of Westmeath were to get in they'd give a good account of themselves but like Offaly won't have the strength in depth to cope with the demands of 4 games in 5 weeks. The hurling snobs might look at the scoreline and suggest they were hammered and they might be, but hurling is very unforgiving in that regard as bigs scores are easier to come by.
Let the current championship format pan out and not be making knee jerk reactions.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on June 05, 2018, 10:47:49 AM
Quote from: johnnycool on June 05, 2018, 10:24:00 AM
Quote from: seafoid on June 05, 2018, 09:53:30 AM
Quote from: Minder on June 05, 2018, 08:55:09 AM
Quote from: seafoid on June 05, 2018, 07:46:01 AM
https://m.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/selfpity-will-get-them-nowhere-ger-loughnane-criticises-pr-campaign-against-offalys-relegation-to-the-joe-mcdonagh-cup-36974630.html

He is correct
the Joe Mc D cup is a bit like Division 1 b
Less pressure. Allows you to test players. You are still in the game.
You make the progress you need and you get out.
We need a strong Offaly, not to pity Offaly.

1B is dead on if you've a young team and need to build or like Galway easing through the gears at the early part of the year. It doesn't seem to impact on teams championship performances.

Not sure Offaly could be described as a young team all the same as Dooley, Currams and all are bound to be touching 30.
Club wise I get the impression that St Rynaghs and KK are as good as anything else in Leinster so maybe the ground work is getting there to support a strong intercounty team.


Whilst there's no point lying about it there is still a good bit of a gulf between the Joe McDonagh and the Leinster round robin but if the likes of Westmeath were to get in they'd give a good account of themselves but like Offaly won't have the strength in depth to cope with the demands of 4 games in 5 weeks. The hurling snobs might look at the scoreline and suggest they were hammered and they might be, but hurling is very unforgiving in that regard as bigs scores are easier to come by.
Let the current championship format pan out and not be making knee jerk reactions.

I agree re not touching the format.
Hurling in the championship is like doing the iterations.
Galway didn't become good overnight. The process started in 2011
Wexford have also been working to a plan for a few years.

KK have a conveyor belt but thankfully are missing a 3 and a 6 ;)
These 3 teams are serious. Dublin have started again.
So 4 teams who put the effort in.
Offaly are a bit behind. 

Maybe in the knockout format they would get a 13 point hammering every year and accept it
I think the round robin exposes which teams are not operating at the right level in  fairly brutal fashion.
They have to perform at a higher level to stay in Leinster. So do Westmeath.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on June 07, 2018, 12:11:36 PM
https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2018/0605/968250-westmeath-boss-ryan-mcdonagh-cup-gives-counties-faith/
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: johnnycool on June 07, 2018, 12:44:20 PM
Quote from: seafoid on June 05, 2018, 10:47:49 AM
Quote from: johnnycool on June 05, 2018, 10:24:00 AM
Quote from: seafoid on June 05, 2018, 09:53:30 AM
Quote from: Minder on June 05, 2018, 08:55:09 AM
Quote from: seafoid on June 05, 2018, 07:46:01 AM
https://m.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/selfpity-will-get-them-nowhere-ger-loughnane-criticises-pr-campaign-against-offalys-relegation-to-the-joe-mcdonagh-cup-36974630.html

He is correct
the Joe Mc D cup is a bit like Division 1 b
Less pressure. Allows you to test players. You are still in the game.
You make the progress you need and you get out.
We need a strong Offaly, not to pity Offaly.

1B is dead on if you've a young team and need to build or like Galway easing through the gears at the early part of the year. It doesn't seem to impact on teams championship performances.

Not sure Offaly could be described as a young team all the same as Dooley, Currams and all are bound to be touching 30.
Club wise I get the impression that St Rynaghs and KK are as good as anything else in Leinster so maybe the ground work is getting there to support a strong intercounty team.


Whilst there's no point lying about it there is still a good bit of a gulf between the Joe McDonagh and the Leinster round robin but if the likes of Westmeath were to get in they'd give a good account of themselves but like Offaly won't have the strength in depth to cope with the demands of 4 games in 5 weeks. The hurling snobs might look at the scoreline and suggest they were hammered and they might be, but hurling is very unforgiving in that regard as bigs scores are easier to come by.
Let the current championship format pan out and not be making knee jerk reactions.

I agree re not touching the format.
Hurling in the championship is like doing the iterations.
Galway didn't become good overnight. The process started in 2011
Wexford have also been working to a plan for a few years.

KK have a conveyor belt but thankfully are missing a 3 and a 6 ;)
These 3 teams are serious. Dublin have started again.
So 4 teams who put the effort in.
Offaly are a bit behind. 

Maybe in the knockout format they would get a 13 point hammering every year and accept it
I think the round robin exposes which teams are not operating at the right level in  fairly brutal fashion.
They have to perform at a higher level to stay in Leinster. So do Westmeath.

They're certainly missing a 3, but with Buckley they've got a pretty good 6 in place.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: manfromdelmonte on June 12, 2018, 07:38:51 AM
Westmeath fail to beat Carlow in a final, again

I think the large pitch in Croke Park will suit them better as Carlow are a very big team
Carlow and Mullingar are two tight pitches
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: burdizzo on June 12, 2018, 07:42:45 AM
Portlaoise isn't.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: manfromdelmonte on June 12, 2018, 08:18:52 AM
Quote from: burdizzo on June 12, 2018, 07:42:45 AM
Portlaoise isn't.
westmeath played carlow in Netwatch park
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: burdizzo on June 12, 2018, 09:06:11 AM
Quote from: manfromdelmonte on June 12, 2018, 08:18:52 AM
Quote from: burdizzo on June 12, 2018, 07:42:45 AM
Portlaoise isn't.
westmeath played carlow in Netwatch park


Carlow destroyed Westmeath in the Division 2A final in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise, earlier this year. End of March/ start of April?
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: redsetanta on June 12, 2018, 11:16:32 AM
And won there against Laois so a big playing surface doesn't affect them.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: manfromdelmonte on June 26, 2018, 10:18:59 PM
Final this weekend
Any thoughts?
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: redsetanta on June 29, 2018, 05:15:23 PM
Hard one to call really there's so little between them up to now.

Both lost one game, Carlow to Antrim and crucially Westmeath to Carlow. It's been shown plenty of times in these playoff finals that the groups results don't always give a clear indicator in the final.

If I had to choose I would probably go with Carlow who have had success in a final in Croke Park last year winning the Christy Ring.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: manfromdelmonte on July 01, 2018, 03:24:31 PM
Very poor stuff from Westmeath today
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: redsetanta on July 02, 2018, 09:24:44 AM
The goals either side of half time did it for Carlow particularly the first half when Westmeath missed a chance just before it.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: macdanger2 on July 09, 2018, 12:21:32 AM
It might not have made much difference to the results but giving these two teams only a week before the next game was a load of bollix
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: manfromdelmonte on July 09, 2018, 04:53:20 PM
Quote from: macdanger2 on July 09, 2018, 12:21:32 AM
It might not have made much difference to the results but giving these two teams only a week before the next game was a load of bollix
Westmeath actually did ok.
Two soft goals killed them.
Title: Re: 2018 Joe McDonagh Cup
Post by: seafoid on July 09, 2018, 06:21:27 PM
It's great to see 2 JMD teams playing in the All Ireland series.
It's a real sign of respect.