county championships 2013

[waterfordlad]

Downes was excellent and I think better team won but as you said Passage did well to keep in it as were under a lot of pressure at times. Na Piarsaigh's forwards were better. Good game for the time of year.

Pretty good game the bits I seen off it.

Was it Downes who popped over the point at the end on his left side and under a good bit of pressure?

IIRC he's a left hander anyway.

I see sixmilebridge won the Clare championship, with Niall Gilligan still on the go, he must be touching 40 by now.

Yeah that was some score by Downes. Gilligan is 37 I think and still looks a great player at club level. The conditions were bad for the Clare hurling final looking at Tg4 last night. Hurling at this time of year is different than in the summer with heavy pitches and suits more physical teams.

[CitySlicker11]

It's not just about stopping Lehane (bit strange saying that giving how impressive his individual display was the last time) however Luke O'Farrell chipped in with 3 or 4 points in the county final at very important times. They also have Cork panelist Brian Hartnett who is capable of causing damage. I think they should get past Sixmilebridge (maybe not) but I think overall Na Piarsaigh should come out of Munster.

This would leave them against Portumna with Loughgiel v OTB, KK or B'Boden. Will be four very good teams at the semi final stages.

[imtommygunn]

Would portuma be as good as they were a few years ago? Suppose time will tell.

Would like to see otb make the breakthrough from leinster but think b'boden will go through. Munster and leinster very competitive.

[Minder]

Ballyboden beaten by Mount Leinster Rangers in Leinster semi final.

[GalwayBayBoy]

Would portuma be as good as they were a few years ago? Suppose time will tell.

No. Team is probably a bit past it's best now. Obviously Joe Canning is still young but a fair few of the rest are the wrong side of 30 now. Will still be dangerous enough though.

Reckon they will be playing Na Piarsaigh in the semis and they have a young enough team I think so they may have the legs on Portumna at this stage but if it stays tight then Portumna have the experience to win games like that.

[belleaqua]

Would portuma be as good as they were a few years ago? Suppose time will tell.

Would like to see otb make the breakthrough from leinster but think b'boden will go through. Munster and leinster very competitive.

No - by no means at the standard of their 2 in a row team but still a crafty and experienced side. Lack the pace they had but have put in one huge push this year for a County Title and more. Probably see a couple of retirements after this irrespective of the the All Ireland series results. Wouldn't be at all surprised if they win it but expecting the hunger and ability of other sides left will see them through.

[johnneycool]

Ballyboden beaten by Mount Leinster Rangers in Leinster semi final.

That's some win for the Carlow champions, Boden were expecting to do big things in Leinster and beyond, but fell at the first hurdle.

Oulart the Ballagh will surely fancy their chances now, but shouldn't take the Rangers for granted as Boden can testify to..

Lehane wasn't enough for Sixmilebridge who during the bit I was able to watch were susceptible to the odd goal with the No15 for Midleton causing problems for the bridge defence and set up a good chance for Lehane who hit the side netting with it. If the umpire hadn't have been on his toes there could have been a bit of consternation as the ball ended up inside the net because the side netting hadn't been tied down. He rightly stood his ground and gave it as wide.

Why can simple things like this not be sorted and fixed before the game starts and this was no club ground somewhere, it was Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

[Milltown Row2]

Ballyboden beaten by Mount Leinster Rangers in Leinster semi final.

That's some win for the Carlow champions, Boden were expecting to do big things in Leinster and beyond, but fell at the first hurdle.

Oulart the Ballagh will surely fancy their chances now, but shouldn't take the Rangers for granted as Boden can testify to..

Lehane wasn't enough for Sixmilebridge who during the bit I was able to watch were susceptible to the odd goal with the No15 for Midleton causing problems for the bridge defence and set up a good chance for Lehane who hit the side netting with it. If the umpire hadn't have been on his toes there could have been a bit of consternation as the ball ended up inside the net because the side netting hadn't been tied down. He rightly stood his ground and gave it as wide.

Why can simple things like this not be sorted and fixed before the game starts and this was no club ground somewhere, it was Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Mount Leinster Rangers won the All Ireland Intermediate final and have made a massive step up in class, Ken Hogan was saying yesterday that they were hosting the feile last year and they came with a very strong team and wiped away most of the clubs including his own club, all the kids have hurling bags with at least 3 hurls in it. Stuck between all the big hurling counties is paying big dividends I'd say

[johnneycool]

Ballyboden beaten by Mount Leinster Rangers in Leinster semi final.

That's some win for the Carlow champions, Boden were expecting to do big things in Leinster and beyond, but fell at the first hurdle.

Oulart the Ballagh will surely fancy their chances now, but shouldn't take the Rangers for granted as Boden can testify to..

Lehane wasn't enough for Sixmilebridge who during the bit I was able to watch were susceptible to the odd goal with the No15 for Midleton causing problems for the bridge defence and set up a good chance for Lehane who hit the side netting with it. If the umpire hadn't have been on his toes there could have been a bit of consternation as the ball ended up inside the net because the side netting hadn't been tied down. He rightly stood his ground and gave it as wide.

Why can simple things like this not be sorted and fixed before the game starts and this was no club ground somewhere, it was Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Mount Leinster Rangers won the All Ireland Intermediate final and have made a massive step up in class, Ken Hogan was saying yesterday that they were hosting the feile last year and they came with a very strong team and wiped away most of the clubs including his own club, all the kids have hurling bags with at least 3 hurls in it. Stuck between all the big hurling counties is paying big dividends I'd say

Plus club hurling in Kilkenny giving them regular competitive games at a high level.

[deiseach]

It really has been a banner (pun unintended) year for hurling. Well done to Mount Leinster Rangers on reinforcing that.

[Minder]

Na Piarsaigh look like they will be hard to work in All Ireland Semi

[CitySlicker11]

3 of the 4 All Ireland semi finalists now know, with the 4th TBC next weekend, what way are the odds fixed now?

[Milltown Row2]

3 of the 4 All Ireland semi finalists now know, with the 4th TBC next weekend, what way are the odds fixed now?

Portumna favs 11/10 Loughgiel 10/3 OTB 4/1 as is Na Piarsaigh with Mount Rangers sitting on 20/1!!

[Bord na Mona man]

Loughgiel are the best team still in it, but they've been going at it for a few years now and may come unstuck against a fresher team.

[north aontroim gael]

Loughgiel are the best team still in it, but they've been going at it for a few years now and may come unstuck against a fresher team.

Na Piarsaigh @ 4/1 are a big price.  Serious outfit and will give Portumna their fill of it.