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Bud, I know you cancelled your account here so I can't PM you (though did you just sign up again?).

Anyway, just to let you know I got those. Thanks for going out of your way like that. Much appreciated.

tut, tut. Showing some soccer friendly instead of the munster under-21 hurling final last night, relegating the hurling to a slot after 10pm. I'm surprised at them. I really thought they had their priorities right.

They're no better than RTE really. God forbid they ever got the rights to show the senior championship games and one of them clashed with an inter-toto cup game between Sunderland and Levski Sofia. The hoppers on the latest bandwagon in Ireland have to be looked after before GAA people.

If you're still about these parts, I just noticed on ticketmaster that Okkervil River are on their way back here. They've announced a date for Dublin in December (on sale tomorrow). Not sure if they're playing up north or not.

Should be good

Well if anything is gonna bring the Tipp lads out of hibernation it'll be that result from saturday.

I ended up at this game after misjudging the start time of the Dublin-Offaly game (3pm on a saturday is a stupid time for any game), and have to say I was most pleasantly surprised by what went on. Not necessarily just Cork being beaten, but the standard and intensity of the fare on show. Who knew that Tipperary would save their best performance in at least 5 years for a day when they were missing one of their greatest ever hurlers?

After 15 minutes it looked like this was gonna be a hammering for Tipp. They looked lethargic and lacking in any kind of ideas. The only player making any inroads in the forward line was Benny Dunne, but that was only when standing shoulder to shoulder with Curran. When he drifted, Curran's magnetic hand dominated the show. Tipp's naive tactic of picking Micheal Webster backfired in more ways than one. Not only did the rock eat him alive but his presence seemed to be an invitation for Tipp to lob in high ball whenever they got a chance. None of the other forwards were getting a look in at all.

The goal definitely changed the game, and was slightly fortuitous. It was a lovely first touch by Lar Corbett, moreso given the conditions, and his ball to the very impressive Willie Ryan was perfection. Donal Og was truly rattled all game and it looked like one of those days when he was going to struggle under any ball that came his way. When is the last time anyone saw a keeper pull first time on an incoming ball the way he did in the second half? A major no-no for any keeper.

The platform for this Tipp performance was set up by Declan Fanning at 3 and Conor O'Mahony at 6, coupled with some woeful play by Cork's forwards. Fanning was majestic throughout, though his performance wasn't without its flaws. He was poor for the Cork goal, and probably unsurprisingly so given how he failed to deal with a couple of high balls in the first half. One in particular he actually waited for his man to miss the ball, which he didn't, rather than challenge. That's something you'd rarely see in a junior B game. Overall though I'd have put him down as having given a man-of-the-match performance.

Even at half-time I couldn't see Tipp winning this game. They had fought back well but were getting little from their forwards. Though all their scores had come from play (I think) at that stage, they were limited to long-range shooting. Seamus Butler's ratio of scores to shots was starting to look worrying. I'm not sure at what point things changed for Tipp's forwards, or why they changed when they did. Maybe it was Lar Corbett outsprinting Shane Murphy for a ball, despite starting 5 yards behind him. Maybe it was the Rock's stupid follow-through on Willie Ryan. Maybe, and I think more likely, it was the introduction of Darragh Egan and John Carroll, who really steeled things up up front. Egan in particular was far better than the one-dimensional Webster. His score from the sideline was the score of the game I reckon.

The second Tipp goal was calamitous from a Cork point of view. Shane Murphy looks a fine hurler, but hes very slow. Willie Ryan wouldn't be the paciest in the world, but even he figured he'd have a go at him. It was a poor enough shot that should have been saved, though then again maybe Donal Og was expecting a blaster. That can often happen a keeper.

Eamonn Corcoran was imperious in the second half for Tipp, which is amazing considering I though him a liability to them in the first half. His first half performance was awful and he was making Cronin look like a star. The new Tipp backs did very well too. I was well impressed with Alan Byrne and the Burgess lad down the left side. I thought Daragh Hickey showed some lovely touches. He looks to be a fine hurler and will shape up as a fine Tipp player in the future.

Cork didn't like it when it was put up to them physically. They were excellent for 20 mins or so. Their support play was amazing during that spell and their half-back line was commanding. Once Benny Dunne, followed by Lar Corbett, decided to take on Ronan Curran man for man, Tipp started eating into that dominance. Dunne in particular deserves a lot of credit (lets be hearing you on that one HOH!!). Cork's full-back line started well but started to fade a bit. They surely have better options that Murphy at corner back? The Rock was grand until Egan came on and started to hurl him. Cork's midfield started well but faded badly. The introduction of Tom Kenny did make a slight difference but it was too little too late really. Cork's forwards were very poor. They are still playing players who do not look up to that level. Neil Ronan tried, but just isn't good enough. Both Kieran Murphy's contribute little from play. Ben O'Connor can't be relied on, though does pop up from time to time with the odd gem. Joe Deane was very good, but some of his touches and moves were a little too clever for his team-mates. His 'step-over' in the first half, where he let the ball run on to Cronin was pure class. Cronin is a real find, but hes still too raw to be able to lead the Cork attack through a crisis like the one they experienced on saturday.

Overall Tipp can be very satisfied with this. They hurled well. They hurled with great intensity. They didn't panic when the writing looked to be on the wall for them.

Now, what odds on a no-show for Tipp against Wexford and the shock result of the championship?

Oh, and if Tipp have any aspirations in advancing further in the championship, they have to reinstate Brendan Cummins. Kennedy looks dodgy as hell and certainly doesn't look to be inspiring confidence in his back line. His striking was very poor, particularly on the frees that he came out to take (which was bizarre in itself as Eamon Corcorcan could have hit them) which he seemed to top. Maybe it was the wet ball but I couldn't imagine Cummins striking the ball that poorly.

Moderator, any chance of splitting the GAA forum into 2, one for football and another for hurling.

The hurling one is bound not to be all that busy, but at least the hurling threads are certain to be more active than those currently on here, that seem to fade away to page 2 or 3 within a matter of hours.

I know such a split will bring me back to form, and at least one other contributor has voiced a similar opinion.

What say you? Worth a shot?

This is quite amazing;

http://www.irishcycling.com/publish/news/art_2365.shtml


see also;

http://www.tonygriffinfoundation.com

The pitch looks to be in a very poor state. For yesterday's hurling finals the field looked very patchy (though didn't have any noticeable affect on the players). Down by the sideline looks very worn out and the 3 big RBS signs stained into the grass don't look good at all.

The showpiece club events of the year take place next saturday. The players involved in that deserve better for their big day out.

Its very bad form and was a bad miscalculation by the GAA. The pitch should be left lie for a month or so before the paddy's day games (and the junior/inter club finals) next year so as not to have a repeat performance.

I notice also that the advertising hoardings were covered over. I hope the advertisers who pay their money for advertising at GAA games get their ads put back up for the paddy's day games. Its only fair after all.

Its an interesting clash next saturday. It will be interesting to see how the rugby affects the club final attendance, especially considering that the weather isn't meant to be all thast great.

Humphries used to be a good sports journalist. I actually used to think there none better, with the exception, maybe, of Enda McEvoy. Of late though hes turned into a hypocrite who whinges too much and  thinks hes funny, when hes clearly not.

Apologies Tom, I expressed an opinion just there. Shame on me.

PS> You and your ilk won the Rule 42 vote, so how about we drop it?