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Many counties first objective should be to make the Super 8's and all of the glamour that comes with that. Such teams that have a decent chance of making it include Roscommon, Tipp, Kildare etc. Who are some of the dark horses that you think could go on a qualifier run and make the Super 8's? Counties like a Down, Meath, Clare, Fermanagh, Laois. I think the only guarantees for it at the moment are Galway, Dublin and Kerry so still a lot to play for. I think the qualifiers are going to be followed alot more this year particularly the round 4 qualifiers with what is on the line.

Dublin are set to take on Wicklow in Aughrim in two weeks time. Not all of Dublin's season ticket holders will get a ticket. Will the GAA move it out of Aughrim? It would be some occasion if it goes ahead there!

Welcome along to Episode 1 of The Hurling Show on Off The Ball - Shane Stapleton and Michael Verney in the studio this afternoon, with Antrim hurler Neil McManus joining us on Skype!
We'll hear from Joe Canning and Kevin Martin later in the show, as we talk through the weekend's hurling - from the new round-robin systems to the Joe McDonagh.
The tactics board will be out before 1 pm as we take a look at how Dublin and Kilkenny will set-up this year, and whether Offaly will employ their two sweepers against the reigning All-Ireland champions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-t2oBVusSM

It's one thing that I think everybody hates to see in soccer and it has been creeping into the GAA recently. The GAA should set an example of what happened today and that fullback should be given a 3/4 match ban. It's totally unacceptable and could well have cost Corofin a place in the final.
It's in the video below for anyone who didn't see it live.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E150d_zZVNM

Goalkeepers must now reach at minimum the 21 yard line with their kickouts. It has led to longer kickouts and plenty of marks but also some costly mistakes by some teams as seen in the video below which features two incidents of poor kickout routines from last weekends matchups. Will goalies figure it out or will this become a feature of this year's Championship?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr_wE_IHua4&feature=youtu.be

What if the league winner in Div 2/3/4 of the National Football Leagues were promoted outright without a final? The second place and third place teams play in a playoff final in a neutral venue to aid provincial towns. The winner would be promoted. There would be more to play for in the final rounds of the leagues as a third-place team could still get promoted. These games would possibly take greater importance than championship games. A money spinner for the GAA as well and I think neutrals would actually want to watch these games.
For example, the 2nd/3rd place playoff could look something like this

Meath v Roscommon in Tullamore Div 2 playoff final
Westmeath v Armagh in Breffni Park Div 3 playoff final
Laois v Carlow in Newbridge  Div 4 playoff final

Big crowds in provincial towns for an important winner take all games. The current Div. 2/3/4 finals are pretty meaningless and currently attract very small attendances.

A BBC Radio Ulster News report last night gave a Derry GAA result as Londonderry. Just felt it was obvious antagonization of the nationalists of Derry. Everybody interested in a GAA result would refer to Derry as "Derry". No need to call it anything else. What are yer thoughts on this? Am I reading too much into it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjwtSRPVQL8

Davy Fitzgerald shouts abuse at DCU Management. There's a bit of bad language so be warned. The Story behind it is DCU have a few Wexford lads on the team, Davy ran the f**k out of them before playing LIT in Fitzgibbon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J6IHz8sR3s

He also recently hit back at Brian Cody over comments following the Walsh Cup final
https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/davy-fitz-hits-back-at-brian-codys-comments-following-walsh-cup-final-36519584.html

Davy Fitzgerald shouts abuse at DCU Management. There's a bit of bad language so be warned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4J6IHz8sR3s

A big year ahead of us. To kick off us here is a preview show for the 2018 Allianz Hurling League featuring John Meyler live from Croke Park. The show also features Derek McGrath and Galway goalkeeper Colm Callanan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGPMC_ygY4k

First ever Free-taking competition in Hurlings history decides Wexford v Kilkenny
https://youtu.be/Nesr-E_XHjI

What attendances are people predicting for the upcoming league games? Personally, I think we will see record crowds this year across the country. Starting off in Cork in the new PUC with Cork Tipp and Cork Kilkenny under lights should be hitting 15,000-20,000.
There have been some strong crowds already in the Preseason Competitions such as
5,000 in Enniskillen for Fermanagh vs. Tyrone
3000 in the Hyde yesterday for Mayo/Ros
3200 at Gaelic Grounds for Clare v Limerick

The O'Byrne Cup final will more than likely now see a poor attendance on Sunday as it's on in Portlaois and is being covered on TG4. Any predictions on the attendance front for the coming year?

Don't see any thread on the Walsh Cup set up yet. It is final time with Wexford set to face Kilkenny after victories over Dublin and Offaly respectively in the semi-finals. Should be a good game and will set us up nicely for the league. I expect a big attendance in Nowlan Park for it too.
Davy Fitz gave an interview after their win today which can be seen below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r9TXaSwA6s

I am just enquiring whether there have been any highlights of any of the Preseason games posted online? Last year Ulster GAA posted a 6/7 minute highlight package on each McKenna Cup game on Youtube as did Dublin GAA with their O'Byrne Cup games. I am sure TG4 showed the McKenna Cup live a few years ago too. Just looking to see a bit of GAA action before the League campaigns begin.