Messages

David was a real sticky man marker. He will be a loss as unfortunately there is very little new blood coming through

I couldn't believe what I was reading in the Article.

Hickey is some amadan. he must never have seen the footage of McIlroy rejecting a tri-colour after his US open win. Rory seems to be careful now about flags, and just sticks to the NI flag, which is probably the safest bet for him considering the rubbish that some people come out with. The last thing he would want is to be out in front carrying the flag for whoever he chooses to play for.

Hickey may have just helped make up his mind.

A 4 point win for KK in the offaly final.

They trailed rynaghs by 4 at half time, but they dominated the third quarter to open a 6 point lead which proved decisive. To top it off they also claimed the minor title

I could never be a made boy.... my granny is a Protestant

Classic line

Offaly final this Sunday. Bookies have it close with Rynaghs at 10/11 and Kilcormac/Killoughey at evens.
Hard one to call. Rynaghs were very impressive in the 1/4 final win over Coolderry, and had a six point win in the semi final. KK just about got over Birr in the semi final, but many of their players are now lining out for a third final which could be important.
Both teams have a good number of U21's on show, whoever wins could set themselves up for a few years.
Going to stick my neck out and go with Rynaghs, by two points

Walsh doesn't strike me as a guy who'd cut it athletically in rugby at the top - level. He's big but not huge(by rugby standards) , he can run but he's not fast. He's the makings of a great full-forward but I don't see him playing for Leinster. I could see Sweetnam with his blinding pace as part of the Munster backline alright.

Your right there about Walsh from what I have seen of him so far. Could be the new Christy Heffernan

I feel that the game hinged completely on those five minutes in the second half following Donnelans disallowed goal.
In fairness to the ref he did try to play advantage but by the time Donnelan was striking the ball there had been about three fouls. Don't blame the ref, blame the rule book that does not allow a rugby style advantage.
Even still had Cannings shot hit the net, then it was anyones game, but instead Kilkenny managed to clear it and score, and instantly you could feel momentum was swinging back to the cats, then to top it all off, Donnelan has his red mist moment. Game over.

Westwood and Donald are terrible today, while much can't be said for some of the others

I'd say Walsh will be told to get in and rattle skehill early on if he plays

Any changes expected on Sunday in either side?

Hurls for sale at the ploughing - you couldn't get anything more Irish than that

Well lads who will come out on top?

I think Europe will sneak it.

Europe has an advantage in away games compared to the yanks when they travel, as most of the Europeans are vastly experienced at playing in the states, while some of the Americans hardly have a stamp on their passports.

I like the way Olazabal has honoured Seve on the bag and I reckon the Europeans will want to win it for him.

Hurling is always having a hurl in the boot of the car, you never know when you might have a few pucks.
It is always taking a look at a team mates new hurls.
It is spending a half an hour trying to find a hurl with the right balance and weight in some lads workshop.
It is enjoying a junior b game as much as king Henry an AIF.
It is awe inspiring to first time viewers from foreign lands.
It is getting your knuckles  bursted and not caring.
It is looking in the buy and sell for a second hand Cooper
It is hooks, flicks, roll lifts and 127 other skills.
It is ..... the greatest game on earth

Even before I played my first u/12 game of hurling at the age of ten wearing a pair of wellingtons with the cowdung still slinging off them back in 1954,the team were short and I didn't have to be asked twice,hurling is a magical game to me.Out in the Canaries for parts of the winter I still have a couple of hurls with me even at this age and regularly go for a few pucks with anyone who will accompany me,the foreigners find the game most interesting.The young lad out there next door aged 6 kicks football all day but I have him doing a little bit of hurling and he is mad for it,I have a small hurl already packed for my next visit and I will be looking out for him shouting down from the balcony "play" and making a striking movemment with his hands.Hurling is a fantastic game to play,so many many skills and is an enthralling game to watch.

When I was 12 I went on holidays to the canaries and my cousin of the same age was going. We packed in the sloithars and cheked in our hurls, but to our horror they never appeared when we landed. Needles to say we weren't too impressed

I just got two Hogan tickets for Sunday. I feel like a kid on Christmas eve. Can't wait.

A 3 point win today for Lusmagh over Rynaghs in the Offaly intermediate final sees the reds bounce straight back up to the senior ranks. Former Offaly player Aidan Hanrahan came off the bench early in the game for Lusmagh to give a man of the match performance