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Good luck to the hurlers on Sunday. They've been superb all year, restoring a bit of pride into the county. Deserving of every bit of success this year. I think they'll do it.

Waterford were impressive today. On that basis it could be their first all ireland since the fifties I think.

I think the Munster Champions might have something to say about that.

Nag no one at any stage is blaming hurling clubs for lack of football progress!!? Where do you get that from?

In fact come to think of it Im not sure the hurling clubs have actuslly that much to do with the recent mini revival of senior county hurling team. More like a handful of influential people got together and made it happen themselves.

Agree that football clubs need to be doing more to instigate a proper platform for progress. The reality is too many are wrapped up in their own affairs.

Id settle for a DOF with a proper support structure. That alone would be a good starting point. Its in the strategic plan for 2020 so maybe its in the offing.

The county hurling team is doing well because they have a great squad of very talented hurlers. Furthermore they have great attacking threat and options; Ciaran Clarke, Conor McCann, James McNaughton, Neil McManus, Dan McCloskey, Niall McKenna, Domhnal Nugent and Keelan Molloy to name a few

They have pace all over the pitch. Those hurlers and the talent, pace and intensity they possess have nothing to do with a 'handful of influential people getting together'. It's a direct result of their individual talents and the development they received within their clubs.

The current management team are getting a lot out of them. That's why they're heading to Division 1 and are likely to win the second tier championship.

I think they did. The McDonagh final is on ai day so it won't be over before the all Ireland.  It's usually over a good bit before it.

Definitely makes sense. Poor Antrim hurlers lose out this year. As was said earlier - getting a crack at 1B next season is more productive. It's the big prize.

Two teams go through to AI. Think it will be Antrim and Carlow/Kerry.

Ah I didn't realise that. Thanks. I expect Carlow. The McDonagh final is before the Liam McCarthy on all Ireland day this year. It would, well should now, be fantastic to see us playing in croke on ai day again.

Play Clare at corrigan and take tony Kelly out early lol.

[edit] I had a look. McDonagh teams don't get into the Liam McCarthy this year. According to this anyway...

http://www.tippsupportersclub.com/december-all-ireland-final-dates-confirmed-as-gaa-unveil-2020-championship-plan/

Unless they've changed the original plan due to COVID19

Joe McDonagh Cup proper

Initially each of the five teams play the other four teams in a round of single round-robin matches. The top two teams qualify for the Joe McDonagh Cup final, held at Croke Park.

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship

The top two teams after the round robin games, in addition to qualification for the Cup final, also enter the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship proper. There they play the third-placed teams in the Leinster and Munster championships in the two All-Ireland preliminary quarter finals with the Joe McDonagh Cup teams having home advantage.

I'm happy for a year in Div 1b

1b will certainly do us more good than a one off game. Still, would be lovely to give it our all v Clare at Corrigan.

Will be good to get a crack at Clare or Tipp to see how far we've come.

it would but I suspect at least 15 point gap, serious progress being made though

Agreed - probably closer to Clare than we'd get to Tipp. None of them will want to travel to Belfast.

Two teams go through to AI. Think it will be Antrim and Carlow/Kerry.

Will be good to get a crack at Clare or Tipp to see how far we've come.

Loughgiel Camogs stepping it up a gear in the second half. Roisin McCormick running the show.

was at the game on Sunday. really entertaining match between the two sides but Loughgiel were always on top from the very start of the game. Ballycastle did get back into the game but they never looked like going in front.

Christine Laverty was Loughgiels best player. serious work rate and broke up so much ball, won it and then delivered into the forwards. That said they will struggle to beat Sneill. they look seriously good still.

1st half was competitive enough i suppose but the 2nd half was a whitewash. Think Ballycastle scored once - with a few minutes to go. They just don't have enough quality up front and they couldn't contain Catrion Dobbin and Roisin McCormick. Christine Laverty had a good game but Roisin McCormick was head and shoulders above the rest. Even when they doubled up on her she still won 90% of the ball. Think she finished with about 15 points.

Dunloy v Ballycastle is where the battles lie over the next few seasons. Loughgiel too far in front to be caught just yet.

7 in a row in a very one sided final

Loughgiel Camogs stepping it up a gear in the second half. Roisin McCormick running the show.

Given one of their club men is doing a stretch inside for a nasty incident at a juvenile hurling match you'd think they'd learn.

Dunloy will be top of the pile for a time to come. Cushendal have little coming through, Loughiel have some decent but not spectacular underage teams, certainly not enough to compete with Coby, Keelan, Ronan, Seaan, Eoin, Deáglan and Ryan to name a few of their young guns.

Outside of that St John's and Rossa are next closest but only with their current crops. Could they do it over the next year or two? Maybe, if they keep everyone fit.

Ballycastle have underachieved for 30 years - the club needs read out from top to bottom. No coaching structures, no interest in developing weaker players. Until they get a hurl in every child's hand they will keep getting the same results. A fractured club.

St Endas are arguably the club everyone should be looking over their shoulders at. A great set up with great structures. A Gaelscoil in their grounds, great numbers and already success is starting to come their way in both codes. They travel to NA to compete in hurling competitions every week - clear buy in from the parents.

3 fully deserving Champions at the weekend. The senior game felt like a training match.