Messages

Dd and Eddie to start

thought karl stewart was little off form, after being fantastic the last day i saw him (Wexford).  a few lads pretty poor and shouldn't be there i agree.  McCloskey worth a punt, but its forwards i reckon, not so sure SIE about Scullion, would be more interested in seeing the brother up.  half forward line was very poor in particular

Thought the same minder, at about 10 down thought we had it,  see cork turned over the cats

He's not the only one, . If anyone deserves a drink or two he does.

as long as he doesn't take it as serious as his training.  off course these men deserve the spoils. 

Why what am I missing here?!

Is it a hurling debate or what goes on in a bar? Loughgiel have just won the top prize and you're fishing for crap.

never far away from the moral high ground MR2

Its obvious the best team on the day won. I would agree with Milltowns outlook on the game. What Loughgiel had over Coolderry was that they were clinical. Watson didn't get the ball as much as he probably have liked but he surely made it count when he did. Obviously it was wise to keep as much ball away from Joe Brady as possible and I think only one poc-out went down the centre. He cleaned up what ball went his way but he was never going to be able to win much out the wings. I don't think he was given time to actually pick out a pass as he was quickly closed down.

Coolderry had got inside the Loughgiel FB line a couple of times in first 15 mins or so but their touch seriously let them down. Coolderry keeper and full back were bomb scares.

agree brady was the man to avoid but he did get to a lot of poc outs, thought like mr2 midfield and half forward line of shams didn't win much ball. 

congratulatinos to the shamrocks, absolutely superb.  they can walk even taller now and join elite clubs in ireland who have 2 all irelands.  as ulster and antrim hurling fan it means i have more pride going to games in the south now for the shamrocks played and won in some style.  Watson wasn't on the ball as much as semi Mr2 correct there.  However there was very few times when on it that it he didn't use it to the full potential.  as for striking a hurling ball there are few blessed with how sweet he can hit it.  that free he took was sensational.  thought the corner back R McCloskey exceptional display and shay casey ? corner forward and these fellows are not going to disappear anytime soon.  just hope the team can stay together and who knows how many trophies they could lift.  too many body blows for a good coolderry team to recover from in the first half.  my only wish is i could get translation of what donal o grady and fluery were saying.  6 pundits in southern press all tipped the southern team surprise surprise.  well done Shams.  come on Saffrons today a rising tide !!!!!  Does this mean PJ will be managing the All-Stars next year ?  God help us in the bookies in ballymena now, the big man can be tight enough to listen to at the best of times

[unless there's wi-fi in Croker]

I'm heading down today about 12ish. The butterflies haven't arrived yet but they're on their way, that's for sure. There'll be no messaging during the game from me, unless there's wi-fi in Croker. I got last month's phone bill in a couple of weeks ago. It was a bit of a shocker, to say the least.

Everyone is injury free and raring to get at it. If the lads perform the way they can, they're in with a great shout. My prediction is shamrocks by 2.

There is

there's always one Colonel

in case i would forget, final good luck to loughgiel shamrocks on Saturday.  It would be brilliant obviously for the parish but also for every hurler and supporter in Ulster.  Actually think they will do it, therefore predicting an ulster double.  although fancy the other football team to a degree Cross just turn up and tend to win as if its another day out.

hope to see eddie McCloskey really take the mantle of best forward behind watson (as long as no nonsense).   

only thing is, will you ever know who you are playing in the leagues with the county messing about as much.

MR2 I heard there was a good crowd in attendance for the Referees meeting in creggan last night did you go, anything to report on the coming season, did you pass the exam they set? Would say that some boys would have struggled unless the pass mark was low?

I'd say some lads did struggle, myself included  , decent crowd there also. A very informative speech from the CCC on the measures that they will take this season, with regards to refereeing and abuse to referees from players, managers and supporters. I forsee plenty of cards and zero tolerance on abusive language this season. He finished up with a talk about the ongoing appeals regarding the 'Incident', of course I'll not be revealing that but it was an eye opener.

Don't know if I will be refereeing this year, as something else may come up for me to do..........

may i be the first to congratulate you in your new managerial position as St Galls senior hurling manager, or selector

50/50 split between the Hogan and Cusack. The powers that be decided to charge kids full price to sit in the Hogan but only €5 for the Cusack. Those families heading down with kids are going to sit in the Cusack, no contest really. So much for the whole "club is family" nonsense.

think that was a good idea SIE, lot of people go simply to focus on game and young children can be a distraction.  so this policy clearly allows those with the younger families to head to a particular zone, leaving the hogan for adults more.  still think the navin should be letting people under the age of 16 in free. i myself will be in the hogan and am really looking forward to hearing the roar for the shamrocks arrival on the pitch.  would there be many loughgiel people going to stay on the fri or sat nite in croke park hotel. 

not sure how many shams will slot in the starting 15 but i will off course offer a very educated opinion

eddie mccloskey and winker i would have thought need to be accommodated in the forward division.

johnny campbell in defence along with dd and i would really not be that sure after that.  hear martin scullion isn't goin up, not saying he should be playing, or that he shouldn't be playing just to ward off red and white uproar.

Also heard neil McAuley was for shipping off to the land of Oz.

Just hope we don't need to dip into the bench

yeah it is about time the fixtures were distributed. people in full time employment to get these matters sorted.  believe jerry has produced a few surprises with the team for sunday.  few posiitonal switches and a few different personnel