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Couple of significant results this afternoon.   Tipperary 1-13; Clare 0-10 and London 0-14; Waterford 1-10.   Big set backs for Clare and Waterford, who were both going well, but Tipp are back with a chance in the promotion race.

Have heard good reports about the Cavan Under 21's.   Are they worth a bet to win Ulster this year.  4/1 looks to be a decent price.

Another disappointing performance from Tipp last night in Dungarvan.    We were a point behind at half time and were level early in the second half, but conceded a very soft goal after 7 or 8 minutes and Waterford were in control for most of the rest of the game.  In that second half Tipp scored just 3 points, all from frees.   Waterfford will make a good bid for promotion, but Tipp's league season is almost over.  Some turn around from beating Cork in the McGrath Cup just a month ago.

Unfortunately not, but there are very promising players from the 2011 All Ireland winning team on the Under 21 panel and a few being introduced to the Senior panel.  Wisely, they are not being rushed.    5 or 6 of those minors will be playing Senior in a year or two.   Hard to pick out the best prospect, but if I had to, I would go for Colin O'Riordan.  He was the youngest player on the Minor team and is still playing Minor this year.   He was a half back in 2011 and 2012, but will captain the team this year from midfield.  He is going to be very good.   I suppose it would be expecting to much for another Declan Browne to appear though.

I have been contributing to this forum since November, 2006 and have near enough to a 1,000 posts.  Last Sunday's defeat by Carlow was a serious blow to Tipp's promotion hopes as we still have 4 away games to play and only 2 home games.   An especially bad result as Tipp were leading by 11 points to 5 coming up the half time and looked to have enough of a lead to face the breeze in the 2nd half.  The Carlow goal just before half time changed everything.   It injected great life into Carlow and Tipp did not respond as well as they should have.   Tomorrow'night's game in Dungarvan is a must win game for Tipp.  Another defeat and having to play Kerry in the 1st Round of the Munster Championship (fourth year in a row) and we will be looking to the Minors, going for 3 in row in Munster and the Under 21's to salvage the season even at this early stage.   It would expecting a lot expect the minors to beat both Cork and Kerry again this year, but the Under 21's are a serious team and are real contenders.

Looks like the refereeing crisis is getting worse.  I did not think that was possible, but a lot of referees are clearly out of their depth.  18 yellow cards is crazy stuff.  You would often wonder where Croke Park find some of these refs.  I was in Thurles today, where a Carlow player was sent off for the softest second yellow card that you could imagine.  The referee did not show much respect for that player today.

Played at right full back for the Kerry minors in 2011.

Big surprise and a very pleasant one in the McGrath Cup Quarter Final today - Tipperary 2-9; Cork 1-9.  5 of Tipp's All Ireland Minor team of 2011 made their senior debuts in the game.

Usually 5 euro for the McGrath Cup games.  Not too sure about the Final.

In Munster, the word is that Kerry have withdrawn from the McGrath Cup, because of college teams having first call on some of their players and Dr. Croke's playing in the All Ireland Club semi final.

Itchy, you are on the ball with regard to referees and that is why I am completely opposed to players being sent off for 1 yellow card.  You are dead right when you say that the referees that are being promoted by the GAA are the whistle happy guys.  The newer refs that I have seen in the last few years are hopeless.  IMO this is a major problem for the GAA and until Croke Park recognises that we have a refereeing problem, nothing will be done to remedy it.

A truly brilliant player and a gentleman on and off the field.  As modest and genuine a person as you will ever meet.   It was a real pleasure to watch him play so often over the years, including what has turned out to be his second last match about a month ago.

Another great forward retired from the game at the weekend.  Declan Browne played his last game for his club. Moyle Rovers, in the County League Final against Eire Og.    Tipperary's greatest ever footballer and a gentleman on and off the field.   His loyalty to Tipp was something that was admired by all. 

Johnny Maher is now the best known club hurler in the country.   Maybe he will take Joe's place on the Galway team.

32 county titles all right, but most of them were won long before the Munster Club Championship started.   Still true that they have underperformed in Munster.  Get the feeling that this could be their year to go all the way to Croke Park on St. Patrrick's Day.  They have a seriously strong panel of players, but have still to deliver on the big day.