Hurling 2026

[johnnycool]

Galway are much better in the S&C department this year. Some interesting talent coming through.They might have a chance in Leinster.

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/about-us/news-and-events/news-archive/2024/may/university-of-galway-appoints-new-director-of-sport-and-physical-wellbeing.html

Paying off already.

Galway will take heart from that game tonight 
They were with Limerick the whole way.

[marty34]

Good games tonight apart from Cork V Offaly.

Galway come back well in 2nd half but O'Neill's point broke their momentum when they must have tagged on 4 or 5 pts in a row. But I think it was more to do with Limerick taking the foot off the gas. Galway's young guns showed well but the Mannions still key men for them. Whelan showed glimpses of his ability. They could have been in a league final only for Hayes' stop at the death.

Limerick and Cork will be a tasty league final, in the GG's by all accounts. Both will want to win it even though they'll meet shortly after it in the championship. O'D seems to be staying at No. 6 and holding that spot. O'Neill and English link up well and Lynch just floats about that middle third. He's such a wizard.

Limerick's bench is good. I thought Gillane pulled the hamstring but came back on. He's some operator in there. Would love to watch his movement from right behind the goals. He must make some runs and only gets the ball a few times. If fit, Peter Casey will start.

Tipp would have loved to relegate KK in Thurles but not to be. KK's plucky 1pt win over Waterford saved them. TJ back at ff and got a bit from play. That's where he'll be based come championship time. Put Mossy, a serious goal threat, in beside him for
the breaks.

Poor Offaly, if they lose tomorrow V Meath in the football will have both of their senior teams relegated on 0 pts. Disappointing for them. I wouldn't really read much into Cork's
win.

 

[EoinW]

Nice breakdown of today's games.  I was surprised KK v Tipp wasn't available on GAA+ but the game in Limerick was very good. 

Galway looked impressive against each of the top 4 counties.  I liked how accurate their shooting was today, compared to all the wides they were hitting their first two matches. Should they be Leinster favourites this year?  I'm looking forward to seeing how much more they improve.

[seafoid]

Nice breakdown of today's games.  I was surprised KK v Tipp wasn't available on GAA+ but the game in Limerick was very good. 

Galway looked impressive against each of the top 4 counties.  I liked how accurate their shooting was today, compared to all the wides they were hitting their first two matches. Should they be Leinster favourites this year?  I'm looking forward to seeing how much more they improve.

I think they should be favs after the bating they gave to the cats.

[seafoid]

Galway are much better in the S&C department this year. Some interesting talent coming through.They might have a chance in Leinster.

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/about-us/news-and-events/news-archive/2024/may/university-of-galway-appoints-new-director-of-sport-and-physical-wellbeing.html

Paying off already.

Galway will take heart from that game tonight 
They were with Limerick the whole way.

It might be the start of something
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb52kJeCzoA

[johnnycool]

Galway are much better in the S&C department this year. Some interesting talent coming through.They might have a chance in Leinster.

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/about-us/news-and-events/news-archive/2024/may/university-of-galway-appoints-new-director-of-sport-and-physical-wellbeing.html

Paying off already.

Galway will take heart from that game tonight 
They were with Limerick the whole way.

It might be the start of something
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb52kJeCzoA

God, that was 2012 and it was still man on man, hip to hip with the inklings of possession creeping in, but the onus was still on each and every player to win their own ball.

For me the intensity was higher then, there was very little of this passing it around a few defenders etc we see now, as soon as you got the ball you were surrounded in no time.
Skill levels have probably improved, but that was a no nonsense clip there.

[Milltown Row2]

I knew Laois would be strong favs but Christ! Kerry were abysmal

[marty34]

League Finals of top 2 divisions tomorrow. Looking forward to them. A national title on the line. I think Limerick and Cork will go after it big time. Most important game is the next one. There's a trophy on the line so I don't think anyone will be holding back.

Gaelic Grounds will be almost full - a few tickets still available on-line as of last evening. Maybe the upcoming poor weather is putting people off. Should the two finals be in Croke Park? Maybe not if tickets not sold out for tomorrow. Maybe get more Dublin and neutral fan going to Croke Park - all under a roof etc. It's really 6 of 1, half a dozen of the other.

Getting back to the games. Limerick and Cork should be a belter. My sense of it now is that there's a genuine 'hate' building up between the two of them. Maybe 'hate' is too strong a word but there's a definate edge to these games now. Like an old bull and a pretender to the throne. Cork will be thinking we need to beat them 'properly' as they won on penalties last year. Can they do it this year?

I like the 2 Downeys in the half-back line. Mirroring, in a way, Limerick's half back line. Good in the air and  very physical. Downey probably paying price for full back last year - unfair I think, but a good addition in the middle third now.

Tommy O'Connell has forced his way into mid-field. O'Connor seems to like his abrasive and physicl nature in there. A good disrupter who puts himself about. With this, it frees up Fitzgibbon to do what he wants in the half-forward role. Basically just find the pockets of space, especially if Collins can get his puck out off early. Key question for Limerick is who picks him up? Can't see their half-backs of mid-fielders doing it. Will they even man mark him? I think they'll need to.

It's a strong team that Cork have named - if they start like that? Declan Dlton has dropped down the pecking order recently. While Harnedy has come back into it and is an experienced operator the only thing for me is, that he's either hit or miss i.e. he's score 5pts from play of drift out of the game and get hooked on 50mins. Big game for him tomorrow and Cork will be in business. Only player, who I think, should be in is Mark Coleman. He, like Diarmuid Healy, must be injured.


Limerick will be gunning for this game. After an unexpected defeat in the opening game to Waterford, they've refocused and pushed on. Outwith the Waterford game, the only thing Kiely and Kinerick will be disappointed about in the league is the last 15 mins against Galway. Probably a bit about both teams' attitude in last 15 mins in fairness. Maybe that was a blessing in disguise and gave Limerick a kick up the back side that they needed. A warning sign.

This is, and has been, a fantastic team this past while. Gave some joy to the people of Limerick. When you look at how the Dublin footballers ended up, the same, in my opinion, could happen to the Limerick hurlers in a few years. I'm not writing them off but just stating the obvious. Their minor and U20 teams in the past 3/4 years haven't set the heather blazing. Maybe that's a discussion for another day.

I think the defeat, on penalties, to Cork last year really hurt them. The Dublin defeat was a shock but it was just that, a shock. A one off I think. The Cork itch is a more local itch. And, as I said earlier, it is personal.

Limerick will play as they normally play. Nice triangles in possession working the ball out all entwinned with making good decisions on the ball. Hayes will gallop down the wing and hit a point. They'll hit points from all over the field. Tom Morrisey will come on in the 2nd half and hit his typical point on the sideline. Barry Nash will come up the field and hit a point. They've very fluid and flexible in their system - regardless of who plays. W'OD will be that enforcer at No. 6. Hitting anything that moves. And hitting them hard.

Now my ode to Gillane. He is an unreal corner forward. He makes so many great runs and doesn't get the ball but he keeps doing them. A selfless forward. But he keeps alive - never switches off. Like the Galway game, the ball came in and hit off the post and bang! A goal. No messing. Just fully switched on to what was happening around him. I watched it a few times and the defender didn't really do anything wrong. He too, was tuned in but whether it was Gillane's experience or sharpness, he was that split second quicker. Plus you can feed Gillane any type of ball. He's always looking for it. Like a lot of these Limerick players - a generational player.

The question, for me is, has Ben O'Connor had enough time to add enough steel to this Rebels panel - individually and collectly?

We'll find out tomorrow.

I just about fancy Limerick. 

PS. I'll do a summary of Clare V Dublin tonight.       

[marty34]

In regards to the Division 1B final, I think it'll be another tight contest. Both Clare and Dublin will be happy with their year to date. Objective of being promoted being achieved by both. That would have been the priority fo both at the start of the season. Wexford would have fancied their chances but I think they're a bit behind Clare and Dublin. Rory O'Connor being in Oz hasn't helped them. They are still, in my opinion, overly reliant on Lee Chin. 

Clare allegedly had a pact after last year that they'd give it one more blast - no retirements in 2026. When you look at their panel, it seems true. Still have a great spine but no John Conlon at No. 6. In comes Niall O'Farrell from Broadford and he's in a central position so Lohan must have faith in him...if that's the way he lines them out.

Good to see Shane O'D in - usually doesn't play much in the league but he was playing V Antrim in Cushendall. Another player who I like is Diarmuid Stritch - althouh he's on the bench but he could get some game time.

I think, if thinking ahead to their respective provisional championships and how well they do, will be framed on their league campaigns. What I mean by this is, if they both do well the narrative will be they could try different players and systems etc. in the league.  Conversely, if they have a poor championship, the narrative will be that Div. 1B was too easy and they are undercooked for their respective  championships.

Dublin came into this year full of confidence are they beat Limerick in a knock out game last year - and being a man down also. Fair enough, Cork rattled in the goals in past them in the semi-final but I think they're on an upward trajectory under Niall Ó Cailleachán. They'll be going for this national title tomorrow and won't fear Clare. They could and should have beaten them in Ennis earlier in the year.

John Hetherton is a great focal point for Dublin on the edge of the square. His battle with Ceary will be interesting. Old style ff V fb. Referee will hopefully get the pulling and dragging calls right.  But like Gillane, he's always an option for the long out ball.

Liam Rush back on the panel I hear but not on the 26 so he must be getting ready for their upcoming championship campaign. Maybe being along the sideline for his TG4 work has whetted his hurling appetite again. Having Eoghan O'Donnell back from his football stint is a great boost for them. With him and Lucan Sarsfield's Crummey in defense, it's a good strong spine.

Again a good battle in prospect if the wind dies down. I think Dublin's need is more so they're getting my vote. I'll probably be wrong on my two calls as if Clre and Cork win, I wouldn't be surprised either. 

[Milltown Row2]

Looking forward to these games today..

Both games will be tight I feel, the few weeks wait has also allowed the teams time to prepare clear up any niggles and focus on a title, while the 'b' title is less of a competition it's going to give Dublin an idea of the Championship pace they'll need going forward

Cork really need to get going and lay a marker down, Limerick want to get back to winning All Irelands again so all to play for..

Weather doesn't look as bad as yesterday so hopefully it doesn't play a part in the games

[Milltown Row2]

If the first 20 minutes are anything to go by, Dublin won't make much headway or Clare have lifted the standards

[Saffrongael]

Some really poor play from Dublin, ponderous, slow, having clear possession and playing it to a 40/60 battle.

I know they like to play between the lines but sometimes you just have to put the ball in when the pass isn't there.

[Milltown Row2]

So some times teams plan how they need to peak for later on in the year and looks like Dublin are doing that has they look heavy legged, no pace or intent

The free taker is poor for Dublin, there's a wind but even if its a ten point wind, Clare will score more than 11 points against that

I suppose Clare need to be hitting the Munster Championship with more pace and better peaked as its relentless

[Blowitupref]

A goal for Dublin might make for interesting last 8 minutes  2-22 to 3-17.

Good save to prevent a 4th Dublin goal.

FT Clare 2-26 Dublin 3-20

[Blowitupref]

60 mins played Limerick 1-21 Cork 1-17