Munster championship 2014

[deiseach]

I got the impression at the time that McGraths hand was forced by Waterford CB, in a cost cutting measure more than anything else. although they had a warm weather training week away which I think the panel raised the funds for themselves.

I don't think there's any doubt that the lack of training sessions was a cost-cutting measure. My concern would be that Waterford fell apart in a similar manner in the corresponding fixture against Clare last year. If that's the pattern and not just a coincidence, something is seriously wrong.

Do you need a shrink or motivational coach in the backroom staff as well?

Is there one willing to do it for free?

[johnneycool]

I got the impression at the time that McGraths hand was forced by Waterford CB, in a cost cutting measure more than anything else. although they had a warm weather training week away which I think the panel raised the funds for themselves.

I don't think there's any doubt that the lack of training sessions was a cost-cutting measure. My concern would be that Waterford fell apart in a similar manner in the corresponding fixture against Clare last year. If that's the pattern and not just a coincidence, something is seriously wrong.

Do you need a shrink or motivational coach in the backroom staff as well?

Is there one willing to do it for free?

Would Mullane not give a rousing team talk at the start and again at half time for free? 

[deiseach]

He loves his kwownty.

[johnneycool]

It was ironic that someone, can't remember who, tweeted that 'Is this a great endorsement of more club games and less training?' about 3 minutes before it started to turn sour on Waterford.

Ha, I remember saying something similar after Antrim managed to beat Wexford in the U-21 semi-final last year when Kevin Ryan was bemused as to how Antrim had managed such a win when their collective training was next to non-existent with half a dozen turning up one night.

I do think there is a balance to be struck, and smaller counties in particular can't neglect their clubs by wrapping the county teams up in cotton wool as the standard of club hurling drops considerably.

Bloody hell, not only did the Antrim U-21's have very little collective training they were also scoffing a big bag of pick'n'mix on their way to the game. Throw all this diet and nutrition shit out the window as well!!

http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=217207

[johnneycool]

What will he be like when he hears about the barrack busters and pastie baps?

You might have to explain to the lads further south what the barrack buster is, although I did read somewhere that a pint of beer after a game was every bit as good as those lucozade sports type drinks for replacing lost salts and whatever, cider on the other hand!!

I remember heading home to training one night and the lad driving pulled into a chipper on the way out of Newtownards for an 'energy' burger as he called it.. 

[waterfordlad]

Tipperary v Limerick on Sunday. Tipp will be favourites after coming good towards end of league while Limerick didn't get promoted and lost Donal O'Grady afterwards. Conventional wisdom would be Tipp should win with home advantage but Limerick are Munster champions and beat Tipp last year so I reckon this will be close game with Tipp to edge it by a couple of points.

[AZOffaly]

Limerick should also have beaten Tipperary in Thurles 2 years ago as well, so Limerick are in no way underdogs for this game in my eyes, despite what the bookies say.

Tipperary seem to be going well though, there is a very positive air about them this year, which is noticeably different from the vibe around the place last year. I think Brendan Maher at centre back has been a revelation, but I suspect the Tipp team that starts on Sunday won't be the Tipp team that ends the year.

[didlyi]

The tipp defence have been leaky and Limerick can score goals. If they tighten up then Id say tipp will win.

[johnneycool]

The tipp defence have been leaky and Limerick can score goals. If they tighten up then Id say tipp will win.

I think they stemmed that leakiness with Brendan Maher in the centre back berth and Paudie Maher in full back and by filtering their midfield deeper down the field.

Bonner Maher at No.11 is their engine as their forwards lack that bit of industry and doggedness he brings to them. If Limerick can nullify his threat then the rest of the forwards can be meak enough, but given the right ball, Noel McGrath and the likes can put up big scores. Make them battle for it and there's still serious questions to be answered.

Don't know a whole pile about the 2014 version of Limerick, but with O'Grady missing from the line they may miss that bit of guile to eak out a win if they get close. There'll be plenty of blood and snotters from them, but that mightn'd be enough.

Tipp by 5

[AZOffaly]

I wouldn't be surprised if Padraig Maher isn't #3 by the end of the year.

[johnneycool]

I wouldn't be surprised if Padraig Maher isn't #3 by the end of the year.

He has an achilles heel of the big awkward catcher as proved by Aoiske O'Hailpan and Cussen which proved to be his downfall the last time he manned the square, Downes of Limerick might get a bit of leeway in there if the ball is pucked down on him close to the goals, Maher wants to catch everything himself, but allowing a forward to catch so close to the goals is a criminal offence for a full back, otherwise he's quick enough to sweep up anything that drops in and around that area.

Paul Curran is back from injury I believe, so they've a ready made replacement if things start going wrong.

[AZOffaly]

Yeah Curran is back and moving fairly well, but he's not hurled really since last October. A couple of club and challenge match halves here and there. I wouldn't be surprised if Conor O'Mahoney finds himself in there at some stage. I don't think he has the range for wing back.

[johnneycool]

Fair play to the Limerick lads, they'd their homework done on Tipp and ultimately just wanted it more when it came to the crunch.

Tipp at times did look impressive and worked the ball well and could have had a few more goals if it wasn't for last gasp blocks, flicks and hooks by the Limerick defence, Richie McCarthy in particular providing the stumbling block on more than one occasion.

Limerick did pump a few high ball on top of Downes (and later Dowling) and Paudie Maher, with Downes just shading it, but the Limerick forwards were quicker onto the breaking ball and made it count with the 21 yard free where the first goal came from and another harshly ruled out for Dowling playing the hurl I presume, although Kellys actions when awarding the free it is slightly unclear.
Either shooting from distance or dropping in high ball and battling for it in there negated the Tipp sweeper, with Brendan Maher quiet for large parts of the game, didn't make sense for Tipp to stay with that tactic IMO.
Bonner Maher did his utmost to win the game single handed for Tipp, his supporting cast let Tipp down when Limerick pushed for home in the dying minutes, drawing level then popping over the two insurance points, one from corner back Seamus Hickey who ran almost 40 yards unopposed to seal the victory.

Loughnane and Mulcahy on the sunday game last night were right to criticise the Tipp forwards for letting their opponents burst past them all too easy and put quality ball into their forwards, rather than force them backwards where the clearances would have to be on the back foot and higher in the air making it more likely to be a 50/50 contest. The Limerick forwards weren't as gracious and generous and worked like dogs to harry, jostle, hook, block and force the Tipp defenders to risk another pass and possibly lose possession.

Eamon O'Shea looks to be an unlucky manager as with all the faults in their play they could and should have won the game even if they didn't deserve to, maybe like last year the promising finish to the league is still masking the lack of championship hurlers on this Tipp team.

An unkind draw in the qualifiers and Tipp could be out by early July again.

Limerick will fancy their chances to go again, but this year a Munster championship won't be enough, they'll be wanting and needing to be in Croke park in September to whet the appetite this year.

[seafoid]

Fair play to the Limerick lads, they'd their homework done on Tipp and ultimately just wanted it more when it came to the crunch.

Tipp at times did look impressive and worked the ball well and could have had a few more goals if it wasn't for last gasp blocks, flicks and hooks by the Limerick defence, Richie McCarthy in particular providing the stumbling block on more than one occasion.

Limerick did pump a few high ball on top of Downes (and later Dowling) and Paudie Maher, with Downes just shading it, but the Limerick forwards were quicker onto the breaking ball and made it count with the 21 yard free where the first goal came from and another harshly ruled out for Dowling playing the hurl I presume, although Kellys actions when awarding the free it is slightly unclear.
Either shooting from distance or dropping in high ball and battling for it in there negated the Tipp sweeper, with Brendan Maher quiet for large parts of the game, didn't make sense for Tipp to stay with that tactic IMO.
Bonner Maher did his utmost to win the game single handed for Tipp, his supporting cast let Tipp down when Limerick pushed for home in the dying minutes, drawing level then popping over the two insurance points, one from corner back Seamus Hickey who ran almost 40 yards unopposed to seal the victory.

Loughnane and Mulcahy on the sunday game last night were right to criticise the Tipp forwards for letting their opponents burst past them all too easy and put quality ball into their forwards, rather than force them backwards where the clearances would have to be on the back foot and higher in the air making it more likely to be a 50/50 contest. The Limerick forwards weren't as gracious and generous and worked like dogs to harry, jostle, hook, block and force the Tipp defenders to risk another pass and possibly lose possession.

Eamon O'Shea looks to be an unlucky manager as with all the faults in their play they could and should have won the game even if they didn't deserve to, maybe like last year the promising finish to the league is still masking the lack of championship hurlers on this Tipp team.

An unkind draw in the qualifiers and Tipp could be out by early July again.

Limerick will fancy their chances to go again, but this year a Munster championship won't be enough, they'll be wanting and needing to be in Croke park in September to whet the appetite this year.

So much for the league.
Limerick will have spent a lot of time looking at Clare thinking they could just as well have done it. 

[Milltown Row2]

Fair play to the Limerick lads, they'd their homework done on Tipp and ultimately just wanted it more when it came to the crunch.

Tipp at times did look impressive and worked the ball well and could have had a few more goals if it wasn't for last gasp blocks, flicks and hooks by the Limerick defence, Richie McCarthy in particular providing the stumbling block on more than one occasion.

Limerick did pump a few high ball on top of Downes (and later Dowling) and Paudie Maher, with Downes just shading it, but the Limerick forwards were quicker onto the breaking ball and made it count with the 21 yard free where the first goal came from and another harshly ruled out for Dowling playing the hurl I presume, although Kellys actions when awarding the free it is slightly unclear.
Either shooting from distance or dropping in high ball and battling for it in there negated the Tipp sweeper, with Brendan Maher quiet for large parts of the game, didn't make sense for Tipp to stay with that tactic IMO.
Bonner Maher did his utmost to win the game single handed for Tipp, his supporting cast let Tipp down when Limerick pushed for home in the dying minutes, drawing level then popping over the two insurance points, one from corner back Seamus Hickey who ran almost 40 yards unopposed to seal the victory.

Loughnane and Mulcahy on the sunday game last night were right to criticise the Tipp forwards for letting their opponents burst past them all too easy and put quality ball into their forwards, rather than force them backwards where the clearances would have to be on the back foot and higher in the air making it more likely to be a 50/50 contest. The Limerick forwards weren't as gracious and generous and worked like dogs to harry, jostle, hook, block and force the Tipp defenders to risk another pass and possibly lose possession.

Eamon O'Shea looks to be an unlucky manager as with all the faults in their play they could and should have won the game even if they didn't deserve to, maybe like last year the promising finish to the league is still masking the lack of championship hurlers on this Tipp team.

An unkind draw in the qualifiers and Tipp could be out by early July again.

Limerick will fancy their chances to go again, but this year a Munster championship won't be enough, they'll be wanting and needing to be in Croke park in September to whet the appetite this year.

Kelly was 60 yards away from that call Johnny ffs, while not his fault as the ball was pumped long and getting there to see that would have been tough, I know the umpires have mics so maybe they called it but he didn't play the stick and just challenged (fairly IMO) for the ball. Limerick didn't drop their heads and went on to win the match fair fecks to them.