Hurling 2024

[seafoid]

19 wides. 10 frees sent wide.

Clare went up the gears when needed but in general the standard of hurling was poor over the weekend and whilst it may not have looked like it the Down lads say there was quite a lot of sand on the pitch in Portlaoise which probably contributed to the bunching, inability to rise the ball first time etc etc which ensured the game didn't really have any pace to it.

Tipp will be concerned, unsure of the spine of their team, does Maher come out to 6, who goes back in to 3, centre forward is probably where they should be playing Bonnar Maher IMO but they to find a balance in there and lads who can get the most out of Forde and Morris who need the ball in early and in space to cause defences problems.

 Clare content that they've a panel now going into championship but Kelly and O'Donnell need game time and surely the final is the place to get them some. Even Ryan Taylor and David McInerney haven't featured to date and are allegedly back to full fitness.
One concern for Clare is that they don't think John Conlan has 70 minutes in him and a stand in centre back isn't Seadna Morey in all fairness. Conlan has played some hurling in the last year with club and county and he isn't getting any younger but he is their talisman and there's more to replacing him than just for his hurling!
David Fitzgerald is a beast of a hurler, size, speed and skill, Clare need him in the game a lot more, but what a weapon.

Championship is 25% faster than league. Touch and accuracy are far better. A loss like that may be better for Tipp in the long run if they are honest and want to learn from it.
Clare are probably better overall.
The provincial harness is unfair on Munster because there are 5 decent teams and in Leinster there aren't.
 

Yet no one in Munster will ever question the fairness of the current format!

Whenever the first congress is where they review the new system there will probably be timber.
Cheddar, Colm O'rourke, Jim McGuinness and Colm Bonnar have all spoken with authority about the flaws of the system, , focusing on injuries, the lack of downtime and the fitness levels required.

[marty34]

19 wides. 10 frees sent wide.

Clare went up the gears when needed but in general the standard of hurling was poor over the weekend and whilst it may not have looked like it the Down lads say there was quite a lot of sand on the pitch in Portlaoise which probably contributed to the bunching, inability to rise the ball first time etc etc which ensured the game didn't really have any pace to it.

Tipp will be concerned, unsure of the spine of their team, does Maher come out to 6, who goes back in to 3, centre forward is probably where they should be playing Bonnar Maher IMO but they to find a balance in there and lads who can get the most out of Forde and Morris who need the ball in early and in space to cause defences problems.

 Clare content that they've a panel now going into championship but Kelly and O'Donnell need game time and surely the final is the place to get them some. Even Ryan Taylor and David McInerney haven't featured to date and are allegedly back to full fitness.
One concern for Clare is that they don't think John Conlan has 70 minutes in him and a stand in centre back isn't Seadna Morey in all fairness. Conlan has played some hurling in the last year with club and county and he isn't getting any younger but he is their talisman and there's more to replacing him than just for his hurling!
David Fitzgerald is a beast of a hurler, size, speed and skill, Clare need him in the game a lot more, but what a weapon.

Championship is 25% faster than league. Touch and accuracy are far better. A loss like that may be better for Tipp in the long run if they are honest and want to learn from it.
Clare are probably better overall.
The provincial harness is unfair on Munster because there are 5 decent teams and in Leinster there aren't.
 

Yet no one in Munster will ever question the fairness of the current format!

Whenever the first congress is where they review the new system there will probably be timber.
Cheddar, Colm O'rourke, Jim McGuinness and Colm Bonnar have all spoken with authority about the flaws of the system, , focusing on injuries, the lack of downtime and the fitness levels required.

Here's a novel idea:

Stop fleecing lads at trainings. Keep them fresh.

#lessismore

[johnnycool]

19 wides. 10 frees sent wide.

Clare went up the gears when needed but in general the standard of hurling was poor over the weekend and whilst it may not have looked like it the Down lads say there was quite a lot of sand on the pitch in Portlaoise which probably contributed to the bunching, inability to rise the ball first time etc etc which ensured the game didn't really have any pace to it.

Tipp will be concerned, unsure of the spine of their team, does Maher come out to 6, who goes back in to 3, centre forward is probably where they should be playing Bonnar Maher IMO but they to find a balance in there and lads who can get the most out of Forde and Morris who need the ball in early and in space to cause defences problems.

 Clare content that they've a panel now going into championship but Kelly and O'Donnell need game time and surely the final is the place to get them some. Even Ryan Taylor and David McInerney haven't featured to date and are allegedly back to full fitness.
One concern for Clare is that they don't think John Conlan has 70 minutes in him and a stand in centre back isn't Seadna Morey in all fairness. Conlan has played some hurling in the last year with club and county and he isn't getting any younger but he is their talisman and there's more to replacing him than just for his hurling!
David Fitzgerald is a beast of a hurler, size, speed and skill, Clare need him in the game a lot more, but what a weapon.

Championship is 25% faster than league. Touch and accuracy are far better. A loss like that may be better for Tipp in the long run if they are honest and want to learn from it.
Clare are probably better overall.
The provincial harness is unfair on Munster because there are 5 decent teams and in Leinster there aren't.
 

Yet no one in Munster will ever question the fairness of the current format!

Whenever the first congress is where they review the new system there will probably be timber.
Cheddar, Colm O'rourke, Jim McGuinness and Colm Bonnar have all spoken with authority about the flaws of the system, , focusing on injuries, the lack of downtime and the fitness levels required.

Here's a novel idea:

Stop fleecing lads at trainings. Keep them fresh.

#lessismore

Correct!

[seafoid]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/hurling/2024/0325/1439885-concern-over-tipperarys-free-for-all-approach/

McManus says that there are many puzzles for Cahill to solve if Tipp are to emerge from Munster, and the early season signs aren't overly positive.

He watched the Premier men coast past his native Antrim in the previous round of the league, but wasn't overly impressed by the victors, even allowing for the testing conditions at Corrigan Park on the day.

"They didn't shoot the lights out and they had plenty of their first team out on show," he said.

"I can't see where the goals are going to come from if Jake Morris isn't going to get them.

"I would worry for Tipperary. There is going to be an absolute dogfight in Munster for that third spot, between Waterford, Cork and Tipp as Clare and Limerick do look stronger than everybody else.

[johnnycool]

Paddy Deegan will have No6 on his back this Sunday, whether he stays there is another matter but expect Blanchfield to pick up Fitzgerald, probably the best suited KK defender for that particular job.

KK forwards probably as strong as it gets with maybe the exception of Drennan who'll get on at some point.
TJ will man the square and they'll drop ball in on him, no big secret in their gameplan there, but it will be interesting who Clare match up on him, Big Cleary is the obvious choice if TJ stays deep, if he wonders out a bit, and Cody goes in then Clare might need to reconsider, but I don't expect John Conlan to be too far away either way.

No sign of Tony Kelly, Clare either now feel confident they can win this game without him or the Munster Championship is more important to them, maybe they can do both.


My head says Clare but only a fool would write off Kilkenny to pip them.

[Milltown Row2]

A novel final (strangely) but looking forward to it. Both teams will take confidence away with a win, plus the extra game with intensity for their championships

Limerick will take stock and fine tune, still the team with 4 or 5 points better than the rest, will take a smash and grab effort (Wexford v Kilkenny comes to mind) to beat them but nothing impossible

[seafoid]

Paddy Deegan will have No6 on his back this Sunday, whether he stays there is another matter but expect Blanchfield to pick up Fitzgerald, probably the best suited KK defender for that particular job.

KK forwards probably as strong as it gets with maybe the exception of Drennan who'll get on at some point.
TJ will man the square and they'll drop ball in on him, no big secret in their gameplan there, but it will be interesting who Clare match up on him, Big Cleary is the obvious choice if TJ stays deep, if he wonders out a bit, and Cody goes in then Clare might need to reconsider, but I don't expect John Conlan to be too far away either way.

No sign of Tony Kelly, Clare either now feel confident they can win this game without him or the Munster Championship is more important to them, maybe they can do both.


My head says Clare but only a fool would write off Kilkenny to pip them.

Kilkenny are not what they were. Clare should have enough to beat them.

[johnnycool]

Paddy Deegan will have No6 on his back this Sunday, whether he stays there is another matter but expect Blanchfield to pick up Fitzgerald, probably the best suited KK defender for that particular job.

KK forwards probably as strong as it gets with maybe the exception of Drennan who'll get on at some point.
TJ will man the square and they'll drop ball in on him, no big secret in their gameplan there, but it will be interesting who Clare match up on him, Big Cleary is the obvious choice if TJ stays deep, if he wonders out a bit, and Cody goes in then Clare might need to reconsider, but I don't expect John Conlan to be too far away either way.

No sign of Tony Kelly, Clare either now feel confident they can win this game without him or the Munster Championship is more important to them, maybe they can do both.


My head says Clare but only a fool would write off Kilkenny to pip them.

Kilkenny are not what they were. Clare should have enough to beat them.

They certainly aren't but they know how to stay in the fight right to the end and Clare won't get it easy.

[imtommygunn]

Did you watch the last 2 AI semi finals SF...

[seafoid]

Did you watch the last 2 AI semi finals SF...

I did
But Clare are on the way up and the odds are level so I think they are worth a win
https://www.oddschecker.com/gaelic-games/hurling/national-hurling-league-division-1/winner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p5Lewbwp5c

[seafoid]

Paddy Deegan will have No6 on his back this Sunday, whether he stays there is another matter but expect Blanchfield to pick up Fitzgerald, probably the best suited KK defender for that particular job.

KK forwards probably as strong as it gets with maybe the exception of Drennan who'll get on at some point.
TJ will man the square and they'll drop ball in on him, no big secret in their gameplan there, but it will be interesting who Clare match up on him, Big Cleary is the obvious choice if TJ stays deep, if he wonders out a bit, and Cody goes in then Clare might need to reconsider, but I don't expect John Conlan to be too far away either way.

No sign of Tony Kelly, Clare either now feel confident they can win this game without him or the Munster Championship is more important to them, maybe they can do both.


My head says Clare but only a fool would write off Kilkenny to pip them.

Kilkenny are not what they were. Clare should have enough to beat them.

They certainly aren't but they know how to stay in the fight right to the end and Clare won't get it easy.

It should be a good match all right.

[imtommygunn]

Did you watch the last 2 AI semi finals SF...

I did
But Clare are on the way up and the odds are level so I think they are worth a win
https://www.oddschecker.com/gaelic-games/hurling/national-hurling-league-division-1/winner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p5Lewbwp5c

what has got better about them and worse about kk though?

[Milltown Row2]

Did you watch the last 2 AI semi finals SF...

I did
But Clare are on the way up and the odds are level so I think they are worth a win
https://www.oddschecker.com/gaelic-games/hurling/national-hurling-league-division-1/winner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p5Lewbwp5c

what has got better about them and worse about kk though?

Winning without Kelly I suppose is one thing. but they have some of that Lohan never say die steel about them

[imtommygunn]

I'm not so sure about the steel thing - the biggest 2 tests they have had this last 2 years were the semi against KK and they failed.

Don't get me wrong I hope they win but KK are finished and Clare are on the up is not an opinion I would in any way agree with... Yes Clare faced up to Limerick better than KK did but ultimately KK have beat Clare when it counted.

[johnnycool]

I'm not so sure about the steel thing - the biggest 2 tests they have had this last 2 years were the semi against KK and they failed.

Don't get me wrong I hope they win but KK are finished and Clare are on the up is not an opinion I would in any way agree with... Yes Clare faced up to Limerick better than KK did but ultimately KK have beat Clare when it counted.

Clare lad on the Clare Hurlers forum responding to a comment in relation to Eddie Brennans prediction for Sunday.


History and success

every time they have played clare when it counted in the last 20 years they have won.
Not sure why should believe any different now

we have a better set of players than Kilkenny yet they won the last two all ireland semis.
why would this final be any different in their opinion?

Its up to us to change the narrative, until we do brennan is right