Hurling 2026

[Milltown Row2]

Hurling is getting impossible to referee to the current rulebook, if that's even a thing.

For me when Clare should have had the penalty for the jersey pull which was saved and Barry Nash won possession and was surrounded by three Clare lads, arms and hurls flailing as per the norm now, but for me he charged out and then hit the deck.

I'd have of given the free in for that as charging and pulling the attackers arms around you is getting very common too.

Who'd be a referee, eh?

Think jersey pull is the easiest to give and no complaints from players, It may be soft looking at the time and a lot of refs will raise the hand for advantage but its the one that no one can complain about when given

But it all depends on the referee's view of the jersey pull.

Like Cork rightly complain when Robbie O'Flynn got his jersey tugged by Clare's Leen (iirc) at the death in 2024 AI Final.

Although O'Flynn got the shot away, and it went wide, it still should have been a free.

Was at the match and seen it clearly, all he had to do was stick up the hand for advantage... but, did he see what we did?

There is the odd jersey pull outta defence which isn't given based on has it contributed badly to his distribution of the ball, rather than slow play, let it develop, but a free in front of goal is easy to give

[didlyi]

I think hurling has become impossible to ref properly though. There's so much ball-in-hand with teams playing the possession game. We have players routinely taking 6+ steps and throwing the ball so tackling becomes more about big hits and whatever spare-arm grabbing and grappling you can get away with, rather than the actual skills of hooking, blocking or flicking the ball away. Those skills are often redundant against teams running the ball up the pitch and throwing it to the open man.

I'd love a zero tolerance campaign wrt possession rules like steps and the clear release & definite strike that's required on the handpass (not the freeze-frame "separation" that Donal Óg and Derek McGrath seem determined to redefine as the requirement). If players had to play the ball quickly and legally there'd be far less need for the big (dangerous) hits and more opportunity to dispossess someone skillfully.

If I want to watch big hits (ie. two lads crashing into each other) and people running around with ball-in-hand throwing it to each other, there are other sports that cater for that.
[/quote]

Couldnt agree more!

[Milltown Row2]

A simple adaptation of the hand pass would be to shift it to the other hand to pass, it does happen in the game.

I think it's needed though so wouldn't be looking it taken away..

But it's being taught obviously by coaches from under age

[Franko]

A simple adaptation of the hand pass would be to shift it to the other hand to pass, it does happen in the game.

I think it's needed though so wouldn't be looking it taken away..

But it's being taught obviously by coaches from under age

Or... we could just ref it by the (perfectly adequate) rules that currently exist.

[Franko]

Antrim revolting?

 

[Milltown Row2]

A simple adaptation of the hand pass would be to shift it to the other hand to pass, it does happen in the game.

I think it's needed though so wouldn't be looking it taken away..

But it's being taught obviously by coaches from under age

Or... we could just ref it by the (perfectly adequate) rules that currently exist.

Bring your whistle and I'll assess your performance

[johnnycool]

It's die dog or shíte the license this weekend for Waterford as they entertain table toppers Cork to Walsh park on Saturday tea time.

Cork will be confident enough of being able to outscore Waterford even if they are going with a tried and not so trusted  Damian Cahalane at No.3.

They struggle in Walsh park, but will want to keep the winning going and TBH I can't see the Waterford defence hold them out as much as I'd love Waterford to do it, I just can't see it.


Kildare will entertain Galway for long enough before the tribesmen pull away well in the end.

Offaly will be facing a Kilkenny who think they've solved a few defensive issues. Wexford were that passive the last time out I'm not so sure. Offaly won't have the defence to deal with Kilkenny so the Kilkenny defence may get yet another armchair ride on Sunday.

Wexford were so flat and passive against Kilkenny that Rossiter really needs a performance against the Dubs or that's the season realistically over for them.
Dubs aren't doing anything spectacular at the minute and need to get the win here also as tougher challenges lie ahead and they need to get these points in the bank to get out of Leinster and I think they will.

[Gallybander]

Hard to believe Waterford v Cork isn't on tv, but Dublin-Wexford is. 

[marty34]

Two changes, as expected for Cork. I thought Cormac O'Brien would come into the reckoning but going tried and trusted. Cork, even with the 2 injuries, are in a good place with full points on the board. They'll be preparing now for later in the campaign.

I can't see Waterford getting anything out of this game. Too reliant on Bennett I think. Good, soild outfit but they're missing just a bit more quality, especially up top. Ihipe I'm wrong and they get the win but it'll be an uphill battle. Cork to win and to run the bench but they'll not be wanting any more long term injuries.


Looking forward to Wexford and Dublin - big win for Wexford's camogs last night, after extra-time V Dublin in the Senior Leinster Camogie Final. Rossiter will be hoping his panel can take some inspiration from the Loch Garman senior camogs. They'll need some of the same 'never say die attitude'. Dublin are my slight favourites - although Wexford are at home, I think the boys from the capital might edge it. Like Waterford, I believe Wexford are over reliant on Lee Chin's. He's their main man and they'll need more help from the supporting cast. Wexford, I think, haven't replaced the quality of Dee O'Keefe and Liam Óg Mc Govern. Rory O'Connor away in Australia hasn't helped. No Conor Mc Donald doesn't help either.  They're a wee bit light up top in terms of experience and skill.

If Dublin want 2nd or 3rd place, they need to make a statement and win this convincingly. They have Burke, Hedzo and O'Sullivan up top and that supplemented with the guile of Fearghal Whitey, then it's the makings of a potent front six. O'Ceallacháin has build a good solid mid-field in the two Conor's - Burke and Donohoe. I wonder when NOC will introduce Rush into the frey. He might could get 15 mins in Wexford Park?

Looking forwards to these games this week-end. The hurling championship is sliding on at a rapid rate but I expect Galway, KK and Dublin to come out top in Leinster. Dublin are due a victory over KK and with final game in PP, that could decide 2/3rd spot. Plenty of hurling to be played between now and then though.

[Capt Pat]

Hard to believe Waterford v Cork isn't on tv, but Dublin-Wexford is. 

Gaa+ has it Waterford v Cork live

[Capt Pat]

Cork win by 4 in the end. Waterford gave away another black card and penalty goal. The black card cost them the game.

[mouview]

Cork win by 4 in the end. Waterford gave away another black card and penalty goal. The black card cost them the game.

Don't know that it did. Cork always seemed to be able to make more room up front and were able to pick off their scores easier, especially with the breeze in the second half. Waterford, in spite of all their set-backs, were valiant but had to work harder for their points. They really needed the boost of a goal but Collins' save near the death was their last best chance.

[marty34]

Cork, without playing at a high level, edge Waterford. I think Ben O'Connor will be secretly delighted with these 'grind it out' wins. Hayes, up top, was Cork's main man today. I'd still have worries over their free takers - could cost them later in the year. Again, they run their bench and competition for places will be keen over the next few weeks. They've certainly developed an aggressive edge - but maybe too many 'fist pumps' in action every time they win a free.


Waterford, for all their heart and effort, are just missing a bit of quality. They were unlucky in they lost Iarlaith Daly and Ian Kenny inside 20 mins. That bad enough but they then lost their key marksman Bennett right on half-time. They didn't let that upset them and kept going but Cork always seemed to have another gear in them. An honourable mention for Billy Nolan now as he's been unreal this season - top keeper. Hopefully Bennett's injury isn't too serious.


I think the two penalties were very tough on Waterford - maybe the black cards moreso. The first one as just two big lads trying to stand their ground. I think half the penalties this year are not penalties. If a forward goes down at all inside, the referee gives him the penalty. Some very soft ones and I know people will say to give the advantge to the forwards but this, to me, shouldn't be the case. Waterford were then down a player for 20 mins of the game.Denying a player a goal scoring opportunity is a grey area also.


Dublin had just too much for the Wexford lads. Did enough in the first half with the breeze behind them. Then in the second half, I couldn't understand why Fanning kept going short with a strong beeze behind him. They then left their comeback too late. 

Dublin will be happy that they got the 2 points with two tough games to come. They built up a good lead but went long enough in spells without a score in the second half. Although the breeze was strong.

Good win for Galway - left it late but still a win all the same. Kildare are still finding their feet but have good players in the Borans, Keegan and Sheridan. Galway game gametime to others lads - keeping everyone fresh.           
   

[mouview]

I think the two penalties were very tough on Waterford - maybe the black cards moreso. The first one as just two big lads trying to stand their ground. I think half the penalties this year are not penalties. If a forward goes down at all inside, the referee gives him the penalty. Some very soft ones and I know people will say to give the advantge to the forwards but this, to me, shouldn't be the case. Waterford were then down a player for 20 mins of the game.Denying a player a goal scoring opportunity is a grey area also.   
   

Two weeks ago in Carrick, Leitrim were awarded a penalty and Galway keeper black-carded, when the Leitrim forward barged through Conor Flaherty and both fell over. A very egregious example of this.

[moonster]

We put up the white flag again against the Dubs. Wexford hurling is in crisis mode now.