Port Lairge v Tiobraid Arainn

[AZOffaly]

Well lads, after the seismic collision of the Cats and Rebels last week, I think this semi final is just as mouth watering. Tipp had seious momentum built up, and have been going very well, but I wonder about the layoff since the Munster Final. Tipperary don't have the same depth as Kilkenny, so I doubt if their training matches would be up to the legendary intensity of the Kilkenny ones, which was a serious help to them in keeping tuned in during their lay off.

Tipperary have impressed me this year, but I am still a bit unsure about them. I really like their back line, and midfield, and Callinan has been a serious find at centre forward. Lar Corbett is hurling out of his skin and Eoin Kelly is Eoin Kelly. Reading all of that, I ask myself 'How can I have doubts?', but I do. I don't know what it is. A feeling in the pit of my stomach that maybe the Munster Championship this year was not as hotly contested as usual is, I think, my main area of doubt. Tipperary were far superior against a subdued Clare team in the final, and even at that, Clare had them on the ropes for about 10 minutes of the second half, when the deficit was down to 4 or 5 points.

Waterford started rotten, but I knew they would. Justin's approach to preparing for Munster was to risk a defeat in the first round in exchange for better fitness later on. He may well have got his result, but he isn't around to benefit from it. Waterford are improving, which is a good sign for them, assuming they can step it up again. I still think that lads like Brick Walsh and Dan Shanahan are pale shadows of themselves, but both showed signs of life against Wexford. Eoin Kelly is on a great streak, and Eoin McGrath is flying as well. Mullane was a bit quieter against Wexford, but he still really came into the game in the vital last 20 minutes of that game. Seamus Prendergast looks to be gaining fitness and all told Waterford probably have a better forward line than either Cork or Clare, Tipps two opponents so far.

Tipp also have a better backline than either Wexford or Offaly, or even Clare, and DOC O'Connor had a great time at centre back against Waterford, which is a worry for the Deise coming into this. If Conor O'Mahoney and Eamon Corcoran can get on top there, Tipp will have the ammunition to win.

Now the great quandry. Waterford's defensive setup. The half back line is unsettled for Waterford. I'm sure Davey would love Shane Sullivan, or Jack Kennedy maybe, to be the final piece in a half back line anchored by Ken McGrath at 6 and Tony Brown at 5. However, because of the Ken experiment at full back, which is probably gone past being an experiment at this stage, Tony Browne is occupying the pivotal jersey at 6, with a variety of lads being tried as starters or substitutes on the wing. Tipps half forward line is probably the line that most people have doubts over, but Callinane especially, has given them a real boost there, and Callinane will definitely have the legs for Tony Browne. I don't know if Aidan Kearney is back, but if he is, he would be a great help here, or even in the full back line if Tipp go with two in there.

The Tipp full forward line will, like all other full forward lines, live or die on the delivery. Expect Tipp to hit diagonal balls into the corners for Eoin Kelly or Lar Corbett to run on to, with Willie Ryan or the Dwyer lad dragging the other corner back out the field a bit. If Lar Corbett is on song, he will give Ken McGrath a torrid time. Ken is a fantastic hurler, but he isn't a full back. He leaves gaps behind him as he goes hunting ball (a bit like the Rock when he was getting frustrated in recent games), and that will be suicide against a fast breaking Tipp half forward line. Ken will have to shore up the area in front of the goals, and I would nearly leave the corner back to pick up Corbett when he runs away from Ken.

Eoin Kelly has been unspectacular this year, thanks to the fact that the other Tipp lads have raised their games, but I still expect him to give Dave Prendergast an awful time if he is left on him, delivery of the ball assumed to be good. Kelly is as good as anyone in the country at taking his scores, and will need to be hounded. Perhaps Kearney could be detailed to mark him, although Eoin Murphy would be a good lad here as well.

Reading back through it, I shouldn't give Waterford a prayer, but I just think maybe Tipp are not as good as they appear, while Waterford might be coming. I hope Davey Fitz has his backline organised and clear headed. If he does I give Waterford every chance in giving Tipperary an intense battle that they are not quite acclimated to this year.

f**k it. Waterford by 3 points. G'Wan the Blahs.

[The Real Laoislad]

Too tired to read all your post AZ but I'm sure you have made great cases for both teams winning etc etc

Anywhoo....
Tipp by 6+ points

[AZOffaly]

Too tired to read all your post AZ but I'm sure you have made great cases for both teams winning etc etc

Anywhoo....
Tipp by 6+ points

Am I that predictable?

[The Real Laoislad]

Too tired to read all your post AZ but I'm sure you have made great cases for both teams winning etc etc

Anywhoo....
Tipp by 6+ points

Am I that predictable?

If the cap fits..........

[the colonel]

Well lads, after the seismic collision of the Cats and Rebels last week, I think this semi final is just as mouth watering. Tipp had seious momentum built up, and have been going very well, but I wonder about the layoff since the Munster Final. Tipperary don't have the same depth as Kilkenny, so I doubt if their training matches would be up to the legendary intensity of the Kilkenny ones, which was a serious help to them in keeping tuned in during their lay off.

Tipperary have impressed me this year, but I am still a bit unsure about them. I really like their back line, and midfield, and Callinan has been a serious find at centre forward. Lar Corbett is hurling out of his skin and Eoin Kelly is Eoin Kelly. Reading all of that, I ask myself 'How can I have doubts?', but I do. I don't know what it is. A feeling in the pit of my stomach that maybe the Munster Championship this year was not as hotly contested as usual is, I think, my main area of doubt. Tipperary were far superior against a subdued Clare team in the final, and even at that, Clare had them on the ropes for about 10 minutes of the second half, when the deficit was down to 4 or 5 points.

Waterford started rotten, but I knew they would. Justin's approach to preparing for Munster was to risk a defeat in the first round in exchange for better fitness later on. He may well have got his result, but he isn't around to benefit from it. Waterford are improving, which is a good sign for them, assuming they can step it up again. I still think that lads like Brick Walsh and Dan Shanahan are pale shadows of themselves, but both showed signs of life against Wexford. Eoin Kelly is on a great streak, and Eoin McGrath is flying as well. Mullane was a bit quieter against Wexford, but he still really came into the game in the vital last 20 minutes of that game. Seamus Prendergast looks to be gaining fitness and all told Waterford probably have a better forward line than either Cork or Clare, Tipps two opponents so far.

Tipp also have a better backline than either Wexford or Offaly, or even Clare, and DOC O'Connor had a great time at centre back against Waterford, which is a worry for the Deise coming into this. If Conor O'Mahoney and Eamon Corcoran can get on top there, Tipp will have the ammunition to win.

Now the great quandry. Waterford's defensive setup. The half back line is unsettled for Waterford. I'm sure Davey would love Shane Sullivan, or Jack Kennedy maybe, to be the final piece in a half back line anchored by Ken McGrath at 6 and Tony Brown at 5. However, because of the Ken experiment at full back, which is probably gone past being an experiment at this stage, Tony Browne is occupying the pivotal jersey at 6, with a variety of lads being tried as starters or substitutes on the wing. Tipps half forward line is probably the line that most people have doubts over, but Callinane especially, has given them a real boost there, and Callinane will definitely have the legs for Tony Browne. I don't know if Aidan Kearney is back, but if he is, he would be a great help here, or even in the full back line if Tipp go with two in there.

The Tipp full forward line will, like all other full forward lines, live or die on the delivery. Expect Tipp to hit diagonal balls into the corners for Eoin Kelly or Lar Corbett to run on to, with Willie Ryan or the Dwyer lad dragging the other corner back out the field a bit. If Lar Corbett is on song, he will give Ken McGrath a torrid time. Ken is a fantastic hurler, but he isn't a full back. He leaves gaps behind him as he goes hunting ball (a bit like the Rock when he was getting frustrated in recent games), and that will be suicide against a fast breaking Tipp half forward line. Ken will have to shore up the area in front of the goals, and I would nearly leave the corner back to pick up Corbett when he runs away from Ken.

Eoin Kelly has been unspectacular this year, thanks to the fact that the other Tipp lads have raised their games, but I still expect him to give Dave Prendergast an awful time if he is left on him, delivery of the ball assumed to be good. Kelly is as good as anyone in the country at taking his scores, and will need to be hounded. Perhaps Kearney could be detailed to mark him, although Eoin Murphy would be a good lad here as well.
Reading back through it, I shouldn't give Waterford a prayer, but I just think maybe Tipp are not as good as they appear, while Waterford might be coming. I hope Davey Fitz has his backline organised and clear headed. If he does I give Waterford every chance in giving Tipperary an intense battle that they are not quite acclimated to this year.

f**k it. Waterford by 3 points. G'Wan the Blahs.

some of eoin kellys scores have been more than spectacular, its just because its him its expected of him. and because the rest of the team is playing better he isnt getting a fraction of the ball he used to get. you cant expect a man to knock over 11 points if he only gets 2 or 3 balls!

have to say i think tipp will win by 2 or 3. wouldnt be overly surprised if waterford won though.

[AZOffaly]

Well lads, after the seismic collision of the Cats and Rebels last week, I think this semi final is just as mouth watering. Tipp had seious momentum built up, and have been going very well, but I wonder about the layoff since the Munster Final. Tipperary don't have the same depth as Kilkenny, so I doubt if their training matches would be up to the legendary intensity of the Kilkenny ones, which was a serious help to them in keeping tuned in during their lay off.

Tipperary have impressed me this year, but I am still a bit unsure about them. I really like their back line, and midfield, and Callinan has been a serious find at centre forward. Lar Corbett is hurling out of his skin and Eoin Kelly is Eoin Kelly. Reading all of that, I ask myself 'How can I have doubts?', but I do. I don't know what it is. A feeling in the pit of my stomach that maybe the Munster Championship this year was not as hotly contested as usual is, I think, my main area of doubt. Tipperary were far superior against a subdued Clare team in the final, and even at that, Clare had them on the ropes for about 10 minutes of the second half, when the deficit was down to 4 or 5 points.

Waterford started rotten, but I knew they would. Justin's approach to preparing for Munster was to risk a defeat in the first round in exchange for better fitness later on. He may well have got his result, but he isn't around to benefit from it. Waterford are improving, which is a good sign for them, assuming they can step it up again. I still think that lads like Brick Walsh and Dan Shanahan are pale shadows of themselves, but both showed signs of life against Wexford. Eoin Kelly is on a great streak, and Eoin McGrath is flying as well. Mullane was a bit quieter against Wexford, but he still really came into the game in the vital last 20 minutes of that game. Seamus Prendergast looks to be gaining fitness and all told Waterford probably have a better forward line than either Cork or Clare, Tipps two opponents so far.

Tipp also have a better backline than either Wexford or Offaly, or even Clare, and DOC O'Connor had a great time at centre back against Waterford, which is a worry for the Deise coming into this. If Conor O'Mahoney and Eamon Corcoran can get on top there, Tipp will have the ammunition to win.

Now the great quandry. Waterford's defensive setup. The half back line is unsettled for Waterford. I'm sure Davey would love Shane Sullivan, or Jack Kennedy maybe, to be the final piece in a half back line anchored by Ken McGrath at 6 and Tony Brown at 5. However, because of the Ken experiment at full back, which is probably gone past being an experiment at this stage, Tony Browne is occupying the pivotal jersey at 6, with a variety of lads being tried as starters or substitutes on the wing. Tipps half forward line is probably the line that most people have doubts over, but Callinane especially, has given them a real boost there, and Callinane will definitely have the legs for Tony Browne. I don't know if Aidan Kearney is back, but if he is, he would be a great help here, or even in the full back line if Tipp go with two in there.

The Tipp full forward line will, like all other full forward lines, live or die on the delivery. Expect Tipp to hit diagonal balls into the corners for Eoin Kelly or Lar Corbett to run on to, with Willie Ryan or the Dwyer lad dragging the other corner back out the field a bit. If Lar Corbett is on song, he will give Ken McGrath a torrid time. Ken is a fantastic hurler, but he isn't a full back. He leaves gaps behind him as he goes hunting ball (a bit like the Rock when he was getting frustrated in recent games), and that will be suicide against a fast breaking Tipp half forward line. Ken will have to shore up the area in front of the goals, and I would nearly leave the corner back to pick up Corbett when he runs away from Ken.

Eoin Kelly has been unspectacular this year, thanks to the fact that the other Tipp lads have raised their games, but I still expect him to give Dave Prendergast an awful time if he is left on him, delivery of the ball assumed to be good. Kelly is as good as anyone in the country at taking his scores, and will need to be hounded. Perhaps Kearney could be detailed to mark him, although Eoin Murphy would be a good lad here as well.
Reading back through it, I shouldn't give Waterford a prayer, but I just think maybe Tipp are not as good as they appear, while Waterford might be coming. I hope Davey Fitz has his backline organised and clear headed. If he does I give Waterford every chance in giving Tipperary an intense battle that they are not quite acclimated to this year.

f**k it. Waterford by 3 points. G'Wan the Blahs.

some of eoin kellys scores have been more than spectacular, its just because its him its expected of him. and because the rest of the team is playing better he isnt getting a fraction of the ball he used to get. you cant expect a man to knock over 11 points if he only gets 2 or 3 balls!

have to say i think tipp will win by 2 or 3. wouldnt be overly surprised if waterford won though.

That's the point I was making colonel. He hasn't been spectacular (by his standards I should have added) because he hasn't needed to be. The worry I would have for Tipp is that Kelly may score 11 points this Sunday, because the others don't perform, and Tipp get beaten.

Anyway, I'm not slagging off Kelly at all.

[the colonel]

i never said you did AZ. but its better for the tipp team mentally to think that if things are not going kellys way then there is fellas like cullinane, corbett et al to think that they have got far this yr (league and all) as a much improved team

[Farrandeelin]

Where have home of hurling, colombia et al gone? I for one used to enjoy reading their valuable hurling contributions.

[orangeman]

I hope Tipp win - I couldn't stand it if Waterford made the AI final after what they did to Justin !

[johnneycool]

WATERFORD team to play Tipperary in the All-Ireland hurling semi-final in Croke Park on Sunday 17 August:
C Hennessy; E Murphy, K McGrath, D Prendergast; A Kearney, T Browne, K Moran; M Walsh, J Nagle, D Shanahan, S Prendergast, S Molumphy; E McGrath, E Kelly, J Mullane

Would wee Davy leave Declan Prendergast in on Eoin Kelly especially with Kearney out in the half back line?
but if Kearney moves into the corner where to then for Prendergast? Maybe we'll see wholesale changes in the defence with Prendergast on the edge of the square and Ken in at 6, I'd of thought that'd be unlikely at this late stage.

Waterford need Molumpy, Dan and Seamus prendergast back in the form they were in last year and they are beginning to show signs of it against Wexford.
Tipp have been out of action and have had lulls in their last few games which should of been punished heavier by Clare in particular. Waterford will need to make hay if Tipp are as generous again and they do have the better forwards to take advantage.

Tipp are rightly favourites but I fancy Waterford to get over their semi-final jinx by the narrowest of margins

[EddieMerx]

My head says Tipp by around 4 points but my heart says Waterford will raise their game and blow Tipp away in the last 10 minutes...

[youbetterbelieveit]

I think this game could be a better game than last sunday's, Just have that feeling that Waterford are going to peak at the right time, and that the six week wait Tipp have had to endure is going to go against them and any momentum has evaporated.

[maxpower]

Where have home of hurling, colombia et al gone? I for one used to enjoy reading their valuable hurling contributions.

Agreed, loved their previews of matches

Looking forward to this match because it has a real air of unpredictability, while i love watching the games and the intensity of the game last week was to be marvelled, it was another typical KK performance and given the slight decline in Corks powers went exactly how most expected (as most KK games)

This game is the form team against out of sorts, stability against instability, where Tipp gav overcome adversity in games (Cork esp) Waterford hae created it and done little to dispel it...Yet.

I expect one last sting in the tale from this waterford team and a narrow victory for them

[Lecale2]

Bookies have Tipp strong favorites but I have a suspicion that Waterford will win it by a point.

Why is Davy Fitz persisting with Ken McGrath at No 3?

[lynchbhoy]

While I'd love to see the Blah-boys win the game, I just think Tipp will be too slick, fast and too good for them.
Tipp have impressed me (not hard to do with my limited hurling knowledge) this season and seemed to match the cats for the first time control , slick play and efficiency - while all others except kilkenny seem to labour too much and too long to control,pass and get the ball up the field and indeed score !

Tipp seem to have a lot of as yet not household names that are putting in good performances each game - and thats league and championship this year.
Have to really lay a lot of kudos on the manager and his team.

imo Tipp are the only team that have a chance of beating kilkenny if both play the way they have done so far this season.

Stil lhope that Waterford can do their usual and pull it out of the fire.

McGrath can be deployed elsewhere, but Browne is an exp man to play at CHB so not so bad for the Deise !