|
Provincial Final Replays - Good Idea Or Bad Idea? - 3 Like(s)
Replying To richiepmurphy: "It's total madness. Gaa probably think they're doing the right thing but in years to come this short sighted thinking will be seen for what it is.
Even the Munster u20 final last week going to penalties. Imagine the interest a replay would have bought after the excitement and quality of that game. You couldn't but that publicity and feel good factor" Yea, and maybe the World Cup Final, the Champions League Final, Super Bowl and all other Finals should go to replays. What we need is a calender with 100 weeks in it.
ORIELMAN85 (National) - 19/05/2026 00:57:27
|
|
Monaghan GAA thread - 3 Like(s)
Our lads did monaghan proud yesterday and think the best way we can thank them is to turn up for the mayo match to often in the past supporters decide to turn there back after an ulster final. encouragement comes from support and the mayo match is our time to shine please support
Farneyblueandwhite (National) - 18/05/2026 19:26:52
|
|
Westmeath Football thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Square_B: "Don't be minding Gantric, a good lad for the wind up. I predicted elsewhere on this site that Westmeath would win Leinster after the Meath game & was delighted to see ye win yesterday. It's great to see Leinster back competitive as much as I loved watching the Dubs in their pomp." Great to greet all our players in my home place of tyrrellspass. They are a great bunch of young men . I'm beaming with pride
mickcunningham (National) - 18/05/2026 16:40:29
|
|
Monaghan GAA thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Drax_the_destroyer: "Who's over your strength and conditioning? Monaghan was a flat in extra time. Wasn't like you went all out in normal time as were flat looking for the opening 50 minutes before producing a strong finish." Monaghan worked hard throughout which resulted in a tired effort in Extra time. Don't think this is down to certain individuals, coaches etc. Armagh have been building this team for a number of years now.. there was years they ran out of steam and finished games with tired efforts and came out losers on those occasions. It is about building that resilience up and being able to stay going and focused when the body thinks it is done.
Armagh showed in extra time their experience, fitness levels and resilience I think. To say Monaghan didn't go all out is not a fair judgement. They were curtailing one of the best attacking teams in Ireland, they were chasing Turbit, Conaty, Jarly Og, Tiernan Kelly, Murnin, O'Neill, McMullan. Trying to push up on Hughes kickouts which I think we done great on compared to how he destroyed Down with them, Monaghan were trying to win their own kickouts. It was a serious effort by both teams in the first 70 mins given the conditions and Armagh just ran out winners with their stamina and experience in my opinion, they held on to the ball and made Monaghan recklessly chase them in extra time and then they punched holes.
It was a performance to be proud of IMO given the league campaign they have had and the be grudgers on here and on media outlets giving all players/managers/coaches a hard time and running them into the ground. Credit to McGeeney and his players acknowledging the effort by Monaghan.
Time to pick themselves up and go again in 2 weeks and try bring the same energy.
countymonaghan (National) - 18/05/2026 14:52:36
|
|
Football Championship 2026 - 2 Like(s)
I think it needs to be said again what a great job the FRC have done with regard to the new rules. It has given football a new lease of life. It's fantastic to see teams like Roscommon and Westmeath fully embrace the "new" game and they have reaped their rewards.
I would still have Kerry out in front. But there is a clutch of good teams behind them who would be very confident of taking any team down on their day. The next few weeks are going to be fascinating.
Lockjaw (National) - 18/05/2026 13:54:52
|
|
Galway Hurling thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To katser: "It will still be Galway v Kilkenny Leinster Final.
Beat them in the Minor, U20 and Senior Leinster Finals." Leinster MHC Final Galway 3-20 Kilkenny 3-19.
One down two to go!!
katser (National) - 18/05/2026 21:32:52
|
|
Monaghan GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Ok, serious performance from the lads. Well done to team and management. Wasn't to be on the day but immensely proud of the team.
One gripe and I may sound like an old fart but saying it, but this year I really felt Clones was taken over by a drunken loutish crowd. Ulster finals always has had happy memories but I felt it could have turned violent at any point.
How, with such demand for tickets, were so many given to drunken 16-22 year olds that seemed to want to use an Ulster final as some sort of electric picnic style festival? Some of their behaviour was just ridiculous. I witness a few rows on my way to and from the field. There must of been 30-40 buses full of drunken kids parked up on the diamond and surrounding streets.
The game was put on too late in the day, allowing bus loads to arrive in clones tanked up to the gills. I feel the GAA and clubs have to address this.
Like it's supposed to be a family occasion.
supermon (National) - 18/05/2026 20:56:32
|
|
Monaghan GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Drax_the_destroyer: "It was a comfortable 7 point lead for Armagh with 15 minutes to play and as neutral watching it wass a rather dull contest. Credit where it's due for the strong finish whereby it came from doing better on kick outs and getting a spark off the subs brought on and had you brought that last 15 mins effort into extra time it could have gone either way regardless of how much you want to talk up Armagh.
Lets be honest for two weeks you'll need more than the same energy showed over 90 minutes yesterday to beat Mayo." Nice one mate.. I'm sure players and management will read this and take on board your sage wisdom..
Jjoniel79 (National) - 18/05/2026 20:03:59
|
|
Dublin GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Gavvygavgav: "I understand it's a nightmare. But if the GAA persist on compressing the IC season into a short window, while still charging the paying public the same wedge for a ticket, then they're going to are a drop off in attendances for many games. That's the long and short of it. And I still suspect we'll see some club championships beginning while the counties are still involved in the AI series." Not in Kerry you won't. The best run club championships (incl. hurling) in the country and most successful inter-county football team. Hurlers can punch well at their weigh level as well.
foreveryoung (National) - 18/05/2026 16:55:45
|
|
Dublin GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To WanPintWin: "Give us your proposed GAA calendar, when you have a few minutes. You'll find it's a lot harder to achieve something that satisfies everyone." I understand it's a nightmare. But if the GAA persist on compressing the IC season into a short window, while still charging the paying public the same wedge for a ticket, then they're going to are a drop off in attendances for many games. That's the long and short of it. And I still suspect we'll see some club championships beginning while the counties are still involved in the AI series.
Gavvygavgav (National) - 18/05/2026 16:20:45
|
|
Wicklow GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
So a team that we beat in 2024 Leinster Championship and had many of the lads that played yesterday including Luke Loughlin and John Heslin , go out and win the 2026 Leinster Championship, beating Dublin, Kildare & Meath along the way.
For all we bemoan about county boards, structures, coaching, clubs , management teams etc (and lot's of it completely justified) it just goes to show most of if is down to the 6 inches between your ears and how much you want it.
Fair play to Westmeath.
Hawkeye2 (National) - 18/05/2026 14:25:03
|
|
Westmeath Football thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To LobinstownMan: "Congrats to Westmeath, wasn't surprised at the result yesterday having watched them close up in Tullamore. I would hope that they celebrate well but reset for the AI Series as a kind draw against Cavan means they have a real chance of getting to a QF if the heads are right. Louth won Leinster in similar circumstances last year and then didn't turn up for the AI Series, hopefully Westmeath kick on." Very generous and good advice.This team has incredibile potential and with the young lads coming through great things can be achieved if we keep our feet on the ground.
jobber (National) - 18/05/2026 14:05:41
|
|
Westmeath Football thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To mickcunningham: "Thanks for the negative comments. 2 28 is some score in a so called poor game. Many congratulations to mark mchugh and this marvellous group of young man . It was a game that we were in we went behind and could have won in normal time . But in extra time we stood tall . Great displays all over the field. The baker brothers tadgh and senan when he came on were outstanding . To a man everyone ran themselves to a standstill. John heslin justified his inclusion and I hope he remains with the group. It was great to see the heroic ronan Wallace lift the bill delaney cup . Man of the match take your pick because I can't single out any one . Iarmhi abu" Don't be minding Gantric, a good lad for the wind up. I predicted elsewhere on this site that Westmeath would win Leinster after the Meath game & was delighted to see ye win yesterday. It's great to see Leinster back competitive as much as I loved watching the Dubs in their pomp.
Square_B (National) - 18/05/2026 14:51:55
|
|
Provincial Final Replays - Good Idea Or Bad Idea? - 1 Like(s)
Replying To richiepmurphy: "It's total madness. Gaa probably think they're doing the right thing but in years to come this short sighted thinking will be seen for what it is.
Even the Munster u20 final last week going to penalties. Imagine the interest a replay would have bought after the excitement and quality of that game. You couldn't but that publicity and feel good factor" I'm sure Kieran mc Geeney would love to play 5 matches this year to arrive at the same point Kerry have, after their tough munster campaign of 2 games?? They are amateur players who make plenty enough sacrifices, no need for provincial replays.
Expertinall (National) - 18/05/2026 19:18:38
|
|
GAATV - 1 Like(s)
Replying To SouthGalway: "I disagree. TG4 should be given games for free or at a much lower cost than others. Either you want to keep the Irish Language alive or you don't. TG4 can't outbid RTE, Sky, BBC, etc due to appealing to a very narrow demographic. We are losing enough of what makes Ireland IRELAND so no need to sell off more." Great in theory, but the reality is that broadcasting rights to sporting events are an economic commodity and market forces apply.
Suppose you have a business selling something called gamoodles. You sell a package of 40 gamoodles to Customer 1 for €1,000. You sell another package of 40 gamoodles to Customer 2 for just €400 because Customer 2 is smaller, doesn't have as much money, and you like them and want to do them a favour.
Customer 1 learns about the lower price for Customer 2. Customer 1 won't be long about insisting that they get the lower price too.
Pikeman96 (National) - 19/05/2026 11:55:25
|
|
Donegal GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To HandballRef: "I think it was after McEniff left in 1994 Martin McHugh went for the job. He had a backroom team in place and thought the job was his until they gave it to PJ McGowan. McGowan had won the u-21 in 1987 but McEniff got the senior job ahead of him after Tom Conaghan left.
Mark was pure class in 2011 and 2012. The hit he took from Golloghy that day in 2013 definitely had big effect on him as an inter county player. He never got to those 2011 or 2012 levels again." Mark McHugh was deliberately targeted in that 2013 Ulster final, just like Karl Lacey was deliberately targeted by Tyrone players when he came on in the opening Ulster game in Ballybofey, seeing a few different Tyrone players target a specific hip of Lacey was no coincidence.
A lot of teams had spent the winter months studying our 2012 system and most had identified that the most effective way to combat it was to mirror it. However Mark McHugh was a bit of a wild card in what was otherwise a very rigid system, he basically had a free role and was a smart footballer and could pop up in attacks and still sweep at the back. He was badly hurt in that tackle.
Commodore (National) - 19/05/2026 09:14:54
|
|
Hurling Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)
Ah isn't it terrible. 19th of May and already the teams that don't play well enough are gone from the All Ireland! There's something grossly unfair about it all. I mean how can we grow the game of hurling in these counties when they won't puck another ball as a group until December (tongue in cheek as I don't know any top tier county that don't break the training ban)? In these counties where the vast majority of their games are televised in one way or another. I mean how can we help them?
I feel bad for Waterford, they're not a bad team. Stephen Bennett & Billy Nolan in particular were exeptional. And they can be very entertaining to watch. But I feel far worse for Kildare... Pushing a boulder up a hill to get themselves to the top table, And performing well when they were there. Only to be faced with Joe McDonagh again next year. Player retention at that mid level is such a struggle and keeping guys around next year is the next challenge facing Brian Dowling. Waterford, however, don't have that problem. They're disappointed yes. But can recovery and rest assured of their place in the Liam McCarthy again in 2027. They didn't get it all their own way in Div 2B last year. So is the gap between Waterford and Joe Mc that big? It's getting smaller all the time in my opinion.
There needs to be some sort of punishment for finishing last in your province. Kerry aren't up to winning the Joe Mc just yet. So maybe give Kildare their extra year up. Promote the Joe Mc winners. And let Galway over to Munster, it's closer to home anyway! And if Waterford win the Joe Mc they can earn the right to play Liam McCarthy rather than their god given right at the moment!
sportingplay (National) - 19/05/2026 09:06:05
|
|
Westmeath Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To midfield9: "Heroic stuff today for most of the game. 1 point in it in 66th minute having come from 10 points down . Antrim bench made a huge impact and were the difference in the end. We were missing too many players today...but you can't fault those who started and came on. After today it's 13 or 14 players who have made their league or championship debut for Westmeath this year." Seriously. Heroic stuff! It concerns me how you think. In most of the games this year we collapse in the last quarter or so.
Saturday V Antrim. In the league we were in the lead v Laois with about 15min left, and lost by 9/10. Derry finished out with 3 goals in Mullingar. Meath if the had any forwards would have done a number on us with 10 to go. Kerry had 14 men for most the game in Tralee. No Heroics No Silver linings. Self Gratification this sounds like.
As For S&C under 23's for the footballers were all flying fit and athletic unlike the hurlers. And what about JH you have to hand it to Mark Mc. No Ego just willing to make the best decisions to progress the team. Not a word about injuries no excuses working in the background all the time to get the best 15 on the field committed to the one aim. Hats off and well done.
Loughlenegale (National) - 18/05/2026 13:17:31
|
|
Hurling Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)
@midfield9 - Maybe have a look at the Playing Rules of Hurling in Part 2 of the Rule Book. This year's version of the Book is here:
https://www.gaa.ie/api/images/image/upload/t_q-best/prd/xi4oyuttzqpaqr2vfhbn.pdf
Specifically, look first at the simple diagram on page 24 of the PDF. Technical fouls are one of the three categories of foul play listed there. It's therefore clearly incorrect to claim that "foul play doesn't include technical fouls".
Now have a look at Rule 4, starting on page 31. It's the one that lists technical fouls.
4.10 is "For an attacking player to enter opponents' small rectangle before the ball enters it during the play", save for a couple of permitted exceptions. It's clearly a duty of the umpire to bring this technical foul to the attention of the referee.
Other technical fouls which you'd expect an umpire to bring to the referee's intention include:
4.12 For a player attacking a goal to carry the ball over opponents' goal-line.
4.13 For a player on the team attacking a goal, who is in possession of the ball, to score with the hand(s).
Now look back up to 4.8, which says: "To drop the hurley intentionally, or to throw the hurley in a manner which does not constitute a danger to another player".
If an umpire can call the referee's attention to technical foul 4.10 or 4.12 or 4.13, why can't he inform the referee of technical foul 4.8?
TLDR - a square ball offence is a technical foul. Are you saying an umpire can't inform the referee of a square ball, because it's not a personal foul?
Pikeman96 (National) - 18/05/2026 23:34:54
|
|
Small Anomaly In Sam Maguire Qualification Rules - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Pikeman96: " Replying To Tacaí Liatroma: "[quote=CastleBravo: "The new Football Championship setup really seems to be stimulating people's imaginations in making up unlikely scenarios.
Since I've too much time on my hands I actually started looking through the records to see if I could find a time when this would ever have come into play, and since the league began in 1925-26 there have been 0 occasions where the reigning All Ireland champion both failed to make their provincial final <b>and </b> weren't among the top 15 teams in the league.
There's a chance Cork finished low in the 1945-46 league as AI champs, but the league was geographically split instead of by division, and I can't find any finished table so it's impossible to tell.
Next most likely suspect is 1992, when Down lost the Ulster Semi Final, and only finished 5th in their group in a wacky 3 group 18 team Div. 1. Might have still made Sam though.
So in 100 years of NFL play, there's no clear cut cases of this "anomaly" happening. And even less chance today when teams know what's at stake."</div>One of the things I like about this post is that, even though the previous posters sarcastically suggested that this was some urgent matter for me that was keeping me awake at night, someone actually went out and researched it a little. So kudos to you. But my point was that it's a quick, harmless fix that can come from anyone, and I'm pretty sure that a few years ago someone in GAA administration cobbled together a few motions where there technicalities that needed tidying up, and they all got voted in almost unanimously in the space of a few minutes. So something like this has happened before." If I'm included in the bit about "sarcastically", then I apologise, as it wasn't intended that way. Looking back on my first post here, it certainly comes across worse than I meant it. But as one who used to be involved in admin at a fairly high level, it still grates a bit sometimes when somebody says "they need to fix this" or "something needs to be done", when they have both the power and means themself to kickstart the process to have that thing done."]Actually looking back, your post was grand, so apologies for the insinuation. Tacaí Liatroma (National) - 18/05/2026 23:28:28
|