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2021 Hurling Championship

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Replying To baire:  "Maybe if Galway hadn't let in 2 very soft goals in 2017 the margin of victory would have been much higher. Maybe if Galway had Mattie Kenny as manager instead of AC from 2012-2016 Galway would have won another ALL Ireland, if they had Niall Donoghue (RIP) etc etc. Oldtourman is talking both sides of his mouth, before the game he was saying Galway were still a huge threat as were other Limerick posters, now they come here to bad mouth them. They hit you when you're down, a sporting lot no doubt! Maybe if Limerick hadn't the financial backing of a billionaire they wouldn't be so hot! There will always be maybes."
Why would Galway 'maybe' have won an extra all-ireland 2012-2016, if Mattie Kenny managed them? Expand on that please. Do you know something that the rest of us don't know?

Cunningham presided over two fairly radical team selection 'overhauls' in 2012 & again in 2014, taking those two different teams to all-ireland finals. How would Kenny have topped that, or even matched those 'achievements'? Obviously, he was 'on board' with Cunningham in 2012 & 2013, so he presumably won't get credit for Cunningham's remarkable 'rebuild' of the 2015 side to runnerup level in just a season or two. It's been well documented that MD didn't have to radically overhaul the squad personnel after the autumn '15 'coup', to deliver the 2017 title. Just had to 'touch up' the softness, and the killer instinct!

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 3422 - 25/07/2021 19:23:31    2364017

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Replying To baire:  "Maybe if Galway hadn't let in 2 very soft goals in 2017 the margin of victory would have been much higher. Maybe if Galway had Mattie Kenny as manager instead of AC from 2012-2016 Galway would have won another ALL Ireland, if they had Niall Donoghue (RIP) etc etc. Oldtourman is talking both sides of his mouth, before the game he was saying Galway were still a huge threat as were other Limerick posters, now they come here to bad mouth them. They hit you when you're down, a sporting lot no doubt! Maybe if Limerick hadn't the financial backing of a billionaire they wouldn't be so hot! There will always be maybes."
I'd say that outside of the Mayo fans, the most sporting lot that I've ever met when in Ireland at games, are actually the Limerick crowd. And I've trial of the fans from almost every county, incl. your own.

And yes, Limerick have a billionaire backing them (very shrewdly invested in an academy that functions really well, and not the silly throwing of money at a team to buy success), so they are hot. Live with it, and get on with it.

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 1910 - 25/07/2021 21:33:25    2364089

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Replying To baire:  "Maybe if Galway hadn't let in 2 very soft goals in 2017 the margin of victory would have been much higher. Maybe if Galway had Mattie Kenny as manager instead of AC from 2012-2016 Galway would have won another ALL Ireland, if they had Niall Donoghue (RIP) etc etc. Oldtourman is talking both sides of his mouth, before the game he was saying Galway were still a huge threat as were other Limerick posters, now they come here to bad mouth them. They hit you when you're down, a sporting lot no doubt! Maybe if Limerick hadn't the financial backing of a billionaire they wouldn't be so hot! There will always be maybes."
Why would we not have feared Galway at the start of the Championship. (1) they had beaten Limerick, Cork and Waterford in the League (2) They were widely regarded as our closest challengers Last year and they with Kilkenny were widely regarded by more prominent and informed Hurling experts than I ever was, as a team that would do well in the championship. Quite frankly they seemed to be flying right up to the end of the League.
I have also said on more occasions than one that Galway could well be and probably will be the team of this decade, if they can just get a few things right. I still strongly hold that view.
You go on about about JP and his money. Look Cork have had a had huge Tea Magnate supporting them for years and now have an English Billionaire Sponsor, about five times the number of hurlers and about five times the gate receipts in any one year than Limerick ever had. When their pitch was being developed they also got about five times the grants that Limerick to develop their Stadium. . And yet Cork have not an All Ireland in fifteen years. But the likes of you would far prefer to see Cork win ultimate honours that one of the smaller counties like Limerick, or so it appears to me.
Baire, I can also tell that Limerick will be around for just a few years- you will always, as always, have Cork, KK and Tipp to contend with.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4321 - 25/07/2021 21:48:49    2364094

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Replying To bloodyban:  "Galway never 'want it' enough. Defeat doesn't hurt them enough. The Galway public just nod and move on in contrast to the Cork public or even the Clare public who demand more. Its definately a factor. There's no excuse for the hurlers no show and the footballers no show in the 3nd half today. For a big big GAA county the senior teams really are a glaring disappointment. No leadership either.
Shane O Neill won 1 All Ireland against a bad Northern team. He threw away another against Cuala when a few tactical decisions the first day would have seen Na Piarsaigh safely home. He's actually a perfect fit for Galway. Never let's passion over take him and sits camly by as his team folds the tent and heads for the exit.
I remember growing up and the Galway team of the late 80s that would kill to win. I loved the Connollys and Gerry McInerney ...As John Giles said of his great Leeds team. They had fellas that would kill their granny to win. Galway have no killers.."
I must agree that it was Sean Stack who made Na Piarsaigh and that match against Cuala was indeed thrown away, although Mike Casey going off the second day was bad and probably decisive blow.. I would never want Shane near a Limerick team.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4321 - 25/07/2021 21:53:16    2364095

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Replying To bloodyban:  "Galway never 'want it' enough. Defeat doesn't hurt them enough. The Galway public just nod and move on in contrast to the Cork public or even the Clare public who demand more. Its definately a factor. There's no excuse for the hurlers no show and the footballers no show in the 3nd half today. For a big big GAA county the senior teams really are a glaring disappointment. No leadership either.
Shane O Neill won 1 All Ireland against a bad Northern team. He threw away another against Cuala when a few tactical decisions the first day would have seen Na Piarsaigh safely home. He's actually a perfect fit for Galway. Never let's passion over take him and sits camly by as his team folds the tent and heads for the exit.
I remember growing up and the Galway team of the late 80s that would kill to win. I loved the Connollys and Gerry McInerney ...As John Giles said of his great Leeds team. They had fellas that would kill their granny to win. Galway have no killers.."
Talk about kicking a group of lads when they're down.

I've seen enough over the last few years in terms of intensity, physicality and desire to win to know what these Galway men are about. For one reason or another it's not gone to plan this year, we're all disappointed in Galway and think they should have delivered more but id never question their desire to win.

ahsure. (Galway) - Posts: 1572 - 25/07/2021 22:48:37    2364114

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Just watching "The Sunday game". Very disappointed with Derek McGrath s comment on Conor Gleeson red card. I understand we all try to stand up for our own but it was a red card offense for a nasty belt on Joe Cannings hand.Gair play to Dónal Óg on his views.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3676 - 25/07/2021 22:52:48    2364116

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Replying To Viking66:  "Something is wrong at board level. There was all that stuff with Pat Mcdonagh and the sponsorship money. In fairness to Galway compared to Clare they kept their troubles far more in house and it wasnt splashed all over the media but when Donoghue quit and numerous Galway men were being touted as being interested in being the next manager before quickly not being interested youd have to wonder what was going on. Shane O Neill was far from 1st choice for the job. Maybe all the mess behind the scenes cost a great team another all Ireland or 2 which is a shame for the players."
Maybe behind the scenes stuff might have cost them but ultimately the players have to stand up and be counted. A lot of Galway players have underperformed too, these guys aren't getting any younger either. Galway are going to be remembered as one hit wonders.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1909 - 26/07/2021 00:26:27    2364136

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Replying To Bon:  "Maybe behind the scenes stuff might have cost them but ultimately the players have to stand up and be counted. A lot of Galway players have underperformed too, these guys aren't getting any younger either. Galway are going to be remembered as one hit wonders."
Wouldn't mind us being 1 hit wonders tbh Bon! Any friends I have connected to Waterford and Dublin hurling would say the same! Even some of the friends in Cork are getting fairly anxious but I think they are coming again and wont be waiting too much longer. They have the advantage of massive playing numbers at grassroots level too. But definitely with the underage success they have had consistently for alot of years now it's very strange Galway havent won at least 1 more AI.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11849 - 26/07/2021 09:26:49    2364172

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Replying To CiarraiMick:  "Just watching "The Sunday game". Very disappointed with Derek McGrath s comment on Conor Gleeson red card. I understand we all try to stand up for our own but it was a red card offense for a nasty belt on Joe Cannings hand.Gair play to Dónal Óg on his views."
He backed down and changed the subject fairly quickly when he was challenged on it by Cusack..

Using Gillane as an example was ridiculous also..
"He didn't get a red card so our player shouldn't either"..

skillet (Limerick) - Posts: 1062 - 26/07/2021 10:18:23    2364188

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "Why would Galway 'maybe' have won an extra all-ireland 2012-2016, if Mattie Kenny managed them? Expand on that please. Do you know something that the rest of us don't know?

Cunningham presided over two fairly radical team selection 'overhauls' in 2012 & again in 2014, taking those two different teams to all-ireland finals. How would Kenny have topped that, or even matched those 'achievements'? Obviously, he was 'on board' with Cunningham in 2012 & 2013, so he presumably won't get credit for Cunningham's remarkable 'rebuild' of the 2015 side to runnerup level in just a season or two. It's been well documented that MD didn't have to radically overhaul the squad personnel after the autumn '15 'coup', to deliver the 2017 title. Just had to 'touch up' the softness, and the killer instinct!"
PB, and with the fine wave of under age talent coming through, Galway look set to be the team of this decade. I honestly think there is no good looking back, as we did in Limerick for decades.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4321 - 26/07/2021 10:42:55    2364200

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "You said we had no killers. Now you're counting our killers on one hand. That's progress. I never heard anyone describe Joe Canning as a killer, so I'm puzzled as to why you'd feel the need to tell us what we might already know.

A lot of Limerick lads like talking about 'killers' these days. Did you enjoy the killer commentary as much in the mid 90s, when two Limerick sides came agonizingly close, but didn't get 'the kill'?"
In fairness PB, in the 90s, we were freely told we were chokers and indeed much later than that. There are plenty lads here from other counties who are more than well able to dish it out as well.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4321 - 26/07/2021 10:46:30    2364204

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Cork drew the short straw again! Maybe this year is going to be their lucky year small things can make a big difference!! Dublin will provide them with a much more physical test though. Hopefully O Donnell will be fit for Dublin. They will need him at his best. Waterford v Tipp very hard to call but Waterford are back near full strength and have momentum and will be hard to beat. Predict Cork and Waterford to come through but I was 66% wrong with my predictions for last weekend.......

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11849 - 26/07/2021 10:47:27    2364205

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Replying To updwell:  "Maybe you think we 're not a sporting lot but Galway have been built up all year as the team to beat Limerick so of course a lot of Limerick fans were keeping a close eye on Galway-take it as a compliment. Ye looked very good in the league and seemed primed for a big year but I think the further the championship is going on the more the league is starting to look like a series of challenge games and the smart teams used it to build up for the championship. As for JP's millions being the difference for us just compare our respective records in the minor championship over the last decade where we won 4 Munster titles(a golden period for us) but have failed in the AI series even with about 10 of the current senior panel back in 2014. At the same time ye have owned the championship but failed to progress onto u20 or senior, why is that? Are yer players peaking at 17 or are they happy with their lot? Are the managers not being given a period of time to build a young team where you might take a few beating early on but young players often have to go through this to come out the other side. In January 2017 Cork put 6 goals past Limerick in John Kielys first match, not great at the time but about half that team were running around Croker with Liam 18 months later."
Cork put seven past Waterford in the first League game this year, but look at them last Saturday.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4321 - 26/07/2021 10:49:36    2364207

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Replying To CiarraiMick:  "Just watching "The Sunday game". Very disappointed with Derek McGrath s comment on Conor Gleeson red card. I understand we all try to stand up for our own but it was a red card offense for a nasty belt on Joe Cannings hand.Gair play to Dónal Óg on his views."
derek mcgrath sees noone only waterford ive listened to him on numerous podcasts and no matter what question he is asked he'll bring " wheni was managing waterford " into it.......

munsterchamps (Limerick) - Posts: 1097 - 26/07/2021 11:15:22    2364219

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Replying To Bon:  "Maybe behind the scenes stuff might have cost them but ultimately the players have to stand up and be counted. A lot of Galway players have underperformed too, these guys aren't getting any younger either. Galway are going to be remembered as one hit wonders."
One hit wonders. Champions. Call it what you like. Kildare footballers '97-'01, and indeed their 2010 outfit I'd say, will no doubt have some regrets that they never get jibed about being 1 hit wonders. As Bill Parcells is heard encouraging his 'champs' on the intro to all those NFL - A Football Life shows, 'no one can ever tell yah, that you didn't do it'.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 3422 - 26/07/2021 11:52:45    2364238

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Replying To Oldtourman:  "Cork put seven past Waterford in the first League game this year, but look at them last Saturday."
Strange post! Don't understand any relevance to anything!Cork beat Waterford in 2021 league by 5-22 to 1-27, and scored 3 goals against Clare last Saturday.

Rockies (Cork) - Posts: 947 - 26/07/2021 12:45:54    2364256

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Dublin v Cork…Cork by 1 point.

Tipp v Waterford…Tipp by 3 points.

Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2120 - 26/07/2021 13:04:09    2364265

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Replying To Trump2020:  "Dublin v Cork…Cork by 1 point.

Tipp v Waterford…Tipp by 3 points."
I would reverse the first one and hope your wring on the second one!

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1804 - 26/07/2021 13:12:48    2364268

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Replying To Rockies:  "Strange post! Don't understand any relevance to anything!Cork beat Waterford in 2021 league by 5-22 to 1-27, and scored 3 goals against Clare last Saturday."
Sorry Rockies- I thought they scored 7

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4321 - 26/07/2021 13:19:10    2364270

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Replying To Trump2020:  "Dublin v Cork…Cork by 1 point.

Tipp v Waterford…Tipp by 3 points."
I concur! Waterford vs Tipperary is intriguing. Depends on which Waterford team turns up! They were poor against Clare in first game, but mesmerizing in patches against Galway! Tipperary likewise "blew Limerick out the gate "in first half of Munster final and collapsed in second. They will be looking to atone for this... tentatively i would go for a Tipperary win. I believe Cork will beat Dublin, but could be a tough physical battle and won't be much in it!

Rockies (Cork) - Posts: 947 - 26/07/2021 13:24:27    2364273

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