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Correct I was at the game and agree with this. I wouldnt judge Clarinbridge just on this though. I seen them against K'daly earlier in the campaign on a wet day they looked good. They are an evenly distributed team. A bit like loughrea. And either team could go all the way.
clare_sparrow (Galway) - Posts: 441 - 19/10/2022 10:34:33 2444572 Link 3 |
Its a few years since I seen Calrinbridge. Have they really improved that much that they are serious contenders?
tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 19/10/2022 10:59:13 2444577 Link 1 |
Well they were in the county final last year, so if that's not a contender, I'm not sure what is. They had tight games with the other 3 top teams in their group, so they're there or thereabouts. They've been very strong at underage for the last while and their younger lads are developing. I don't think they'll win it, but they're certainly capable of taking out anyone. WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2223 - 19/10/2022 11:35:06 2444588 Link 1 |
They are a very good team. The only thing I take issue with is someone saying they impressed at the weekend.
TanCanRan (Galway) - Posts: 239 - 19/10/2022 12:37:15 2444603 Link 1 |
St. Thomas' , Turloughmore, Clarinbridge and sarsfields will be odds on and favourites with most of the pundits to win but every year there is always a few upsets!!
katser (Galway) - Posts: 2481 - 19/10/2022 12:50:51 2444607 Link 1 |
Even 3-4 years can make a huge difference. Minors who were 17-18 then, are now 21-22 and could form a mighty backbone to a team. You should know things like this Tiobraid, as even 2019 seems like a lifetime ago now (so much, not just time, has happened since).
foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2118 - 19/10/2022 12:55:13 2444608 Link 2 |
Might be a year too early for Clarinbridge but they are definitely the coming team, very young side but have a nice mix of big lads and good hurlers and a nice style of play. Galwayspur (Offaly) - Posts: 231 - 19/10/2022 13:50:28 2444615 Link 1 |
It completely slipped my mind they were in the final last year. I think they were in senior B for a year or more and I seen none of last years cship. Fair enough - obviously a quickly improving club.
tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 19/10/2022 15:46:05 2444627 Link 1 |
Got to county final from senior B last year. They were yo yoing there a good few years. Every second year they'd be up and down. Brought Thomass to extra time in 18 in quarter final and then were down the next year etc Think this is the first time they've put back to back good years together or not getting relegated back to B since it came in (could be wrong on that) No doubt are a coming club but they've been coming for a while now, they'll eventually have to make break through, longer it goes on the harder it is to break through, just ask Turloughmore. They've been hovering up minors, u21s, feile all Ireland's the last few years so there's definitely no shortage of talent. Probably miss a Conor Cooney type hurler to make the next step to county title winners or all Ireland club challengers, they have a lot of finishers but probably don't have that lad to win a puckout and have the power and skill to get a goal or a couple of points out of it. Great skillful hurlers but my own personal feeling is that's what their missing.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (Wexford) - Posts: 286 - 20/10/2022 11:28:57 2444724 Link 1 |
There is no doubt about it but Clarinbridge and Turloughmore are the teams one would expect to dominate once this great St.Thomas' team comes to an end (I expect could be this year). Outside of that Loughrea and Cappataggle will be floating about. If either of those two were to win there Quarter Finals.....I'd be putting a few quid on them going the whole way! katser (Galway) - Posts: 2481 - 20/10/2022 13:23:08 2444761 Link 0 |
And before anyone mentions sarsfields........think they haven't been in a Semi Final since 2015!! Stats........Cappataggle Semi Finals '17,'18,'19,20 Loughrea Semi Finals '20 Turloughmore Final '20 Clarinbridge Final '21. katser (Galway) - Posts: 2481 - 20/10/2022 13:50:11 2444769 Link 1 |
Think Cappataggle have missed the boat after those 4 semi final losses in a row. They've probably regressed a small bit since then too, don't seem to have the same energy or power that they had before. They got out of a lot weaker group in 3rd position than the other group and the loss to Gort last year was also a sign of the starts of a decline. They'll still be very competitive this year and for a few more years but think they've gone past their peak of 2017-2020, pity they didn't get over the line in at least one semi final. (They could well prove me wrong but I don't see it happening in my opinion)
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (Wexford) - Posts: 286 - 20/10/2022 14:11:59 2444775 Link 0 |
I would love to see Tommy Larkins, Loughrea, Portumna and Cappataggle in the Semi Finals........it would Definitely throw the cat among the pigeons regarding the Championship but as I've said before St.Thomas', Clarinbridge, Turloughmore and sarsfields will be favourites.....so just have to see what happens! I'd be expecting double header in Duggan Park Cappataggle v St Thomas' and Portumna v sarsfields (although Loughrea is halfway for the 4 Clubs) Double Header in Kenny Park Clarinbridge v Tommy Larkins and Loughrea v Turloughmore katser (Galway) - Posts: 2481 - 20/10/2022 14:55:42 2444790 Link 1 |
I love St Thomas's but wouldn't mind seeing Clarenbridge win it or someone that never won it before. I hope the weather cooperates too.
Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2282 - 20/10/2022 16:03:40 2444808 Link 0 |
St. Thomas' proved you don't have to be a mega super Clubs from the satellite suburbs of Galway City with like 4 u12 teams like Clarinbridge and Turloughmore to be successful at Senior!!
katser (Galway) - Posts: 2481 - 20/10/2022 16:14:46 2444812 Link 1 |
Cappataggle or Tommy Larkins would be nice to see win. Thomas's, Portumna, Clarinbridge, Sarsfields, Loughrea have all been in county finals or even all Ireland finals in the not so recent past. Turloughmore will always be there or there's about, whether or not they get over the line is a different debate and can't imagine too many neutrals would getting behind them too much. Would love a real underdog in either Cappy who've never won it or Tommy's who most be the guts of 50 years without one. Portumna outside of those two would be nice to see just out of how much they're making the best of what they have. Realistically it's going to be Thomas's again but here's hoping a bolter comes along.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (Wexford) - Posts: 286 - 20/10/2022 16:15:10 2444814 Link 1 |
You might be adding Sarsfields '22 to that list. Would that entitle them to a capital first letter? A county title and a big 'S' from Katser would be a great year for muintir Bullaun & New Inn. WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2223 - 20/10/2022 16:20:14 2444816 Link 1 |
That would be a very surprising stat that Sarsfields haven't been in the semi final since 2015? If that was the case it would 1 semi final appearance since 2002? Less than Beagh and same amount as Kinvara in that tike period...that's crazy. I think they are a very good team and I think the closest to Thomas's but that's still a crazy Stat for the team they have and have had the last 3/4 years especially. Good omen that the one time they did they won it out!
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (Wexford) - Posts: 286 - 20/10/2022 17:24:02 2444832 Link 1 |
Not really because they were very lucky to draw with Clarinbridge and Turloughmore missed lots of chances...so by right they should have lost 3 Group games this year while last year they didn't even qualify for the knockout stage!
katser (Galway) - Posts: 2481 - 20/10/2022 19:02:47 2444841 Link 0 |
"Realistically it's going to be Thomas's again ". I'd consider that far too sweeping a statement. Thomas's are one of 3 to 5 teams who could win it. They are still favourites but far from a shoo-in and I'd actually say I don't think they'll win it this year. PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1968 - 20/10/2022 19:08:13 2444845 Link 1 |