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Leinster Senior Club Hurling

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Replying To ML89:  "This is not being disingenuous to Wexford football but the county team is usually floating around the bottom of the lowest division and Wexford clubs aren't seen as much of threat in all Ireland series at football either so for all the talk of everyone plays both it doesn't seem to improve football in the county either. Was just wondering how the wexford hurling standards at club have been low for a while now, like st martins, rapps, Naomh eanna have all taken massive hammerings in Leinster... especially when you think of the great Rathnure, Oularth, buffers Alley teams that's were top class from the 70s-15, seems to be a big drop off but it's not like football has improved really at all in the county bar a resurgence 15 years ago for a couple of years. Like Tipperary is very much a hurling first county but yet it's footballers have been relatively successful at county level and club level where bar a few areas football is only given an afterthought. Just wondering have you any insight into how this drop has came in Wexford hurling but no real improvement in football in the county either. Love Wexford and would hate to see them go the way Offaly did (who finally stopped the rot and are improving at all levels in hurling and football with a much smaller pick) need more counties competitive at all levels, especially for us in Leinster or fear falling behind Munster"
As you rightly say since the late 40s/early 50s Wexford football had been in the doldrums up until the noughties. We reached the div1 league final in 04 then an AISF in 08. We won the Leinster u21 football championship in 11 but never really built on that win. Part of the problem was top players like Matthew O Hanlon chose to play hurling as an adult. Largely speaking most of our inter county hurling squad are also their clubs strongest football players. Our record in club intercounty football and hurling isnt great and tbh wasnt that great in the period you mention. Buffers Alley won our only club all Ireland in either code ever in 1989. In Leinster both Offaly and Kilkenny have won more club titles than us at hurling. Rathnure won 6 of those, Buffers Alley 3 and Oulart 1. All 3 clubs would be traditionally stronger at Hurling but both Oulart and Buffers Alley are not even senior clubs at the moment and Rathnure havent been close to a final in a while now either it's been 10 years since they reached one. No Wexford club has ever reached a Leinster football final never mind won 1 but they would be up against clubs from Leinster counties who mostly dont play hurling at all or only as a minority sport. Currently the strongest hurling clubs are also largely the strongest football clubs too. Outside of GAA reasons, historically soccer was always popular and strong in Wexford with inter county league teams winning numerous national titles. Over the last 20 years Rugby has also become much more popular. Its hard to explain the lack of top level success at intercounty or club level but certainly if we followed the model in most other counties where clubs are either strong at football or strong at hurling, or in extreme cases only play 1 or other at all, we would probably have more success at club level and intercounty also. But where would that leave people like my kids who love playing both sports with their school friends for their parish club? Personally I prefer the way our club scene is structured as regards clubs being dual clubs and players being dual players as do most people I know in the county. And because success is a rarer event we enjoy it all the more when it happens!

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15461 - 30/11/2021 16:53:08    2391237

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Replying To wexico15:  "Alot of the best players in the Wexford club football championship are intercounty hurlers. I'd say Liam Ryan, Matthew O'Hanlon, Lee Chin, Rory O'Connor, Simon Donohoe, Mikie Dwyer and Aidan Nolan are all good enough to be on the Wexford football panel. Mark Fanning, Kevin Foley, Paudie Foley, Diarmuid O'Keeffe, and Liam Og McGovern all very influential for there clubs too, there's 12 senior clubs in both codes in Wexford, next year 6 clubs will be senior in both while Faythe Harriers Hurling and Sarsfelds football club in wexford town both senior have some crossover too, Lee Chin being the most well known example there."
Think the 2 Foleys would be good enough to play intercounty football too. Conall Flood maybe also.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15461 - 30/11/2021 17:02:43    2391241

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Could be a banana skin this weekend for Ballyhale with TJ's wedding last weekend probably not ideal prep and MLR are a tough team and will give them plenty, I still think you'd have to fancy the Kilkenny men.

Not Leinster but Galway final on between St Thomas and Clarinbridge, St Thomas going for 4 in a row so would have to be favorites, won the QF and SF both by a huge margin, Clarinbridge seem to be tearing it up at underage but Sunday could be a step to far.

bostonredsox (Wexford) - Posts: 4368 - 02/12/2021 17:43:39    2391480

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Replying To wexico15:  "Could be a banana skin this weekend for Ballyhale with TJ's wedding last weekend probably not ideal prep and MLR are a tough team and will give them plenty, I still think you'd have to fancy the Kilkenny men.

Not Leinster but Galway final on between St Thomas and Clarinbridge, St Thomas going for 4 in a row so would have to be favorites, won the QF and SF both by a huge margin, Clarinbridge seem to be tearing it up at underage but Sunday could be a step to far."
Still see Ballyhale having too much and they don't really do slip ups once they get out of Kilkenny. Think Birr and Portumna are the only teams really to beat them in the last 15 years outside Kilkenny really. Mount Leinster are a proud team and have the pedigree but they're last time out in Leinster they shipped a heavy defeat to Coolderry and they're probably a good bit off the level they were at 5/6 years ago. Would probably rank as one of the biggest club shocks of all time if they did pull it off and really hope they do tbh!
Clarinbridge very much a team on the rise with 5 minor A titles since 2015 and I think nearly every men ever of their starting team medal winners with Galway at minor/u21/20 level. Winning the feile all Ireland by a huge score and another minor title in the last couple of weeks there is a great buzz around the club atm. Thomas's are a super team but they might already have an eye on the all Ireland series as they have unfinished business there. 1 club all Ireland will always seem a poor return for the talent they had and even though they're an hour away from doing something that Athenry, Sarsfields and Portumna never did and win 4 in a row, nobody in Galway is putting them on the same levels as them(unfair IMO) as they were 2/3/4 time winners of the all Ireland. Do feel that Ballygunner and Thomas's are probably the only teams left with any sort of chance against Ballyhale on all known form. Also county final being on in Pearse Stadium is awful, bringing two nearby South Galway teams into windy Salthill in December is madness. Athenry surely made more sense and would attract bigger crowd as being stuck in the awful traffic is such a turn off

ML89 (Galway) - Posts: 39 - 02/12/2021 20:06:59    2391492

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Replying To wexico15:  "Could be a banana skin this weekend for Ballyhale with TJ's wedding last weekend probably not ideal prep and MLR are a tough team and will give them plenty, I still think you'd have to fancy the Kilkenny men.

Not Leinster but Galway final on between St Thomas and Clarinbridge, St Thomas going for 4 in a row so would have to be favorites, won the QF and SF both by a huge margin, Clarinbridge seem to be tearing it up at underage but Sunday could be a step to far."
TJ looked in fine fettle today.

Be no fear of the Ballyhale lads, some of their younger lads like Ronan Corcoran and young Cuddihy are hurling out of their skins this year.

I hope MLR make a game of it, a lot of their good players are older now.

Past hurler (None) - Posts: 906 - 02/12/2021 21:53:04    2391502

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Replying To ML89:  "Still see Ballyhale having too much and they don't really do slip ups once they get out of Kilkenny. Think Birr and Portumna are the only teams really to beat them in the last 15 years outside Kilkenny really. Mount Leinster are a proud team and have the pedigree but they're last time out in Leinster they shipped a heavy defeat to Coolderry and they're probably a good bit off the level they were at 5/6 years ago. Would probably rank as one of the biggest club shocks of all time if they did pull it off and really hope they do tbh!
Clarinbridge very much a team on the rise with 5 minor A titles since 2015 and I think nearly every men ever of their starting team medal winners with Galway at minor/u21/20 level. Winning the feile all Ireland by a huge score and another minor title in the last couple of weeks there is a great buzz around the club atm. Thomas's are a super team but they might already have an eye on the all Ireland series as they have unfinished business there. 1 club all Ireland will always seem a poor return for the talent they had and even though they're an hour away from doing something that Athenry, Sarsfields and Portumna never did and win 4 in a row, nobody in Galway is putting them on the same levels as them(unfair IMO) as they were 2/3/4 time winners of the all Ireland. Do feel that Ballygunner and Thomas's are probably the only teams left with any sort of chance against Ballyhale on all known form. Also county final being on in Pearse Stadium is awful, bringing two nearby South Galway teams into windy Salthill in December is madness. Athenry surely made more sense and would attract bigger crowd as being stuck in the awful traffic is such a turn off"
Eh Coolderry beat MLR by 6pts in Tullamore ,hardly a heavy defeat.

Dualclub1 (Carlow) - Posts: 284 - 03/12/2021 10:53:07    2391523

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Replying To Dualclub1:  "Eh Coolderry beat MLR by 6pts in Tullamore ,hardly a heavy defeat."
Was more they never looked like winning really at all and Coolderry finished with 13 men and 6 points is not exactly close either tbf. A Coolderry side that was also very old at that stage as well, still a good club team.

ML89 (Galway) - Posts: 39 - 03/12/2021 11:21:15    2391525

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Replying To ML89:  "Was more they never looked like winning really at all and Coolderry finished with 13 men and 6 points is not exactly close either tbf. A Coolderry side that was also very old at that stage as well, still a good club team."
Both teams won Leinster titles in the last decade.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15461 - 03/12/2021 19:29:10    2391582

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Replying To Past hurler:  "TJ looked in fine fettle today.

Be no fear of the Ballyhale lads, some of their younger lads like Ronan Corcoran and young Cuddihy are hurling out of their skins this year.

I hope MLR make a game of it, a lot of their good players are older now."
I'm looking forward to this game.
Just bought the live stream from BeoSport.live, £6.82 (€8).

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2714 - 04/12/2021 10:57:09    2391618

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "I'm looking forward to this game.
Just bought the live stream from BeoSport.live, £6.82 (€8)."
Looked like Shamrocks kept a decent cushion throughout but 6 point defeat is very respectable by MLR.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 04/12/2021 15:59:01    2391644

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "I'm looking forward to this game.
Just bought the live stream from BeoSport.live, £6.82 (€8)."
Great game.

MLR had the goal chance with five minutes to go that might have turned the game
but it was great fare in December.

Shamrocks had the classy forwards but MLR won every 50-50 in the second half and
could have snuck it at the end.

Good luck to our Kilkenny neighbours in the rest of it.

carlovia (None) - Posts: 1536 - 04/12/2021 16:08:48    2391647

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Replying To Past hurler:  "TJ looked in fine fettle today.

Be no fear of the Ballyhale lads, some of their younger lads like Ronan Corcoran and young Cuddihy are hurling out of their skins this year.

I hope MLR make a game of it, a lot of their good players are older now."
Didn't see it but sounds like they gave Ballyhale plenty of it.

bostonredsox (Wexford) - Posts: 4368 - 04/12/2021 16:42:54    2391653

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Replying To keeper7:  "Looked like Shamrocks kept a decent cushion throughout but 6 point defeat is very respectable by MLR."
MLR couldve drawn level only for a good save from the Ballyhale keeper. Only 3 in it nearing the end of the 60 minutes.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15461 - 04/12/2021 17:04:39    2391657

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Replying To keeper7:  "Looked like Shamrocks kept a decent cushion throughout but 6 point defeat is very respectable by MLR."
Three points with two minutes to go and MLR playing with a strong wind.

Great goal chance would have levelled it and when missed Shamrocks went up pitch to score point.

Definitely wasn't a decent cushion in it.

carlovia (None) - Posts: 1536 - 04/12/2021 17:39:34    2391661

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Replying To wexico15:  "Didn't see it but sounds like they gave Ballyhale plenty of it."
MLR were outstanding in the second half, took them a while to settle which was probably their downfall and that could of been due to a big gap since the county final.

They had great displays all over the field and did not fear Ballyhale.

Past hurler (None) - Posts: 906 - 04/12/2021 18:47:19    2391670

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Replying To Viking66:  "MLR couldve drawn level only for a good save from the Ballyhale keeper. Only 3 in it nearing the end of the 60 minutes."
Seen a few clips on Buff Egans Snapchat of all things, that missed goal chance was a killer.

bostonredsox (Wexford) - Posts: 4368 - 04/12/2021 21:42:59    2391680

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It looked like Ballyhale were going to be caught at one point but they dug it out. I have seen their last few games and I remain unconvinced they will win the All Ireland. They have a major problem at 14. From being arguably their main player outside of TJ and for a man who couldn't stop scoring. he has now gone 4/5 games without scoring and contributes little and looks unfit. It's club hurling but at this level of hurling you still need contributions from everyone. You'd have to wonder if Thomas' lack of a Connacht cship might work against them. Theyre a strong team but despite winning Galway, I'd say not close to their best yet. Looking forward to seeing how far Ballygunner have come on, next weekend.
Ballyhale still favs but they have plenty of tough hurdles to get over yet...

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 06/12/2021 13:59:10    2391860

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Replying To tiobraid:  "It looked like Ballyhale were going to be caught at one point but they dug it out. I have seen their last few games and I remain unconvinced they will win the All Ireland. They have a major problem at 14. From being arguably their main player outside of TJ and for a man who couldn't stop scoring. he has now gone 4/5 games without scoring and contributes little and looks unfit. It's club hurling but at this level of hurling you still need contributions from everyone. You'd have to wonder if Thomas' lack of a Connacht cship might work against them. Theyre a strong team but despite winning Galway, I'd say not close to their best yet. Looking forward to seeing how far Ballygunner have come on, next weekend.
Ballyhale still favs but they have plenty of tough hurdles to get over yet..."
Ballygunner my favourites this year but anything can happen in 60 minutes of winter hurling.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15461 - 06/12/2021 18:52:47    2391915

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Disappointed there were no Ballyhale V MLR highlights on TG4 last (Monday) night.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 07/12/2021 18:58:45    2392030

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Replying To keeper7:  "Disappointed there were no Ballyhale V MLR highlights on TG4 last (Monday) night."
If you search beo sport on YouTube you'll find a clip there.

bostonredsox (Wexford) - Posts: 4368 - 08/12/2021 09:59:56    2392049

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