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2024 Joe McDonagh Cup Discussion thread

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Replying To Dheen:  "We shouldn't rule out Kerry, Meath and Down. Joe Mcdonagh always throws up unexpected results!
Should be a great championship, its been excellent since it started and deserves to be promoted better."
You can safely rule Meath out. Our best case scenario is snaking a win vs. Down or Kerry to stay up.

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1662 - 03/04/2024 13:58:19    2535373

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Replying To CastleBravo:  "You can safely rule Meath out. Our best case scenario is snaking a win vs. Down or Kerry to stay up."
Our 20 management made that mistake our seniors and minors have been earned.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1600 - 04/04/2024 18:00:35    2535677

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Replying To CastleBravo:  "You can safely rule Meath out. Our best case scenario is snaking a win vs. Down or Kerry to stay up."
In recent years the chase for the final has generally been a 4 way battle. Kerry are off the pace this year. I don't think Down have closed the gap to the expected top 3.
Laois v Offaly is some first round match. More pressure on Offaly with Westmeath and Laois playing on the final day. Offaly cannot be depending on a result from Westmeath v Laois. Down v Meath will have one county on the back foot after Round 1. Westmeath v Kerry. Kerry relegated Offaly in 2019. The final round in Tralee was essentially a relegation final. This will be Kerry's most difficult year since then. Kerry v Meath in Round 5 might be the playoff to retain McDonagh status. Kerry are home to Down, Laois and Meath. Being home against Down and Meath could be crucial. In saying that, Down beat Kerry in Tralee in 2022 but bounced back to make the final and a preliminary quarter-final against Wexford.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8282 - 04/04/2024 21:11:44    2535710

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Does anyone know why McDonagh cup fixtures (and Ring, Rackard, Meagher) are not agreed until a week or 2 before the competition starts? Genuinely interested in understanding the reasons and process.

Firceall (Offaly) - Posts: 32 - 06/04/2024 11:46:18    2535983

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Replying To Firceall:  "Does anyone know why McDonagh cup fixtures (and Ring, Rackard, Meagher) are not agreed until a week or 2 before the competition starts? Genuinely interested in understanding the reasons and process."
The fixtures have been listed on Hoganstand's fixture list for last number of weeks.

saorkick (Dublin) - Posts: 13 - 06/04/2024 13:22:31    2536006

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Replying To Firceall:  "Does anyone know why McDonagh cup fixtures (and Ring, Rackard, Meagher) are not agreed until a week or 2 before the competition starts? Genuinely interested in understanding the reasons and process."
The fixtures were announced at the start of December AFAIK.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8282 - 06/04/2024 14:31:54    2536025

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There are actually a few elements to the fixtures.

The master calendar was published at beginning of December, and would have the order the matches are to be played in, and the designated weekend for them. For example, this was published then for the weekend of April 20 & 21:

April 20-21st: Joe McDonagh Cup Rd 1: Westmeath v Kerry, Down v Meath, Laois v Offaly; Christy Ring Cup Rd 2: Kildare v Wicklow, London v Sligo, Derry v Tyrone; Nickey Rackard Cup R 2: Donegal v Mayo, Louth v Armagh, Monaghan v Roscommon; Lory Meagher Cup Rd 2: Fermanagh v Cavan, Warwickshire v Longford, Lancashire v Leitrim.

Sometime around February, the exact day for each fixture and a provisional time for them would be agreed. And then the actual time remains a movable feast up until closer to the fixture itself, and can still be changed depending on various circumstances.

This happens at the higher levels too. For example, it's only about two weeks since the throw-in time for Antrim v Wexford in the Leinster SHC on April 27 was changed from 5 p.m. to 3 p.m. I believe it's because Wexford are travelling up the night before, and it's to allow them start the trip home again a little earlier than a 5 p.m. start would.

No disrespect to anybody involved in the lower grades, but the time tends to remain changeable until closer to the date itself, the further you go down. This is mainly because any change doesn't tend to impact on as many others, such as large numbers of supporters making travel plans, or TV schedules.

Hope this explains it.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2621 - 06/04/2024 15:10:17    2536037

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "There are actually a few elements to the fixtures.

The master calendar was published at beginning of December, and would have the order the matches are to be played in, and the designated weekend for them. For example, this was published then for the weekend of April 20 & 21:

April 20-21st: Joe McDonagh Cup Rd 1: Westmeath v Kerry, Down v Meath, Laois v Offaly; Christy Ring Cup Rd 2: Kildare v Wicklow, London v Sligo, Derry v Tyrone; Nickey Rackard Cup R 2: Donegal v Mayo, Louth v Armagh, Monaghan v Roscommon; Lory Meagher Cup Rd 2: Fermanagh v Cavan, Warwickshire v Longford, Lancashire v Leitrim.

Sometime around February, the exact day for each fixture and a provisional time for them would be agreed. And then the actual time remains a movable feast up until closer to the fixture itself, and can still be changed depending on various circumstances.

This happens at the higher levels too. For example, it's only about two weeks since the throw-in time for Antrim v Wexford in the Leinster SHC on April 27 was changed from 5 p.m. to 3 p.m. I believe it's because Wexford are travelling up the night before, and it's to allow them start the trip home again a little earlier than a 5 p.m. start would.

No disrespect to anybody involved in the lower grades, but the time tends to remain changeable until closer to the date itself, the further you go down. This is mainly because any change doesn't tend to impact on as many others, such as large numbers of supporters making travel plans, or TV schedules.

Hope this explains it."
Thanks for the explanation. I understand the fixtures are already known, it was really a question about why the day (not time) is left as 'Saturday or Sunday' up to a week or 2 before the first round, unlike the Leinster/Munster Championships where the dates are agreed earlier, albeit times can change. I expect it is easier to agree dates earlier within a Province, but would be help to get actual McDonagh dates a bit earlier.

Firceall (Offaly) - Posts: 32 - 06/04/2024 18:34:17    2536082

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Have to admit I didn't realise the Joe McDonagh Cup and other lower tier fixtures don't even have the exact day decided yet, never mind the time, but that's how they're currently appearing on the GAA website all right.

We in Wexford came close last year to having to take more of an interest in them, but thankfully we avoided them. The less said, the better!

Can understand the frustration all right at not even knowing yet what day a match would be on. I'd have thought at least that would have been decided by now.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2621 - 06/04/2024 22:11:29    2536118

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The fixture days are confirmed on Gaa.ie now.

Firceall (Offaly) - Posts: 32 - 09/04/2024 19:56:15    2536989

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Kerry will be without Shane Conway for their McDonagh campaign. Really is looking like a three way battle for the final and a three way battle for retaining status.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8282 - 13/04/2024 12:51:28    2537634

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Kerry will be without Shane Conway for their McDonagh campaign. Really is looking like a three way battle for the final and a three way battle for retaining status."
I have to hand it to you.You are trying very hard to make us complacent.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1600 - 14/04/2024 10:03:37    2537726

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The McDonagh Cup has been described as a shark tank. Laois v Offaly should be a fierce opening round game. Offaly have to win to avoid any Westmeath and Laois shenanigans on the final day. Westmeath and Down favourites in the other games if league form can be relied upon. A Down win will give them more licence to chase 4th at least.
SATURDAY 20 APRIL
JOE MCDONAGH CUP ROUND 1
Down v Meath, Ballycran, 2pm
SUNDAY 21 APRIL
Laois v Offaly, O'Moore Park, 2pm
Westmeath v Kerry, Mullingar, 2pm

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8282 - 20/04/2024 09:47:32    2539171

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A very surprising result in Mullingar. Kerry, who have been atrocious all year, beat their Division 1 rivals who are looking to make a swift return back to the Leinster championship.
Laois have claimed a big win as well. Some saw Offaly as the favourites to win this year. A lot of hurling to be played yet. Down beat Kerry in Tralee two years before Kerry went on to the final. Offaly play Westmeath next.
JOE MCDONAGH CUP ROUND 1
Laois 2-21 Offaly 0-24, O'Moore Park FT
Westmeath 1-14 Kerry 1-20, Mullingar FT
SATURDAY
Down 3-24 Meath 0-25, Ballycran - FT

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8282 - 21/04/2024 16:59:19    2539554

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Replying To legendzxix:  "A very surprising result in Mullingar. Kerry, who have been atrocious all year, beat their Division 1 rivals who are looking to make a swift return back to the Leinster championship.
Laois have claimed a big win as well. Some saw Offaly as the favourites to win this year. A lot of hurling to be played yet. Down beat Kerry in Tralee two years before Kerry went on to the final. Offaly play Westmeath next.
JOE MCDONAGH CUP ROUND 1
Laois 2-21 Offaly 0-24, O'Moore Park FT
Westmeath 1-14 Kerry 1-20, Mullingar FT
SATURDAY
Down 3-24 Meath 0-25, Ballycran - FT"
Kerry have thrown the cat among the pigeons here. Game on, Ger.

Overthebar53 (Carlow) - Posts: 284 - 21/04/2024 19:12:45    2539583

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Kerry have basically an under 23 panel this year.

Their star man Shane Conway is out injured and 7 or 8 of their best hurlers didn't commit this year.

It's a huge result for this young panel of Kerry hurlers and if they can get a result at home against an in form Down team next weekend, I wouldn't rule out Kerry making the final.

Past hurler (None) - Posts: 804 - 21/04/2024 20:56:25    2539617

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One swallow won't make a summer but it was a great win. Westmeath will rue missed chances. Kerry's conversion rate was high today, a bit improvement on their league games. The McDonagh is still between Laois, Offaly and Westmeath. Offaly are on the back foot after today. The McDonagh is the gift that keeps on giving. It will only be Round 2 but Offaly and Westmeath will have to win or they'll be in big danger of missing out on the final.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8282 - 21/04/2024 21:24:21    2539626

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As a Westmeath man in Mullingar today one could not but be impressed by the discipline, work rate and hunger of the Kerry men. Stephen Molumphy had his charges in top order and they fully merited their six point win, their defence limited 11 Westmeath forwards on duty to only one of the forwards scoring from play. It's some feat to do that, McDonagh cup now knockout for two of the pre competition favourites

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1916 - 21/04/2024 22:31:25    2539649

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Replying To legendzxix:  "One swallow won't make a summer but it was a great win. Westmeath will rue missed chances. Kerry's conversion rate was high today, a bit improvement on their league games. The McDonagh is still between Laois, Offaly and Westmeath. Offaly are on the back foot after today. The McDonagh is the gift that keeps on giving. It will only be Round 2 but Offaly and Westmeath will have to win or they'll be in big danger of missing out on the final."
A big game for both sides on Saturday.

thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1879 - 22/04/2024 09:30:44    2539710

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Offaly v Westmeath is the game of the round. Both are looking at knockout hurling in Round 2, similar to Cork v Clare. Offaly were the raging hot favourites for some to win the McDonagh. Westmeath were the raging hot favourites for others. Westmeath play Laois in Round 5. Offaly can't afford Westmeath v Louth to determine if they make the final.
Kerry had a surprise win in Round 1. It was fully deserved. Down have caused problems before.
Laois will be expected to beat Meath.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8282 - 26/04/2024 16:41:53    2540797

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