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Hurling League Final 2024

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What's everybody thinking on this?

I see Johnny Murphy is the referee? This could have a huge impact on the Game.

Johnny would be known for trying to demonstrate his knowledge and interpretation of the more obscure rules in the rule book. Kilkenny Forwards and Clare backs may need to be on their best behaviour.

LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 94 - 02/04/2024 17:34:36    2535234

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Replying To LimerickandProud:  "What's everybody thinking on this?

I see Johnny Murphy is the referee? This could have a huge impact on the Game.

Johnny would be known for trying to demonstrate his knowledge and interpretation of the more obscure rules in the rule book. Kilkenny Forwards and Clare backs may need to be on their best behaviour."
I'm not overly keen on a Limerick ref 2 weeks before we play Limerick. I can smell a Clare red card

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2679 - 02/04/2024 20:54:48    2535259

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Replying To LohansRedHelmet:  "I'm not overly keen on a Limerick ref 2 weeks before we play Limerick. I can smell a Clare red card"
In Fairness I do not think he operates that way.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4467 - 02/04/2024 21:18:17    2535265

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I tried to post earlier but for some reason it didn't appear..it's a strange appointment with Clare only 2 weeks out from a meeting with limerick..I'll be interested to see the free count..

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2378 - 02/04/2024 21:34:50    2535272

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Replying To LohansRedHelmet:  "I'm not overly keen on a Limerick ref 2 weeks before we play Limerick. I can smell a Clare red card"
I think that's a perfectly reasonable gripe. We know what we'll get in this game though. Kilkenny will be as tough as they can get away with, and Clare will try to make sure they're caught.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3142 - 03/04/2024 08:12:11    2535313

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More on topic I think this game is extremely important for Clare.

If anything is to change this year they need to beat Kilkenny in a meaningful game.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3142 - 03/04/2024 08:13:23    2535314

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Replying To CTGAA10:  "I tried to post earlier but for some reason it didn't appear..it's a strange appointment with Clare only 2 weeks out from a meeting with limerick..I'll be interested to see the free count.."
I think he is fairly whistle happy which creates a problem for us as for all our good work we do give up a lot of frees and KK are only happy to oblige

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2679 - 03/04/2024 08:19:44    2535315

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "I think that's a perfectly reasonable gripe. We know what we'll get in this game though. Kilkenny will be as tough as they can get away with, and Clare will try to make sure they're caught."
Dont think Clare are angels either so good for one as he is for the other .

Tiger1 (Wexford) - Posts: 280 - 03/04/2024 10:06:17    2535335

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Replying To Oldtourman:  "In Fairness I do not think he operates that way."
Of course he doesn't, but he could be put in an awkward position if, for instance, a Clare player commits a red card offence. Johnny is in a no-win situation then. If he doesn't apply the rule it could count against him as regrads future appointments, and if he gives the red card he could be accused of doing his own county a favour. It's not an ideal situation for him, but those in charge sometimes seem to disregard such issues.

midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 583 - 03/04/2024 10:27:33    2535339

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Replying To midlands:  "Of course he doesn't, but he could be put in an awkward position if, for instance, a Clare player commits a red card offence. Johnny is in a no-win situation then. If he doesn't apply the rule it could count against him as regrads future appointments, and if he gives the red card he could be accused of doing his own county a favour. It's not an ideal situation for him, but those in charge sometimes seem to disregard such issues."
There's no difficulty for Johnny. If he sees a red card offence he will give a red card.

Everyone knows what they are getting in advance so both teams have to be on their best behaviour.

Kilkenny have street smarts, they are excellent at flipping the opponents helmets when jumping for a ball just enough to affect the opposing players view for a split second while they win the ball, Past experience would be that they could easily be pulled on this by Johnny. Similarly some Clare Players loose use of the Hurley when fending off tackles or turning away from the tackles or the swarm defence could get them into trouble with Johnny so they need to be extra careful.

LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 94 - 03/04/2024 11:21:31    2535345

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Kilkenny and Clare has the makings of a great match though.

Given their history over the last couple of years I think Clare need a win in this one more than Kilkenny.

I personally think Clare are the form team in Ireland at the moment and if they really go for it (and don't experiment with some stupid tactic like they did in the first half of the All-Ireland last year) they have enough to win it, but they need to stop the Kilkenny Goal threat.

I think the forecast is wet and windy for Saturday though so Free Taking could be very important and Kilkenny and TJ have have the edge here.

Hopefully for all the neutrals we get a good tough game with no big controversy, which will whet the appetite nicely for the Championship to come

LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 94 - 03/04/2024 11:39:09    2535349

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Replying To LohansRedHelmet:  "I'm not overly keen on a Limerick ref 2 weeks before we play Limerick. I can smell a Clare red card"
The victim has come out early this year I see. I'd be more worried for the KK lads with Clare's diving and playacting record.

countyman2022 (Wexford) - Posts: 727 - 03/04/2024 13:15:26    2535367

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "More on topic I think this game is extremely important for Clare.

If anything is to change this year they need to beat Kilkenny in a meaningful game."
I agree. I think this is an important game for us.

However, the championship is where it is at and its not ideal to have to play the toughest match of the champsionship 2 weeks later. Kilkenny have Antrim first out.

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2679 - 03/04/2024 15:22:36    2535394

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Replying To midlands:  "Of course he doesn't, but he could be put in an awkward position if, for instance, a Clare player commits a red card offence. Johnny is in a no-win situation then. If he doesn't apply the rule it could count against him as regrads future appointments, and if he gives the red card he could be accused of doing his own county a favour. It's not an ideal situation for him, but those in charge sometimes seem to disregard such issues."
Thata fair point, i cant see why they would put him in charge given rightly or wrongly some in the media or othwerwise could say he has a confliect of interest. Its no good for him.

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2679 - 03/04/2024 15:24:25    2535395

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Replying To LohansRedHelmet:  "I agree. I think this is an important game for us.

However, the championship is where it is at and its not ideal to have to play the toughest match of the champsionship 2 weeks later. Kilkenny have Antrim first out."
On the other hand, a good tough match 2 weeks before the Championship could benefit Clare (and Kilkenny).
Look, Clare were well aware of the fixtures a long time ago. If you wanted a longer rest before the start of the Munster, you could have tried a bit less hard against Tipp in the semi. Alternatively, you can field a weakened team against Kilkenny, resting your best players. You've made your bed, now lie in it.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2654 - 03/04/2024 16:14:22    2535405

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Will any of the missing Clare players start at weekend?think it's more important for Clare to get silverware after being so close for the last few years..could be very interesting match ups on Saturday night..kk might find David Fitz a real handful,he has been outstanding and is probably best hurler Clare have had for over 2 years and I would say probably more important than fellas who are missing..I'd like to see both teams go full on but not sure what will happen..I would say a Clare win by maybe 4 points..

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2378 - 03/04/2024 16:16:27    2535406

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Replying To CTGAA10:  "Will any of the missing Clare players start at weekend?think it's more important for Clare to get silverware after being so close for the last few years..could be very interesting match ups on Saturday night..kk might find David Fitz a real handful,he has been outstanding and is probably best hurler Clare have had for over 2 years and I would say probably more important than fellas who are missing..I'd like to see both teams go full on but not sure what will happen..I would say a Clare win by maybe 4 points.."
I think bar possibly McCarthy starting we will see the same Clare team that started against Tipperary. Can't see Kelly and SOD starting but what options off the bench

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2679 - 03/04/2024 16:45:23    2535408

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Replying To LimerickandProud:  "Kilkenny and Clare has the makings of a great match though.

Given their history over the last couple of years I think Clare need a win in this one more than Kilkenny.

I personally think Clare are the form team in Ireland at the moment and if they really go for it (and don't experiment with some stupid tactic like they did in the first half of the All-Ireland last year) they have enough to win it, but they need to stop the Kilkenny Goal threat.

I think the forecast is wet and windy for Saturday though so Free Taking could be very important and Kilkenny and TJ have have the edge here.

Hopefully for all the neutrals we get a good tough game with no big controversy, which will whet the appetite nicely for the Championship to come"
Yes, TJ has been the most consistently dependable freetaker over the last ten years, and can deal with pressure better than most. At the same time, I have not seen a better exhibition of freetaking than that given by Aidan McCarthy in the semi-final against Tipp. In very difficult conditions, he nailed frees from all angles and distances. But can he repeat that? Will he even be on the starting 15?

midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 583 - 03/04/2024 17:57:10    2535423

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Replying To LohansRedHelmet:  "I agree. I think this is an important game for us.

However, the championship is where it is at and its not ideal to have to play the toughest match of the champsionship 2 weeks later. Kilkenny have Antrim first out."
Did Antrim not beat Clare last year?

I'd say the Clare lads will be grateful for a tough game, and potentially national silverware once they stay injury free

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3142 - 03/04/2024 23:36:12    2535482

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "Did Antrim not beat Clare last year?

I'd say the Clare lads will be grateful for a tough game, and potentially national silverware once they stay injury free"
No Antrim beat Clare 3 years ago in the first round of the league.

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2679 - 04/04/2024 10:42:16    2535525

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