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Now that the league is done and dusted how is everyone feeling about the Munster Championship?
I feel like Cork are the form team at the moment and look like they have the strongest squad. Pace and Power and skill in abundance and probably also the best age profile in the Championship. They do however have to go to Ennis and Limerick which aren't easy games.
Limerick are very quiet at the moment. I'm happy that once everyone is back on the field together that we will be in contention come Munster Championship but slightly bothered that sometimes you can't just flick a switch and make things work. We looked strong in the first two league matches versus Cork and Tipperary but were poor against Clare, ok against Galway, poor against Kilkenny and absolutely dire versus Wexford.
Clare had a very poor league campaign, however you feel like they were really shadow boxing and hiding in the long grass waiting to ambush Cork. Shane O'Donnell back in training would be a huge plus for them.
I was impressed with Tipperary throughout the league. They seemed to have a good structure and game plan but this was absent in the league final yesterday. Their half backs made some very costly errors yesterday however I feel like they don't need to tweak too much to right these wrongs. They will take a scalp of somebody in Munster this year and I only hope it not us on Easter Sunday.
Waterford looked a bit above Offaly yesterday. A lot of their players look like they have bulked up in the upper body (similar to what Shane O'Donnell did a few years ago). So I would expect them, to be well able to handle themselves in the Physicality stakes. They have Limerick and Clare in Walsh Park so an upset cannot be ruled out.
It's like waiting for Christmas to come
LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 124 - 07/04/2025 14:27:58
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Cork, Limerick and Clare have to be the favourites to advance with Cork and Limerick favourites for the final but I would say any of the five would bite your hand off now just to qualify for the AI series
its going to be that tight and there is always a surprise
Its frankly amazing that Limerick have won six in a row given how competitive its been
I think that league final might end up hurting Tipp - they weren't exactly blown away but the confidence has to have taken a dent. And the draw has not been kind to them with Limerick and Cork first up.
Limerick have a decent draw and I am sure will want to go to Cork with 2 wins and pressure off
I think the biggest question marks are around Clare - they will improve from the league but can they improve enough? And Cork first up in Ennis is probably the last opponent they would want.
Waterford under the radar but are they really better now than they have been the past few years?
Yadse (Limerick) - Posts: 90 - 07/04/2025 17:14:01
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Replying To LimerickandProud: "Now that the league is done and dusted how is everyone feeling about the Munster Championship?
I feel like Cork are the form team at the moment and look like they have the strongest squad. Pace and Power and skill in abundance and probably also the best age profile in the Championship. They do however have to go to Ennis and Limerick which aren't easy games.
Limerick are very quiet at the moment. I'm happy that once everyone is back on the field together that we will be in contention come Munster Championship but slightly bothered that sometimes you can't just flick a switch and make things work. We looked strong in the first two league matches versus Cork and Tipperary but were poor against Clare, ok against Galway, poor against Kilkenny and absolutely dire versus Wexford.
Clare had a very poor league campaign, however you feel like they were really shadow boxing and hiding in the long grass waiting to ambush Cork. Shane O'Donnell back in training would be a huge plus for them.
I was impressed with Tipperary throughout the league. They seemed to have a good structure and game plan but this was absent in the league final yesterday. Their half backs made some very costly errors yesterday however I feel like they don't need to tweak too much to right these wrongs. They will take a scalp of somebody in Munster this year and I only hope it not us on Easter Sunday.
Waterford looked a bit above Offaly yesterday. A lot of their players look like they have bulked up in the upper body (similar to what Shane O'Donnell did a few years ago). So I would expect them, to be well able to handle themselves in the Physicality stakes. They have Limerick and Clare in Walsh Park so an upset cannot be ruled out.
It's like waiting for Christmas to come" I think you're right about Tipp. The second and third Cork goals resulted from basic defensive errors that can be put right, while giving due credit to Cork for forcing those errors. I'd also agree with Donal Og (for a chamge!) that Tipp didn't play with the same intensity they had shown in earlier league games. Is it possible that they were too concerned about the referee? Sean Stack had flashed cards for fun in Nowlan Park in Tipp's previous game, and maybe they were too concerned that a red card would rule them out of the first championship game. As it turned out, Stack let a lot go on both sides yesterday. However, he did make one bad blunder in booking Alan Tynan instead of Sam O'Farrell in the second half. After the harsh red card he got in Nowlan Park, Tynan must be wondering what he has done to upset Stack!
midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 597 - 07/04/2025 19:19:07
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Replying To Yadse: "Cork, Limerick and Clare have to be the favourites to advance with Cork and Limerick favourites for the final but I would say any of the five would bite your hand off now just to qualify for the AI series
its going to be that tight and there is always a surprise
Its frankly amazing that Limerick have won six in a row given how competitive its been
I think that league final might end up hurting Tipp - they weren't exactly blown away but the confidence has to have taken a dent. And the draw has not been kind to them with Limerick and Cork first up.
Limerick have a decent draw and I am sure will want to go to Cork with 2 wins and pressure off
I think the biggest question marks are around Clare - they will improve from the league but can they improve enough? And Cork first up in Ennis is probably the last opponent they would want.
Waterford under the radar but are they really better now than they have been the past few years?" Limerick are not going to Cork, that and the Clare Game are in the Gaelic Grounds.
Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4482 - 07/04/2025 20:32:17
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I'd gladly take 3rd in Munster at this moment..I think there will be surprises in Munster..I think tipp and Waterford will get a result or 2 to throw the cat among the pigeons.cork look to have strongest panel even more so than limerick.I'm worried some limerick players will be undercooked for the start..I'm hoping Nicky missing won't haunt us.
Clare are the team I can't figure,o Donnell huge loss but they'll have a fully fit Kelly back.pace down the centre of defence could be the biggest problem.I've always thought if Waterford got everyone back for and available they have the hurlers and have one of their own now involved which is huge..no sign of gleeson being used to much and he could be a major weapon with 20 mins to go in any match..forwards as good as any other team..
I thought tipp were on way back but I seriously think they need the mcgraths to start..again pace at the back could be a big problem.phsicality and discipline will have huge bearing.any team have 2/3 players they can't be without and injuries or suspensions will be a problem for all teams..be interesting on first weekend to see how refs and other officials deal with things..
I'm going to say cork/limerick final but wouldn't put much money on it.I'll pick Waterford for third position..bring on what hopefully will be a super summer.
CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2490 - 08/04/2025 12:25:38
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Replying To CTGAA10: "I'd gladly take 3rd in Munster at this moment..I think there will be surprises in Munster..I think tipp and Waterford will get a result or 2 to throw the cat among the pigeons.cork look to have strongest panel even more so than limerick.I'm worried some limerick players will be undercooked for the start..I'm hoping Nicky missing won't haunt us.
Clare are the team I can't figure,o Donnell huge loss but they'll have a fully fit Kelly back.pace down the centre of defence could be the biggest problem.I've always thought if Waterford got everyone back for and available they have the hurlers and have one of their own now involved which is huge..no sign of gleeson being used to much and he could be a major weapon with 20 mins to go in any match..forwards as good as any other team..
I thought tipp were on way back but I seriously think they need the mcgraths to start..again pace at the back could be a big problem.phsicality and discipline will have huge bearing.any team have 2/3 players they can't be without and injuries or suspensions will be a problem for all teams..be interesting on first weekend to see how refs and other officials deal with things..
I'm going to say cork/limerick final but wouldn't put much money on it.I'll pick Waterford for third position..bring on what hopefully will be a super summer." I think every county in Munster would bite your hand off if you told them they could have third place now.
Obviously the direct route is best if you can win Munster, however third place is not a bad route. Firstly you get an extra week off after Munster championship (as the Preliminary Quarter finals are the week after the Munster Final), then you get a match against a Joe McDonagh finalist (who have only played the Joe McDonagh cup final the previous week so they might be a bit tired).
That match could set you up lovely for a quarter final against a beaten Leinster finalist (who although would have had an extra week off are still trying to pick themselves up from the provincial final defeat)
LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 124 - 08/04/2025 13:00:14
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I love when we are wrote off. This started when we were relegated last year after losing all the games by a total of 9 points and then some controversial decisions in not getting out of Munster. Of course it is a tough assignment and difficult to predict. It has taken Cork all these years to get over the strike and Tipp are not over stabbing Grogan in the back.
Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 3004 - 08/04/2025 17:04:56
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You'd have to fancy Cork just now but we've seen many teams blow the league away and fall flat on their faces in the summer.
Cork to top the group anyway.
Limerick have looked disinterested but that will not be the case in the coming weeks. I expect them to be in a Munster final.
Then the real fun starts. Winning without working too hard will have done a world of good for Waterford.
Tipp have lots of young talent and have improved. They'll need to up their work rate a lot to be in with a shout.
Clare without o Donnell, and their record of defending all Irelands is weak, but they're champions so you have to respect them.
One thing for sure there'll be no gimmies in Munster.
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3482 - 08/04/2025 22:54:12
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As a Cork man i hate all the hype of Cork, its too early. Championship is where it counts
DuhallowRed (Cork) - Posts: 309 - 11/04/2025 11:29:02
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Replying To Canuck: "I love when we are wrote off. This started when we were relegated last year after losing all the games by a total of 9 points and then some controversial decisions in not getting out of Munster. Of course it is a tough assignment and difficult to predict. It has taken Cork all these years to get over the strike and Tipp are not over stabbing Grogan in the back." Who is Grogan?
midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 597 - 11/04/2025 12:32:53
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Replying To Canuck: "I love when we are wrote off. This started when we were relegated last year after losing all the games by a total of 9 points and then some controversial decisions in not getting out of Munster. Of course it is a tough assignment and difficult to predict. It has taken Cork all these years to get over the strike and Tipp are not over stabbing Grogan in the back." What happend to Reuben Halloran, is he out injured or his he not involved?
Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2235 - 11/04/2025 13:12:45
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Replying To Bon: "What happend to Reuben Halloran, is he out injured or his he not involved?" He has appeared on the substitutes but no game time. He is a reliable free taker but Padraigh Fitzgerald has passed him in the pecking order to Bennett.
Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 3004 - 11/04/2025 15:26:08
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Replying To midlands: "Who is Grogan?" Colm Bonnar I ment.
Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 3004 - 11/04/2025 15:27:32
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Replying To Canuck: "He has appeared on the substitutes but no game time. He is a reliable free taker but Padraigh Fitzgerald has passed him in the pecking order to Bennett." Ah right, he seemed like a guy with huge potential and any time I've seen him play he always seemed to show up well. Thanks.
Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2235 - 11/04/2025 19:59:47
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