Hurling 2015

[The D Man]

Hurling 2015 begins this weekend. Yes I know there was the provinical competitions like the Waterford Crystal and Walsh Cup taking place but who remembers who won them come September. 2 interesting divisions, some excellent matches to look foward to. Little room for error in either division. Room for experimentation and trying new players out depends on management views. Supporters may want this but may not be in accordance with how management teams view the season. Can't wait to start.

[bettercallsaul]

No offence meant to die hard fans but it really is a pity so few teams are any good,this is the one game that could potentially have a world following if only their were more than four or five good games a year.

[The D Man]

No offence meant to die hard fans but it really is a pity so few teams are any good,this is the one game that could potentially have a world following if only their were more than four or five good games a year.

Agree with you Saul. There are many issues and problems though to be overcome. There are positives though. A national director of hurling has been re-appointed. On Sunday in Croke Park there are the Junior and Intermediate club finals. In the junior club final Fullen Gaels from Lancashire are playing. The club is in existence just 10 years. In the Intermediate final there is Kilburn Gaels from London. There is also a warwickshire championship. There is also a new game cannot think of the name given to it. It is 13 a side all goals no points and unlimited subs. It has been trialled in USA and before the 2013 All Ireland Final replay. Alot of counties here only pay lipservice or dont want hurling in their county. Sad but true.

[The D Man]

great that its back and should be some great games this weekend. All games in div 1a are hard to predict. As u say it depends what players managers pick. Limerick to beat waterford in 1b.

Good man Ketchup. Some great games this weekend definitely. Cork wont want to lose at home. Interesting to see how Kilkenny shape up with the retirements and missing the Ballyhale lads. Dublin with Ger Cunningham now in charge. How will Liam Rushe experiment at full foward go? Tipperary looking for a foward to help out Bonner Maher on a more consistent basis. Clare have the talent and potential. They will be looking at getting a physical midfielder and a ball winner in the half foward line to complement John Conlon. Galway need a foward to step up now that Joe Canning is out for probably all the league. They need to become more consistent as well. Too much good performance one match and shocking the next.
Limerick will be looking to win at home but wouldnt write off Waterford.
Laois could very well be the dark horses in division 1 B. Cheddar Plunkett doing a serious job there.

[bettercallsaul]

I disagree with you bcs, i think there are about five or six teams that could win an all ireland. The cats, cork, clare, limerick, tipp. Dublin and galway not that far behind either. Compared to football where theres only 2 or 3 teams.

You kinda are in agreement,i said a few good games,you need five or six teams for that.

If Football had 32 good teams it would still be basically a local sport as it really is nothing special.

[The D Man]

Lets hope the weather stays ok for the weekends games. Galway are the hardest team to fathom out, great underage and club teams but when it comes to seniors they just cant make the breakthrough. Wexford and laois have made good strides n the last year.

That is one of the problems Ketchup. The club scene. Speaking to a few Galway lads who would know the situation they say that there is a very intense club scene there. Hard then to unite for county.
You from Wexford right?

[ber]

That is one of the problems Ketchup. The club scene. Speaking to a few Galway lads who would know the situation they say that there is a very intense club scene there. Hard then to unite for county.
You from Wexford right?

This may be the case but a competitve county championship should be a plus not a negative to a county team, I feel in Galway that the County Board and the Clubs themelves have not helped matters down through the years. Look at the CountY championship in Kilkenny how competitive it is. In Cork it has so many rivalries and battles that it is known as the little All-Ireland, the problems in Galway are deep seated and have festered and its not due to being competitve or intense but trying to settle old scores that were not adequately dealt with when the problems arose

[The D Man]

Wexford v limerick must have been a great game, 41 scores and limerick win by one point. Clare look to be in trouble in div 1a. And a bit of a reality check for ger cunningham and the dubs, however they may make the knockout stages yet. Tipp v the cats renew their rivalry nxt weekend.

Some interesting games at the weekend. In division 1A Galway with Canning back and they seem to have a real find in Jason Flynn. Impressive so far. Kilkenny will not be unhappy with result. They are looking further into the summer. Clare are most probably in relegation final at this stage. There is alot of unhappiness in the county that huge potential is being wasted. Manager divides opinion and this increases/decreases depending on results. Dublin had bad day at the office. Cork have had 2 good performances but opposition on both days was poor so not reading too much into it yet.
In Division 1B Wexford will be disappointed to lose at home. Waterford are continuing in a positive mood. Their youth policy seems to be coming along but there are bigger tests ahead.

[The Libertarian]

The folks behind the league this year have made a right shite out of organizing it, 4 from the 2 divisions into the qfs!
And CODY MUST GO!

[willie wacker]

King henry retires from inter county hurling. He must have been one of the best players ever to play the game. 10 all ireland medals with the cats and 3 with his club. And 11 allstars. A legend . I must say that it was a privelage to watch him. Defenders around the country must be delighted.

Pity he did,nt retire 3 years ago
we might have been champions
All the best in your retirement Henry