Replying To jobber:  "The two clubs missing are Southern Gaels and Turin who are playing division 3 league which for some reason is not on the site.Your points are well made the Joe Mcdonagh winners will face big problems in 2019 but the likes of Laois, Antrim Carlow Kerry, Meath and ourselves if we win deserve our chance to improve. I believe this competition will be excellent, very competitive and will give hurling in our counties a big boost. The fact that the final is on Leinster final day with the prospect of a home preliminary quarter final is all good. A bit more marketing would be a help as well."

Replying To bennybunny:  "Yes 100% agree. Marketing is key. I remember when the Christy Ring cup was setup. The finals were played before All Ireland semi finals. It was great. Down played Westmeath played in 2005 before Clare v Cork if I remember correctly. Westmeath won. Massive crowd when the game was coming to an end. Great promotion.

Then. Traditional counties (Cork being one) whinged about how their poor under 18s were not getting their day out so next time Westmeath play in Christy Ring final, they are being asked to play on a Friday night in Tullamore. Shocking promotion.

Playing Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cups and getting them done and dusted before June Bank Holiday weekend (no major issue with timing only Liam McCarthy lasts another 3 months) with grand finals on Saturday at midday shows the disdain for non Mccarthy Cup counties in recent years.

Joe McDonagh Cup is a step in right direct. Teams do deserve the chance to play in All Ireland series and of course the chance to get promoted. That will happen provided it is not Kerry that wins. I also assume that the GAA only allowed this to happen on the assumption that it is Offaly that finish bottom. I wonder will Dublin be relegated if they finish bottom?

So while you are catching some breaks from the powers that be and the current players deserve a big day out in Croke Park, your (and Carlow, Meath etc) long term development I feel will come from having more participants in the game at underage and adult level. Otherwise Hurling still belongs to the likes of Cork (though we are not winning anything), Tipp, Kilkenny. It's a pity."

Replying To Bon:  "As this is a discussion thread I'd like to hear what Kilkenny people think of how their team is going?
Personally as a complete neutral I think they are purring along nicely having blooded in some really good young players from the U21's . Deegan has been a revelation at corner back, the wing backs Delaney and Fogarty showed well as the league progressed. I think they've a solid platform to build on with some exciting young talent up front too.
They also have some older heads due back which can only strengthen the team.
Thoughts?"