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Yeah certainly not but a definite improvement on last years league campaign so far. Laois put 7 goals past Down and this years encounter was a tight one. upandwin (Down) - Posts: 112 - 14/02/2024 12:33:29 2526017 Link 1 |
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It's harsh on a county like Kildare to make a 2A final and then get relegated to the Ring. If the McDonagh expanded to 8, this year it would consist of Westmeath, Offaly, Laois, Kerry, Down, Meath, Kildare and Derry. While it would be a step up for Derry, the Ring winner would gain from games at a higher level. 7 rounds, semi-finals and final will fit within the current timescale. The final can be a curtain raiser to an All-Ireland semi-final. The trade off would have to be letting go of the preliminary quarter-finals. The flip side is that the top 2 should gain a home semi-final. If the McDonagh Cup is to reach a level of better support, home promoting and selling out home McDonagh semi-finals should be the target. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7889 - 14/02/2024 14:19:00 2526047 Link 0 |
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It's up to the county boards in those counties as well as the GAA centrally to try raise the profile of the Joe Mac and encourage people to go see the games. I'm sure there's loads of initiatives they haven't tried yet. Firstly they have to decide that that is what they want to do though.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 12120 - 14/02/2024 15:36:08 2526063 Link 0 |
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Very good call - Allow teams to stay and develop at this level. We hear so much about preserving and expanding numbers of McCarthy Cup teams so it very important that the teams just below are allowed to consolidate and make progress if they are to have any long term aspirations to move up.
HurlingObserver (Down) - Posts: 60 - 14/02/2024 15:48:57 2526065 Link 0 |
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The teams seem to be pushing themselves to get better, and the matches appear to be heated. For the next games, let's hope Kerry can recover well and get back to their previous level of play. Evelin (Cavan) - Posts: 1 - 15/02/2024 00:46:41 2526132 Link 0 |
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Agreed. When the GAA suggested ending the preliminary quarter-finals last year, they tried to offer the carrot of curtain raiser to the All-Ireland final. There was no other change really offered however. I think the current six McDonagh counties, Kildare and Derry would be supportive of expanding the McDonagh to 8.
legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7889 - 15/02/2024 02:21:41 2526137 Link 1 |
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In fairness to Carlow county board, last year for football and hurling championship games they were letting U16s in free and had half time draws for Carlow jerseys. U16s are free into league matches everywhere but they're still doing the half time draws. That's the next generation you need to be inspiring and if kids are hounding parents to go then it gets bigger crowds at matches. At half time in all games there were a lot of kids on the pitch at half time. I think they might have also had competitions to be the match mascot and walk out with the Carlow captains. hurlingguru (Carlow) - Posts: 1834 - 15/02/2024 10:02:34 2526155 Link 0 |
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Would be great to see hurling getting strong up in Carlow town
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 12120 - 15/02/2024 11:14:36 2526168 Link 1 |
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There are people working hard in carlow town trying to raise the standard. There is talented hurlers there but football is always the stronger pull. The u20 team won the b championship a few months ago so that is promising. The adult team are currently playing intermediate but are probably a few years away from possibly winning it. The county side would no doubt benefit greatly from stronger hurling in the town.
Unusedsub (Carlow) - Posts: 79 - 15/02/2024 16:07:49 2526230 Link 0 |
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Carlow seem to have embraced the tiered structure in both codes. The McDonagh was a great win. I think they were happy enough to get to the Tailteann quarter-finals. Would have wanted to get to Croke Park for the semi-finals but Antrim away was always going to be tough. Carlow will be targetting league success in both codes. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7889 - 16/02/2024 05:49:32 2526293 Link 0 |
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Laois vs Carlow - should be a good top of the table clash. Fancy Laois to edge it. upandwin (Down) - Posts: 112 - 20/02/2024 14:48:31 2527207 Link 0 |
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Laois v Carlow should be a good battle. Offaly thought it was advantageous to avoid Laois in the McDonagh final last year! The winner should top the table for a final spot and Division 1B promotion. The loser will have to contest a semi-final. Kerry do need a win. Meath will be quietly confident of causing an upset to pick up a second win. Down are definitely favourites against Kildare. Understandable you are playing that down! Down will see Kildare and Meath as the games to secure a semi-final spot. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7889 - 21/02/2024 05:51:47 2527304 Link 0 |
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Carlow to beat Laois carlovia (None) - Posts: 1517 - 21/02/2024 10:42:47 2527338 Link 0 |
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Yes agree with that - Carlow flying Kerry are due a win and with home advantage should shade it though Meath will be sticky and If Down can start they finished the last day they can get past Kildare but expect Kildare to be tough opponents. On another note I watched Derry u20s hand a 20 point trimming to Down today evidence of the relative strength of underage in the the two counties currently. Maybe one Down lad not there as with seniors but Derry very impressive all the same.
HurlingObserver (Down) - Posts: 60 - 24/02/2024 18:05:54 2527873 Link 0 |
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Seems like a good win tonight for Carlow by 5 points Blackbog (Carlow) - Posts: 705 - 24/02/2024 19:55:09 2527891 Link 0 |
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Kerry 3.14 legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7889 - 25/02/2024 14:40:17 2527988 Link 0 |
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Round 3 complete. Carlow's win over Laois should see them make the final by topping the Division. Laois will finish 2nd. Down's draw with Kildare is a surprise result. A Down win over Meath however in Round 5 should seal a semi-final spot. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7889 - 25/02/2024 15:45:48 2528007 Link 0 |
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Could Kerry spring a surprise away to Laois and set cat among the pigeons?
HurlingObserver (Down) - Posts: 60 - 27/02/2024 14:51:38 2528647 Link 0 |
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A win for Kildare today. Down will fancy their chances of finishing in the McDonagh top 4 for the first time. The McDonagh Cup will be a three way battle between Westmeath, Offaly and Laois. The other 3 will be battling to retain McDonagh status first.
legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7889 - 09/03/2024 16:00:02 2530471 Link 0 |
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What's going wrong down there ,ye looked to be trying to build something the last 6 or 7 years and building a team around shane Conway but the last two years Kerry seem to be regressing again which is a pity.
preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 740 - 09/03/2024 20:51:49 2530521 Link 0 |