When I saw that scoreline I nearly felt sorry for them... but then i remembered it's Kilkenny we're talking about.

RebelCork (Cork) - Posts: 789 - 19/04/2014 18:14:40    1577118

Money won't solve the problem in Kilkenny. It's about choices and nobody will convince them that any effort should into football if there's even the slightest chance even one potentially good hurler might prefer to kick rather than hurl. If no football is played or coached then he'll hurl.

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1412 - 19/04/2014 18:31:33    1577150

Who do Longford play now

bullring (Longford) - Posts: 204 - 20/04/2014 08:35:56    1577413

In Leinster Kildare, Laois, Dublin, Meath, Wexford and Offaly go through to the quarter finals. The other 2 teams will come from the back door. In one pool Longford play Louth with the winners playing Carlow. In the other pool Kilkenny play Wicklow with the winners playing Westmeath. On the basis of that I'd expect Longford and Westmeath to advance to the quarter finals where I presume it is an open draw.

After an electric start Longford missed an opportunity yesterday and positionally were all over the place 2nd half. If they can reorganise, learn from their mistakes and play lads in their right positions I wouldn't be surprised to see Longford and Dublin meet again in a final. Dublin had some nice footballers but I'd say there is more in them too. A couple of lads are injured and a couple of their main forwards can improve. Conor Kavanagh is a lovely footballer at wing back and their midfield dominated most of the game (an area I thought they'd struggle in).

The Wexford win was impressive given their form at this level in previous years. They seem well organised but they'll face a bigger test in the quarters. Meath and Kildare also don't look as strong on paper as previous years despite good wins. Don't know anything about Laois but you would have expected them to beat Carlow.

Offaly's facile win against Kilkenny wouldn't reveal much but I'd have them up there as one of the teams that could win the competition. Recent form has been good and they have key lads returning from injury at the right time.

I don't think the quality is as high in general as previous years and anyone of 5 or 6 teams would have hopes of winning Leinster. For me it's between Meath, Dublin, Longford and Offaly...

...could be way off!!

daborder (Longford) - Posts: 58 - 20/04/2014 10:51:45    1577478

I was very happy to see the that there is 3 teams in Leinster just as good as the dubs, I watched Meath play Wicklow off the pitch, they move the ball very well. Longford are strong and obviously the dubs but I'd have my money on Offaly to win Leinster this year don't forget Wexford though! and Westmeath are below average Louth and Carlow both poor teams. 3/4 of the Wicklow panel are underage next year they might cause problems for the big boys

Victorious87 (Wicklow) - Posts: 597 - 24/04/2014 14:21:03    1579467

Anyone from Munster know if any team can come near Kerry and cork I saw Clare beat limerick well the other night

Victorious87 (Wicklow) - Posts: 597 - 24/04/2014 14:31:34    1579477

just wondering what teams are looking good

rhudson (Galway) - Posts: 1478 - 08/05/2014 18:02:52    1585486

it's crazy that there is a back door system in Munster and Leinster but none in Ulster and connacht. how on earth can the GAA let this happen. I mean Kilkenny get 2 games whilst the likes of Derry or Roscommon may only get one.

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5518 - 08/05/2014 19:41:15    1585535

A bit crazy alright and its been like that for a number of year now. Kerry v Cork will be the Munster final this year where Kerry should win they will take on the Leinster winner Dublin or Longford IMO. Connacht looks like a Galway v Leitrim final this year while in Ulster probably Cavan,Tyrone look the most likely winners.

Mr_Pundit (UK) - Posts: 677 - 09/05/2014 20:21:38    1585977

How does it work lads? Is it the winners of Munster against the winners of Leinster ? Or is it winners against losers?

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 09/05/2014 21:36:14    1585989

Rhudson
I can't speak for any1 else but our lads are looking very good.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 09/05/2014 21:42:32    1585992

winners v loosers at the 1/4 final stage, the crazy part is you can have a team already beaten twice putting out a team unbeaten up to that stage. Minors should probably be used to trial any proposed change to the senior championship but as it stands its very unfair

lillyboy (Kildare) - Posts: 429 - 11/05/2014 13:41:48    1586291

I really think this year Kerry will end their minor famine, Jack O'Connor didnt push so hard to take this team over for nothing, as well as the fact of the Dingle crowd winning the hogan cup. Cork with Michael Hurley are their biggest threats, maybe not just for Munster but for the all ireland, early doors yet.

In Connaught Leitrim look good, and in Leinster there is a good few teams that can win it Offaly dublin and Longford. But If i had to call the 8 1/4 finalists id go Kerry, Cork, Leitrim, Galway, Dublin, Longford, and Cavan will be 7 of them

Caseys89 (Limerick) - Posts: 80 - 11/05/2014 15:06:40    1586306

Sound man lily, how's ye'r minors looking this year?

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 11/05/2014 15:45:29    1586314

Caseys89
There is a great bunch of young lads coming through the development squads especially out west , we are still behind the dubs and Tyrone at this level but we are going in the right direction, I was in thurles Wednesday night and I was sitting with a bunch of ould lads and every1 of them said that they haven't seen a minor team this good in 20 years and i have to agree.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 11/05/2014 15:55:32    1586318

I forgot to mention Donegal they will be there or thereabout in Ulster this year probably their best minor team since 2006.

Mr_Pundit (UK) - Posts: 677 - 11/05/2014 19:17:24    1586397

our minors are very much a work in progress, they play Longford next weekend and will go in as underdogs, that said if the make in thru they have scope for big improvement they longer they stay involved.

lillyboy (Kildare) - Posts: 429 - 11/05/2014 21:29:38    1586459

I'd be extremely surprised if Kerry don't make a serious impression on this years Minor Championship. Great bunch of players with the correct man in charge

Horsebox77 (Kerry) - Posts: 5491 - 11/05/2014 21:47:38    1586466

Lily
I heard somewhere that Longford were puting in a load of work at underage, ye should have a lot of good young players coming through in Kildare and Meath should as well as well although I suppose ye do a lot of soccer and rugby up there.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 11/05/2014 21:58:21    1586470

pound for pound Longford are arguably the best in Leinster, we're not losing to many to other sports, Kevin Feely and the Byrne brothers are the exception rather than the rule but against that not everyone would try garlic up here and just stick with the other codes

lillyboy (Kildare) - Posts: 429 - 12/05/2014 09:35:26    1586489