Its not Tipps fault that Cork resembled a bunch of clueless junior hurlers.

It is not indeed. The point that Ritchie was making was that it was a terrible game. He is dead right. Apart from witnessing my own team get hammered, it was awful in terms of a spectacle as well. One could admire and marvel at the skill of Tipp I suppose - 6 Cork defenders were doing that.

I also thought the Munster championship was very poor. The final was dire. Limerick could not hit a barn door that day and Cork seemed to win as Limerick did not look that bothered. Cork and Clare was reasonably exciting but was stop-start and foul ridden. Cork and Waterford were average enough games-some 'nice' passages of play but played at the intensity of a league game- in fact probably even less than that as these days the league is possibly more important than Munster.

There were some really good games: Clare v Wexford - Tipp v KIlkenny - Limerick v KIlkenny - Tipp v Galway were the best in my opinion.

In terms of competitiveness, I don't think there are 6 or 7 teams capable of winning. Kilkenny, Tipp, Clare are the top 3. Limerick look to be getting better. Cork and Dublin getting worse. Waterford and Wexford potentially catching up. Galway are an enigma. I do not know where they are.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 17/09/2014 16:14:52    1653128

Im not sure really, Kilkenny have wiped the floor since 2002. From 2003-2006, the Kilkenny Cork rivarly was gripping, both were miles ahead. Waterford never done it on the big stage in Croker, although they did contribute to exciting games in Munster. That ere was really dominated by those teams.From 2007-2010, Kilkenny won two all irelands at their ease untill Tipp came along. 2009 and 2010 finals were super games that had everything. Apart from these, most other teams and games were poor and low standard. 2011 was a poor championship, 2012 had Galway but Kilkenny won at ease eventually. Was last year really that good? The semi between Cork and Dublin was good but than you look at this season and wonder. Clare were the better team in both finals last year but the Cork defence was non existent in the replay. Good games but nothing on the Tipp/Kilkenny rivarly we are presently seeing. Both will dominate in the coming years with Clare stealing an odd All Ireland.

222 (UK) - Posts: 694 - 17/09/2014 16:38:23    1653145

222
County: UK
Posts: 195

1653145
Im not sure really, Kilkenny have wiped the floor since 2002. From 2003-2006, the Kilkenny Cork rivarly was gripping, both were miles ahead. Waterford never done it on the big stage in Croker, although they did contribute to exciting games in Munster. That ere was really dominated by those teams.From 2007-2010, Kilkenny won two all irelands at their ease untill Tipp came along. 2009 and 2010 finals were super games that had everything. Apart from these, most other teams and games were poor and low standard. 2011 was a poor championship, 2012 had Galway but Kilkenny won at ease eventually. Was last year really that good? The semi between Cork and Dublin was good but than you look at this season and wonder. Clare were the better team in both finals last year but the Cork defence was non existent in the replay. Good games but nothing on the Tipp/Kilkenny rivarly we are presently seeing. Both will dominate in the coming years with Clare stealing an odd All Ireland.

Very good post. I agree with 99.9% of that. I think Clare will be Tipp's equal in the coming years though. Other than that, everything there is pretty much I feel as well.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 17/09/2014 17:54:17    1653174

Hurlings greatest era will be when 32 teams take part in the championship. Could happen if pushed properly from Croke Park.

Brolly (Monaghan) - Posts: 4472 - 17/09/2014 18:02:23    1653176

I wouldnt be surprised if Clare surpass Tipperary and Kilkenny over the next few years.I think they will win another 2 All Irelands in that time.This is going to be Clares greatest era.A special bunch of players that come around at the same time,once every 100 years.They are the real deal.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 17/09/2014 18:06:45    1653178

So benny u dont think 6/7 can win next years All Ireland.Your writing off Galway,Cork,Limerick and Dublin?All have got close in recent years to making final at least.Bit of luck and Cork could be champions.Same with Galway,and Dubs and Limerick so close to reaching final.Fair enough,everyone has their opinion,but ive really enjoyed the last 5 years hurling championship.Not forgetting weve also been treated to 3 of the greatest ever League finals,between Tipp and KK also.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 17/09/2014 18:16:34    1653182

I personally think the 90's were the best era simply because there were more teams up at a higher level winning all irelands.

Dont forget from 1996 on you had Wexford/Clare/Offaly/Cork/Kilkenny/Tipperary winning All Irelands. It was the first time in history that kind of spread of all ireland winners happened. Any of those teams were capable of an all Ireland win in that time as were Limerick who contested 2 all ireland finals and galway who contested one.

In reality since the Tipp win in 2001 up until last year you had years of dominance from Cork and Kilkenny with a win each for Tipp and Clare thrown in while others faded away. Only in the 90's have i seen so many counties at such a high level.

We may however be entering another era though where more teams are competing. Wexford are coming good, Limerick and Clare are every bit as good as Tipp/Kilkenny/Cork while Dublin may benefit from a change of manager along with Galway, Wayterford have a bit of youth coming through so the next 10 years might be very interesting

tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1344 - 17/09/2014 18:51:09    1653190

Tearintohim,a lot of those games and finals in the 90s were awful affairs.So many teams had a chance of winning the All Ireland as the standard wasnt great overall.I much prefer the current era of hurling.The standard at the top has never been better.And the gap is closing.I feel 6/7 teams have a good shout of winning silverware.Dublin are finally a force in hurling.As many teams can win it now as the 90s.And the standard is far higher now.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 17/09/2014 19:04:37    1653193

Cuedrocket there are more hurling matches every year than just all Ireland finals.

In 96 alone Limerick played in one of the great Munster finals, the Leinster final that year was a cracker. As for the standard not being great That era brought us some of the greats of the game, Dj Carey, Ciaran Carey, seance Mac Mahon, james is o Connor, Brian whelehan, the dooleys, Damien Fitzhenry, Davy fitz etc etc

Yes teams are physically fitter, equally as skillful and game have more scores etc just because games don't have as many scores does not necessarily make it a poor game. The fact is up until last year we had 13 years where only 3 teams won an all ireland compared to 6 different winners in 6 different years.yes the gap is closing so I expect we may actually be entering or close to entering a great era

tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1344 - 17/09/2014 20:09:37    1653215

Cuedrocket

Cork with 4 new defenders could be All-Ireland champions-we have no hope of finding 6 better than what we have. Dublin need a heap of new players as well. Galway have been winning an All-Ireland every year since 1988.

The Leinster championship has seen Kilkenny win 17 of the last 20. 2013 was exciting, apart from that, the crowds are not going. There is little or no interest. The evidence suggests that winning the Munster final is more of a hindrance than a help. We have a few exciting games in the championship.

There are some spurts of growth in places like Westmeath, Carlow and Laois. However, the GAA are telling them that they must play in lower divisions and they are not allowed to dine at the top table. While there are positive noises, they are miles off the intensity of Tipp and Kilkenny final. I see the only ones that can really reach that level are Clare and possibly Limerick.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 17/09/2014 20:52:36    1653226

Different opinions tearintohim.Obviously its not just about finals.And the players you mentioned were all great players.But they are with us now.Even better.And just because there was more different winners in the 90s doesnt make it a better era.Not for me anyway.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 17/09/2014 20:59:28    1653228

I agree with Brolly, the GAA have done very little to promote hurling in weaker counties. In my opinion there could be at least 12 or 13 teams competing for top honours if a half decent effort was made. Having the 3 lower championships over and done by early June is an absolute disgrace and does nothing to bridge the gap between these counties and the top teams.
I do agree however that hurling is in its greatest era. The quality of the last 3 year's championships has been extraordinary. 3 all-Ireland final draws in as many years shows just how tight the championship now is. We finally have teams competing with Kilkenny who have dominated the sport since 2006 and this is great for the game both in Ireland and globally.
Being from Tipperary I am delighted to see that my native county are among the best again. The other two I would have in the top 3 are Kilkenny (in 2nd) and Limerick (in 3rd). Limerick have been progressing well the last few years and bar a poor performance against Clare last year they could have been champions. Kilkenny on the other hand are back to their best after a poor campaign last year and you really couldn't question the hunger they showed in their win against Limerick last month. The next best teams in my opinion are Clare (in 4th), Cork (in 5th), Galway (in 6th), Dublin (in 7th), Wexford (in 8th), Waterford (in 9th), and Laois/Offaly/Antrim (in 10th), although I don't think the teams outside the top 6 have a realistic chance of all-Ireland success.
Back to this year's championship, I for one can't wait for the replay as I suspect another cracker is in store with extra-time possibly deciding the winner in the end. Hurling really is in a great place if championships like the last 3 keep happening.
Iomanaíocht Abú!

tipp_hurl (Sligo) - Posts: 10 - 18/09/2014 14:58:12    1653458

Brolly
County: Monaghan
Posts: 3747

1653176
Hurlings greatest era will be when 32 teams take part in the championship. Could happen if pushed properly from Croke Park.

Couldn't agree more but the problem is if you look at football it makes no difference how many teams participate in the race for Sam - its still not competitive. If your are from Monaghan and you play hurling, I don't believe you are asking to play in the McCarthy cup, all you are asking for is respect within your own county. How is that going to ever happen? When all the great GAA people of Ireland realsise there are two sports that should be played all over the country.

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1805 - 18/09/2014 16:00:50    1653490