No it is not it's Clare total lack of discipline that will stop them from winning, combined with Clare fans, Managers and Players actually believing that rubbish. The world is not against Clare, they just need to stop fouling. Honestly Limerick should have had another 6 to 8 frees last day. Now the Ref was very poor but did not and do Limerick any favours... NONE whatsoever and i hope he never refs a big game again! Hurl Clare you are good enough!

Limkboy (Limerick) - Posts: 72 - 26/05/2015 09:31:08    1728425

HS team of the week is something else;

Seamus Hickey (fine hurler that he is) got taken for 2-1 by Aaron Cunningham on his introduction and gets a corner back berth, because of his 'counter attacks'. What utter nonsense, his primary role is to defend which he struggled to do, are we turning into Soccer??

bricktop (Down) - Posts: 2503 - 26/05/2015 09:36:50    1728427

interestingly clare may not have actually ever been able to win this game last sunday
because of the new rule

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/shane-mcnamara-was-not-on-26-man-clare-panel-332932.html

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 26/05/2015 10:32:21    1728454

Agree with comment by Limkboy that Limerick should have 6 to 8 more frees.
Made similar post immediately after the game. Wonder if anyone saw replay showing both Dowling and Lynch being pulled wrestled or knocked to the ground every time a high dropping ball came in and for which no whistle was blown . Part of Davy's game plan?
Could this be why Limerick got more frees and might it be argued that Limerick were still short changed by 6-8 frees?
Agree also with hope that this is the last we have seen of this ref.
Don't think he favored Limerick or ClAre on the day, he simply "was not with it".

PatOLogical (Limerick) - Posts: 1360 - 26/05/2015 11:37:43    1728491

A poor game if I'm honest and although Limerick seem to be a boogy team for Tipp, I would expect Tipp to win by 6+ in the Munster Semi.

As for the sendings off, I didn't think either action merited the players to be lying on the ground like they were shot, but the rules are clear about using the hurley as a weapon and they both had to go.

Faithfull (Offaly) - Posts: 573 - 26/05/2015 11:43:58    1728493

Overall, thrilled to get the win. A hard fought game that was very exciting, but not necessarily the best game of hurling ever seen. Truth be told, the only players that made it worthwhile were Cian Lynch and Aaron Cunningham. They were outstanding for the duration they were on the field.

People saying that Lynch should have been sent off arguably for his pull on Pat O'Connor, it was very much on the ball. Could a red have been given? Perhaps, but it was innocuous enough and from our perspective, brilliant that he didn't. He's been a magical talent for many years now at underage, and finally he's getting to show the country how gifted he really is. For people also giving out about O'Grady having nothing wrong with him, Pat "Lazarus" O'Connor's own simulation was one of the most theatrical things I have ever seen in Thurles. It was disappointing to see.

Two incidents that I noticed at the game and from rewatching the next day: Tony Kelly grabbing a Limerick player by the face guard at the bottom of the picture during the mini brawl just on half time. A very lucky boy that it wasn't picked up. The other one was during the game, when Mulcahy was contesting a high ball with Seadhna Morey. High up in the stand, it was obvious that Morey had his hand around the neck. Upon exclaiming this, a Clare man in front of me insinuated that I was blind as Mulcahy was clearly holding the hurley. The Sunday Game showed a picture of Morey gripping Mulcahy with BOTH hands around the neck, incredible stuff. Now, the referee missed a lot of incidents on both sides. As a Limerick man however, those were the two that I was most concerned about.

This game will bring us on a ton, and I'd be quietly confident when we face Tipp. We have no fear of them, and we're in our own back yard. The city will be buzzing, and it will have a tremendous atmosphere. With the carrot of another home Munster final, I'd hope we have enough passion and skill to do it. Clare will have their missing lads back soon, and if they have any sense, Cunningham will start every other game they have this year. I would not be surprised to see them again in the later stages, their year is far from over.

bob_dolphin (Limerick) - Posts: 694 - 26/05/2015 14:20:44    1728616

clondalkindub
County: Dublin
Posts: 6129

1728003
How can a manager that won his county an all Ireland be holding them back? Come on he's missing 4 of his best players any team would struggle without them. McGrath alone is a freak of a hurler up there with the best of them he was a massive loss to Clare yesterday.

its simple.... Davy took over a team on the up. I dont doubt if the previous manager was left in place he would have won in 2013 and probably contested better since.. No matter what way you look at it davy has not won a championship match since september 2013.. With all his gesturing after the match last sunday the reality is he was lucky to be in touch at the end of the game cause lets face it as everyone has seen limerick should have got more frees than the received. I also think its funny that davy gives out about the free count when it seems to be a tactical ploy to consistantly foul.. He tries to create a siege mentality around clare but the reality is the rest of the country arent really bothered anymore..

Has he held them back in my opinion definitely. You mentioned players being missing but every team has players missing .. Limerick were short two starters cork will be down 3 and waterford will be down at least two.. I dont see that as an excuse. Davy was made famous by his antics but reality is after numerous seasons he has to realise that its not everyone else its actually him.. He bores everyone now and i think that includes the players too. Too many left in a short space of time.. Look at collins.. Reality is he choose football despite the seriously long odds of winning even a munster over hurling where at the time he had to have thought clare had a serious chance.. Reality now is clare would be 7th in the pecking order..i would fancy (in no particular order)
KILKENNY
TIPPERARY
CORK
GALWAY
LIMERICK
WATERFORD

To all beat them

And lets face it wexford beat them last year..

Clare won a handy one in 2013.. Cork werent at the races and still should have won the first day if it wasnt a bit of innocence in the final sideline

Davy has taken this clare team backwards
FROM THE ALL IRELAND underage all irelands he had a wealth of talent at his disposal but now no one fears clare and they will stuggle again in the qualifiers depending who they draw..
Tell me this though

Would any other manager who won an all ireland in 2013 be allowed to stay in charge given that he hasnt won an championship match since ??? I doubt it personally

ritchie (Cork) - Posts: 346 - 27/05/2015 13:34:00    1729061

You are absolutely right in what you say ritchie. It is ridiculous to say Davy was holding them back.
Davy should stop whinging after matches, its excuse after excuse and before each excuse, he prefaces the remark with "no comment". Instead Davy should concentrate his efforts in his team practising discipline in the playing field.

fainleog (Limerick) - Posts: 598 - 27/05/2015 14:44:34    1729114