Decided to go to this only yesterday to cheer on our Minors. Thought I'd be stuck in the Davin or right in the corner in 301 but got 4 really good seats in 304. Makes me wonder what kind of crowd is going to show up on Sunday - The Cusack Stand is usually the busiest stand from my experience so was very surprised I had the option of such good seats.

CroiGorm (Dublin) - Posts: 1547 - 02/07/2015 10:38:17    1746347

CroiGorm

I think the Leinster hurling final should not be played at Croke Park, it's to big for most of the matches played their. I understand the argument in it's favour, it gives some chaps a once in a lifetime to play there, but it's lacks atmosphere.

In 2012, Galway and Kilkenny met in the senior final, with Dublin playing Wexford in the minor final. The attendance was 22,000. How much better if that had been played at say O'Moore Park, Portlaoise, capacity 27,000?

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2477 - 05/07/2015 13:08:58    1747676

I am looking forward to this. Galway will win by 3

MartinGerard (Longford) - Posts: 275 - 05/07/2015 13:27:24    1747687

Forget Portlaoise, parking is atrocious, the pitch itself is not a decent size to play hurling on and the stadium is dated.For €70 worth of tickets I want to sit in a decent and modern stadium. Granted the weather today means I'm mostly likely to get drenched but we're gonna win. Gaillimh Abú

Maroonatic (Galway) - Posts: 1060 - 05/07/2015 13:27:27    1747689

Maroonatic
County: Galway
Posts: 750

Forget Portlaoise, parking is atrocious, the pitch itself is not a decent size to play hurling on and the stadium is dated.For €70 worth of tickets I want to sit in a decent and modern stadium. Granted the weather today means I'm mostly likely to get drenched but we're gonna win. Gaillimh Abú


Fair enough Maroonatic, enjoy your day. Though I have a feeling you'll be disappointed with the result. Kilkenny by 6 or 7 points.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2477 - 05/07/2015 14:02:57    1747705

What a goal by Joe Canning. He really is a superb Hurler.

InishowenMan (Donegal) - Posts: 216 - 05/07/2015 16:35:13    1747779

McGrath not for the first time applying a totally different set of rules for both teams!

Cannings goals was pure class. Should be a good hard second half

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1415 - 05/07/2015 16:39:38    1747783

Unbelievable from Joe Canning! I've said it before - it'll be a great shame if he never wins an All-Ireland with Galway. Class.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5012 - 05/07/2015 16:47:19    1747786

This game is gone right boring. Kilkenny will probably win it now by ten points. Galway can't seem to score.

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 05/07/2015 17:12:18    1747803

Both teams will improve for this game and will need to. Well done Kilkenny

MartinGerard (Longford) - Posts: 275 - 05/07/2015 17:25:31    1747813

Relentless cats move on.They really are a credit to the game.I dont remember them having an "off day" in years.Remarkable consistency.I thought Galway might just catch them today.Not a bit of it.Kilkenny have a habit of making you look foolish if you back against them.Up to this year i havnt.Ive tipped them every year since 2003.Ive tipped Clare this year.Its going to take some performance to beat them.Only time will tell.Congrats Kilkenny men & commiserations to the tribesmen.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 05/07/2015 17:38:04    1747828

That was a very disappointing performance by Galway. Killian Buckley had an armchair ride in the sweeper role. It was a pity Flynn wasn't fit enough to start.

Richie Hogan pulled the strings at ease, TJ Reid provided great support.

Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 05/07/2015 18:17:46    1747865

Boring.

Went as expected..

Zzz

Same story when the Dubs win against Westmeath next week.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 05/07/2015 18:27:26    1747878

Really thought Galway would put it up to Kilkenny but they were awful, no game plan, just hit and hope ball into the forwards, management too slow making changes, if that's all Galway have the supporters can forget about September

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 05/07/2015 18:37:47    1747887

well feck that anyway

Maroonatic (Galway) - Posts: 1060 - 05/07/2015 19:25:49    1747924

I think KK's wide tally kept Galway in it, to be honest. AC once more left looking tactically naive; in a year where Waterford are showing the value of defensive hurling it's inconceivable that a manager with his experience would show up completely unprepared for the inevitable.

Galway defence looked ragged, but then again they were coming in for such relentless pressure due to KK's tactics it's hard to really judge them.

AC has demonstrated time and time again that when it comes to game plan and game management he's years behind the competition. No silverware this year, and no AC next year.

But well done KK; what a team, what a manager! Amazing consistency and great sportsmen.

festinog (Galway) - Posts: 3097 - 05/07/2015 19:43:10    1747932

Cavanman47: I've said for 6 or 7 years now that Joe Canning will never win an All Ireland with that team. They are not a smart enough team, they beat themselves too often, they just don't have it. Kilkenny were above average today and very beatable with all them wides but KK know HOW to win even with an inferior team. I feel bad for Joe Canning as he has won at every level except Seniors. Sad.

WoodlawnPat (Galway) - Posts: 288 - 05/07/2015 19:45:03    1747935

As my family came from Kilkenny, I have always supported The Cats in hurling, great to get a win today, title number 70 under the belt and looking good to challenge for Liam.

Great display by Galway, and hard luck after a spirited display, they just happened to meet an on fire Kilkenny today, who weren't going to lose, but I am sure we haven't heard the last from The Tribesmen this year.

bryanadams (Kildare) - Posts: 733 - 05/07/2015 19:59:07    1747941

Kilkenny won because they have more skilful hurlers. Their ball control is second to none and they are able to pick the ball in the most congested situations..... not only today but every day.
They also seem to have sharpened their abilities in the areas of blocking and robbing opponents.

As for Galway they don't seem to have a strong enough spine and some of their younger players just didn't perform on the big stage.

BIG SACKS (Tyrone) - Posts: 1681 - 05/07/2015 21:22:46    1748013

Cockney_Cat
I think the Leinster hurling final should not be played at Croke Park, it's to big for most of the matches played their. I understand the argument in it's favour, it gives some chaps a once in a lifetime to play there, but it's lacks atmosphere.
The biggest stadium in Leinster other than Croke Park is Portlaoise. If the game was played there 6k of the 33k attendance today would have been unable to get in to see the game. Making fixtures is fairly difficult but the first priority has to be to make sure the venue is big enough to hold everyone who wants to go to the game, today shows why Croke Park should always be the choice for a Leinster final.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 05/07/2015 21:37:59    1748026