Correct exref, Antrim has been very poor this year and Cushendall were far from convincing in Ulster. I would love to see them win but I fear a real bad beating from a battle hardened Sarsfields outfit.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9703 - 04/02/2016 14:06:20    1822220

Cushendall would definitely have a chance. Don't think Sarsfields are of the standard of recent Galway champs. Their star player is Joseph Cooney who is only an occasional sub on the Galway team. That said Sarsfields rely more on the collective than one or two star players.

Marooned (Galway) - Posts: 2216 - 04/02/2016 14:18:38    1822230

I think Sarsfields have more to offer than just Joe Cooney. Kevin Hynes and Kerril Wade to name 2. Aswell as a whole host of battle hardened Galway club senior hurlers. They won't be simple.

wing back (Offaly) - Posts: 115 - 05/02/2016 08:26:09    1822431

And then there were 2.

Cushendall of the Antrim Vs Na Piarsaigh of Limerick.

Delighted for Cushendall who looked very strong against Sarsfields. They struck for a goal early and never really let up after that. Na Piarsaigh were pushed all the way by Oulart but deservedly came through and will hope to go one better than there fellow county men Kilmallock.

Very hard to know. I would still imagine the Limerick men will be favourites.....but considering how convincing Cushendall were in their semi final victory I would imagin their odds won't be as generous as they might have been.

wing back (Offaly) - Posts: 115 - 07/02/2016 16:22:09    1823086

Cushendall or Na Piarsaigh.

I fancy the boys from the north.

Quick_Fast_Ball (Offaly) - Posts: 1 - 14/03/2016 16:27:56    1834746

I expect a comfortable win for Na Piarsaigh un the end.Cushendall will give it their all and stay in the game for 20 minutes,but i think Na Piarsaigh have more quality all over the field.Na Piarsaigh by 7+.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 14/03/2016 16:40:19    1834752

hope its na piarsaigh ,even though im not a na piarsaigh man im going up to cheer them on ....... for once id like to come out of that stadium with a smile on my face, would do limerick hurling the world of good to get a win up there, just to see any limerick team win in croke park

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 14/03/2016 16:45:03    1834756

Cushendall to be physically to strong for NP.

Fancy them to win by 6. Have a few quid on them from before the semi and confident they will win it despite everyone elses views!

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 14/03/2016 17:03:34    1834767

I think Na Piarsaigh to shade it in the end. But it will be close. I fancy Cushendall to lead at half time as Na Piarsaigh have been very slow at the in a number of their games. But they have finished like a really professional outfit and put some fine teams to the sword.

Na Piarsaigh to win by 4 at the death.

wing back (Offaly) - Posts: 115 - 14/03/2016 17:10:42    1834773

"Cushendall to be physically to strong for NP."
NaPs are physically strong too. I think it will depend who handles the nerves best on the day. Its a whole new experience for both sides.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 14/03/2016 17:36:54    1834792

Im going to call it how I see it. Na Piarsaigh will beat Cushendall out the gate by 10 points plus. Iv great respect for Antrim hurling but Na Piarsaigh are exceptional this year. Their physically strong and got some great individuals. Im not a Na Piarsaigh man either but the win would be a tonic for Limerick hurling. Cushendall arent as good as they looked afainst Sarsfields and the big pitch will kill them..loughiel were different. Na Piarsaigh wont be caught napping.

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts: 1710 - 14/03/2016 17:58:01    1834807

Cushendall enjoy open spaces as their own pitch is fairly big, I just hope they don't freeze on the day. as long as they go there and give a good account of themselves then I will be a very proud Dallman. even prouder than I already feel. we are just as good as loughgiel when they won both theirs, they were not expected to come out off Antrim. We're going there more in hope than expecting but I had a few pound on them to win the semi-final, maybe the same performance will be good enough but NAP do look very good on paper, but games are not won on paper. the Ruairis do play better when no pressure is on so maybe,

exref (Antrim) - Posts: 63 - 14/03/2016 20:37:17    1834898

I would fancy Na Piarsaigh to become the first Limerick club to win the All Ireland Senior Club Hurling Title. They are a good all round team with very few weak spots, and with plenty of intercounty players scattered through the team. Ruairi Og are also a decent team who came through some tough battles, both in Antrim and in Ulster, and they certainly deserve their spot in the final. This is the Limerick men's third time contesting the All Ireland series, though their first time in the final, and with that experience i think they will have two much for the Antrim men.

clonjon (Dublin) - Posts: 665 - 15/03/2016 16:07:45    1835164

Nap have a full strength team for the final which they were without for most of their games in this run to the final. They were able to come through Munster without the likes players like Downes and Breen which shows their strength in depth. The only worry is some of the younger lads on the team have been doing a serious amount of hurling lately between Fitzgibbon, U21 and now this. Cushendall will be that much fresher. I still think NAP should have too much fire power though.

wing back (Offaly) - Posts: 115 - 16/03/2016 08:50:06    1835289

Yeah it's a good thing for Cushendall that none of their players are involved with Colleges and University teams either and have been able to concentrate on the final only.......

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 16/03/2016 10:08:35    1835304

Cushendall are strong but Na Piarsaigh will need to throw this away to lose - which could easily happen if they freeze on the day. The have an excellent combination of big strong hurlers and quick skillful players who can score at will. I'd expect Cushendall to try keep it tight and avoid a free flowing game but Nap should be strong enough to win by 5+ points.

McFan88 (Limerick) - Posts: 447 - 16/03/2016 11:31:46    1835334

"Yeah it's a good thing for Cushendall that none of their players are involved with Colleges and University teams either and have been able to concentrate on the final only......."

Ulster sacrcasm, Offside_Rule?

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 16/03/2016 11:52:39    1835339

"Yeah it's a good thing for Cushendall that none of their players are involved with Colleges and University teams either and have been able to concentrate on the final only......."

Ulster sarcasm, Offside_Rule?

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 16/03/2016 11:52:53    1835340

Leicester are not supposed to do well in the premiership but it just shows what can happen with belief and togetherness. ruairis abu

exref (Antrim) - Posts: 63 - 16/03/2016 11:59:18    1835345

The first 10-15 mins of this game will be vital as the team that settles into All Ireland Club finals the best is very often the team that comes home with the prize particularly given that it is first time round for both teams.

Physicality for me will not be decisive as both teams are physically strong. Where Cushendall will really have to be on their game is dealing with the many fine NP forwards. It will not be a case of dealing with one or two key threats.

Hard to know - my head tells me NP will come through ok but my heart dearly wants Cushendall to bring the trophy back to the Glens of Antrim.

Regarding the excuse that NP players have been over committed - I think most teams are in a similar situation these days but given the lack of competitive club hurling over the past number of months is that a particularly bad thing at this time of the year. Personally I would prefer guys to be sharpened up by competitive hurling.

Naysayer (Antrim) - Posts: 2071 - 16/03/2016 14:24:44    1835398