How were Clare the better team? Waterford went 6 points up at one stage and we're basically leading the whole game till Kelly let's be honest dived on the ground to win his team a free that never was, up to that Waterford were way better imo plus Maurice only came on with a few to go. This 3rd game is going to be something else I fancy Waterford. Clare need to get to Croke Park there a team full of speed and Croke Park is made for speed.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 08/05/2016 20:41:41    1853092

Not good enough regarding Davy Fitz and Austin Gleeson. A foul mouthed tirade was not warranted and he should be charged by the GAA. If they dare. They seem intimidated by Clare.
A poor example to other coaches and mentors in my opinion.

galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2522 - 08/05/2016 20:43:36    1853093

The ref like players makes mistakes. The point to level should have been a free to Waterford, however Waterford got a free out earlier in the game when the clare player got struck in face by a hurley, which should have been a free in a score position.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 08/05/2016 20:48:35    1853098

Neverright

That's not the point whether he knew he was injured or not. A player should be given the benefit of the doubt and not abused from a height for getting injured going hard and fair for the ball and be accused of feigning injured. It's a disgrace

dubshurling7 (Dublin) - Posts: 1017 - 08/05/2016 20:57:32    1853101

clondalkindub

Clare were the better team as they gifted Waterford at least one if not both of the goals and several points.

If you look at the first half, Clare gave two soft goals and Waterford scored 4 points in a 5 minute burst after the second goal. Other than that Waterford were not value for their half time lead. In fact, I think Waterford played better in the second half than the first half which epitomises how strange the game was.

On top of this, Clare has several bad wides throughout the game, far more than Waterford.

Listen I know Waterford fans feel aggrieved but I have a couple of points to make on that last two minutes.

Firstly, Waterford were given a very soft free in the first game to draw the match so you could argue that Clare should have won the first day. Anyone who has played hurling to any level knows referees will always try and level a game. Not that this is right but it is a fact.

Secondly, incorrect decisions at the end of a tight game are often magnified and blamed as being the reason for a team to lose but in reality and overall, the referee had an inconsistent game and overall did not favour any particular team.

You cannot blame one bad call for a loss.

Waterford would do well not to get caught up in a pity me party and maybe focus on how in the hell they let Clare score the last 4 points to snatch the game. I would suggest KK would never let that happen. Also, it was apparent to me that although Waterford are super fit, I dont believe they are as fit as Clare atm. I think Clare showed they had more in the tank over both games but that could be a bad thing for Clare as Waterford will have greater room for improvement in this area.

Finally, what else can be said about Tony Kelly...... the man is gifted. Right left it doesnt really matter. To think he nailed the free with his left and sticks the winner over with his right on the touchline. He is majestic. Waterford will surely assign a man marker to take him out of the game the next day I would think.

There is nothing between these two teams and no one will fancy playing either of them in the coming months. They would well be meeting in the final in September.

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2492 - 09/05/2016 08:34:19    1853127

My two cents on a great game yesterday.
First of all congrats to our neighbours Clare on a great win and a deserved win in my opinion.
Tony Kelly is one of the top 3 hurlers in the country, magnificent display from him yesterday.
Austin Gleason is not far off the top 3 in the country, he was also magnificent.
Davy's players seem to love him and the give 100% for him but he really needs to improve his behaviour on the line.His tirade when Gleason was down was unedifying to say the least.
I wish both of these teams would just go out and hurl i.e. abandon the sweeper!
Clare and Waterford are real contenders for the McCarthy Cup this year, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they meet again in the final.
Kirwan is not a good referee, he ignored an obvious foul on a Waterford man (Barron?) just before awarding a free to Clare for a non foul on Tony Kelly.I can see why Waterford people would be annoyed.

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 09/05/2016 09:00:00    1853130

Diarmuid Kirwan...why is he still so highly ranked? hopefully that's a heads up ahead of the championship but frankly the 2009 AI final should have been enough.

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2388 - 09/05/2016 09:03:08    1853132

About Davy.... granted he is worse than most and embarrassing at the best of times but I dont think he knew the severity of the injury to Gleeson at the time. In fact if you watch the tackle it was fairly innocuous challenge and I was very surprised myself at the severity of the injury once we saw it on TV. Granted scawlding a player while he is on the ground is bad form and in bad taste.

However, the cameras are only waiting to pick him up on things like that and he gets much more attention than others.

No one seems to make any comment about Big Dan grabbing a ball that went over the line for a Clare line ball in injury time and throwing it into the crowd to waste time.... If Davy did this there would be war and the fact he is such a bad sportsman would be all over todays articles on the game. A

Last week even, the media gave plenty of airtime and attention to the fact that the Clare dugout and fans were booing Maurice Shanahan for his free when there was no mention of a similar thing happening when Conor McGrath took the free in normal time.

Davy gets is bad press and it is deserved but no one ever seems to focus on the conduct of others when he is involved and this is not right either.

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2492 - 09/05/2016 09:34:47    1853141

Tony Kelly is a joy to behold.The way he glides along the surface is almost balletic.Stylish hurler with skills only the very best possess.Left or right,the sliotar generally finds it target.He is a very clean and fair hurler,also.I never saw him pull a wild or dirty stroke.This man is worth the admission fee alone.
I agree lohans red helmet,Davy Fitz is a complete embarrasment.To himself first and foremost To Clare thereafter.His antics on the touchline yesterday were something were all used to at this stage ; roaring at some official,pointing his finger in a threatening manner,veins bulging from forehead and spittle oozing from overworked mouth.I cant help but think of Mario Rosenstocks sketch on him at times like that.Duignan and Farrel were worried Davy could hinder Clare's chances of success a couple years back.He pisses so many officials and opposition off that this may well be his downfall.People have long memories and some will be desperate to put Davy back in his box.Personally,i can't stand him or his antics but i wont let him turn me off this great team.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 09/05/2016 10:21:14    1853164

Yes Davy is a subject for abuse, and yes he brings most of it on himself. However I dont see many posts or articles on his stance on concussion with one of his players and the positives he brings to the game.

ZUL10 (Clare) - Posts: 693 - 09/05/2016 10:21:30    1853165

LRH how was the first goal soft? That's what the gaa is all about beat your man to the ball skin him and stick it in the net, if that's soft then Kelly's goal was soft , both teams had wides Waterford were always in control til the ref decided to give Clare the cup

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 09/05/2016 10:23:18    1853166

ah here clondalkindub - give the Cup to Clare! What planet are you from?
Cleary was fouled after catching the puck out that lead to Kelly's free and there's not a word about it. Nothing about the hurl to Cunninghams face what would have been a 21 yard free, instead it was a free out. Nothing about the ridiculous free given to Waterford last week which allowed them a second bite of the cherry.
Waterford were 6 points up and in a commanding position and it should never have come down to these inches.

Whats a real shame is the reaction towards the referee from Waterford people like Mullane and to a lesser extend Shanahan. Mullane suggesting that Kirwan should hang up the whistle. I thought he had an excellent game considering the speed and intensity. He was fair throughout.

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1415 - 09/05/2016 11:16:10    1853195

clondalkindub

lets agree to disagree shall we.

Clare have the cup and that is all that matters.

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2492 - 09/05/2016 11:18:51    1853197

Ban he gave Clare the cup anyone could see that the Waterford player was fouled it was the clearest free all day yet he decides not to give it. That hurl to the face wasn't a free he barely touched him , if we give frees everytime for hurls touching helmets we have a free every 30 seconds. Why you bringing up last weeks game to make your point ? That has nothing got to do with yesterday , listen well done Clare tony Kelly is class and I would love to see Clare in Croker cause they have pace to burn but yesterday Waterford were robbed and for me referees are robbing to many teams.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 09/05/2016 11:30:17    1853202

Ban,you make some fair points,but it is hard to dispute that the wrong call by D Kirwan,in added time,prevented Waterford from winning back-to-back League titles.It was a glaring oversight,at a crucial time of the game.If he had correctly awarded J Barron a free,the trophy was going back to Waterford.Yes,as you poibted out,Waterford got the benefit of the doubt on a few occassions,but a wring call so close to the final whistle will always infuriate a team on the receiving end.It has always been thus and unfortunately Waterford people will always remember that game changing decision.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 09/05/2016 11:38:56    1853207

clondalkindub

if you think the hurl to the face was not a very then you clearly know nothing about hurling. It was a free and a yellow card all day long

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2492 - 09/05/2016 11:58:25    1853218

clondalkindub & cuederocket - the clear free you mention that would have put Waterford 2 points ahead was a definite free. I totally agree with you but seconds before it Clearly had won possession from the puck out and a Waterford player held him back (by his arm or hurl not sure). Clearly is such a powerhouse the Waterford lad finished up on the ground as he could hold on but Cleary lost possession and it finished up with Jamie Barron who was then fouled.

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1415 - 09/05/2016 12:04:36    1853222

cracking final, and ive no sympathy for waterford.
To be 2 points up 2 minutes into injury time and concede three points is poor going, free or no free.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 09/05/2016 12:58:20    1853252

Not getting involved in the after match controversy , just a note to say was enthralled with the game loved every minute of it , big fan of both counties so was very much a neutral , fantastic passion and skill on offer not bad for replay no one wanted and we are only at the beginning of the summer , have a feeling we may be in for something special this summer.

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 09/05/2016 13:24:17    1853270

Thought Mullanes comments in the Indo today were very poor to suggest the referee retire. Seem very heat of the moment stuff. Classless

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2492 - 09/05/2016 13:53:04    1853281