The Munster hurling championship is probably the only reason we still have provincial hurling, yet there is not a word about it 2 days out? Low ticket sales I also believe, lack of any form of hype, is this yet further proof that people are falling out of love with modern GAA and the antiquated provincial system?

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 03/06/2016 10:04:23    1861108

Pinkie..Having watched your county play 2 hurling matches recently It wouldn't inspire anyone to go out and watch a hurling match. They are expecting a crowd of 25k. Clare and Waterford are the 2 smallest counties in Munster so I dont see much wrong with that crowd for a first round game. Both counties will have more travelling supporters than the mighty dubs this weekend.
Anyway I suspect watreford might win this one. But whoever looses is by no means out.

ZUL10 (Clare) - Posts: 693 - 03/06/2016 10:33:49    1861120

For some reason this has always been way more of a Football forum than a hurling one.
last year 2 days before the hurling final there was still more discussion about the football than the hurling
always been that way

Spose football just is far more popular over the 32 counties so thats the reason i would guess

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 03/06/2016 10:50:16    1861127

looking forward to the game , genuinely cant call it , however I've been bigging up Clare for the All Ireland all year so have to stick with them , some of the best players currently playing will be on show Gleeson Taidgh Kelly Collins etc I will be in the presence of a recent inter county coach whos birthday it is ,total hurling nutcase finally a game you can get your teeth into

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 03/06/2016 11:00:02    1861134

Should be a cracker.Two excellent teams,both with genuine aspirations of winning the All Ireland.Not many Clare v Waterford games down the years you could say that

Weather will be balmy.Players fitness will be tested to the limit.

After the league final ending there may be a bit of vad blood smouldering under the surface and it wont take much to spark it off.A little Clare "sledging" may rile the Deise blood.With wee Davy on board anything is possible.

By far the best game of the weekend and the one im most looking forward to.There will be no turkey shoot here.

Hard to call.Ill give the banner the nod.Should be great.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 03/06/2016 11:14:15    1861138

I think Zulu you might have missed my point, I am as disappointed as anybody after our 2 recent performances. Give it a rest.

My only point was that 2 days out it wasn't even been discussed. Louth and Meath is 2 weeks away or something and there is a thread about it....

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 03/06/2016 11:35:26    1861144

Certainly no talk about it in Ulster Pinkie, sure hurling doesn't exist up here!

We've Armagh in the Rackard final and Antrim in the Ring final and not even a mention on their sports section of their local news bulletins

Theyd rather send Stephen Watson to America to see what Rory McIlroy has for his breakfast or how rugby's 'ulstermen' will fare in south Africa, incidentally playing for Ireland.

To get back to the match though I wouldn't be surprised to see it end all square tbh, I think theres only a puck of the ball between both teams currently. The weather is due to be good so lets hope its a cracker even with defensive systems!

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 03/06/2016 11:53:11    1861154

you would have to wonder why play cork v tipp 2 weeks ago and nothing last weekend?

perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 03/06/2016 13:32:30    1861214

Fair comment Pinkie, there has been very little comment or 'talk' about this game which on the face of it should be the game of the year so far.
I think there is a fear that we could see a tactical game similar to the first league final which would be disappointing.
Very hard game to call, I'm inclined to favour Clare but a Waterford win wouldn't surprise me one bit.
I hope we get a great game.

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 04/06/2016 12:11:46    1861446

Agree with Pinkie.Very low key build up to a game between probably the 2nd and 3rd rated teams in the country right now.
You would not think there was such a big game on Tomorrow.The GAA are a great organisation but their marketing leaves an awful lot to be desired.
I fancy Waterford to get revenge for the league final.

Condorman (Dublin) - Posts: 983 - 04/06/2016 12:19:05    1861447

Cannot wait for this game.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 05/06/2016 13:53:15    1861770

Clare are my tip for the All-Ireland this year so I'll go for Clare by 3

KYTitletown (Kerry) - Posts: 816 - 05/06/2016 15:10:56    1861796

barely 20000 people are copping on to the artificial nature of the provincial structures..

kavvie (Clare) - Posts: 505 - 05/06/2016 16:01:11    1861824

Great start to this game. Very entertaining. Who says that hurling is dead?

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 05/06/2016 16:09:30    1861826

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 05/06/2016 16:20:12    1861828

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9706 - 05/06/2016 16:21:00    1861829

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 05/06/2016 16:22:19    1861830

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 05/06/2016 16:28:21    1861833

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 05/06/2016 16:41:50    1861836

Quote of the Year by Dan Shanahan at half time (remember Waterford are leading by 4 points) : "if we win the 2nd half we'll win the match". Things are better than you think, Dan...ye can lose the second half and still win the match!

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1907 - 05/06/2016 16:45:34    1861837