Yesterday I attended the Ulster Club Hurling Final between Slaughtneil and Ruari Og's Cushendall. There was a great crowd ( pity both teams and supporters had the same colours) - but it was a passionate and vocal support. We had scores, fres a great sideline cut over the bar, goals, goals missed, tackles, wild pulls, committment, hard tackles, committment..... a full bloodied encounter which was a great advertisement not only for Ulster hurling but for hurling!!
BUt:
Why no replay , we had extra time...... there was no indication in the match programme for extra -time.... we have had replays before, most recently in 2011 when Burt and Creggan Kickhams drew the JHC Final. We have had replays in the Ulster Club football Finals, Crossmaglen and Ballinderry went to a replay.....

My point , is that this was an epic encounter and another day out would have raised the profile of the game here further....

In addition on my journey home I heard of the Sligo SFC Final, are very detailed analysis of both the Kilkenny and Tipperary SHC Finals but no coverage or analysis of this great encounter in Armagh!!!
When the RTE analysists surmarised the possible contenders for the Tommy Moore Cup, the winners of the Four Seasons Cup wern't even mentioned.... Cushendall won a great game.... but to some , it doesn't matter!!

cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1673 - 26/10/2015 15:49:37    1801986

Lets open this debate further cuchulainn, the ulster hurling final has never been shown live on TG4, not to mention the Antrim/Derry or Down County finals. Now, every one of those county finals can be as good or as bad sometimes as any from those across the Irish Maginot line.

So id ask the question why is this the case given that Antrim clubs in particular more than hold their own when it comes to club games.

But then again.... sure we're doing a grand job up here!!

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 26/10/2015 16:13:24    1801994

The Leinster and Munster Club hurling finals last year both went to extra time as well. You needn't paint it as some sort of anti-Ulster thing.

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1644 - 26/10/2015 17:03:26    1802009

Surely though both teams would prefer to get it done and dusted on the day, no?? And especially for Slaughtneil who have had and will have a lot of matches in a short period of time surely it would have helped them to have this one over with??

frankbhoy77 (Antrim) - Posts: 1300 - 26/10/2015 17:15:16    1802012

CastleBravo - in relation to no replay, I didn't and can't justify an anti-Ulster agenda... my analysis was that we had replays in both codes... when did that change... was this an Ulster thing or did this change nationally..... all Gael's were surprised at the extra-time, yes as a neutral I got great value for money.... but we need to promote our games....

At the moment the Mageen Cup has been completed ( Ulster Senior Huling Schools run off by Halloween) however the Mc Crory Cup has started in earnest and will take 6 months to complete.... one run off quickly.... the other give it months of exposure.....

As regards the national media and analysis - well can you really say that the Ulster SHC Club final gets any mention in press or TV or radio..... i would say the attendence in Armagh was probably the biggest GAA crowd of the day yesterday ( and live on Armagh Tv also)....

there was also over 2,000 at the Ulster JHC Club Final in Owenbeg yesterday too.....

I haven't mentioned an anti- Ulster agenda.... but I have highlighted an aparrant lack of interest in Ulster hurling at Club level which is strong and competitive...

cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1673 - 26/10/2015 18:10:20    1802024