Replying To TrueBlue35: "Yeah I hear ya - I'd imagine it'll be the swansong for Kilkenny, Costello and if injuries are again not kind to Murchan I would be doubtful how much more we will see of him going forward.
Should we hazard a guess at what the best 15 might be for GB this season assuming there will be no more than 2 or 3 "discovered" who will actually play a meaningful part. Anyone I've marked with a * I believe their starting team credentials are seriously under threat and those with * on the bench I'd question their inclusion in the squad at all. This is assuming players are in form and fit to play.
1. Comerford / O'Sullivan 2. Eoin Murchan 3. Theo Clancy* 4. David Byrne 5. Cian Murphy 6. Brian Howard 7. Lee Gannon 8. POCB 9. Killian McGinnis 10. Sean Bugler 11. Ciarán Kilkenny 12. Niall Scully* 13. Paddy Small 14. Cormac Costello* 15. Con O'Callaghan
Subs: Sean McMahon, Luke Breatnach, Tom Lahiff*, Ross McGarry, Collie Basquel. Greg McEneaney*, Alex Gavin*"
I have a lot of time for Theo tbh. And Scully is defo worth a spot. Not so sure about KMG.
As you say I would probably add Cossie in with CK - one final year.
Tom is good enough for the squad but I think your last 2 subs might struggle this year.
Con's brother is worth another look at.
Squad needs freshening up though and that midfield wont be near good enough. Also, Con cant do it alone - needs a lot more help in the frontline.
Replying To TrueBlue35: "Yeah I hear ya - I'd imagine it'll be the swansong for Kilkenny, Costello and if injuries are again not kind to Murchan I would be doubtful how much more we will see of him going forward.
Should we hazard a guess at what the best 15 might be for GB this season assuming there will be no more than 2 or 3 "discovered" who will actually play a meaningful part. Anyone I've marked with a * I believe their starting team credentials are seriously under threat and those with * on the bench I'd question their inclusion in the squad at all. This is assuming players are in form and fit to play.
1. Comerford / O'Sullivan 2. Eoin Murchan 3. Theo Clancy* 4. David Byrne 5. Cian Murphy 6. Brian Howard 7. Lee Gannon 8. POCB 9. Killian McGinnis 10. Sean Bugler 11. Ciarán Kilkenny 12. Niall Scully* 13. Paddy Small 14. Cormac Costello* 15. Con O'Callaghan
Subs: Sean McMahon, Luke Breatnach, Tom Lahiff*, Ross McGarry, Collie Basquel. Greg McEneaney*, Alex Gavin*"
Tbf that is still a very strong team capable of beating most teams but If you factor in a couple of injuries it does weaken the panel a fair bit.Still I would fancy Dublin for Leinster and after that well thats the big question but they will be there or thereabouts in my opinion.
Replying To Fionn: "I have a lot of time for Theo tbh. And Scully is defo worth a spot. Not so sure about KMG.
As you say I would probably add Cossie in with CK - one final year.
Tom is good enough for the squad but I think your last 2 subs might struggle this year.
Con's brother is worth another look at.
Squad needs freshening up though and that midfield wont be near good enough. Also, Con cant do it alone - needs a lot more help in the frontline."
I also have a lot of time for Theo but he didn't really grasp his opportunity last year is my only concern. I did see a lot of him at U20s and was seriously impressed. Hopefully under a new management team etc. he will really push on as I genuinely feel if he plays with confidence he could hold that no.3 shirt for the next decade.
Scully I think for me is in the last chance saloon bracket. He has got nowhere near his best form the past couple of years. He got an All Star the covid year I think it was and the frustrating thing is he has so much ability but has shown all to infrequently and likely only keeps his spot as there hasn't been someone breathing down his neck in recent seasons.
Con's brother is a curious one, watched him a few times in Cuala's All Ireland winning year and he was excellent. Hopefully he can show similar for the Dubs.
Replying To gaa.88: "Tbf that is still a very strong team capable of beating most teams but If you factor in a couple of injuries it does weaken the panel a fair bit.Still I would fancy Dublin for Leinster and after that well thats the big question but they will be there or thereabouts in my opinion."
Replying To TrueBlue35: "I also have a lot of time for Theo but he didn't really grasp his opportunity last year is my only concern. I did see a lot of him at U20s and was seriously impressed. Hopefully under a new management team etc. he will really push on as I genuinely feel if he plays with confidence he could hold that no.3 shirt for the next decade.
Scully I think for me is in the last chance saloon bracket. He has got nowhere near his best form the past couple of years. He got an All Star the covid year I think it was and the frustrating thing is he has so much ability but has shown all to infrequently and likely only keeps his spot as there hasn't been someone breathing down his neck in recent seasons.
Con's brother is a curious one, watched him a few times in Cuala's All Ireland winning year and he was excellent. Hopefully he can show similar for the Dubs."
Theo has the potential to be a future All Star - maybe last year was just a blip. Hopefully so.
I watched Scully in a lot of club games and he is always the main man. His work rate is phenomenal. As you say, hopefully the new management team will get the best out of him, and a few others also.
Replying To TrueBlue35: "I also have a lot of time for Theo but he didn't really grasp his opportunity last year is my only concern. I did see a lot of him at U20s and was seriously impressed. Hopefully under a new management team etc. he will really push on as I genuinely feel if he plays with confidence he could hold that no.3 shirt for the next decade.
Scully I think for me is in the last chance saloon bracket. He has got nowhere near his best form the past couple of years. He got an All Star the covid year I think it was and the frustrating thing is he has so much ability but has shown all to infrequently and likely only keeps his spot as there hasn't been someone breathing down his neck in recent seasons.
Con's brother is a curious one, watched him a few times in Cuala's All Ireland winning year and he was excellent. Hopefully he can show similar for the Dubs."
Niall got a few two pointers the first day, Don't think he was out against Kildare?
They need to be concentrating/coaching the two pointers. Was huge flaw last year. It's not rocket science. If good club coaches can take advantage and make it central then surely Dublin can.
Ger has good head on shoulders and I assume that's key to the coaching he has going now.
Replying To BarneyGrant: "Niall got a few two pointers the first day, Don't think he was out against Kildare?
They need to be concentrating/coaching the two pointers. Was huge flaw last year. It's not rocket science. If good club coaches can take advantage and make it central then surely Dublin can.
Ger has good head on shoulders and I assume that's key to the coaching he has going now."
Fully agree Barney - I wont go back over old ground but wth were we at last year with these new rules. We were miles off it....!
The 2 Pointers are a game changer nowadays. Massive plus for any team who can have more than one 2 point shooter...