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Replying To MiAmigaVERONICA: "If (and it's a big if) Clare get out of Munster we might get a bit of a run. I am glad we have a home game against Waterford as our opener. I think there is very little between these two sides, both with a few promising youngsters coming through. But it seems a bit easier for the Waterford lads to make the breakthrough to first team. The game against Limerick two weeks later will surely let us know where we are at.
I think everybody in Clare knows the scale of the task for us to get out of Munster this year in particular. If we do we could make a charge. I think if we face Limerick in the latter stages we will not be able to match them (a Munster Final win against them, possibly, were we both to make it there). However, we should otherwise get stronger the longer we stay in.
I say this because I genuinely believe we have some very good lads coming through. Diarmuid Stritch and Jack O Neill are generally considered excellent prospects in the county, and maybe Niall O Farrell can challenge for a starting place in the half back line. But in my opinion Jack Kirwan, if he gets game time in the half forwards, could be our find of the season. Sean Rynne and Keith Smyth are also worth mentioning among those others on the fringes.
From midfield onwards we look in fine fettle, but defensively (especially when it comes to leaking stupid goals, despite having an excellent goalkeeper) seems to be our biggest problem. Individually the players are definitely up to standard but somehow as a unit they are too mistake-prone.
Anyway, my prediction for the Banner this year is that they will definitely excite, and the longer they stay in the competition the more dangerous they will become. But I do not see another All Ireland title." It has a feeling of last hurrah for some of the old guard. I said before a Ball was hit I believe Limerick will win it all, but Clare are going to be dangerous. They've dominated 1b at a fairly gentle pace. I'm sure there's loads in the tank there.
I'm going to go mad and say Limerick, Clare and cork will get out of Munster.
In Leinster, the smart money is obviously on Kilkenny. Galway going well with a very astute man in charge. Dublin very settled but I didn't think they were great in either of the two big league games.
Our own panel is much more balanced but it remains to be seen whether our new lads can lift it for the big championship days.
We've an awful lot to look forward to for sure. There'll be twists and turns no doubt.
Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4443 - 12/04/2026 18:12:36
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Replying To MiAmigaVERONICA: "If (and it's a big if) Clare get out of Munster we might get a bit of a run. I am glad we have a home game against Waterford as our opener. I think there is very little between these two sides, both with a few promising youngsters coming through. But it seems a bit easier for the Waterford lads to make the breakthrough to first team. The game against Limerick two weeks later will surely let us know where we are at.
I think everybody in Clare knows the scale of the task for us to get out of Munster this year in particular. If we do we could make a charge. I think if we face Limerick in the latter stages we will not be able to match them (a Munster Final win against them, possibly, were we both to make it there). However, we should otherwise get stronger the longer we stay in.
I say this because I genuinely believe we have some very good lads coming through. Diarmuid Stritch and Jack O Neill are generally considered excellent prospects in the county, and maybe Niall O Farrell can challenge for a starting place in the half back line. But in my opinion Jack Kirwan, if he gets game time in the half forwards, could be our find of the season. Sean Rynne and Keith Smyth are also worth mentioning among those others on the fringes.
From midfield onwards we look in fine fettle, but defensively (especially when it comes to leaking stupid goals, despite having an excellent goalkeeper) seems to be our biggest problem. Individually the players are definitely up to standard but somehow as a unit they are too mistake-prone.
Anyway, my prediction for the Banner this year is that they will definitely excite, and the longer they stay in the competition the more dangerous they will become. But I do not see another All Ireland title." I'll be very interested to see what team Lohan picks for Waterford.
I do think Clare have some very talented youngsters in their ranks (especially O'Neill and Stritch) however I'm not sure Lohan will either put them in, or allow them to play to their full potential if they do get to play. Lohan's system is very rigid in my opinion. Its based on every man having a job to do for the team, knowing exactly what their job is in the team, and being able to execute it . For this reason (barring injuries) he will stick to the players who have proven to him they can do the job.
Clare have the perfect start as well, home to Waterford followed by a weeks rest and then home to Limerick. Limerick have to travel to Cork and then Ennis with no break.
Four points from two games could well be enough to see Clare qualify out of Munster
LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 230 - 13/04/2026 11:48:18
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Replying To LimerickandProud: "I'll be very interested to see what team Lohan picks for Waterford.
I do think Clare have some very talented youngsters in their ranks (especially O'Neill and Stritch) however I'm not sure Lohan will either put them in, or allow them to play to their full potential if they do get to play. Lohan's system is very rigid in my opinion. Its based on every man having a job to do for the team, knowing exactly what their job is in the team, and being able to execute it . For this reason (barring injuries) he will stick to the players who have proven to him they can do the job.
Clare have the perfect start as well, home to Waterford followed by a weeks rest and then home to Limerick. Limerick have to travel to Cork and then Ennis with no break.
Four points from two games could well be enough to see Clare qualify out of Munster" Read some interesting stats on the Munster Round Robin this morning. Clare are the only team who have won in the 4 other away grounds, Tipp and Clare have 3 wins apiece, all away. Cork have never won in Ennis, Limerick havent won in Thurles, Tipp havent won in Walsh Park. Limerick havent lost in Ennis since 2018.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19222 - 13/04/2026 12:49:44
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Replying To Viking66: "Read some interesting stats on the Munster Round Robin this morning. Clare are the only team who have won in the 4 other away grounds, Tipp and Clare have 3 wins apiece, all away. Cork have never won in Ennis, Limerick havent won in Thurles, Tipp havent won in Walsh Park. Limerick havent lost in Ennis since 2018." 6 round robins.: Limerick have qualified every year, Cork 5, Clare 4, Tipp 3
Waterford never.
Limerick and Clare have the best record in terms of wins/draws, followed by Cork, Tipp, Waterford
History says its 4 teams competing for 3 slots - but is history a good predictor of the future?
Waterford simply have to win 2 games - thats probably the minimum needed, and Clare first up, albeit away, has the look of a must win for them
Yadse (Limerick) - Posts: 231 - 13/04/2026 15:30:17
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Limerick to win All Ireland based on League form which is the only barometer of form we have prior to Championship.
As regards Munster, i will go for Limerick, Cork and Clare provided Shane O' Donnell is fit and firing for all of the round robin series.
If he had been fit for all of Munster Championship last year i believe Clare would have made it out.
Regarding Leinster, i will go for Galway beating Kilkenny in a Leinster final, a Leinster title is a non negotiable for Galway given the progress they have made this season.
Sliothar73 (Limerick) - Posts: 6 - 14/04/2026 11:10:55
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Predicition
Munster
1. Tipp
2. Limerick
3. Clare
4. Cork
5. Waterford
Leinster
1. Winner of Saturday :D
2. Loser of Saturday
3. Wexford
4. Dublin
5. Offaly
6. Kildare
Main reason for Munster is I don't like how cork's fixtures have fallen. I fully expect Limerick to bring a massive effort to the Pairc and get the win, but then have a feelign clare could do limierick in ennis the following game. Cork could easily be heading to Waterford for their 3rd game on 0 points. But a feather will tip the scales in Munster as always
Likewise Dublin have a horrible run of away games and I think wexford will get the win down in wexford park. One of their home games is also KK a the last round where they'll do well to get anything from that
Overdahill (Galway) - Posts: 100 - 15/04/2026 09:52:31
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"But no, our whole focus is to do better out here, get better ourselves, try and get every last per cent out of it."
"We kind of think maybe sometimes we could get a bit more help out there from our own lads,"
"Obviously, there'll be bits and pieces that are said that'd come back to you, you'd hear about them and stuff like that"
Ronan Curran Cork coach in an interview yesterday, clearly torn about whether or not Cork are focusing on themselves or obsessing about whats being said about them
And then Alan Connolly says "When we're at our best, I don't think anyone can beat us'.
So he thinks they are the best team in the country, and its just that they have not been at their best in a series of games most notably the last 2 AIs but also the League Final, the round robin last year v Limerick, the Munster final, last year (draw)?
New coaching team, underachieving squad, and out there feeding the media regularly - risky business
I am sure Tipp are happy about all of this
Yadse (Limerick) - Posts: 231 - 15/04/2026 14:46:42
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Replying To Overdahill: "Predicition
Munster
1. Tipp
2. Limerick
3. Clare
4. Cork
5. Waterford
Leinster
1. Winner of Saturday :D
2. Loser of Saturday
3. Wexford
4. Dublin
5. Offaly
6. Kildare
Main reason for Munster is I don't like how cork's fixtures have fallen. I fully expect Limerick to bring a massive effort to the Pairc and get the win, but then have a feelign clare could do limierick in ennis the following game. Cork could easily be heading to Waterford for their 3rd game on 0 points. But a feather will tip the scales in Munster as always
Likewise Dublin have a horrible run of away games and I think wexford will get the win down in wexford park. One of their home games is also KK a the last round where they'll do well to get anything from that" You worry about yourselves! Dublin will qualify, at the very least.
Your pot herbs will be gone after Saturday and probably needing a win against Dublin to get third place in last game :-)
BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 4181 - 15/04/2026 15:36:19
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Replying To Yadse: ""But no, our whole focus is to do better out here, get better ourselves, try and get every last per cent out of it."
"We kind of think maybe sometimes we could get a bit more help out there from our own lads,"
"Obviously, there'll be bits and pieces that are said that'd come back to you, you'd hear about them and stuff like that"
Ronan Curran Cork coach in an interview yesterday, clearly torn about whether or not Cork are focusing on themselves or obsessing about whats being said about them
And then Alan Connolly says "When we're at our best, I don't think anyone can beat us'.
So he thinks they are the best team in the country, and its just that they have not been at their best in a series of games most notably the last 2 AIs but also the League Final, the round robin last year v Limerick, the Munster final, last year (draw)?
New coaching team, underachieving squad, and out there feeding the media regularly - risky business
I am sure Tipp are happy about all of this" Alan Connolly has been on the matchday squads for 3 AI finals and lost all 3, 2 of which were 2 of the heaviest 3 defeats ever in an AI final.
Maybe it would be better for Cork if himself and his teammates really believed deep down what he said, instead of saying it but not really believing it.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19222 - 15/04/2026 17:41:31
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