Limerick Hurling 2021 - 7 Like(s)

Dealer (Limerick) - 03/06/2021 13:31:06

Official Limerick Senior Hurling 2019 - 4 Like(s)
I don't get it. Of course fans are going to talk about players on this site. It's what fans do. Otherwise what's the point. How can you have a debate with this kind of censorship. I entirely agree that every player is an amateur, giving of their best and deserve respect. I'm well aware of the abuse that Declan got after 2013 and it was appalling but that's totally different to genuine fans coming onto a site like this and giving honest opinion on what they have witnessed or make suggestions as to improvements. I haven't see anything here that's worse than what pundits on TV and radio are saying. Let's not even start about some of the stuff that was shouted and screamed by supporters at players at the match. I also don't get some of the stuff on here that we shouldn't be critical of management. I don't think that even JK would agree with the notion that he's above criticism at this stage as long as the comments made are reflective of genuine opinions and beliefs and they are not abusive. . He and the entire team will always have our sincerest gratitude for 2018 but the beat goes on and we want to win (badly). The general rule is that you get away too much praise when you win and the opposite when you lose.

Dealer (Limerick) - 21/05/2019 20:37:34

Limerick hurling 2016 - 4 Like(s)
The game last night was very similar to recent ones against Clare. They were better than us but couldn't finish us off and left us around in a game we really had no business to be left in. I imagine that Clare are delighted with the result but not so delighted with their performance. Good luck to them in the quarter finals. I thought our defense played relatively well. Ritchie English will be happy with his performance and is a 10 year player for us. Ritchie McCarthy proved his critics wrong again and Diarmuid Byrnes announced to the nation that which we already knew which is that he is a phenomenal defender. Gearoid Hegarty had a fine 20 minutes and I predict that he will become a fine partner for Byrnes in our halfback line for years to come. However the negatives out-weigh the positives. We lost most of our own puck outs. Clare won most of the breaks. We never looked like getting a goal and went for long spells without getting any scores as some of our most talented players just could not get into the game. Also our first touch seems very poor right throughout the year. I'm a great believer in the mantra that class is permanent, form is temporary. I've seen enough of players like Hannon and Downes to know that they have the hurling talent. I cannot put my finger on why they are not converting that ability into form for Limerick. Hannon was probably the best player in the Fitzgibbon this year. Downes is routinely excellent for NaP. I suspect that there are reasons why these guys are misfiring for Limerick that the new management team can and must fix as we simply don't have replacements for these guys. We also have a group of young players such as Cian Lynch, Nash and Morrissey that need to be developed and managed. Personally, I think that Cian Lynch is carrying an injury. All three need help to realize their potential. I watched a Limerick Intermediate team with 11 current U21's on Wednesday night that failed to impress. I went into that game wanting to see someone put up their hand just like Byrnes did at the same grade last year. I didn't see too many hands in the air after the game. In my opinion, the only one that should have come off that field comfortable with this performance was Mike Casey at corner back. I don't perceive players like Peter Casey or Ronan Lynch as ready for senior hurling right now and maybe they never will be. The biggest issue that we still face though and was blatantly obvious last night is that we haven't figured out a tactical system or style of attack. It's still all about hit the ball as high and as long as possible, try to win the break and scramble a score. I know our forwards played poorly last night but they weren't helped by the quality of the supply into them never mind that they were always outnumbered. This to my mind is the single biggest issue that new management needs to address. How can we get Limerick to play joined up hurling that's cohesive and effective against mass defenses. Donal O'Grady started down a road with us back in 2011 but we have reverted back since and it's gotten us now where. I'm grateful to TJ for the effort that he put into the team but we clearly need to go in the direction of a new manager with interco experience, better man management skills and the ability to put together a top notch backroom team including physiological support and technical hurling coaching resources. I refuse to believe that you cannot improve the skill level of senior players. To my mind, the only outstanding candidate is Anthony Daly.

Dealer (Limerick) - 10/07/2016 14:01:00

Billy Lee And The County Board - 3 Like(s)

Dealer (Limerick) - 25/05/2018 10:12:26

Greatest Limerick hurler of all time - 3 Like(s)
I only remember Cregan from 1980 onwards when he was well into his 30's. But he was still deadly. I remember a point he scored from the touchline against Waterford in 1982 in Thurles when he took a ball down the line, dummied to shoot over his right shoulder and scored if off of his left with the corner back hanging off of him. It was a craftsman in action. He was deadly on overhead pulls and flicks which you rarely if ever see now. A high ball into the square and suddenly it's in the back of the net. You only really saw it on slow motion on the Sunday Game that Cregan had redirected the sliotar in the air. Cregan started hurling for Limerick as a teenager in the mid 60's so he had a lot of hurling done by that stage of his career. If he as born in Cork or KK, he would have a lorry load of medals. I don't believe that he was the most popular of characters but an amazing hurler. McKenna was incredible as well. A force of nature playing full forward who was unmarkable at times. A dominant goal machine. I have always held Ciaran Carey and Gary Kirby in the highest regard but Cregan to my mind was a ridiculously talented hurler. Ger Hegarty was another hurler I really liked. Damian Reale, Mark Foley, Steve McDonough. Leonard Enright, the wonderfully talented Tommy Quaid RIP, Mike Houlihan (the hardest man of them all), Ollie Moran, TJ Ryan Jimmy Carroll, Liam O'Donoghue, Pat Herbert, Joe Quaid, were all fine servants.

Dealer (Limerick) - 16/11/2016 16:15:31

Official Limerick Senior Hurling 2019 - 3 Like(s)
To be frank, my temper has curbed my enthusiasm for posting on the site over the past month or so as the disappointment, bile and bitterness has consumed my mood and clouded my thoughts. It's only now that I'm feeling the compulsion to give vent to my contrariness and to rant at the Gods who have blessed us so and then deserted us at the pivotal moment. My honest belief is that this was a three in a row team. In fact, it can still be one, but lessons need to be absorbed and learnt from. So, let's start by a statement of fact. The GAA screwed Limerick again with another officiating howler that's a disgrace to the association. The linesman didn't do his job and messed up a basic call at the death of an All-Ireland semi-final. To err is to be human but he shouldn't ever see Croke Park again except in a paying capacity. The end product was an All- Ireland final contested by two of the old worthies and without what I would argue are that the two best teams in the country which were Limerick and Galway. Tipp must have proffered the fatted calf and sold their souls to be so steeped in luck to win this All-Ireland but they'll get no respect from me for getting freakishly lucky. All that said, I think that Callinan is a superb forward and I'd like to see him get Hurler of the Year. I thought the goal that he scored in the Munster final was an amazing bit of skill and I admire a craftsman at work. Turning specifically to the KK match, there are a few things that really vexed me. The first is that everyone knows the issue that affected Declan Hannon. I reckon that this is the fourth occasion so this couldn't be new news to the medical team. How the hell was he left on until half-time? They should have known the situation. I hate to be critical of the player in an instance like this, but he should have known it too. I'm really surprised that there's been relatively little comment about this since. The second and really in my mind the crux of the loss is lethality. Despite a horrendous start (which also deserves detailed analysis), the fact is that we were 1 point down in the game with 20 minutes to go and any elements available in our favour. Why did we not close out the victory against an ageing KK forward line and given the noted strength of our bench? The answer is transparently obvious - WIDES. The KK half back line held their line and gambled by basically telling us to shoot from distance if we're able. This was the critical factor in losing the game and that's what most urgently needs to be remedied because the same trap will be laid for us again in the future. Match Limerick for work-rate, hold your defensive system in place and force Limerick to shoot from range and you can beat them. We'll see this formula again and again next year. I think we need to respond in two ways: i. Start Dowling in the full forward line. We need a finisher in this team and he's one of the most skilled in the country. He's never going to be a backup for Gearoid Hegarty that can run all day up and down and back and forward and over and thither until a half back collapses in a heap. That's not his skill set. Keep him as the predator that never crosses back across the 65 except to take long range frees (which he should always take if he's on the field). Donal Og Cusack did a piece on TV before throw-in in which he identified 7 goal scoring opportunities in the first half alone in the Munster final against Tipp that we missed. That's SEVEN in just one half. You cannot win championships without some level of scoring efficiency and we're operating at substandard levels in this regard. Sure - he'll have some bad games because every forward has them, but he'll gobble up breaks and half chances and quarter chances. Plus, he'll take pressure off Gillane whose frequently triple marked and fouled at the same time in front of blind officials who seem to no longer want to play the game in accordance with the rules. ii. We need to do a lot more work on accuracy and striking skills. We've got to crack the scoring from range weakness, and I'd suggest that a forward's coach dedicated to improving this skillset should be added to the backroom team. Someone like an Eoin Kelly would be ideal although I doubt very much that he'd be interested in sleeping with the enemy. Maybe AOS? How about really splashing the cash and getting Henry Shefflin down the Limerick to take a few sessions focused on shooting/finishing? One thought that occurs is to get TJ Reid to call in and give a few pointers seeing as he's stealing one of our women? Joking aside, I think there's merit in having a specialist skills coach with a focus on this aspect alone. I've noted comments from others regarding substitutions and I must agree with them. Management seem to have pre-programed who and when there will be substitutions before the match starts and not based on what's happening in front of them. Now I accept that there's a bit of Monday Morning Quarterbacking going on here, but it was obvious to me that Gearoid Hegarty was having a nightmare show in the first half and should have gotten taken off before half time. I hugely rate him as a player. I think he has had a colossus of a season until the KK match, but this was one game in which if he had ducks - they would drown. It happens to every player and that's life. The window of opportunity for this group is still gaping wide and it will for the next 5 years due to the age profile and depth of the squad. If I look around, I don't see a looming threat to scare Limerick children and terrorize our hamlets. That's reflected in the betting for next year which already has Limerick as the favourites whereas this time last year (and despite our victory - we weren't). If you analyse the competitive landscape, it's as relatively benign as I can ever remember as follows: o KK - The superior players are ageing, and the young ones are good but how can they replace the legends that are now overpopulating every media studio that's blessing us with their punditry expertise. TJ Reid is 32 and getting married. The best attribute that they have is their tenacity and know-how, so they'll always be difficult to beat and never be taken for granted but the fear factor is gone. o Galway - They're in turmoil following the resignation of Michael O 'Donoghue. Canning is heading for 30 and they need to find at least 4 new players to take top honours. They still have a core of quality so can also never be taken for granted. But the management turnover is a massive negative. o Tipp - They're fat now from winning this year and history tells us that they struggle to repeat. Plus, they have an ageing team that fought against the fading light to win an All-Ireland in their Autumn years. I think winter is approaching for the legendary players in that group. They always have the technical tradition and they have a supply line of good young forwards, but transition must be a factor during which our hardened and slightly older troops should have their measure. The biggest concern is that we could have to play them trice next year to win the crown given the state of the rest in Munster. o Cork - It's mushroom time. Some of the forwards are still good but the spine of the defence is abject. Their backs are nothing short of awful. A lot of Cork players must be avoiding Patrick Horgan in the street these days. And he's now 33! Of course, they have young talent and you can never take your eye off them, but they have a long way to go. I'd suggest that a guy like Donal O'Grady would be good for them because he would make them defend properly and focus on fundamental basics. The Fennelly goal was a basic Cork defensive error. Two defenders go up for the ball and nobody marks the corner back. O'Grady wouldn't tolerate that kind of deviancy. o Clare - The window is now closed as we travel further and further from 2013 and as their underage continues to fail badly. They have a core of good players who can sting you in Ennis but that's about it. The loss of Conor McGrath is a savage blow. o Waterford - Seriously struggling and showing no current signs of improvement o Dublin - Physical outfit who caused us problems in the League semi-final in Nolan Park but they lack the scoring punch to win a championship. o Wexford - Is Davy staying? If he does, they're not a bad team full of physicality and endeavour but you always feel that the cutting edge is not there. They had Tipp in jail in that semi-final and couldn't lock the door despite having the key in their hands. Looking forward to next year, I'd like Limerick to make a few tweaks with the team. The full backline starters are magnificent. I'd like if one of them was taller because they can get caught out by a big, direct full forward on occasion but that's nit-picking. The biggest issue in the line is backup to the starters who're nailed in for years to come. I'm less sanguine about our half back line who didn't dominate to the same extent as the previous year despite the contribution of O'Loughlin and Nash. I'd strongly argue that it's time to re-site Kyle Hayes to his natural position. W'OD earned his spot as the defensive work dog in midfield and is the perfect foil to the gifted Cian Lynch. One notion is why not move Lynch into centre forward for 20 minutes in games just to be less predictable. Colin Ryan is a shooter and might be a change of pace player late in games. Switching Hayes will leave a hole at centre forward. I'd be interested to see Tom Morrissey play more centrally mainly because I think he's a terrific natural forward reaching back to his minor days as a scoring full forward. We have multiple options to play wing forward. I'd be particularly interested to see how young Boylan progresses next year and I'd like to see Nash getting a run in the team there as well. Nash is a high- end hurler with a serious underage pedigree. I think he's got lost in the competition, but I'd hope that he's confidence levels will be higher next year. I've already ranted about Dowling, so I'll spare you all a repetition. I'd like us to use him as the fulcrum and allow Gillane more flexibility in a two-man full forward line. Defences are now focused on stopping him so let's move him around more and let him attack the weak links in opposition defences. Bottom line is that we need to become less predictable, find a plan B, improve out scoring efficiency and target Tipperary. The future is still Green.

Dealer (Limerick) - 31/08/2019 23:20:38

2022 All-Ireland Hurling Championship thread - 3 Like(s)

Dealer (National) - 18/05/2022 10:58:04

Limerick Senior Hurling 2018. - 3 Like(s)

Dealer (Limerick) - 24/07/2017 15:40:42

Official Limerick Senior Hurling 2020 - 3 Like(s)
The main talking points for me yesterday were: Concern with Declan Hannon - I was very worried to see him walk off the field when he did. He's our captain and a leader. I'm hoping everything will be ok for him. The work rate, power and application of the players. Limerick seemed to be playing with an extra body for a lot of the match. The negatives were a tendency to over-complicate the play at times and some very poor finishing. The continued very good form of Dempsey and Tom Morrissey in the forwards,. The goal was a beauty. I though that Reidy had a good game and did very well on frees. Both midfielders did very well. Hegarty was a beast. Full back line led by Finn was solid bar one mishap. Dan Morrissey was very solid. I noticed that Galway targeted Barry Nash on puck outs a lot in the second half. He broke even on them but I thought it was interesting that they kept coming back to that side. I guess they have to puck it somewhere. Shamie Flanagan's a powerful and willing ball winner in the forwards. However his finishing is still substandard. He needs tons of game time but he has to improve in front of goal. At this stage, I'd nearly like to see him get a run as a half back? Pleased that JK referenced Kyle Hayes after the match as injured but to come back in once he's recovered. He's a very important player for us. County Board need to open more stiles to facilitate the crowd including the season ticket holders. What happened yesterday is bad for both fans and the staff as people wanting to access the match get frustrated.

Dealer (Limerick) - 03/02/2020 15:51:17

Limerick Senior Hurling 2018. - 3 Like(s)
I've seen a lot of comments about the media coverage and reaction to the 2018 Limerick campaign. The overwhelming message for me is that most of the hurling commentators have not yet understood the capabilities of the Limerick team and I'm very happy about that. There are a few noteworthy exceptions such as Anthony Daly and Brendan Cummins. I think the penny has dropped with Michael Duignan and Daithi Regan as well but for the majority, the concept that Limerick have put together a potentially dominant team has not yet registered. The truly noteworthy exception is Nicky English who forecasted a Limerick - Galway final and that Cian Lynch could be Player of the Year before the championship started. That's scary good and I suspect that he made that forecast based on what he saw in Fitzgibbon hurling over the past few years. I go back to the general reaction to the Tipp game. The view after the match is that Tipp underperformed because they picked the wrong team. I think that subsequent results backed up Mick Ryan's selection and that he picked the team based on what he was seeing from his players. Tipp lost the match because they weren't good enough to win - period. The Cork match in the Pairc was an amazing game from Limerick who almost won despite climbing a steep slope. But even after that game, the media focus was mainly on Cork and what they needed to do to resolve their issues particularly with the spine of their defense. That came up as a major issue after the semifinal as well. Limerick were blessed that the Waterford game wasn't televised so the extent of the victory wasn't clear. We then underperformed in Ennis which was a blessing in disguise because it facilitated Limerick into the All Ireland series as underdogs. The match against KK resulted in a narrow victory but wasn't a blow-out either. It could and should have been but we missed 5 goals and made Eoghan Murphy in goals into a superstar. Again, we weren't favorites against Cork who are reigning Munster champions and we were never going to be favorites against Galway which really suited us. However, many the comments after the game are about how Galway failed to perform and didn't deliver on the day. I agree that Galway failed to perform but much of that failure is because of how effectively Limerick played against them and would do so again in the future if we meet them again (which I expect will be the case). I note that Galway are now favorites for the 2019 All Ireland which is fantastic but at some point, Limerick are going to have to learn how to deal with favoritism as our luck with the pundits can't last.

Dealer (Limerick) - 19/09/2018 19:20:25

Limerick Club Hurling Championship - 2 Like(s)

Dealer (Limerick) - 29/08/2018 17:11:15

Hurling All Stars - 2 Like(s)
A selection choice that I disagreed with is that of TJ Reid over Tony Kelly which is something that frequently happens with great players who miss out at the start of their career but then pick up one late. I agree that he's an extraordinary player but I think he had a relatively quiet season. He grabbed one amazing ball in the All Ireland but that was really it for me. I know that TK didn't hit the heights in the semi final but he had some exceptional games prior to that and had a much more consistent season over the year. Overall, KK have done very well to get 5 awards given that they lost to Wexford, won the Leinster final with an absolute fluke, last gasp goal and were very well beaten in both the league and All Ireland finals. The seven that were won by Limerick players represent the absolute minimum that they could have won. I accept that Quaid and Murphy was a tight call and the Clare save tipped in in favor of Murphy but that said, Nicky had a fantastic Munster campaign whereas Murphy conceded a lot of goals in the Leinster championship. The biggest injustice in the selection through is Mikey Butler over Barry Nash which was again based on the semifinal. Butler ran into a lot of trouble in the final whereas Nash was consistency right throughout the championship. In fact the primary reason that Limerick won the Munster championship at all is because of the play of our full back line and goalie which was the best performing unit in the Limerick team all year. Yet they only get one All Star from that segment of the team. Looking ahead, I'm thinking that KK are looking very exposed and I'd expect Galway to take them in the Leinster championship next year. They are losing veterans to retirement and they don't seem to have replacements of the same quality particularly in the forwards.

Dealer (National) - 16/11/2023 22:17:36

Limerick Senior Hurling 2018. - 2 Like(s)

Dealer (Limerick) - 24/04/2018 12:23:14

Official Limerick Senior Hurling 2020 - 2 Like(s)

Dealer (Limerick) - 02/04/2020 13:48:57

Limerick Senior Hurling 2018. - 2 Like(s)
Firstly, best of luck to NaP tomorrow in the final. I see that the bookies have them as evens for the match which is great value. I expect Mike Casey to manage O'Callaghan and the forwards to fire. Unlike with Ballyea last year, NAP have 6 quality forwards so even if Cuala focus on 2 or 3 of them, the others can create havoc. To be blunt, I expect NaP to win and I cannot see them beaten. Regarding Dowling, I think he has a body shape and metabolism that's more akin to a rugby prop than to a long distance runner. I cannot believe that he is in a county fitness program and is not fit because he has to undergo the battery of tests and measurements that they all have to complete now. To my mind, he is a guaranteed starter in the forwards - ideally at full forward. His skill level is exceptional and he is a phenomenal free taker. I accept that he has limitations to his game but if used properly - he's a real asset to any country team.

Dealer (Limerick) - 16/03/2018 12:41:33

Official Limerick Senior Hurling 2020 - 2 Like(s)

Dealer (Limerick) - 31/03/2020 18:10:09

Move To National Forum Only Model - 2 Like(s)
I'm also disappointed as the Limerick forum was a very active and lively one. I'm not so sure that I'm as comfortable making brazen statements about the Limerick hurling team on a national forum as opposed to one that existed to allow Limerick fans to talk to each other about Limerick. I'm not really bothered about what other counties think of us. I enjoyed the local banter which was frequently very informed. I know that there was zero activity on some of the other counties sites but I'll certainly miss the Limerick one

Dealer (National) - 30/09/2021 10:29:15

Limerick Hurling 2017 - 2 Like(s)
I thought our midfield duo did ok particularly Jim Bob who won a lot of ball but the wides and delivery leave a lot to be desired. The best midfielder on display was Galvin mainly because of his distribution. We have to get better discipline with the shooting because a lot of our complaints with our forward line could be solved by the guys out the field. Kyle Hayes and everybody else in the full forward line really struggled in the first half but he came alive when he shifted out to half forward. Welcome to the big time and his performance is a significant positive for Limerick. I also thought that David Dempsey had a decent game. Cian Lynch continues to be incredibly inconsistent. He can cause real damage for a period and then he disappears for long stretches. It's really tough to play corner forward for Limerick. We played two small guys inside and it's not working. We have to do something to get some goal getting capability into the team. It is still the Achilles heel of Limerick hurling and they have to work on it. My team for the next day would be as follows: Quaid (although I would parachute McNamara in if I could), Finn, McCarthy (just play full back), English, Byrnes, Hannon, Hickey, Jim Bob, Browne, Dowling, Lynch, Hayes, Nash, Morrissey, Dempsey. Two other points. Firstly, it was great to see a fine Limerick crowd there yesterday despite the fact that the team were big underdogs. It's very hard because the hunger for success is so strong but we have to be patient as this is a very young team with 5 debutantes yesterday and it will take time for them to develop but there is talent there so we have hope. Secondly, I was pleased that the management used their subs relatively early in the game as opposed to waiting until the last 10 minutes. I think they have a lot of work to do to get the team to function cohesively but I'm fully behind Kiely and his team. We have chopped and changed managers for ever in Limerick. We need to allow this management team the scope to make mistakes and learn from them because I don't see any magic bullets out there.

Dealer (Limerick) - 05/06/2017 15:22:25

Senior Hurling Championship 2020 - 2 Like(s)

Dealer (Limerick) - 22/08/2020 13:26:24

Limerick GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Beyond steeped in good fortune to win that game. Cathal O'Neill is a diamond and he did get good support from Coughlan and Quilty particularly in the second half but the rest was poor and I also hate to be too critical or judgemental about young players but most of these lads are unlikely to see the inside of a senior intercounty dressing room. If I'm a Clare supporter, I'd be very pleased at the way that they played which with method and intent. Just a few comments as is my want: I thought the pitch looked really rough. Is there a lot of work going on with it right now? The team last night was made up of guys like O'Neill and Co who are getting senior interco exposure on one end and guys like Shane O'Brien at the other end of the spectrum. I wonder if that's too wide and should we be playing U17, U19 and U21 with the proviso that U17's can't play U21? Also you should be allowed to play in your age grade regardless of whether you're exposed to senior hurling or not. The Limerick U20 team without O'Neill are severely depleted. The referring standard between senior and U20 has narrowed. In the past, ref's were blowing for a lot more in this grade. It was play away in a lot of situations last night. U20 management team don't inspire my confidence - I thought that a lot of starters were very fortunate to stay on as long as they did. Also, we seemed to have no method or reason to a lot of our play.

Dealer (National) - 07/04/2022 10:34:29