National Forum

Hurling Championship 2026

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Replying To Crashingwaves:  "You are measuring in terms of money and receipts! That's not the Gaelic way. The Gaelic part has been replaced with commercialism and the media. I have often been with people from south and east Galway and like most hurling people they are down to earth and genuine people. I'm pleased that club hurling, the original form of hurling, still thrives in my county and that 7 clubs from Galway have won an All Ireland."
Money and receipts are tangible metrics. They represent interest and appeal. Fans in munster attend games in huge numbers due to the quality on offer and thus the appeal of the championship.
Im not sure what you think the Gaelic way is or what it is for that matter?
People have always been charged an entrance fee to games that matter. Its what pays the bills, builds the stadiums and keeps this association going. This applies to the club game as much as the inter county game. The intercounty scene is as old as the association itself.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 398 - 12/05/2026 16:29:33    2672643

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Replying To Viking66:  "In fairness they have more than one outstanding player"
The only outstanding player on display in Wexford last Saturday was Donal Burke. Thats on either team. Thats my opinion based on what I saw. The o sullivan lad was good but I wouldnt go as far as outstanding.
They just arent playing the game at the pace and intensity required atm. Their first touch, handling and decision making is off too. All are related though. They do have aggression, physicality and athleticism but they need to up it in every other metric and do so consistently if they are to challenge.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 398 - 12/05/2026 16:35:52    2672644

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "The only outstanding player on display in Wexford last Saturday was Donal Burke. Thats on either team. Thats my opinion based on what I saw. The o sullivan lad was good but I wouldnt go as far as outstanding.
They just arent playing the game at the pace and intensity required atm. Their first touch, handling and decision making is off too. All are related though. They do have aggression, physicality and athleticism but they need to up it in every other metric and do so consistently if they are to challenge."
Not that long ago that people were claiming that the only thing Limerick had going for them was "aggression, physicality and athleticism."

Whatever about Dublin,, Chin is a chap I I don't think I have ever seen being less than outstanding, in whatever sense that word means.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 4282 - 12/05/2026 17:49:13    2672667

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "Money and receipts are tangible metrics. They represent interest and appeal. Fans in munster attend games in huge numbers due to the quality on offer and thus the appeal of the championship.
Im not sure what you think the Gaelic way is or what it is for that matter?
People have always been charged an entrance fee to games that matter. Its what pays the bills, builds the stadiums and keeps this association going. This applies to the club game as much as the inter county game. The intercounty scene is as old as the association itself."
The Gaelic system predates the GAA. If you read, "Scéal na hIomána" a thoroughly researched book, you will know what I mean.

Crashingwaves (Galway) - Posts: 331 - 12/05/2026 17:51:43    2672670

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Replying To Crashingwaves:  "I know but Galway is not Leinster. Nothing against Leinster, it's the lie that bothers me. Why they couldn't hold onto the original knock out in Leinster is hard to fathom, it would involve one game for most Leinster counties - the GAA should have formed a separate Rest of Ireland competition."
The round robin is a good format

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19553 - 12/05/2026 18:09:28    2672673

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "Money and receipts are tangible metrics. They represent interest and appeal. Fans in munster attend games in huge numbers due to the quality on offer and thus the appeal of the championship.
Im not sure what you think the Gaelic way is or what it is for that matter?
People have always been charged an entrance fee to games that matter. Its what pays the bills, builds the stadiums and keeps this association going. This applies to the club game as much as the inter county game. The intercounty scene is as old as the association itself."
1906 when last counties joined football competition, so not an 'all' Ireland until then. Since then some countries have not fielded a team occasionally, and as recently as the seventies even! Some useless trivia there. Alot of 'stadiums' need upgrading, that's my main gripe, attending with young children is ridiculous.

Expertinall (UK) - Posts: 80 - 12/05/2026 18:31:54    2672677

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Replying To Viking66:  "Ive seen both Kilkenny and Galway this year and neither are world beaters. Dublin arent either.
I know there's more in our lads, its up to them to find it. I can't do that for them.

Until its over its not over.

When its over, whatever way it ends, it will be onto club. Hoping that we can get promoted back up in hurling or football or preferably both. Still working with our u14s also, thats a year round job. Executive and CB meetings are also year round jobs. And this year because I certainly dont have the time to do it I volunteered for the job of being our District Jesus. Like the parable of the loaves and fishes feeding the 5000, Im going to have to get referees for all our Junior B games. All thats outside of being a lone parent with 4 children, running a small business, and getting in a quota of parties and bike runs.

Lookit Tadhg I dont mind being optimistic. Friends have asked me before does it not leave me feeling very low when it all ends badly. The answer to that problem is be busy, and look forward to the next cartoon. Ive years of practice dealing with sporting lows at this stage. Apart from Wexford Ive followed Millwall and Cliftonville in soccer all my life, and the Bears and Cubs in NFL and MLB since I was a teenager. And when the highs come by #### I enjoy them ;-)"
'I've seen both Kilkenny and Galway this year and neither are world beaters. Dublin aren't either.' If this is as you say, then should you not be more concerned with the inept performances of Wexford, instead of blowing smoke up them? You state that you don't think much of KK and Dublin, yet both those teams easily swatted you aside? Surely, this should have alarm bells ringing.

I've watched Wexford twice this year, and was really surprised at how they've regressed (S&C, gameplan, defensive structure, etc.) from even last year. I'm really struggling to see how they get any win.

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 531 - 13/05/2026 08:59:07    2672713

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Replying To Expertinall:  "1906 when last counties joined football competition, so not an 'all' Ireland until then. Since then some countries have not fielded a team occasionally, and as recently as the seventies even! Some useless trivia there. Alot of 'stadiums' need upgrading, that's my main gripe, attending with young children is ridiculous."
I agree on the state of stadia.
On counties joining / not participating that would also apply to clubs unfortunately.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 398 - 13/05/2026 10:38:27    2672740

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Replying To Crashingwaves:  "The Gaelic system predates the GAA. If you read, "Scéal na hIomána" a thoroughly researched book, you will know what I mean."
I know it does but it wasn't organised and governed by rules on and off the pitch until the GAA was founded. They are the rules, terms and conditions under discussion.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 398 - 13/05/2026 10:41:21    2672741

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Not that long ago that people were claiming that the only thing Limerick had going for them was "aggression, physicality and athleticism."

Whatever about Dublin,, Chin is a chap I I don't think I have ever seen being less than outstanding, in whatever sense that word means."
He wasn't on Saturday. He was very average.
It seems Dubs cant be analysed. I said they need to improve in every other area. I stand by that view.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 398 - 13/05/2026 10:43:16    2672742

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "I know it does but it wasn't organised and governed by rules on and off the pitch until the GAA was founded. They are the rules, terms and conditions under discussion."
The GAA needs to be reminded that it has ventured far from its roots. Most Irish people don't even know what Gaelic means. People change and make rules to suit their narrow agenda. The county system is a British system. Colonialism is still alive.

Crashingwaves (Galway) - Posts: 331 - 13/05/2026 11:19:31    2672753

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "'I've seen both Kilkenny and Galway this year and neither are world beaters. Dublin aren't either.' If this is as you say, then should you not be more concerned with the inept performances of Wexford, instead of blowing smoke up them? You state that you don't think much of KK and Dublin, yet both those teams easily swatted you aside? Surely, this should have alarm bells ringing.

I've watched Wexford twice this year, and was really surprised at how they've regressed (S&C, gameplan, defensive structure, etc.) from even last year. I'm really struggling to see how they get any win."
Not sure what our gameplan is. Our defensive structure isnt too bad, its our offensive structure is the biggest issue. I think we gave Kilkenny 3-6 or something from turnovers due to our inability to play a proper short game.
The S and C issue is more to do with how young our starting team is than anything else. The older lads are physically well built, its just that we have alot less of them playing this year.
Dublin and Kilkennys average age is probably 3 years older than ours, maybe more.
We could get a win or 2 if we really up our workrate and speed, despite our shortcomings in set up and age. Thats possible, but the lads have to be let do that, rather than stick rigidly to a system that plainly isnt working that well.
Nearly if not all our current outfield players played on teams that beat Dublin and Kilkenny at minor and u20, so you can't say that they arent good enough hurlers.
1-16 and 22 points wont win any games of modern hurling.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19553 - 13/05/2026 11:31:57    2672758

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "He wasn't on Saturday. He was very average.
It seems Dubs cant be analysed. I said they need to improve in every other area. I stand by that view."
Chin is 33, and has looked it this year. Wexford seem to be lacking scoring forwards, absent the likes of MacDonald and Rory O Connor. They have always over relied on Chin and he has had to carry them in the past. Not sure it ever worked out, but certainly this year he hasn't been as prominent or effective.
I dont know if thats because teams are more ready to deal with him, or the supporting cast is not as strong or he is aging. Probably its a bit of each
Still a fantastic player mind, and when he does retire he will be irreplaceable

I look at Adam Screeney and Offaly. A very different type of player, and much earlier in his career, but perhaps their most prominent player, and Offaly got the business done without him v Kilkenny.
Wexford might beat Offaly the next day (even if Offaly are deservedly favourites) but if Chin were missing I couldnt see them winning whereas absent Screeney Offaly would still be favoured.
Offaly less dependent on any one player is a good sign for them

Yadse (Limerick) - Posts: 248 - 13/05/2026 13:53:06    2672790

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Replying To Viking66:  "Not sure what our gameplan is. Our defensive structure isnt too bad, its our offensive structure is the biggest issue. I think we gave Kilkenny 3-6 or something from turnovers due to our inability to play a proper short game.
The S and C issue is more to do with how young our starting team is than anything else. The older lads are physically well built, its just that we have alot less of them playing this year.
Dublin and Kilkennys average age is probably 3 years older than ours, maybe more.
We could get a win or 2 if we really up our workrate and speed, despite our shortcomings in set up and age. Thats possible, but the lads have to be let do that, rather than stick rigidly to a system that plainly isnt working that well.
Nearly if not all our current outfield players played on teams that beat Dublin and Kilkenny at minor and u20, so you can't say that they arent good enough hurlers.
1-16 and 22 points wont win any games of modern hurling."
If you mean that your defending isnt too bad I thought that Dublin scored under very little pressure on a lot of occasions and didnt have to work for their scores at all really for large periods of the game.
If you mean you are good in possession at the back I didnt see much evidence of that either. Its difficult to assess your game plan as the execution or basic skills has been so poor. Dropping balls, over carrying into contact, failed attempts at rising, poor and slow decision making, poor and slow execution all bury any game plan. I mentioned Dublins shortcomings earlier. Wexford suffer from all of those, only worse, and aren't as physical, strong or athletic. Its a worry from a Wexford pov. I don't think you will be able to overpower Offaly like you may have done in the past snd they have played better hurling up to now especially at home. Every game stands on its own merits though so lets see if you find any improvement.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 398 - 13/05/2026 14:29:27    2672794

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Replying To Yadse:  "Chin is 33, and has looked it this year. Wexford seem to be lacking scoring forwards, absent the likes of MacDonald and Rory O Connor. They have always over relied on Chin and he has had to carry them in the past. Not sure it ever worked out, but certainly this year he hasn't been as prominent or effective.
I dont know if thats because teams are more ready to deal with him, or the supporting cast is not as strong or he is aging. Probably its a bit of each
Still a fantastic player mind, and when he does retire he will be irreplaceable

I look at Adam Screeney and Offaly. A very different type of player, and much earlier in his career, but perhaps their most prominent player, and Offaly got the business done without him v Kilkenny.
Wexford might beat Offaly the next day (even if Offaly are deservedly favourites) but if Chin were missing I couldnt see them winning whereas absent Screeney Offaly would still be favoured.
Offaly less dependent on any one player is a good sign for them"
I think Chin needs to be in at full forward now. He doesnt have the legs to carry the team out the field. He almost looks like he's playing for himself out there. Just tipping away and keeping his stats up.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 398 - 13/05/2026 14:31:17    2672797

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "If you mean that your defending isnt too bad I thought that Dublin scored under very little pressure on a lot of occasions and didnt have to work for their scores at all really for large periods of the game.
If you mean you are good in possession at the back I didnt see much evidence of that either. Its difficult to assess your game plan as the execution or basic skills has been so poor. Dropping balls, over carrying into contact, failed attempts at rising, poor and slow decision making, poor and slow execution all bury any game plan. I mentioned Dublins shortcomings earlier. Wexford suffer from all of those, only worse, and aren't as physical, strong or athletic. Its a worry from a Wexford pov. I don't think you will be able to overpower Offaly like you may have done in the past snd they have played better hurling up to now especially at home. Every game stands on its own merits though so lets see if you find any improvement."
We were poor in possession working it out from the back, but that wasnt helped by pucking it out only 21 yards to a man standing still.
Taking out the 2 goals, which I blame management for as much as the 2 players concerned, we only conceded 21 points, which isnt too bad. And if we collectively had worked as hard for the first 3/4s of the game as we did in the last 1/4 we wouldn't even have conceded that many points. Dublin only scored 1, one, point in over 15 minutes at the end of the game.
As regards the Offaly game we have never really overpowered them. Whether they were good, we were good, both of us were bad, or both of us were good, any time I saw us play Offaly it was a real battle. And thats going back to the early 90s.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19553 - 13/05/2026 14:58:33    2672802

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Replying To Crashingwaves:  "The GAA needs to be reminded that it has ventured far from its roots. Most Irish people don't even know what Gaelic means. People change and make rules to suit their narrow agenda. The county system is a British system. Colonialism is still alive."
The Provinces which you so dislike would be closer aligned to the old Gaelic order though?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 19553 - 13/05/2026 15:10:46    2672804

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Replying To Viking66:  "We were poor in possession working it out from the back, but that wasnt helped by pucking it out only 21 yards to a man standing still.
Taking out the 2 goals, which I blame management for as much as the 2 players concerned, we only conceded 21 points, which isnt too bad. And if we collectively had worked as hard for the first 3/4s of the game as we did in the last 1/4 we wouldn't even have conceded that many points. Dublin only scored 1, one, point in over 15 minutes at the end of the game.
As regards the Offaly game we have never really overpowered them. Whether they were good, we were good, both of us were bad, or both of us were good, any time I saw us play Offaly it was a real battle. And thats going back to the early 90s."
As i said Dublin were poor too. Thats why they only scored 21 points. A proper team on it would have gone into the 30s such was wexfords performance for much of the game.
In relation to Offaly I was only referring to recent years or last year and it was more in terms of they have improved in every metric.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 398 - 13/05/2026 15:55:51    2672814

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Replying To Crashingwaves:  "The GAA needs to be reminded that it has ventured far from its roots. Most Irish people don't even know what Gaelic means. People change and make rules to suit their narrow agenda. The county system is a British system. Colonialism is still alive."
Again im a bit confused.
All rule changes must be brought to Congress where every county gets to vote on it. The county delegates are mandated to vote the way their county board directs them. The county board are directed to vote a certain way by the club delegates who, in turn, are also directed to vote a certain way by the clubs. Thats how it works and is supposed to work. I dont know how a narrow agenda can prevail in such a system.
In relation to the county system being a British system. Are you advocating that the country get rid of county boundaries? That doesnt make sense. Im a proud limerick man and im sure you are a proud Galway man although this comment makes me think...

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 398 - 13/05/2026 16:03:24    2672816

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Replying To Viking66:  "The Provinces which you so dislike would be closer aligned to the old Gaelic order though?"
Dislike? Nonsense. I have told you what I dislike but you chose not to read it properly!

Crashingwaves (Galway) - Posts: 331 - 13/05/2026 16:06:24    2672818

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