Replying To ACarlowGael: "Hugely disappointing day in Belfast today and the worst I can remember in recent times. I never want to criticise this group as they have given us great days and have given great service to the county (and continue to give) but we were outfought, outworked, outhurled today in nearly every position.
I struggle with the logic of going short on puck outs and general play as often as we did today given we have huge ball winners in the forward line. I understand some part of the set up may have been due to the way Antrim play but once we went 4 or 5 down against the wind, I felt we should have pushed up and hit our big men. It could have played into Antrim's hands but Plan A wasn't working.
It's worth trying to mix things up for the Clare game next weekend. Regardless, it's going to take a huge effort to stay up now.
I think going down to division 2 would have a hugely negative impact. Imagine we won Joe McDonagh this year, playing Leinster Championship in 2027 and have a league campaign of probably Down, Meath, Derry, Donegal, Roscommon and one of Kerry/Westmeath. Even if we don't win Joe McDonagh, it still wouldn't be good preparation for championship. It also might encourage some of our older statesmen to step away.
Anyway, no time to feel sorry for ourselves with a big test against Clare and Kildare to come in the next 2 weeks."
Really poor day at the office today for hurlers, watched it live and based on the effort throughout result was obvious from early. looks like all of the experience in the group needs to come to the fore now and get mindset and bodies right for championship. Won't matter a damn about league if we win McD.. didn't effect Kildare loosing Div 2 final last year, actually seemed to galvanise them. But a lot of work to be done, Don't seem to have fitness close to 70mins yet. On a point of fairness the highlights on RTE league Sunday showed 2 deliberate belts on Chris nolan during his goal chance in first few minutes, should have been a red card and penalty, dished out for much less in Wexford dublin game last night. I'f it was other way round we'd have suffered the consequences.
Replying To ACarlowGael: "Hugely disappointing day in Belfast today and the worst I can remember in recent times. I never want to criticise this group as they have given us great days and have given great service to the county (and continue to give) but we were outfought, outworked, outhurled today in nearly every position.
I struggle with the logic of going short on puck outs and general play as often as we did today given we have huge ball winners in the forward line. I understand some part of the set up may have been due to the way Antrim play but once we went 4 or 5 down against the wind, I felt we should have pushed up and hit our big men. It could have played into Antrim's hands but Plan A wasn't working.
It's worth trying to mix things up for the Clare game next weekend. Regardless, it's going to take a huge effort to stay up now.
I think going down to division 2 would have a hugely negative impact. Imagine we won Joe McDonagh this year, playing Leinster Championship in 2027 and have a league campaign of probably Down, Meath, Derry, Donegal, Roscommon and one of Kerry/Westmeath. Even if we don't win Joe McDonagh, it still wouldn't be good preparation for championship. It also might encourage some of our older statesmen to step away.
Anyway, no time to feel sorry for ourselves with a big test against Clare and Kildare to come in the next 2 weeks."
Fully agree with the above regarding who we could play next year think some of the draw for the hurlers each year was the quality of team we could play against year on year kilkenny,Dublin,Clare,wexofrd ,Waterford if this drop down to the roscommon donegals derrys mayo of the world will we get the same buy in.
With footballers going well and looking good for promotion think next year might see a few hurlers in with them. Dont get me wrong they would be great additions to the team but would set the hurlers back also.