I get it how much it meant to Ballyhale Shamrocks to beat Ballygunner and admire the pride they have in their club. However I find some of the comments attributed to T.J. ( one of the greatest ever) a bit over the top. No one in Ballygunner or Waterford that I know of, ever said they were the best club team ever. In fact they have given that accolade to the Shamrocks. Ballygunner in fact are not the greatest club team in Waterford yet but are getting close. I did not hear one word of begrudgery from them towards Ballyhale in their win this year. However the moaning and groaning over Ballygunner's win last year still goes on. In either years there has been a puck of the ball between these teams and I am sure it would be close if they played again tomorrow. Maybe T.J. is being miss quoted but no one is disputing the status od Ballyhale Shamrock as the best club hurling team of all time.
Replying To Pikeman96: "[quote=ExiledInWex: "Oh god almighty. What is wrong with you Wexford people? I said right after the line about Wexford Park: "The reason it in Croke Park is that it has the best drainage, best pitch management (the lights to grow the grass) and is the best pitch in the country and possibly the only one where hurling could be played hail rain or shine." I will highlight and underline "possibly the only one where hurling could be played hail rain or shine" Have watched many club matches in Wexford Park late in the year, and while the improvements under the stand might have made a difference, it still wouldn't give a decent sod or a good surface for playing on in December. That was my only point. Nor would the Nell. Nor would Dr Cullen Park. Nor would Newbridge. Navan. Croke Park is the only place for it bar maybe Thurles or Cork. A happy Christmas to you and maybe get that chip on your shoulder seen to if you take offence to a generic point."
Seems you were posting your reply at the same time I was posting mine.
Reckon there's only one way to settle this. :)
Why not head for the Park tomorrow yourself, for the Horeswood v Commercials match? See a team from both your home county and your adopted one. And step out onto the pitch after the match, to see how good the sod is!"
Well its funny you say it Pikeman, I might be doing that. One of my old friends his son is hurling for Commercials. If the match goes ahead I might just go to it. Might be doing taxi for the kids though so will have to see. Worst case, I am meeting the man in Wexford tomorrow night so he will be able to report on how it handled it."]Just putting it out there.... Thurles is a better pitch than Croke Park
Replying To Canuck: "I get it how much it meant to Ballyhale Shamrocks to beat Ballygunner and admire the pride they have in their club. However I find some of the comments attributed to T.J. ( one of the greatest ever) a bit over the top. No one in Ballygunner or Waterford that I know of, ever said they were the best club team ever. In fact they have given that accolade to the Shamrocks. Ballygunner in fact are not the greatest club team in Waterford yet but are getting close. I did not hear one word of begrudgery from them towards Ballyhale in their win this year. However the moaning and groaning over Ballygunner's win last year still goes on. In either years there has been a puck of the ball between these teams and I am sure it would be close if they played again tomorrow. Maybe T.J. is being miss quoted but no one is disputing the status od Ballyhale Shamrock as the best club hurling team of all time."
Different people motivate themselves in different ways. But the "they are against us and/or are putting us down" way is one of the most common in all sports. As regards the Ballygunner v Ballyhale game Fennelly came out with similar comments at the time of the game. No doubt Ballygunner will now use those comments to motivate themselves for next year too.
Replying To Viking66: "Different people motivate themselves in different ways. But the "they are against us and/or are putting us down" way is one of the most common in all sports. As regards the Ballygunner v Ballyhale game Fennelly came out with similar comments at the time of the game. No doubt Ballygunner will now use those comments to motivate themselves for next year too."
Viking66 I have no doubt Ballygunner will use a loss (rightly so) as a motivator if next year these teams meet but I would seriously hope that they will not stoop to the low of wrongfully accusing their opponent of disrespecting them. The opposite is the truth. Not a Ballygunner supporter but I do recall Shane O Sullivan coming out after their win saying he would gladly give it up if Henry could have his brother back. Respect works both ways. Having being involved in sport at many levels including international sport I am glad I gave it and got it. This is one of the new lows and if lies are the only way you can motivate yourself it says something about you.
Replying To Canuck: "I get it how much it meant to Ballyhale Shamrocks to beat Ballygunner and admire the pride they have in their club. However I find some of the comments attributed to T.J. ( one of the greatest ever) a bit over the top. No one in Ballygunner or Waterford that I know of, ever said they were the best club team ever. In fact they have given that accolade to the Shamrocks. Ballygunner in fact are not the greatest club team in Waterford yet but are getting close. I did not hear one word of begrudgery from them towards Ballyhale in their win this year. However the moaning and groaning over Ballygunner's win last year still goes on. In either years there has been a puck of the ball between these teams and I am sure it would be close if they played again tomorrow. Maybe T.J. is being miss quoted but no one is disputing the status od Ballyhale Shamrock as the best club hurling team of all time."
Replying To Canuck: "I get it how much it meant to Ballyhale Shamrocks to beat Ballygunner and admire the pride they have in their club. However I find some of the comments attributed to T.J. ( one of the greatest ever) a bit over the top. No one in Ballygunner or Waterford that I know of, ever said they were the best club team ever. In fact they have given that accolade to the Shamrocks. Ballygunner in fact are not the greatest club team in Waterford yet but are getting close. I did not hear one word of begrudgery from them towards Ballyhale in their win this year. However the moaning and groaning over Ballygunner's win last year still goes on. In either years there has been a puck of the ball between these teams and I am sure it would be close if they played again tomorrow. Maybe T.J. is being miss quoted but no one is disputing the status od Ballyhale Shamrock as the best club hurling team of all time."
That was my immediate reaction after reading TJ's comments, Canuck. I never heard any claims that Ballygunner were the greatest club team ever and there was no gloating from their players and fans after beating Ballyhale last year. Many people were just delighted to see them finally win an all-Ireland. TJ just seems very bitter over that defeat.