Replying To BarneyGrant: "Ní raibh í Katser ag caint fum!" Nach mar a chéile sibh! ;)
baire (Galway) - Posts: 1849 - 22/11/2023 20:20:20
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Replying To BarneyGrant: "Athy must be completely gone to seed? I was at good few games there back in the day, including Leinster championship. Was a nice little spot, even had a stand." Looked on Google maps had photos from this year, stand still there but I'm guessing doesn't meet the requirements of games like this in 2023.
TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1760 - 22/11/2023 20:50:00
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Power Ranking of teams left 1. Ballygunner, 2. St Thomas's, 3. O'Loughlin gaels, 4. Slaughtneil, 5 Kilcormac, 6 Cushendall, 7. Clonlara, 8. Na Fianna, 9. Nass Ballygunner probably heavy favorites ever since Ballyhale were knocked out and nothing has really changed in regards to that. I don't think there's much between Thomas's, O'Loughlin Gaels, Slaughtneil and have those 3 slightly ahead of the rest of the chasing pack behind Ballygunner. O'Loughlin gaels probably have the best backs in the country at club level but do lack that star quality up front that other all Ireland club winners had, the likes of a TJ, Shefflin, Canning, Eugene Cloonan who'll destroy other club teams at all Ireland club stage. Probably the hardest team to score against but mightnt score enough to beat Ballygunner. Do think they'll end up in the final v Ballygunner. Thomas's might finally have a full team to pick from for this semi final with David Burke and few more lads who missed last years all irelnd tilt back but probably have had the shallowest panel depth of the clubs who've been constantly banging on the door the last few years. 1-15 with everyone I think they're the best team outside of ballygunner but have flattered to deceive a few times even with close to full team sometimes. Maybe 2022 was their chance to win that 2nd all Ireland but I guess we'll find out, probably their last "best chance" to win one. Slaughtneil have to be looking at this being their best chance to get to final, no disrespect to whoever wins Leinster (still have O'Loughlin gaels favorites to get to a final) but they're aren't Ballyhale, there isn't that same fear factor and tbf no team, even Ballygunner, carry the same ability to cut loose or just win an all Ireland like Ballyhale. So huge chance. Out of the next group I'd have Kilcormac and Cushendall as two teams who could pull a big surprise. Na Fianna if they had Donal Burke would be very dangerous, already a good side without him but with him they'd become very very dangerous opponent and brings them up another level but not looking likely he'll be back for next game anyway or even after. Clonlara are a good team too but I feel like a Munter final is about 6 or 7 years too late when you consider the team they did have. This team doesn't have the same stars it did have but did win a county title, something that somehow the previous team couldn't do, (2008 win with such a young team aside) a great enigma there a few years ago but still not a bad team, don't think they'll be hammered by Ballygunner but can't see them winning. Naas are a team I'm looking forward to seeing, they could take a scalp but I don't know if they've enough to take 2 or 3 on the bounce. Great opportunity v Na Fianna. Obviously hammered Shinrone last year and gave Ballyhale a very tough 40 mins before Ballyhale pulled away. Munster winners, Ballygunner. Leinster winners, O'Loughlin gaels. Ulster, Slaughtneil. All Ireland winners, Ballygunner.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (Wexford) - Posts: 274 - 22/11/2023 21:09:27
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Replying To Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin: "Power Ranking of teams left 1. Ballygunner, 2. St Thomas's, 3. O'Loughlin gaels, 4. Slaughtneil, 5 Kilcormac, 6 Cushendall, 7. Clonlara, 8. Na Fianna, 9. Nass Ballygunner probably heavy favorites ever since Ballyhale were knocked out and nothing has really changed in regards to that. I don't think there's much between Thomas's, O'Loughlin Gaels, Slaughtneil and have those 3 slightly ahead of the rest of the chasing pack behind Ballygunner. O'Loughlin gaels probably have the best backs in the country at club level but do lack that star quality up front that other all Ireland club winners had, the likes of a TJ, Shefflin, Canning, Eugene Cloonan who'll destroy other club teams at all Ireland club stage. Probably the hardest team to score against but mightnt score enough to beat Ballygunner. Do think they'll end up in the final v Ballygunner. Thomas's might finally have a full team to pick from for this semi final with David Burke and few more lads who missed last years all irelnd tilt back but probably have had the shallowest panel depth of the clubs who've been constantly banging on the door the last few years. 1-15 with everyone I think they're the best team outside of ballygunner but have flattered to deceive a few times even with close to full team sometimes. Maybe 2022 was their chance to win that 2nd all Ireland but I guess we'll find out, probably their last "best chance" to win one. Slaughtneil have to be looking at this being their best chance to get to final, no disrespect to whoever wins Leinster (still have O'Loughlin gaels favorites to get to a final) but they're aren't Ballyhale, there isn't that same fear factor and tbf no team, even Ballygunner, carry the same ability to cut loose or just win an all Ireland like Ballyhale. So huge chance. Out of the next group I'd have Kilcormac and Cushendall as two teams who could pull a big surprise. Na Fianna if they had Donal Burke would be very dangerous, already a good side without him but with him they'd become very very dangerous opponent and brings them up another level but not looking likely he'll be back for next game anyway or even after. Clonlara are a good team too but I feel like a Munter final is about 6 or 7 years too late when you consider the team they did have. This team doesn't have the same stars it did have but did win a county title, something that somehow the previous team couldn't do, (2008 win with such a young team aside) a great enigma there a few years ago but still not a bad team, don't think they'll be hammered by Ballygunner but can't see them winning. Naas are a team I'm looking forward to seeing, they could take a scalp but I don't know if they've enough to take 2 or 3 on the bounce. Great opportunity v Na Fianna. Obviously hammered Shinrone last year and gave Ballyhale a very tough 40 mins before Ballyhale pulled away. Munster winners, Ballygunner. Leinster winners, O'Loughlin gaels. Ulster, Slaughtneil. All Ireland winners, Ballygunner." I'd agree with your one and two but any of the rest would beat eachother as often as they lost I think.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13543 - 23/11/2023 09:15:11
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Replying To Viking66: "I'd agree with your one and two but any of the rest would beat eachother as often as they lost I think." Dunloy beat St Thomas' in the All Ireland semi final last year and they didn't even win Antrim this year.
upandwin (Down) - Posts: 112 - 23/11/2023 09:53:53
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Replying To upandwin: "Dunloy beat St Thomas' in the All Ireland semi final last year and they didn't even win Antrim this year." I'm a big fan of Antrim hurling. My love of hurling comes from my time living in Belfast. Dunloy did well against Ballyhale last year also for most of the game. St Thomas are a bit stronger this year than last I think. If they were to play Dunloy tomorrow and a few times more in the near future I think they would win more times than they would lose. If Cushendall get to the AI final and are playing Tom's in it I'd have the Galway lads as slight favourites right now. That's as much to do with the draw as anything else. Though I do also think any of the teams that are left could win the AI final if they get there, as they would be coming into it in great form just to be getting there at all.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13543 - 23/11/2023 10:09:49
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Replying To TerribleFootwork: "Naas have home advantage so that's why its not in Parnell, game was down for Kildare's training centre as Newbridge is closed for redevelopment, I believe the capacity is somewhere around 900 so got moved to Portlaoise when it was known that capacity wouldn't meet demand." That explains it. I heard the same reason given for Naas opting not to travel to a Dublin venue, from a local source.
thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1879 - 23/11/2023 10:40:14
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Replying To upandwin: "Dunloy beat St Thomas' in the All Ireland semi final last year and they didn't even win Antrim this year." They did win 3 in a row in Antrim before that. Hard keep it going. Ballyhale are all ireland champs and also won 3 of the last 4 all Ireland's and they didn't even win Kilkenny so I don't think that's too much of a barometer. No team stays winning their county forever although Ballygunner are making a good go of it atm.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (Wexford) - Posts: 274 - 23/11/2023 10:42:47
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Replying To Viking66: "I'd agree with your one and two but any of the rest would beat eachother as often as they lost I think." Ya, it's Puck of the ball stuff really. Amazing as they are it's still nice to see someone other than Ballyhale win it this year. No doubt they'll be back again though.
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (Wexford) - Posts: 274 - 23/11/2023 10:46:09
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O'Loughlin's cruising here. Naas have much better chance of overturning the book.
BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3019 - 25/11/2023 13:58:54
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Close. If Kildare could bottle what Naas have they'd be serious hurling county. A bit like Dublin, unfortunately they are a dual club in a dual county where the big ball will always win out.
Still, fair play, They are example of how hard work is worth more than reams of plans and reports.
Well done to Na Fianna too, Final be interesting. Have to fancy Gaels but NAF are starting to show that bit of steel attained over the years of close run things.
BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3019 - 25/11/2023 17:05:26
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Replying To BarneyGrant: "O'Loughlin's cruising here. Naas have much better chance of overturning the book." A poor first half for KK. They gave a far better performance in the second half, they didn't get a goal to give them a boost. OLG very sharp today.
thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1879 - 25/11/2023 19:17:35
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Replying To BarneyGrant: "Close. If Kildare could bottle what Naas have they'd be serious hurling county. A bit like Dublin, unfortunately they are a dual club in a dual county where the big ball will always win out.
Still, fair play, They are example of how hard work is worth more than reams of plans and reports.
Well done to Na Fianna too, Final be interesting. Have to fancy Gaels but NAF are starting to show that bit of steel attained over the years of close run things." Hurling in Naas along with the resources they have is league's ahead of the rest of Kildare unfortunately. They've put massive work into hurling from underage right up for years now. This didn't happen overnight, they had the foresight to see long term and this team is getting it's just rewards. Am awful pity they couldn't get a result today.
Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2065 - 25/11/2023 22:48:18
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Replying To thelongridge: "A poor first half for KK. They gave a far better performance in the second half, they didn't get a goal to give them a boost. OLG very sharp today." They might have done. O'loughlin's be hard beat. Na Fianna will need best day.
BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3019 - 26/11/2023 00:04:05
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Na Fianna did well once they got up to the pace of the game. Wides killed them possibly, especially two frees later on at crucial times, although O'Loughlin's had a few later on that might have had them home earlier.
Great game to watch and definitely a few lads who will be given serious county time next year I would imagine. Same with Gaels. Their stalwarts like Deegan were basis but a few younger fellas caught the eye that I wouldn't have been familiar with.
BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3019 - 03/12/2023 09:57:38
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Watched the Ballygunner match last night. Very hard to see anyone getting close to them. Very impressive, and not slowing down.
BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3019 - 05/12/2023 10:23:33
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Replying To BarneyGrant: "Watched the Ballygunner match last night. Very hard to see anyone getting close to them. Very impressive, and not slowing down." Ballygunner as well as the other 3 probably see this as a great chance with Ballyhale out to add another title. A full strength Ballyhale are probably still 3/4 points better than every club team, Ballygunner included, and with them gone Ballygunner surely must be extra zoned in for this all Ireland. Not saying it happens with them but there'll be no eye down the road to another battle with Ballyhale and the chance of maybe being caught. I do think they're two biggest tests are yet to come in Thomas's (if they show up and no injuries) and I'd imagine O'Loughlins with a level of defence they've probably never came up against. Should be great games ahead. All that being said still hard to see Ballygunner beaten. 2 all Ireland's would bring them into the group of really great club teams like the many Ballyhale teams, Portumnas, Birrs, Athenrys, Sarsfields, Cuala and some of the Cork clubs of the 70s. Any reason why they've moved the club semi finals back out of Croke Park? Think it's the right call
Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (Wexford) - Posts: 274 - 05/12/2023 11:33:44
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Bally gunner seem head and shoulder above what's left long delay will work against st. Thomas.
If cushendall can get a good start they'll put it up to olg and maybe sneak a result.
Wondering if tight pitches will make a difference in either game especially with how Bally gunner like to spread it wide and create pockets of space to run into
ITSCHOLAR (Carlow) - Posts: 300 - 05/12/2023 12:48:32
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Replying To katser: "Looks like the winner between Kilcormac/K and O Loughlin Gaels will win Leinster......I fancy K/K to get to the All Ireland Final. Nice win for Ballygunner as expected in the Semi Final......reckon they will get a better test from the Clare Champions in the Munster Final!!" Well Katser did the Clare Champions give Ballygunnar a better test than Na. Piarsigh? That game was over once Ballygunnar got the 2nd goal. It will take an really excellent team to beat them. They have class all over the field and they can mix it physically too if needed.
Limerick2018 (Limerick) - Posts: 77 - 05/12/2023 15:01:05
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hi all, havent been on here in a while, but have enjoyed reading some of the comments about this seasons club hurling teams. i was wondering, as Cushendall from Antrim dont seem to be given much hope in the games being played, what if Dunloy or Slaughtneil would have reached the semi finals, what would the pundits have thought of their chances? i'm just asking, as the North of Ireland teams always seem to get underestimated every year.
exref (Antrim) - Posts: 63 - 08/12/2023 17:32:58
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