hurling is not a farce.... even with kk hammering teams, watching them do it is great.. their skill level's, committement is awesome. i think its up to hte other teams to step up. cork have shot themselves in the foot, tipp are coming but i think next year is when they will reach their top. limerick are improved. galway, well are galway, who knows what we'll get. still think waterford, while past their best, will cause an upset thisyear.

was in nolan park few years back and interesting to see that at half time they let kids on to the pitch to play. think every county should adopt this. even after the cork game yesterday, most kids running onto the pitch had hurls

fatchops (None) - Posts: 127 - 06/04/2009 13:45:27    249420

fatchops i also like the idea of kids playing at halftime. I know they do it in parnell park as well

bad.monkey (USA) - Posts: 4655 - 06/04/2009 13:55:55    249444

They do indeed Bad Monkey. The pitch was full of kids pucking the ball to each other at half-time - great to see it. There is certainly a huge effort going into the promotion of hurling in Dublin and there appears to be a huge response from the kids - credit to all involved.

Dubinmeath (Dublin) - Posts: 1123 - 06/04/2009 14:07:16    249462

Kilkenny have always adopted this policy and its always great to see. I think its becoming more and more common now. Head them on Radio 1 yesterday saying that Wexford Pk was full of kids at half time. Long may it continue.

solo (Kilkenny) - Posts: 314 - 06/04/2009 14:20:44    249480

i would have to say it is a farce. reguardless of how good kilkenny are the standard for the rest of the teams is poor. that is why football is alot more exciting because the games in alot of cases are alot closer. a simple comparison would be the all ireland finals of '08 in football and hurling. in hurling kilkenny had the title wrapped up by half time. in football a very close game all the way through between kerry and tyrone.

PK57 (Louth) - Posts: 1664 - 06/04/2009 14:34:45    249501

PK57, were the football finals of 2004, 2006 or 2007 close affairs?

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6488 - 06/04/2009 14:53:48    249527

I don't think it's a farce when you've allowed a manager space, provided good structures and organisation to develope the county team, nurtured some fantastic talents and then they deliver. Not only are they gifted players, but they are well organised and motivated. Hurling has a strong tradition of great teams sustaining success, from Tubberadore (Tipperary) in the 1890s through various Kilkenny, Cork and Tipperary sides that achieved consecutive successes. This year Kilkenny, having just completed the first 3-in-a-row in 30 years, are seeking to join that great Cork team from the 1940s. The only silver lining here for everyone else is that, historically, counties that have won 3 in-a-row have tended not to win another All-Ireland for 6-7 years after their run has ended. The exception were Cork who won in 1941-44 and in 1946, but didn't win another until 1952. This Kilkenny team might re-write those records, but then again, if they lose their hunger and edge, who knows?

pearsesabu (Antrim) - Posts: 663 - 06/04/2009 14:56:38    249533

Hurling final was still better to watch than the football because hurling is simply a better game, no matter how one sided and last years final was simply an exhibition of how the game should be played.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 06/04/2009 15:00:54    249542

Hurling is the best game in the world,the simple fact is KK have set the bar to an astonishing level at present they were beatable a few years ago other teams have fallen away since and KK have kept on improving so ya have to give them credit for that and there hunger and skill after so many titles won.Its up to everyone else to try raise their game from grass roots all the way to the county board and club championships to see how each county can try match them in the future.

UptheDeise (Waterford) - Posts: 225 - 06/04/2009 15:12:06    249568

I must say firstly welcome on board solo, first kilkenny poster ive seen in a few yrs. My comment about kilkenny reserves was obviously tongue in cheek, however, I think Kilkenny's only obstacle is complacency this year and maybe an extremely embarassed cork team after yesterday!!! After all they possibly are the one team that kilkenny would fear(alright be wary of!) if they fire on all cylinders. I must say though you are right to draw comparisons with Kerry, I think the only people who find, returning to the topic, hurling a farce are from cloud cuckoo land!!!

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 06/04/2009 15:18:24    249579

Thanks bumpernut. I'm actually shocked at how few Cats are here on the site. I realise your comments are tongue in cheek, I'm just worried about the complaceny issue. I have never seen the team play this well early in the season and hope that they can sustain it. I say hope because while I know they are not training hard at the moment, they are winning games too easy for my liking. I'm sure the competition for places will curtail the complacenecy and Cody will keep anyone he feels is complacent on the bench. Looking forwad more than ever to seeing the team training. Should be some cracking sessions. Last year we had a few dingers with lads giving and taking ferocious raps. This year I reckon will top all. How do you think ye'll go against Offaly?

solo (Kilkenny) - Posts: 314 - 06/04/2009 15:44:24    249622

Solo, can anyone go in to watch them training? Would love to see them and maybe pick up a few hints! Last year our team had a few all out sessions, no whistle or frees and it certainly stood to us. Great preparation for a game and a lot tougher actually especially where players are fighting for their places.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 06/04/2009 15:49:47    249635

06/04/2009 14:20:44
solo
County: Kilkenny
Posts: 43

249480
Kilkenny have always adopted this policy and its always great to see. I think its becoming more and more common now. Head them on Radio 1 yesterday saying that Wexford Pk was full of kids at half time. Long may it continue.



You could see young lads and their parents out on the field at half time,some as young as 4 (thats no lie),its not a thing asked by the County Board either young children just bring their hurls and footballs,I remember the stewards up there tried to get them all off but fat chance,there those be about 200 out on the pitch (not a word of a lie)

Duffy89 (Wexford) - Posts: 3320 - 06/04/2009 15:53:44    249643

Its great to see. Have been to a lot of games where the kids are sitting beside you in the stand and then as soon as the half time whistle goes they're gone like a flash down to the pitch. Its always a brilliant sight to see a young lad with a hurl too big for him and about the height of your knee hitting the ball in the Park. Brings a smile to the face everytime.

solo (Kilkenny) - Posts: 314 - 06/04/2009 16:00:10    249651

Of course hurling is a farce, its a dying game of that there is no doubt it will nevr be or can be as popular as Gaelic football, i think its time to put it out of its misery

paddyogall (Mayo) - Posts: 5110 - 06/04/2009 16:04:37    249658

George O'Connor has been trying his damnedist to get the hurling development in the county up and going,and he has,Wexford are the current U16 All-Ireland champions after dismising Kilkenny,Clare & Offaly,they beat Dublin last year in the Leinster minor semi-final,and were only beaten by Galway by 1 point in the All-Ireland quarter final,hopefully we'll go far in this years championship aswell,thats what we have to keep up if we're wanting to in anyways keep up with the cats

Duffy89 (Wexford) - Posts: 3320 - 06/04/2009 16:11:45    249669

Not sure solo,

Depends which team turns up on the day for both offaly and antrim. If they hurl the way they can then they are capable of winning, to be honest I think most people would expect an offaly win especially after the wexford result. However, strangely enough offaly for whatever reason tends to be a decent enough fixture for antrim in previous years. A bit like yesterday id say getting a good start could be critical, as usual when it comes to playin antrim the bigger counties tend to go for the jugular early on hoping the heads will drop. Although, they managed to reverse that against wexford this year, fingers crossed though!!!!

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 06/04/2009 16:43:18    249736

It is not kilkennys fault no one can stay with them and there a class act.

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 06/04/2009 16:49:09    249748

I think football is a farce. Every year the Dubs are a top four team and last year Tyrone beat them by 79 points or something.

And this is not isolated. In 2004 and 06 Mayo were a Top Two team and alas were beaten out the gate.

By those standards, at least hurling is competitive.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 07/04/2009 22:42:09    251450

patrique
County: Antrim
Posts: 2797

Typical patrique kick us when were down,dont worry at least we get 1 day in croke pk.

tomaoo7 (Dublin) - Posts: 5896 - 07/04/2009 22:46:20    251462