A real stupid move by the GAA. The Chisty Ring Semi Final should have been played as a curtain razor to the football game. This would have been a great chance to promote hurling in both counties and the chance for the hurlers of both Meath & Wicklow to play in front of a bumper crowd with a big atmosphere. Carlow is still relatively close to Wicklow; therefore Wicklow would still have the upper hand in terms of home field advantage (Geographically). This is a spectacle that Gaels in Meath & Wicklow are missing out on. Tipperary has a doubleheader on Sunday in Thurles - great for the Premier Footballers. Wicklowman any insight into this matter - i know you would have loved a doubleheader?

CoraFinne87 (Clare) - Posts: 44 - 24/05/2012 13:57:39    1179591

Any thoughts on this weekend's games. Down & Wicklow are favourites to progress, but i sure there will be an upset or two. Hope i'm wrong.

An Dún Abú

saulgael (Down) - Posts: 553 - 24/05/2012 15:53:56    1179725

Paddypower.com has Wicklow as the favourites followed by Down. Two interesting games and i'm going to go with paddy and predict a Wicklow vs. Down final.

Any truth to the Wicklow vs. Meath game being switched to Dr. Cullen for Sunday.

doubletree (Dublin) - Posts: 164 - 24/05/2012 17:29:47    1179839

CoraFinne87 Are you joking mate?? Ha ha give up home advantage are you cracked?? Whatever advantage you can get over a Meath team you take. Arklow will me. I don't care if there are 150 people at it and we win 0-3 to 0-2. I'll take it!!

Wicklowman (Wicklow) - Posts: 1142 - 24/05/2012 18:50:30    1179905

Well done Wicklow - Cill Mhantáin 3-18 Meath 2-12. Final still on Saturday June 9th I'm presuming. Wonder when the Down-London replay will be on - presuming next Saturday June 2nd.

Wicklowman (Wicklow) - Posts: 1142 - 26/05/2012 21:33:58    1181061

Yes that was an unexpected draw, and Braniff was sent off as well, will he miss the replay ? Could be big trouble for Down if he is.

sponger (Wicklow) - Posts: 2929 - 27/05/2012 12:56:23    1181202

Don't worry Sponger he'll be back for the final. We played 30 minutes plus extra time yesterday with out Braniff. Great result for you guys yesterday. Hope ya do the double over Meath today.

mournegael (Down) - Posts: 156 - 27/05/2012 16:23:11    1181309

Why has the rule for home advantage for the semi finals been changed again? The last 2 years Kerry didn't get it even after winning all there games up to that.

moomoo (Kerry) - Posts: 4023 - 27/05/2012 18:16:28    1181374

To be playing what is an All-Ireland semi final on a home ground is radiculous! Surely this cant happen again in the future? I was at the game myself and i must say the venue was a pretty poor one too! The pitch was extremely short only about 10 yards between the 65s! As for the game itself the referee ruined it with his sending off of Stephen Donoghue right on ht! I genuinely thought he stood his ground and the Wicklow player slipped into him? Anyway rant over the better team won no complaints and good luck to Wicklow in the final.

Jgc81 (Meath) - Posts: 195 - 28/05/2012 08:11:23    1181562

Great result for Lonodn, a lot of people within teh county had been writing them off, great to see the guys that are there being rewarded for their efforts. Would be nice to have the game played before London Leitrim game on Sunday and have it in front of a big crowd.

Rosineri1 (UK) - Posts: 2099 - 28/05/2012 09:43:12    1181601

JCG

I wont disagree with ye about that sending off, d'ont thinkit was a red card.

sponger (Wicklow) - Posts: 2929 - 28/05/2012 10:36:58    1181650

According to Aertel London have beaten Down by 3 points in extra time of the semi-final replay. Branniff's red card last week probably cost Down in the end. Wicklow V London in the final now.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 02/06/2012 16:17:50    1185742

Tough loss. Was always going to tough with out Braniff - arguably the best player in the Ring competition. Good luck to both teams in next weeks final should be a good game.

saulgael (Down) - Posts: 553 - 02/06/2012 16:27:16    1185747

are kerry the only christy ring winners that didnt want to go up to the liam mccarthy

kerryluck (Kerry) - Posts: 2517 - 02/06/2012 16:29:23    1185748

Braniff a huge loss to any team, but sorry London the Garden County will not be beaten next Saturday.............

sponger (Wicklow) - Posts: 2929 - 02/06/2012 17:32:46    1185790

Good luck to both teams in next week's final at Croke Park. Great occassion for all involved getting a run out at HQ. This leads me to my next question... Is it wise for the winner to move up to the Liam McCarthy next year. Carlow were hammmered by Laois and we innihilated Laois today. Perhaps the GAA needs to promote the Christy Ring and perhaps have either Antrim, Laois, Carlow or Westmeath move down a tier. Perhaps have two of these counties move down and make the Ring more competitive. London have made huge progress with immirgration over the last couple of years and also Wicklow's progress in the last 5 years has been immense. Keep this progression going and compete in a competion where you are competitive. Kerry are a solid team, Down are young and improving, Derry always tough to beat along with other counties such as Kildare, Meath, Carlow Etc. London are in 2B and Wicklow struggled in 2A and narrowly escaped relegation. What's the point in moving up and getting hammered? Teams are just not competing at the next level. In 4/5 years perhaps the likes of Wicklow can compete with the Wexfords and Offalys of the world. What have Carlow, Antrim and Westmeath done since winning the Ring? Nothing spectacular.

Ring 2013

Group A Group B Group C Group D

Kerry Westmeath Carlow Wicklow
Down Derry London Kildare
Meath Louth Mayo Armagh

Winners progress to the semi final.

doubletree (Dublin) - Posts: 164 - 02/06/2012 21:26:39    1185918

you may aswell add offlay and wexford to that list, carlow weren't hammered by laois they were well beaten but played below what they are capable of, but as for beating anyone else no, i would like to see a secondary tier with the winners gaining access to the all ireland in a quarter final

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1708 - 02/06/2012 21:57:44    1185942

London to win the final now id reckon

fonejacker (Kildare) - Posts: 315 - 03/06/2012 12:52:03    1186031

Does Kerry play Mayo in a relegation play off? Also is there a team coming down from the McCarthy?

saulgael (Down) - Posts: 553 - 03/06/2012 18:30:55    1186236

Doubletree. It wasn't that long ago that Laois were beating Dublin.

As for Antrim not doing anything since winning the ring cup, what about them beating Dublin 2 years ago.

Carlow beat Laois in the qualifiers and beat Wexford in the league since winning the ring.

Westmeath have beaten Antrim and almost beat Galway last year.

How will these teams improve if they keep getting put down a division, these teams need to be playing the top teams to improve.

carlovia (None) - Posts: 1536 - 03/06/2012 19:06:37    1186268