well people i told ye all a long time back Mount Leinster rangers dark horses for Leinster. Now let me tell you another story, dont back against them winning the all ireland. you heard it here first.

skysports (Carlow) - Posts: 20 - 05/12/2013 16:13:49    1521000

As a fellow Carlow man my thoughts are on the semi final, no more than that, should we win that one then I wont back against them in the final

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3179 - 05/12/2013 18:50:14    1521058

yeah,MLR are some outfit alright,should make mince meat out of mediocre Ulster champs...

turfcutter (Antrim) - Posts: 277 - 07/12/2013 12:45:09    1521391

turfcutter,me thinks you coined that phrase so you can keep it.

Scallioneater (Carlow) - Posts: 294 - 08/12/2013 20:52:21    1521706

Are Portumna the favorites to win the hurling AI?

WoodlawnPat (Galway) - Posts: 288 - 09/12/2013 16:36:02    1521890

Woodlawn Pat

They probably are. I have a slight fancy for Na Piarsaigh of Limerick. Against Portumna, I think who ever is most capable of holding the oppositions forwards have the best chance. Portumna have experience- no doubt. Na Piarsaigh have had the tougher provincial campaign. This may stand to them. Difficult to call though.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 09/12/2013 17:32:16    1521918

Benny,

"Na Piarsaigh have had the tougher provincial campaign."

Na Piarsaigh have had a provincial campaign! ;)

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 09/12/2013 21:46:27    1522044

Portumna have been favourites ever since they won galway woodlawnPat

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 10/12/2013 08:54:49    1522057

I bet loughgiel and MLR are just loving the direction this thread is taking. Loughgiel are form team left in it in my view having won it out 2 years ago and lost after a replay to last years winners.

disillusiondfan (Limerick) - Posts: 4279 - 10/12/2013 10:33:16    1522083

any venues set yet for the semis on feb 8...

turfcutter (Antrim) - Posts: 277 - 10/12/2013 19:41:01    1522420

who do lads think will win this out now?I firmly believe that any of the four teams left can win it.To be honest i don't know enough of them outside of Nap who i'm sure will fancy their chances,Loughiel winners 2 yrs ago Portumna have won it too and Mount leinster won't want to stop at winning Leinster.Looks like 2 cracking semis to come,any idea of venues?

someday (Limerick) - Posts: 1104 - 10/12/2013 20:25:58    1522433

No venues decided yet but my quests is Port V Nap in Thurles and Loughgiel V MLR in Parnell Park.

hurlingguru (Carlow) - Posts: 1841 - 11/12/2013 08:18:49    1522466

For me lough giel should be favs. They have best form of 4 and ON PAPER the easier semi( please Carlow lads don't go berserk ) after all MLR are only team left for who this will he a new experience. Hope NA P keep heads down and stay focused. Little things all matter from here on in

disillusiondfan (Limerick) - Posts: 4279 - 11/12/2013 10:42:42    1522492

Loughgiel have to be favourites based on their experience and the lack of same for the Carlow reps - Mount Leisnter Rangers. But - I would not write off Rangers! Rangers have had an incredible saga to date and there is no knowing how they will get on against Loughgiel. They will I feel be looking forward to the game and I feel that they will again give a good account of themselves. All the team are now experienced and are capable of causing another upset. But - they will be up against it.
I can only judge the other semi from the TV and it could go either way. I have great respect for Joe Canning and his presence alone could be the difference. What a competition!

carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1875 - 11/12/2013 18:55:20    1522772

Carlowman MLR were supposed to have been "up against it" when they faced Ballyboden and Oulart and looked what happened,they're a very strong TEAM with great courage and fitness levels and Loughgiel will be under no illusions about what they will have to bring to the table on Feb 8,favourites or not...

turfcutter (Antrim) - Posts: 277 - 11/12/2013 19:13:40    1522783

Your right disillusiondfan, according to most neutrals Loughgiel are favourites they have been there before (at senior level) they are seasoned campaigners full stop so they know what it's all about, where as this is a first attempt for MLR at senior level. However I'm not throwing in the towel at this early stage.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3179 - 11/12/2013 19:29:35    1522786

I believe the winners will come from the Portumna/NAP semi. And while I will be rooting for Port. I think NAP might edge it.I think Portumna are not as good as they were a few years ago ( it would be hard for them to be).
I expect Shamrocks to win the other semi by a point or two but it would not surprise me if MLR are in Croker on the big day.
Good luck to all of them.

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 12/12/2013 12:50:49    1522966

yes,good luck to all four teams especially Loughgiel Shamrocks who are representing Antrim and Ulster..

turfcutter (Antrim) - Posts: 277 - 14/12/2013 14:23:06    1523678

any word on a venue as yet.

turfcutter (Antrim) - Posts: 277 - 22/12/2013 15:59:35    1526002

so MLR v Loughgiel Shamrocks at Newry,other semi at Thurles...

turfcutter (Antrim) - Posts: 277 - 14/01/2014 20:05:37    1531916