turfcutter
County: Antrim
Posts: 242

1531916
so MLR v Loughgiel Shamrocks at Newry,other semi at Thurles...


Hardly makes sense to ask Mount Leinster Rangers to travel to Newry??

Cute_Kerry_Hoor (Kerry) - Posts: 2518 - 15/01/2014 16:46:45    1532287

It is about 30 mins further a journey for MLR than Loughgiel, and is a pitch Loughgiel would rarely have played on before so there can not really be any problem with it. people underestimate just how far Antrim hurling teams usually have to travel becuase they are located so far north.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 15/01/2014 17:04:47    1532299

More like an hour extra, and 180 miles in total!

hurlingguru (Carlow) - Posts: 1841 - 15/01/2014 17:31:06    1532315

Hurlingguru might I suggest you try google maps and save yourself that extra 60 odd miles you seem intent on driving to Newry! North Antrim teams to Dublin are usually around 140/150 miles so I think loughgiel fans probably deserve a shorter trip for once. I'm not a shamrock, but I wish them all the best! BTW guru where would you prefer the match be hosted? My only query re Newry is that Down hurlers don't like playing there as its not a great hurling pitch and traditionally very heavy sod, that's not exactly what neutrals want from a spectator point of view at this time of year!

oso (Antrim) - Posts: 168 - 15/01/2014 18:54:08    1532358

Im inclined to think if it was a club team from an established hurling county the game would be on in Dublin. That of course would be unfair on Antrim. Just seems their is an injustice that applies to all of the weaker counties.

disillusiondfan (Limerick) - Posts: 4279 - 15/01/2014 19:12:06    1532367

Where should it be in Dublin? Parnell park is an absolute bog at this time of year, it was disgraceful last year and not much better the year before.

oso (Antrim) - Posts: 168 - 15/01/2014 19:31:58    1532373

Regarding Loughiel v Mount Leinster, that has the potential to be an absolute cracker of a game. 2 quality sides. Very very tough to call. I hope Mount Leinster are getting in the same tough challenge games Loughiel are. If they aren't that could be the difference

Brianmac78 (Dublin) - Posts: 1168 - 15/01/2014 21:29:34    1532408

Well, it looks like history is being made with an All Ireland Semi final being held in Ulster - for the first time.

As a recent poster said, would it happen to a Kilkenny or Wexford club?

One is inclined to to be a slight bit peeved with this fixture when one is from Carlow- and yes we in Carlow are a little thin on the ground when it comes to the politics of the GAA!

I understand fully that that Antrim clubs are in the Glens and also are a long way from home when having to play this fixture against a Leinster club - but in Newry?

In all the fixtures that have been held for hurling games in ulster, how many significant hurling games has it held?

Let the hurling men of Ulster and Leinster especially Carlow let those in higher places know that a decent hurling pitch is needed to host games between the provinces.

Clubs are supposed to be the bedrock of the GAA. If so, then let the powers that be give our clubs a decent pitch to play on!

I am genuinely worried that the pitch will be a big, or have grass 6 inches long. I would like to hear from knowledgable hurling men form Ulster on the subject.

carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1875 - 15/01/2014 21:30:37    1532411

I dont think this is the first AI Semi Final to be held in Ulster.

Didnt Loughgiel play St Thomas last year in Clones?

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 16/01/2014 08:39:26    1532441

Ok then, Willie. That semi-final REPLAY was held in Clones. This then must be the 1st All-Ireland semi-final held in Northern Ireland.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 16/01/2014 21:50:42    1532824

I feel for the Carlow team and fans who wil have to travel that bit further but this is par for the course for Antrim teams particularly the sides from the Glens. It should also be noted that some of those commenting on this are the first to tell Antrim sides "to just get on with it". There was no sympathy for our U - 21's when we had to go 100's of miles to Thurles but all of a sudden they feel sorry for the Carlow boys??? Hypocrisy and double standards once again.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9818 - 16/01/2014 21:58:09    1532834

The All-Ireland semi finals of 2002 and 2003 were both played in Clones- Dunloy v Birr (02) and Dunloy v Portumna (03).

stiffenhim (Galway) - Posts: 2 - 17/01/2014 09:22:44    1532853

Carlow lads,

Most of your journey is motorway unlike Loughgiel who'll be on dual carriageway for most of theirs, timewise its an additional half hour tops.

Newry whilst hosting most of Down hurlings fixtures in recent years isn't a great hurling surface in the winter and may suit MLR moreso than Loughgiel who aren't the most physical of teams and like to use pace rather than crash bang wallop

In the same breathe it would be unimaginable to see a Wexford or Kilkenny team being asked to travel into the black north for a game very much in the balance.

Welcome to the second class citizens table of hurling lads.

bricktop (Down) - Posts: 2503 - 17/01/2014 11:16:35    1532905

I agree a lot with what Brick heed has to say on the matter. He does talk some sense(some of the time). In my opinion its not the biggest of pitches and hopefully this will work to MLR's advantage. Should be a good game…to be sure to be sure…..now…wheres me lucky charms???

grandagrokepoke (Down) - Posts: 347 - 17/01/2014 11:39:54    1532914

Mount Leinster Rangers is south Carlow they travel at least 40 minutes to Carlow.

skysports (Carlow) - Posts: 20 - 17/01/2014 13:02:17    1532976

I don't know any hurling man who minds travelling a distance if the pitch is good enough. That is key and should be key to any team and fans in going to a game.

MLR are a fine hurling team and would like a big pitch and a dry sod and not a heavy one!!

The distance travelled is not the most important issue, the pitch is!

carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1875 - 18/01/2014 14:51:47    1533356

Great win for Carlow today. I presume they were without the MLR players?

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 18/01/2014 16:44:03    1533401

I find it amusing that everyone is just assuming that MLR are some giant physical team who love heavy ground. I suppose sure how could we be anything else when we're only from Carlow

MLR (Carlow) - Posts: 77 - 18/01/2014 16:44:29    1533403

I think you doth protest too much MLR! ANY hurling team that wins a very strong Leinster club Championship doesn't just rely on physical ability or 'big, strong fellas'. It's obvious to most people that MLR are a very good side with really good hurlers and they are where they are because they outhurled their opponents in Carlow and Leinster. It's a 50/50 game against Loughiel and the Antrim county team in the past have underestimated county sides from Carlow, Laois and Westmeath and ended up very red faced indeed. I think it could be a very good game for the neutrals and could go either way.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9818 - 18/01/2014 19:13:50    1533458

What way do people see the Nap v Portumna match going?hard one to call in my opinion a lot of county material for both Limk and Galway on view.The big question for me is if Nap hold Canning have Portumna more up their sleeves?I don't know much about the Portumna team these days i know they were class a few years ago are they as good these days?

someday (Limerick) - Posts: 1104 - 18/01/2014 19:54:02    1533486