Looked back a bit but couldn't find a thread on the hurlers.
The footballers aren't the only ones playing Wicklow at the weekend. The hurlers play Wicklow in Arklow on Saturday at 2.30pm in the Christy Ring semi final. They've been motoring along nicely having come back from the dead against London, lost disappointingly to Down (having been 7 points up at one stage in the second half) and gained revenge for the league final defeat by Kildare. Now they've a chance to make it to the Christy Ring final for the first time.
Wicklow are definitely favourites in this one but the lads can certainly cause an upset. Hopefully a decent Meath crowd make it down to cheer them on.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1466 - 21/05/2012 14:48:56    1177218

ratoath royal couldnt agree more, credit to all involved great bunch of lads heads very level down to earth guys, i would like also to wish them well, and it is a pity it is not a double header next week, and we could have a few more shouting on our hurlers,

baker (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 21/05/2012 15:00:13    1177228

Seems madness to have the 2 games, both involving the same two counties, being played in the same county..... on two different days.

Could the Hurling not be played at 2 on Sunday before the football?

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6348 - 21/05/2012 15:01:58    1177229

I think there is already a curtain raiser for the Football game, a Leinster club league final. The Christy Ring is not a Leinster competition so I would say they don't like having two games run by two different authorities on the same card as there might be issues with the gate money. Though it's been done before , Kildare hurlers and footballers both played Christy Ring and Leinster SFC on the same day in Navan 2 years ago.

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1741 - 21/05/2012 15:18:09    1177247

Jinxie, I hope you're not heading to Arklow for the football on Sunday instead of Carlow.
But you're right, surely the hurling game should be the curtain raiser for the football the next day to save fans (Meath ones especially due to having to travel both days) shelling out for twice. I'll be heading to both anyway and hopefully many more will too.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1466 - 21/05/2012 15:25:32    1177255

Fair enough CastleBravo. At least it's not as bad 2007 when the footballers played Galway in Portlaoise followed by the hurlers in Tullamore less than an hour after full time in the football. Only caught the second half of the hurling that time.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1466 - 21/05/2012 15:32:30    1177262

Ratoath Royal
County: Meath

Ha, your right. Meant the same region. Still think it seems stupid, but Wicklow might not like to give up home adv.

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6348 - 21/05/2012 15:37:38    1177268

Well, your all welcome down to Arklow on Saturday. We just got out of Navan by a point I think in the league last year (2011) so expect it to be a good game. Big prize for both teams and good to see Meath and Wicklow hurling fighting it out for a place in Croker. Just gas we are playing you in both codes.

Castlebravo is spot on, not Leinster so there would be issues. Wicklow get the home draw based on the wins in Round 2A.

macfeargusa (Wicklow) - Posts: 240 - 21/05/2012 16:34:00    1177325

macfeargusa, whereabouts is the pitch in Arklow? Any chance of directions from the N11?

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1466 - 21/05/2012 16:51:06    1177351

Fair play to the hurlers, at least theirs some Meath Teams going in the right direction. I'll be travelling to Arklow

An_Oifigeach (Meath) - Posts: 220 - 21/05/2012 16:59:31    1177369

7/1 An Mhi to win Ring cup.[PP] Ye will be at least 5/2 to win on saturday which seems a very big price. Always rated ye better than Wicklow although they have improved this year and are at home. Down would be my fancy to lift ....

kikfada (Louth) - Posts: 2091 - 21/05/2012 19:59:18    1177582

Why not move the game to Sunday and have a double header with the footballers in Carlow. A great occasion for both counties. Come on GAA, get a grip. This is a great opportunity to promote hurling in both Meath and Wicklow. Your asking some Meath people to go to Arklow on Saturday and then to Carlow on Sunday, madness!!!

breffni666 (Cavan) - Posts: 294 - 21/05/2012 20:42:23    1177639

Ratoath Royal

Take junction 20 on N11, at the roundabout, take the 1st exit Arklow, go through one roundabout and turn right on the main street. At the roundabout take 3rd exit onto Vale Road and it will be on your right hand side.

Kikfada, I can see why you would think that. 3 years ago, we were not in good shape. Casey O'Brien has galvanised this bunch and the improvement has been immense.

macfeargusa (Wicklow) - Posts: 240 - 21/05/2012 20:44:57    1177643

Macfeargusa not quite correct there Wicklow were drawn to play Meath,then both teams went back into hat to see who would have home advantage,and Wicklow were drawn out if Meath had have came out they would have had home game.I know its hard on both sets of supporters having to travell and pay twice but one is a Leinster Council fixture and the other a Central Council fixture.

pistelero (Wicklow) - Posts: 1719 - 21/05/2012 21:18:41    1177676

Jinxie if Meath had came out of the hat for a home fixture would they have forfieted home advantage and agreed to play it in Cullen Pk on the Sunday before football game ?.

pistelero (Wicklow) - Posts: 1719 - 21/05/2012 21:23:42    1177682

There was no draw... Wicklow won their 2 games and the prize was a home semi final to the winners of the 'losers' section after Meath lost in Newry.

kikfada (Louth) - Posts: 2091 - 21/05/2012 21:31:24    1177692

Yeah the past few of CR cups, since the structure changed shows the 2A winners get home advantage in semi. Open to correction of course. Can't find anything official abut structure.

macfeargusa (Wicklow) - Posts: 240 - 21/05/2012 21:49:39    1177721

That is correct.Two years ago Wicklow played Kerry in the semi final in Thurles,last year we played Kildare in the semi at home.

Probably would be fairer to have the semis in a neutral venue, but thats the Christy Ring for ye.

sponger (Wicklow) - Posts: 3020 - 22/05/2012 10:20:07    1177810

best of luck to the lads saturday, they deserve a big crowd to go to wicklow and support them
Be great for meath hurling to do well in the compitition

pootalk (Meath) - Posts: 63 - 22/05/2012 11:53:48    1177906

Sponger Wicklow actually played Kerry in Nenagh not Thurles two year ago.Regarding the draw for home venues it had nothing to do with a team winning their first two games that only ensured they were in a semifinal,it then went to an open draw.They draw format was conducted like this,4 semifinalists went into the hat,first and third teams drawn got home venue,first team out were Wicklow second Meath,Wicklow athome,third team out were Down and London were final team out,Down got home venue.

pistelero (Wicklow) - Posts: 1719 - 22/05/2012 12:30:36    1177951