I quote Mark Twain every time there is talk of decline in Kilkenny - rumours of their demise have been greatly exaggerated. People forget that those who are retiring are now fringe players in Kilkenny.

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 11/02/2015 09:17:32    1692330

Dont know about other posters,but the fact it is mostly panel members that have retired in Kilkenny,has certainly has not escaped me.Henry,or no Henry,Kilkenny will not win this years All Ireland.It is time for the other counties to step up to the plate.And i believe they will.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 11/02/2015 11:07:55    1692375

Cue,this time last yr I was saying the same Kilkenny will not win the all irl but they did you just can't write them off and for me though they may not win it if a gun was put to my head it'd be between tipp and kk

someday (Limerick) - Posts: 1104 - 11/02/2015 11:55:02    1692403

cuederocket

I'm inclined to agree. There's bound to be a huge Clare backlash. Yourselves will have new faces and confidence. Tipp of course. Cork and limerick will also have something to say. Maybe this will be that one year every 5 or 6 that Galway are unnatural could be this year. I hope the trend of the last 2 championships continues

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 2682 - 11/02/2015 12:02:37    1692405

I am inclined to agree on KK. I backed against them last year and the bookie is glad I did. I dont see a backlash in Clare too many gaps to fill for me i.e. missing a corner back, a wing back, a centre back and at least 2 forwards one to be good in the air from last year. Through in this concern about Davy having antagonised refs with his behaviour and the pressure on management to atone for last year and I see a semi spot at best. Tipp will take beating they always do. Dublin and Galway are perennial unknowns and could pose problems. So could Cork but they dont seem to have strength in depth. Limerick have strength in depth but have an inexperienced management.I am really glad to see the arrival of Wexford its great for hurling but Id say a QF at best. I suppose if you analyse that you will see Tipp KK and one other this year I suppose a smart mans money would go on tipp but mine will go on limerick (not all green tinted vision I promise you).

disillusiondfan (Limerick) - Posts: 4279 - 11/02/2015 13:53:15    1692470

Galway will do nothing again this year and the answer next spring will again be to sweep the decks and bring in loads of new faces yet again and maybe another poor management team yet again. They didn't deserve to draw the first day against KK last year and were pretty poor all in all for the past two years. Laois should have beaten them in 2013. They are my favourites for the drop.

KK and tipp are obviously the ones to beat but I don't think they'll both make it to the AI final and could well meet before that with tipp being beaten in munster just like 2013. I fancy limerick, cork or clare to be in the AI final. I would guess it will be limerick as they are the best panel of players as far as I can see. I just hope they can handle the pressure and expectation. I would love to see them win it. My other great hope is that wexford build on last year, would love to see them in a semi final but they may only make 1/4 which wouldn't be too bad. Early summer exit for dubs I think but I think they're already going in the right direction under GC - first new faces there in about 4 years. Laois and Antrim will be stronger I think they're both going in the right direction.
Is there a one up/one down system in place now for Christy ring and liam Mc?

Is there any sport that can touch hurling?
Nope.

hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 11/02/2015 14:14:41    1692482

I could be completely wrong but I fancy Cork to beat Kilkenny by 8-10 points at the weekend. Kilkenny can't be ready for this game. Just back from their holiday in January and they have to pull out of the Walsh cup following two tragedies so they've missed out on those opening games. I read in the paper yesterday that all 6 forwards that started the All Ireland Final are either missing through club action or injured. Add the retirements to that, I just can't see who Cody is going to pull out of the hat. Surely he won't unearth 6 forwards good enough to beat Cork on their home patch. This league is so tough that if you lose your first two games you are under serious pressure. Surely if Cody can pull this off he will have to go down as the greatest manager ever not that I question that anyway.

On a side note, I'm looking forward to seeing a few penalties over the weekend.

Faithfull (Offaly) - Posts: 573 - 11/02/2015 21:45:54    1692691

I wasn't sure where to post this, but anyway I just want to say i have been hugley impressed with austin gleeson at center back for waterford for a lad who is 20 years old he is as dominatnas i have seen playing in arguably the most important position in hurling. i think he might become the best center back in the country over the course of this year. he just has everything waterfords future is in safe hands when they have some one of his immense quality.

hurlingexpert (Clare) - Posts: 1941 - 22/02/2015 13:34:50    1695653

LADS ITS ALL ABOUT PERFORMING IN CROKE PARK ,MY PREDICTION IS LEAGUE CHAMPS WATERFORD , MUNSTER CHAMPS , CORK ,ALL IRELAND CHAMPS ,KILKENNY ,

limericksgreen (Limerick) - Posts: 1 - 26/04/2015 20:13:24    1717709

Now with a bit of Hindsight

Leinster: Wexford
Munster: Tipp
All-Ireland: Limerick

gaillimh73 (Galway) - Posts: 669 - 11/06/2015 13:11:15    1735594