(Oldest Posts First)
I've just seen that Derry have beaten Antrim in one of the U21 semi's tonight, which seems significant from the outside. But I do know Antrim were having alot of trouble with getting someone to manage the U21's this year, up until June as I recall, was that resolved? Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 19/07/2017 23:01:39 2019648 Link 1 |
I don't know the answer to your question Marlon but instead of a rising tide I would think it's more of a rising puddle because down through the years everything points to only one conclusion -- that at individual county and at provincial level there is almost zero effort or interest in Ulster to promote the game of hurling. PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1898 - 20/07/2017 06:35:41 2019714 Link 0 |
U21 hurling in Ulster is a sideshow. Fair play to Derry though, I'm sure their preparation wasn't fanatastic either but they do have some good hurlers in their ranks who play the big ball as well. Maybe Collie McGurk can get some more to commit to the hurling like he did for the Nicky Rackard win, but as much as Derry football isn't setting the world alight, its still the big draw in Derry. Down stuffed Armagh with a get together, so lord knows what preparation they put into it. Time for the Ulster Council to get the finger out and turn the U21's into a round robin forcing the CB's to put more resources into it as Kilkenny await the winners and that's not going to be pretty. Maybe Down hurlers will get a home fixture for once from the Ulster Council.. bricktop (Down) - Posts: 2503 - 20/07/2017 09:08:17 2019746 Link 1 |
Had ye a good U17 team?
keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 20/07/2017 15:45:47 2020054 Link 0 |
wexford thought that 3 years ago too and ended up being beaten fair and square! dont go down with that attitude. whose in the final,derry and down? perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 20/07/2017 16:12:34 2020079 Link 0 |
Is it not time that the hurling strongholds provide a level playing field for the ulster U21 Hurling Champions Brian_Coyote (Antrim) - Posts: 346 - 09/08/2017 16:06:03 2031660 Link 1 |
i agree with you coyote derry v kilkenny should be played in a more neutral venue, janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 09/08/2017 17:27:41 2031714 Link 1 |
I agree, the game should be at a venue suitable for both teams. But its not down to 'hurling strongholds' to provide that (they've enough to do to look after they're own teams), and they are not really giving/taking anything. Having the games in Thurles is just laziness by the GAA, i.e. "hurling stuff? Thurles I suppose. make it a double header to get it all out of the way. Next!". I imagine if Derry County Board made a genuine forceful objection, they could get the game moved. I hope so, at least (are they likely to do that?). What would be good as an alternative neutral venue, Cavan, Clones, Newry maybe? Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 09/08/2017 21:31:48 2031771 Link 0 |
I was one of the ones in a previous thread who thought that Tipp should've offered to play Westmeath in Mullingar in the hurling qualifiers. In fairness to the Lake County men, they indicated they were delighted to get to play in the hallowed Semple Stadium & gave a great account of themselves there. Maybe it's the same for Derry? keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 10/08/2017 00:17:06 2031816 Link 0 |
I dunno - I know if it was me as manager and I was given the choice of: Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 10/08/2017 10:30:43 2031876 Link 0 |
Both games are on TG4, hence the reason for one venue. bricktop (Down) - Posts: 2503 - 10/08/2017 11:43:39 2031921 Link 1 |
In a few years maybe these games could be played in Casement Park. Belfast could really do with getting some high profile games of hurling and Ulster sides have been travelling south for long enough. Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 10/08/2017 12:15:52 2031934 Link 1 |
True. While it's great to have high profile county hurling teams doing Super 7's exhibition games in Boston why is there no such effort to do something to promote the game in Ireland's own hurling nether regions.
keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 10/08/2017 21:35:10 2032157 Link 1 |