Replying To Ban:  "Munster was box office when Loughnane was in charge..

I think 2013 was the perfect storm for Clare. Maybe one of the more fortunate teams to win an All-Ireland. It took them 5 years to make it back into a semi-final. Some of the nicest and most skillful players to ever play for Clare but lacked steel and leadership."

Replying To StoreysTash:  "There's a fair bit to catch up on here!
So...
1. Galway have been great for the Leinster championship. They should be in at club championships and all underage too. But the Leinster Championship has been good to them too, the extra games stand teams in good stead and I doubt any Galwegians would claim otherwise?
2. I think Davy's time in Wexford will come to an end this summer, but I know 1 thing - Mattie Kenny's will too and there is a similar project to Wexford except with slim pickings of underage success (at least Davy had 3 x U21 Leinsters in a row), unless the U20s have something magic tonight. Anybody who thinks he won't have anywhere to go is delusional.
3. I hate Davy's antics. I hate managers going mental on the line, let the crowd do that all they want but as a manager you have to keep your cool. Its not "passion", its stupid and infuriating and we had a club manager a couple of years ago who went on with the same crap. It turned referees against us.
4. Davy brought Wexford on, but we will forever rue that Tipp defeat in 2019 and I am of the opinion that the team has not recovered from it.

Predictions for the weekend:
Dublin v Antrim, Sneaky suspicion for Antrim by 2 points.
Laois v Wexford, I think Wexford will get over the line
Clare v Waterford, Waterford by 3 points."

Replying To HurlingBuzz:  "Dublin are an enigma to me. They have loads of good hurlers but they are missing a player with that X factor. It's never a good sign to see brilliant hurlers like rushe and crummey being converted into forwards. As regards Wexford 100% agree that 2019 was our missed opportunity. I'm sick thinking about it as a supporter 2 yrs later so I can only imagine how the players and Davy must feel and the what if's…."

Replying To Bon:  "Your spot on about Dublin, I've always felt that until the day arrives that they can get all the top Hurlers in Dublin to play for Dublin they will plod along going in circles. This is a terrible shame as most neutrals want to see Dublin do well but unfortunately the draw of Football is to the detriment of Dublin Hurling.
The top teams in the country have their top players playing."

Replying To HurlingBuzz:  "They'd be a match for anyone if con ocallaghan, Kilkenny, Costello and lowndes were hurling"

Replying To HurlingBuzz:  "Dublin are an enigma to me. They have loads of good hurlers but they are missing a player with that X factor. It's never a good sign to see brilliant hurlers like rushe and crummey being converted into forwards. As regards Wexford 100% agree that 2019 was our missed opportunity. I'm sick thinking about it as a supporter 2 yrs later so I can only imagine how the players and Davy must feel and the what if's…."

Replying To Bon:  "Your spot on about Dublin, I've always felt that until the day arrives that they can get all the top Hurlers in Dublin to play for Dublin they will plod along going in circles. This is a terrible shame as most neutrals want to see Dublin do well but unfortunately the draw of Football is to the detriment of Dublin Hurling.
The top teams in the country have their top players playing."

Replying To LarryOBrother:  "Top to Bottom Rankings based on form. Predictions are purely what I think will happen.

1. Galway - Harsh on Limerick but I think they are the favourites this year. Unreal squad depth and probably an easier run to the final

Prediction - Unbeaten All Year

2. Limerick - Superb last year but I have an inkling winter hurling suited them more than other counties. Impossible to knock too much but history is against them in terms of repeating and I have my doubts that their numbers 18-25 are good enough as back ups if there are injuries. Have no replacement for Gearoid Hegarty or Cian Lynch and showed they can be beaten in the league.

Prediction - Munster Winners, AI Finalists where they die on their shield

3. Waterford - Will get very close this year. I think they could be pipped in Munster by Limerick but wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if they beat them. Panel looks stronger and more dynamic than last year and year two of Liam Cahill will really bring them on.

Prediction - Munster Losers, AI Semi Finalists where they give Galway the game of the year.


4. Kilkenny - We take their stubbornness and toughness for granted but it is admirable. However their panel if anything is getting weaker and I think they will have a very quiet year.

Prediction - Lose The Leinster Semi Final to Wexford and then lose a classic v Tipp in Qualifier.

5. Tipperary - Very talented but still rely heavily on the old brigade. If the Mark Kehoes, Ger Brownes Dillon Quirkes et al can become leaders they will be very good but again I have my doubts and I fear the reliance on Padraig Maher, Noel McGrath and Seamie will eventually backfire.

Prediction - Beaten by Waterford in Munster, beat KK in qualifiers before being run ragged by Wexford in AI Q Final

6. Clare - Improving in fairness however too reliable on TK and lack of natural forwards will tell eventually.

Prediction - Beaten by Waterford in Munster, beat Dublin and Cork in qualifiers before losing to Waterford again in AI Q Final.

7. Cork - Have the potential to be dangerous and obviously have some top quality however their new game plan has not convinced me and I'm not sure they know where they are going. If they can get the most out of the young speedy talent they have a chance however I think they will lose out physically, as per, in Champioship hurling and their full back line will let them down

Prediction - Beaten by Limerick in Munster, before losing to Clare in a lacklustre performance.

8. Wexford - Everything relies on whether winter hurling was the excuse last year or not. IF the game plan clicks they will be extremely dangerous and have some decent new talent that is underrated. Chin and Rory O Connor are crucial.

Prediction - Will expose KK lack of depth in Leinster before being outmuscled in Leinster Final v Galway. Will run Tipp ragged before pushing Limerick to the pin of their collar in AI Semi Final.

9. Dublin - Some decent players however they don't seem to be improving and I think this will be the end of the Road for Mattie Kenny.

Hurler of the Year - Cathal Mannion

Rookie of the Year - Jack Fitzpatrick Galway/Connal Flood Wexford"

Replying To Viking66:  "Well Katser another prediction wrong...."

Replying To LarryOBrother:  "Top to Bottom Rankings based on form. Predictions are purely what I think will happen.

1. Galway - Harsh on Limerick but I think they are the favourites this year. Unreal squad depth and probably an easier run to the final

Prediction - Unbeaten All Year

2. Limerick - Superb last year but I have an inkling winter hurling suited them more than other counties. Impossible to knock too much but history is against them in terms of repeating and I have my doubts that their numbers 18-25 are good enough as back ups if there are injuries. Have no replacement for Gearoid Hegarty or Cian Lynch and showed they can be beaten in the league.

Prediction - Munster Winners, AI Finalists where they die on their shield

3. Waterford - Will get very close this year. I think they could be pipped in Munster by Limerick but wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if they beat them. Panel looks stronger and more dynamic than last year and year two of Liam Cahill will really bring them on.

Prediction - Munster Losers, AI Semi Finalists where they give Galway the game of the year.


4. Kilkenny - We take their stubbornness and toughness for granted but it is admirable. However their panel if anything is getting weaker and I think they will have a very quiet year.

Prediction - Lose The Leinster Semi Final to Wexford and then lose a classic v Tipp in Qualifier.

5. Tipperary - Very talented but still rely heavily on the old brigade. If the Mark Kehoes, Ger Brownes Dillon Quirkes et al can become leaders they will be very good but again I have my doubts and I fear the reliance on Padraig Maher, Noel McGrath and Seamie will eventually backfire.

Prediction - Beaten by Waterford in Munster, beat KK in qualifiers before being run ragged by Wexford in AI Q Final

6. Clare - Improving in fairness however too reliable on TK and lack of natural forwards will tell eventually.

Prediction - Beaten by Waterford in Munster, beat Dublin and Cork in qualifiers before losing to Waterford again in AI Q Final.

7. Cork - Have the potential to be dangerous and obviously have some top quality however their new game plan has not convinced me and I'm not sure they know where they are going. If they can get the most out of the young speedy talent they have a chance however I think they will lose out physically, as per, in Champioship hurling and their full back line will let them down

Prediction - Beaten by Limerick in Munster, before losing to Clare in a lacklustre performance.

8. Wexford - Everything relies on whether winter hurling was the excuse last year or not. IF the game plan clicks they will be extremely dangerous and have some decent new talent that is underrated. Chin and Rory O Connor are crucial.

Prediction - Will expose KK lack of depth in Leinster before being outmuscled in Leinster Final v Galway. Will run Tipp ragged before pushing Limerick to the pin of their collar in AI Semi Final.

9. Dublin - Some decent players however they don't seem to be improving and I think this will be the end of the Road for Mattie Kenny.

Hurler of the Year - Cathal Mannion

Rookie of the Year - Jack Fitzpatrick Galway/Connal Flood Wexford"

Replying To CTGAA10:  "I think Wexford will have a comfortable last 10 mins and will end up winning by6 points plus..I'm going to give Antrim a win against the dubs and it could be match of weekend..I'm going to give Clare a 4 point win v Waterford especially if Waterford will be with 3 or 4 of the 6 backs who played last year..any word on gleeson and fives?"

Replying To katser:  "Including yourself and half the country...."

Replying To Viking66:  "I thought Galway would win but I didnt go as far as to assume they would like you did. I saw the Dublin lads against us in the SF and they were very good. They won the Leinster minor title in 2018. Hopefully their better players stick with hurling and dont throw their lot in with their footballers."

Replying To Viking66:  "I thought Galway would win but I didnt go as far as to assume they would like you did. I saw the Dublin lads against us in the SF and they were very good. They won the Leinster minor title in 2018. Hopefully their better players stick with hurling and dont throw their lot in with their footballers."

Replying To katser:  "Most people including the bookies expected Galway to win comfortably and in fairness it wouldn't be difficult to be good against Wexford! I'm still in shock over that freak result...its just one of these flash in the pan results that can happen the best of us! Galway we're only playing in 2nd gear and still could have won it.
It's back to the Seniors and hopefully start with a Leinster and League double, then push on for the All Ireland........
But it will take a huge effort from Galway to win all 3!"

Replying To katser:  "Most people including the bookies expected Galway to win comfortably and in fairness it wouldn't be difficult to be good against Wexford! I'm still in shock over that freak result...its just one of these flash in the pan results that can happen the best of us! Galway we're only playing in 2nd gear and still could have won it.
It's back to the Seniors and hopefully start with a Leinster and League double, then push on for the All Ireland........
But it will take a huge effort from Galway to win all 3!"

Replying To katser:  "Most people including the bookies expected Galway to win comfortably and in fairness it wouldn't be difficult to be good against Wexford! I'm still in shock over that freak result...its just one of these flash in the pan results that can happen the best of us! Galway we're only playing in 2nd gear and still could have won it.
It's back to the Seniors and hopefully start with a Leinster and League double, then push on for the All Ireland........
But it will take a huge effort from Galway to win all 3!"

Replying To skillet:  "Indeed, it takes a really great team to win league, Province and All Ireland in the same year :)"