|
Replying To Viking66: "If you have a bigger pick you will generally have more skilful players, just by law of averages. And likewise you will have more skilful players who work really hard, which is a different type of player to a skilful one, or one that just works hard. A rarer player.
Same with clubs, with the odd exception that proves the rule." In fairness, there are plenty exceptions to that at club level. Many of the biggest clubs numbers wise in Galway in both hurling and football aren't dominating, and some haven't won a county title in decades. Plenty smaller clubs have in the meantime.
WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2920 - 28/06/2026 06:28:54
2682336
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Seniorleague: "No i dont understand tbh.
For a start id question whether they did make similar sacrifices and work just as hard. I don't doubt that their commitment is admirable but their inferior skill and fitness levels compared to their McCarthy counterparts would indicate that they don't work just as hard.
And as much as im sure they value their medal,im pretty sure they'd swap it for an all ireland medal if given the chance. Do you honestly believe otherwise?
Its crazy to think that if Henry Shefflin was born a few miles down the road in Laois or wherever that a Joe McDonagh medal would have been the pinnacle of his career." We get hurling is a difficult sport to master but your insulting terminology is mind blowing. No wonder hurling is in trouble with this mindset.
Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2186 - 28/06/2026 09:41:11
2682343
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Tadhg2020: "Come on. Its the Munster and AI championship you are talking about not some pub tournament
Treat it with respect." Hmmmm. Not sure what you are giving out about here tbh. While not ideal, it isn't unreasonable for the top 4 teams in Leinster and Munster to advance to the All Ireland series, preferably with 3rd v 4th in preliminary quarter finals.
5th in Munster and 5th/6th Leinster effectively relegated/eliminated from All Ireland contention.
legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9905 - 28/06/2026 10:08:48
2682348
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Viking66: "Im saying the reason they arent as successful, and are in the Joe Mac rather than the Liam McCarthy, is because they have a smaller pick of hurlers overall, and therefore generally a smaller pick of exceptional hurlers. Probably all the Joe Mac teams have some players who would likely make most of the Liam McCarthy teams, they just dont have enough of them at the same time for the team to be competitive in the Liam McCarthy.
For example Kildare just got relegated. In near enough all their games they were competitive in the first half. But because they have a smaller pick, and then had a couple of injuries, there was quite a big difference in standard between their top ten lads, then the next 5, and then a bigger drop in ability/athletic development to their next 5. So when it got to the 40 minute mark when teams start bringing on subs, their team got weaker relative to their opponents. And thats a large part of the reason they will be playing in the Joe Mac next year. Lads like Simon Leacy and Cian Boran would probably be good enough to start for most of the Liam McCarthy teams.
You were arguing that their players werent as skilful or hardworking, which I think is a pretty insulting generalisation not backed up by anything Ive seen or noticed in many years watching games of hurling.
Now you are trying to shift the goalposts slightly by saying the teams arent as skilful or hardworking.....
Just to remind you what you said, because you seem to have forgotten-
"For a start id question whether they did make similar sacrifices and work just as hard. I don't doubt that their commitment is admirable but their inferior skill and fitness levels compared to their McCarthy counterparts would indicate that they don't work just as hard."
That in answer to a knowledgeable poster that said a PLAYER at that or any other level would value what he might win just the same, and work just as hard to achieve. To remind you what he posted that you replied to with that condescending nonsense in quotations above-
"For gods sake, they dont have a McCarthy medal. They won the all ireland that they could and they value it accordingly. Its the pinnacle of their career. They were never going to win a McCarthy and knew that from day one in an intercounty set up. Therefore they value it in the same way as someone values a McCarthy medal that actually won one. Why? Because it is their All Ireland and they worked just as hard and made similar sacrifices to achieve their medal. Do you understand now?
On the other matter, thankfully it doesnt really matter what you believe or i for that matter. Its not allowed and I agree with that."
Hope that clears it up for you" Its not condescending nonsense,im sure they are dedicated and im sure they are very skilfull. And im sure that there are players who would make it onto Liam McCarthy Cup teams. But on the whole,the players aren't at the same fitness levels or skill levels as all ireland teams.
I mean theres probably a sizeable gap in fitness and skill levels between all ireland teams themselves (as we saw in the Leinster final for example),so i dont see why you find it so hard to believe that theres a gap between all Ireland teams and Joe Mc teams. Far from me being condescending youre probably being a wee bit patronising.
And then you actually do a bit of goalpost moving yourself. You disagree with me on my point on the players being at a lower level,,then you say they are but only because they've a smaller pick.
Seniorleague (Galway) - Posts: 85 - 28/06/2026 10:18:36
2682351
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Square_B: "We get hurling is a difficult sport to master but your insulting terminology is mind blowing. No wonder hurling is in trouble with this mindset." Where are the insults?
Seniorleague (Galway) - Posts: 85 - 28/06/2026 11:22:09
2682365
Link
0
|
|
Replying To legendzxix: "Hmmmm. Not sure what you are giving out about here tbh. While not ideal, it isn't unreasonable for the top 4 teams in Leinster and Munster to advance to the All Ireland series, preferably with 3rd v 4th in preliminary quarter finals.
5th in Munster and 5th/6th Leinster effectively relegated/eliminated from All Ireland contention." That would take a huge amount of the bite out of both championships, particularly Munster. Even Leinster this year was exciting with Kilkenny in jeopardy and ultimately failing to make it out. An extra team coming out of both would dilute them considerably.
WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2920 - 28/06/2026 12:59:37
2682387
Link
0
|
|
I think something needs to be done alright the competition is suffering. The munster and lenister is completely lopsided. Munster is by far the strongest competition and the structure we have is widening the gap between munster and lenister. What i think the group stages shoupd be after the provincials competitions. Have the provincials as knockout then 2 groups of six. Top team in each group into the semis, 2nd team in quater finals 3rd and 4th teams in pre quarter finals. Have semi finals as an open draw.
That's what I think but doubt it will happen. Munster council will fight hard to keep competition as it is but something needs to happen or else munster will thrive and the rest will just be there to make up the numbers.
On another note after all the hurling we have left hopefully last 3 games will be good cork and limerick will be favourites be great to see either galway amd clare cause an upset but for the sake of the competition this year hopefully its competitive.
The_Full_Forward (Galway) - Posts: 4 - 28/06/2026 18:15:45
2682515
Link
0
|
|
Replying To The_Full_Forward: "I think something needs to be done alright the competition is suffering. The munster and lenister is completely lopsided. Munster is by far the strongest competition and the structure we have is widening the gap between munster and lenister. What i think the group stages shoupd be after the provincials competitions. Have the provincials as knockout then 2 groups of six. Top team in each group into the semis, 2nd team in quater finals 3rd and 4th teams in pre quarter finals. Have semi finals as an open draw.
That's what I think but doubt it will happen. Munster council will fight hard to keep competition as it is but something needs to happen or else munster will thrive and the rest will just be there to make up the numbers.
On another note after all the hurling we have left hopefully last 3 games will be good cork and limerick will be favourites be great to see either galway amd clare cause an upset but for the sake of the competition this year hopefully its competitive." I dont think that will happen. The round robin is far too successful in Munster. It generates 11m a season for the Munster Council and counties. There is no way that money is being left on the table. It would be naive to think otherwise and equally naive to think it would just transfer to another round robin or that MC would want/allow it to. Imo the provincial RR stays. Its what happens after that is whats up for grabs. I dont like 4th coming out of Munster. I think it damages the integrity of the competition. I think MC know this and that's why they are against it too. I think( subject to space in calender) it could go to 2 groups of 3(PC, PRU + 3rd) playing with top 2 to semi and final or something like that. I wouldnt be in favour tbh. I think its an awful lot of hurling and will affect quality and cause injuries especially for the Munster teams but its more likely option.
Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 644 - 29/06/2026 12:46:02
2682822
Link
0
|
|
For all the talk of the football championship can we say that the best 4 teams are in the semi finals?
No system is perfect and at some stage the weaker teams will be exposed.
ZUL10 (Clare) - Posts: 713 - 29/06/2026 14:35:17
2682906
Link
0
|
|
Hard to know what will happen something needs too. But its up to the higher ups to come up with a new system or something to make it competitive again. Just with this current system its just going to make the gap wider.
The_Full_Forward (Galway) - Posts: 4 - 29/06/2026 14:50:32
2682913
Link
0
|
|
Replying To ZUL10: "For all the talk of the football championship can we say that the best 4 teams are in the semi finals?
No system is perfect and at some stage the weaker teams will be exposed." No. Tyrone are one of the best 4 teams currently.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20132 - 29/06/2026 15:51:12
2682940
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Tadhg2020: "I dont think that will happen. The round robin is far too successful in Munster. It generates 11m a season for the Munster Council and counties. There is no way that money is being left on the table. It would be naive to think otherwise and equally naive to think it would just transfer to another round robin or that MC would want/allow it to. Imo the provincial RR stays. Its what happens after that is whats up for grabs. I dont like 4th coming out of Munster. I think it damages the integrity of the competition. I think MC know this and that's why they are against it too. I think( subject to space in calender) it could go to 2 groups of 3(PC, PRU + 3rd) playing with top 2 to semi and final or something like that. I wouldnt be in favour tbh. I think its an awful lot of hurling and will affect quality and cause injuries especially for the Munster teams but its more likely option." 8 million this year. Don't know where your figure of 11 is coming from.
And is the "integrity" of the MC, ie the money in plain English, more important than the All Ireland Championship, or the future of the whole game of hurling?
There needs to be more intercounty hurling in the summer part of the intercounty window. Just from the point of view of promoting the game.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20132 - 29/06/2026 15:56:43
2682942
Link
0
|
|
Replying To ZUL10: "For all the talk of the football championship can we say that the best 4 teams are in the semi finals?
No system is perfect and at some stage the weaker teams will be exposed." A championship is to determine the champion. The football championship is focusing on that aspect. It is being a blunt instrument. There can be heavyweight contests early.
legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9905 - 29/06/2026 16:37:33
2682954
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Seniorleague: "Where are the insults?" Quare low calling any sports person 'inferior'. What a ignorant insult.
Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2186 - 29/06/2026 17:07:35
2682968
Link
1
|
|
Replying To The_Full_Forward: "Hard to know what will happen something needs too. But its up to the higher ups to come up with a new system or something to make it competitive again. Just with this current system its just going to make the gap wider." I tend to agree. Its also a pity that the likes of Clare and Galway dont meet more often, They used to meet regularly pre 2018. But if they are going to make changes then it needs to start at underage aswell.
ZUL10 (Clare) - Posts: 713 - 29/06/2026 17:09:38
2682970
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Viking66: "8 million this year. Don't know where your figure of 11 is coming from.
And is the "integrity" of the MC, ie the money in plain English, more important than the All Ireland Championship, or the future of the whole game of hurling?
There needs to be more intercounty hurling in the summer part of the intercounty window. Just from the point of view of promoting the game." I already replied to this but they didnt post it again. Im getting a bit fed up of these disappearing posts tbh. I dont know why it keeps happening.
If you google " munster council revenues exceed 12m" you will see where i got the figures from. Its behind a pay wall now but it was free somewhere when I first saw it.
Either way whether its 8m or 11m or somewhere in between its a significant amount and way more than any other provincial championship in either code and possibly as much or close to the rest combined. That money will not be left on the table.
In relation to your comment on the " integrity" of the MC, the money is hugely important. Of course it is. Its important in every aspect of life and the gaa is no different. Its how we pay the bills. If you remove the jeopardy you damage the product and this is the flagship of hurling. I dont see it happening. You say MC wont have a choice. I say that MC are the biggest stakeholders in the game so will have a significant say.
Damaging the Munster Championship wont help Leinster. Why would anyone think that doing harm to a really successful and well run championship will somehow improve standards elsewhere? It wont. Even if you add games to the AI series after the provincials who is going to be interested atm. You saw what happened to Dublin and Offaly. Do you want that to happen more often in the summer? I dont. When KK were going well under this system, even if they weren't winning AI, this wasn't a discussion. They will be back next year so why all the panic all of a sudden?
Aa has been pointed out, there are only 11 teams in this championship. 5 are eliminated after 27 matches. There are plenty of games.
The elephant in the room is the split season. If the inter County season had August this wouldnt be a discussion. It doesnt so we have what we have.
Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 644 - 29/06/2026 21:20:32
2683052
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Tadhg2020: "I already replied to this but they didnt post it again. Im getting a bit fed up of these disappearing posts tbh. I dont know why it keeps happening.
If you google " munster council revenues exceed 12m" you will see where i got the figures from. Its behind a pay wall now but it was free somewhere when I first saw it.
Either way whether its 8m or 11m or somewhere in between its a significant amount and way more than any other provincial championship in either code and possibly as much or close to the rest combined. That money will not be left on the table.
In relation to your comment on the " integrity" of the MC, the money is hugely important. Of course it is. Its important in every aspect of life and the gaa is no different. Its how we pay the bills. If you remove the jeopardy you damage the product and this is the flagship of hurling. I dont see it happening. You say MC wont have a choice. I say that MC are the biggest stakeholders in the game so will have a significant say.
Damaging the Munster Championship wont help Leinster. Why would anyone think that doing harm to a really successful and well run championship will somehow improve standards elsewhere? It wont. Even if you add games to the AI series after the provincials who is going to be interested atm. You saw what happened to Dublin and Offaly. Do you want that to happen more often in the summer? I dont. When KK were going well under this system, even if they weren't winning AI, this wasn't a discussion. They will be back next year so why all the panic all of a sudden?
Aa has been pointed out, there are only 11 teams in this championship. 5 are eliminated after 27 matches. There are plenty of games.
The elephant in the room is the split season. If the inter County season had August this wouldnt be a discussion. It doesnt so we have what we have." There are plenty of games when the weather is generally poor, which puts off most but the hardiest of supporters, or those that go to games to get tickets to the big games later in the year if they are from one of the 3 or so competitive counties in any given year, and they are all so compressed that most of them arent available to watch on tv.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20132 - 29/06/2026 21:45:20
2683065
Link
0
|