|
Replying To Oldtourman: "Look Baire, seriously speaking, for once, I agree with much of the above. The man who made the famous ,' Let us bring back the Hurling to the fields of Ireland,' speech came from a parish about twenty miles from me and I grew up in the midst of great inter parish and inter county rivalry, all of which fuels great hurling deeds.
However, you have to move with the times. As far back as the 2007 Final, when we experienced it ourselves, and yes other counties had the same experience, we saw Kilkenny's savaging our boys and 'targetting' certain players for 'specisl treatment
. The game had changed even back then. Ten years later, LK played KK in Nowlan Park. Everytime Cian Lynch went for a ball three or four KK men hounded and harried him and yet the loose Limerick players seemed to be unable to cash in on the space left. After the game Ned Rea, the ex great, hit the nail on the head, simply' saying 'our lads did not work hard enough' Implicit in that remark was the message that the game had changed and thst there was no longer any good in the hit and hope game any longer" I understand what you're saying, skilful players haven't been given protection. I saw both Eugene Cloonan and Damien Hayes getting violent abuse against Cody's team in a qualifier, Cody roaring on the side line and no official had the cojones to give even a free not to mention a card. But then again KK ppl will tell you that they learned the hard way too, that they played crafty and skilful hurling for years but but failed against Tipp's so called 'physicality'. It's a vicious circle and the GAA have refused to address it properly. It happens at club level too, some of the abuse county players get is appalling but as usual it's given a blind eye. In a world where the bully prevails, when the losers complain they're accused of being bad losers, moaners, and soft - it's win at all cost mentality.
baire (Galway) - Posts: 1785 - 09/03/2023 11:47:54
2462942
Link
1
|
|
Replying To Pope_Benedict: "Only thing Offaly 'cemented' in the '90s seems to have been their grave plot. Either that, or completely derailed by the 'millennium bug'." I think thats harsh. They've a tiny hurling pick and had some brilliant players who all came on the scene together. Some from the same household. They certainly gave me great enjoyment in the 90s with their level of skill. The likes of Tipp, Cork and Galway werent really anywhere to be seen for a lot of those years. Offaly and Laois will never have the resources of the teams currently "ranked" above them. It would be unreal for hurling though if Offaly could get back to really competing at the top. I have been at a fair few matches over the years and theres very few if any can match the 98 semi in Thurles in terms of media media attention and atmosphere - not to mention so many unreal players. The noise was deafening that day.
Hopefully last years great minor team can be the start of a comeback for Offaly.
tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 09/03/2023 12:29:07
2462952
Link
1
|
|
Replying To baire: "There would be no present without a past, no county or provincial hurling competition without townland, parish or club hurling. We owe a lot to those who kept the game alive during the dark and hungry years, the horrific decades of the 19th century. Of course players today are fitter, healthier, stronger, well conditioned, pampered even. Ireland is a first world country. Even in the last century, the 1930's, 40s, 50s up to the 90s were lean years compared to the present. Those teams should not be compared to the 21st century teams with their massive backup, professionalism and finance.
Fitness levels, athleticism, S&C are not hurling skills per se, they are an essential part of team sports everywhere nowadays.
My point and it was a reference to hurling in general because the changes that have evolved are very similar in most counties - hurling, under the influence of gaelic football, seems to be taking its guidance and inspiration from English games, namely soccer and rugby. Some ppl like that, others don't. It's the reality. But it has drifted away from the original gaelic game, the gaelic mindset which wasn't obsessed with possession but more interested in the fast movement of the sliotar, letting it go, off the cuff hurling, both ground and aerial and more than anything else in the excitement of single combat, a very ancient Celtic tradition.
There are improvements in the modern game, the pitches are generally better, the sliotar is drier etc and no doubt we still have exciting matches but I dislike the obsession with possession, the predictability of the set pieces, the 3-10 hand passes or throws out of defence is a blight on the game imo, the rucks (a lovely gaelic term no doubt!) and the obsession with getting the sliotar into the hand each and every time." Professional team sport always puts an emphasis on possession. When rugby went professional in Ireland and "cross-over" coaching and influences occurred that emphasis first became evident in gaelic football and somewhat later in hurling. But it is not gaelic football's "fault" that the possession game has become primary in hurling. It is an inevitable and irresistable consequence of professional team sport (namely rugby in this context) taking hold and becoming hugely popular in Ireland. The possession game is here to stay , it makes no difference which county will be dominating hurling over the next 30 or 40 years, retaining possession will be central to their game plan. Like you I preferred the game the way it used to be, but that type of game is gone and it is never coming back. The last time I can say for certain that I actually enjoyed a hurling game was 2017, and it is not just because we won the All Ireland that year , it was the semi final and the last of those epic, more traditional style hurling battles we used to have vs Tipperary. Many people "blame" Limerick for changing the game and are clutching vainly to the straw that the game will revert to a more traditional style when their era on top comes to an end. But it won't. The game has evolved the way it was always going to evolve once the coaching principles of professional sport entered the dressing room.
PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1902 - 09/03/2023 12:51:36
2462957
Link
2
|
|
Replying To PoolSturgeon: "Professional team sport always puts an emphasis on possession. When rugby went professional in Ireland and "cross-over" coaching and influences occurred that emphasis first became evident in gaelic football and somewhat later in hurling. But it is not gaelic football's "fault" that the possession game has become primary in hurling. It is an inevitable and irresistable consequence of professional team sport (namely rugby in this context) taking hold and becoming hugely popular in Ireland. The possession game is here to stay , it makes no difference which county will be dominating hurling over the next 30 or 40 years, retaining possession will be central to their game plan. Like you I preferred the game the way it used to be, but that type of game is gone and it is never coming back. The last time I can say for certain that I actually enjoyed a hurling game was 2017, and it is not just because we won the All Ireland that year , it was the semi final and the last of those epic, more traditional style hurling battles we used to have vs Tipperary. Many people "blame" Limerick for changing the game and are clutching vainly to the straw that the game will revert to a more traditional style when their era on top comes to an end. But it won't. The game has evolved the way it was always going to evolve once the coaching principles of professional sport entered the dressing room." The sport has never been better
daveboy (Limerick) - Posts: 1125 - 09/03/2023 13:26:30
2462969
Link
2
|
|
Replying To PoolSturgeon: "Professional team sport always puts an emphasis on possession. When rugby went professional in Ireland and "cross-over" coaching and influences occurred that emphasis first became evident in gaelic football and somewhat later in hurling. But it is not gaelic football's "fault" that the possession game has become primary in hurling. It is an inevitable and irresistable consequence of professional team sport (namely rugby in this context) taking hold and becoming hugely popular in Ireland. The possession game is here to stay , it makes no difference which county will be dominating hurling over the next 30 or 40 years, retaining possession will be central to their game plan. Like you I preferred the game the way it used to be, but that type of game is gone and it is never coming back. The last time I can say for certain that I actually enjoyed a hurling game was 2017, and it is not just because we won the All Ireland that year , it was the semi final and the last of those epic, more traditional style hurling battles we used to have vs Tipperary. Many people "blame" Limerick for changing the game and are clutching vainly to the straw that the game will revert to a more traditional style when their era on top comes to an end. But it won't. The game has evolved the way it was always going to evolve once the coaching principles of professional sport entered the dressing room." You should have been in thurles for the munster final last year. I've been to 33 of them and that was the greatest by some way. Come down to munster if you're not enjoying your hurling anymore. I guarantee you won't leave disappointed too many times.
daveboy (Limerick) - Posts: 1125 - 09/03/2023 13:28:02
2462971
Link
2
|
|
Replying To PoolSturgeon: "Professional team sport always puts an emphasis on possession. When rugby went professional in Ireland and "cross-over" coaching and influences occurred that emphasis first became evident in gaelic football and somewhat later in hurling. But it is not gaelic football's "fault" that the possession game has become primary in hurling. It is an inevitable and irresistable consequence of professional team sport (namely rugby in this context) taking hold and becoming hugely popular in Ireland. The possession game is here to stay , it makes no difference which county will be dominating hurling over the next 30 or 40 years, retaining possession will be central to their game plan. Like you I preferred the game the way it used to be, but that type of game is gone and it is never coming back. The last time I can say for certain that I actually enjoyed a hurling game was 2017, and it is not just because we won the All Ireland that year , it was the semi final and the last of those epic, more traditional style hurling battles we used to have vs Tipperary. Many people "blame" Limerick for changing the game and are clutching vainly to the straw that the game will revert to a more traditional style when their era on top comes to an end. But it won't. The game has evolved the way it was always going to evolve once the coaching principles of professional sport entered the dressing room." The AI semis of 2018 were incredible matches. A weekend for the ages. Last years AI final was incredible.
daveboy (Limerick) - Posts: 1125 - 09/03/2023 13:29:14
2462972
Link
2
|
|
Replying To daveboy: "You should have been in thurles for the munster final last year. I've been to 33 of them and that was the greatest by some way. Come down to munster if you're not enjoying your hurling anymore. I guarantee you won't leave disappointed too many times." 3 replies from you to my single post. Looks to me you're trying to convince yourself about what you're saying as much as me!!
PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1902 - 09/03/2023 13:49:05
2462977
Link
0
|
|
Could Limerick people please stick to their own forum? This is for Galway Hurling. Make the most of your successful phase as it's not going to last too long more. Crowing about your team on the Galway forum has become rather tiresome and boring.
FatLadySinging (Galway) - Posts: 86 - 09/03/2023 14:05:17
2462984
Link
1
|
|
Replying To tiobraid: "I think thats harsh. They've a tiny hurling pick and had some brilliant players who all came on the scene together. Some from the same household. They certainly gave me great enjoyment in the 90s with their level of skill. The likes of Tipp, Cork and Galway werent really anywhere to be seen for a lot of those years. Offaly and Laois will never have the resources of the teams currently "ranked" above them. It would be unreal for hurling though if Offaly could get back to really competing at the top. I have been at a fair few matches over the years and theres very few if any can match the 98 semi in Thurles in terms of media media attention and atmosphere - not to mention so many unreal players. The noise was deafening that day.
Hopefully last years great minor team can be the start of a comeback for Offaly." I'd have to agree with you. I think the Offaly team of the 90s, their style, skills and economy of effort were a joy to behold.
baire (Galway) - Posts: 1785 - 09/03/2023 14:15:05
2462988
Link
0
|
|
Replying To PoolSturgeon: "3 replies from you to my single post. Looks to me you're trying to convince yourself about what you're saying as much as me!!" To be fair the hit and hope era is long gone. I half preferred it to the modern game. There seemed to be much more proper marking of players and less of the open, and often tippy tappy crap Cork introduced.
Saying that, you'd kinda have to marvel at the skill levels of players to be able to play a possession based game. I think the current Limerick team has a nice mix of skill as well as an ability to peel you. This is what's needed to thrive and beat the big teams
Shocs07 (Limerick) - Posts: 372 - 09/03/2023 14:15:53
2462989
Link
1
|
|
Replying To PoolSturgeon: "3 replies from you to my single post. Looks to me you're trying to convince yourself about what you're saying as much as me!!" As far as 1943, in the Rosccommon
Collective training Camp, when a big notice over every door in the place the players to 'keep the ball low' the 'off the cuff' game has, in both coded, had been under attack.
Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4317 - 09/03/2023 14:21:21
2462990
Link
1
|
|
Replying To PoolSturgeon: "3 replies from you to my single post. Looks to me you're trying to convince yourself about what you're saying as much as me!!" Hard to have a genuine discussion about hurling with so many noisy crows at the door!
baire (Galway) - Posts: 1785 - 09/03/2023 14:50:23
2462996
Link
1
|
|
Replying To daveboy: "You should have been in thurles for the munster final last year. I've been to 33 of them and that was the greatest by some way. Come down to munster if you're not enjoying your hurling anymore. I guarantee you won't leave disappointed too many times." Tbh I watched a good few games in the Munster Championship last year and only the 2 Clare v Limerick games and the 1st half of Limerick v Waterford were what I'd describe as having the cut of a real Championship game.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11734 - 09/03/2023 14:59:25
2463000
Link
1
|
|
Replying To FatLadySinging: "Could Limerick people please stick to their own forum? This is for Galway Hurling. Make the most of your successful phase as it's not going to last too long more. Crowing about your team on the Galway forum has become rather tiresome and boring." I quite enjoy the rivalry that seems to have developed between the two counties! In terms of hurling posters here theres feck all outside of Galway, Limerick and Wexford
tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 09/03/2023 14:59:52
2463001
Link
2
|
|
Replying To PoolSturgeon: "Professional team sport always puts an emphasis on possession. When rugby went professional in Ireland and "cross-over" coaching and influences occurred that emphasis first became evident in gaelic football and somewhat later in hurling. But it is not gaelic football's "fault" that the possession game has become primary in hurling. It is an inevitable and irresistable consequence of professional team sport (namely rugby in this context) taking hold and becoming hugely popular in Ireland. The possession game is here to stay , it makes no difference which county will be dominating hurling over the next 30 or 40 years, retaining possession will be central to their game plan. Like you I preferred the game the way it used to be, but that type of game is gone and it is never coming back. The last time I can say for certain that I actually enjoyed a hurling game was 2017, and it is not just because we won the All Ireland that year , it was the semi final and the last of those epic, more traditional style hurling battles we used to have vs Tipperary. Many people "blame" Limerick for changing the game and are clutching vainly to the straw that the game will revert to a more traditional style when their era on top comes to an end. But it won't. The game has evolved the way it was always going to evolve once the coaching principles of professional sport entered the dressing room." And the game is still brilliant!!!
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11734 - 09/03/2023 15:00:38
2463002
Link
1
|
|
Replying To baire: "I'd have to agree with you. I think the Offaly team of the 90s, their style, skills and economy of effort were a joy to behold." Not so enjoyable as a Wexford fan!
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11734 - 09/03/2023 15:01:22
2463003
Link
1
|
|
Replying To Oldtourman: "As far as 1943, in the Rosccommon
Collective training Camp, when a big notice over every door in the place the players to 'keep the ball low' the 'off the cuff' game has, in both coded, had been under attack." By 'off the cuff' I meant thinking on your feet, using your hurling brain when a sliotar comes unexpectedly or in an unexpected way, the opposite to pre-planned, coached, drilled, pre-planned etc.
baire (Galway) - Posts: 1785 - 09/03/2023 15:09:33
2463004
Link
1
|
|
Replying To PoolSturgeon: "3 replies from you to my single post. Looks to me you're trying to convince yourself about what you're saying as much as me!!" Just trying to let you know some matches in the last 6 years have been some of the greatest of all time. You're missing out. Hurling has never Been better. Thats why league attemdances are higher than anytime in the last 50 years. 20000 16000 14000 already this year. 32000 at Limerick v Waterford round Robin last year. Cusack Park ennid sold out twice. 29000 Limerick v Tipp round Robin. Munster final sold out in 1 day.
Make it your business yo go to the munster final this year. It might reinvigorate your love for the game. They are often excellent affairs especially for the neutral. I know I've been a neutral at many.
daveboy (Limerick) - Posts: 1125 - 09/03/2023 15:24:14
2463006
Link
2
|
|
Replying To baire: "By 'off the cuff' I meant thinking on your feet, using your hurling brain when a sliotar comes unexpectedly or in an unexpected way, the opposite to pre-planned, coached, drilled, pre-planned etc." Like cian lynch scoring a point off his knees in PUC last year?
daveboy (Limerick) - Posts: 1125 - 09/03/2023 15:25:08
2463007
Link
1
|
|
Replying To PoolSturgeon: "Professional team sport always puts an emphasis on possession. When rugby went professional in Ireland and "cross-over" coaching and influences occurred that emphasis first became evident in gaelic football and somewhat later in hurling. But it is not gaelic football's "fault" that the possession game has become primary in hurling. It is an inevitable and irresistable consequence of professional team sport (namely rugby in this context) taking hold and becoming hugely popular in Ireland. The possession game is here to stay , it makes no difference which county will be dominating hurling over the next 30 or 40 years, retaining possession will be central to their game plan. Like you I preferred the game the way it used to be, but that type of game is gone and it is never coming back. The last time I can say for certain that I actually enjoyed a hurling game was 2017, and it is not just because we won the All Ireland that year , it was the semi final and the last of those epic, more traditional style hurling battles we used to have vs Tipperary. Many people "blame" Limerick for changing the game and are clutching vainly to the straw that the game will revert to a more traditional style when their era on top comes to an end. But it won't. The game has evolved the way it was always going to evolve once the coaching principles of professional sport entered the dressing room." Very good post and another bugbear of mine (along with thrown passes that are allowed) is how light the sliotar is that points can now be scored from 100 to 120 metres out on a fairly regular basis. When I was watching hurling in the 70's / 80's / 90's / 00's the sliotar could barely be pucked past 70 metres and there would be tussles for the ball, ground hurling etc. which made for more exciting games. Now it has become too robotic and systematic with the lightness of the sliotar contributing to that to a large degree.
tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3314 - 09/03/2023 15:31:53
2463010
Link
1
|