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National Hurling League 2022

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Getting back to the league. The teams that will probably benefit most are the ones who played well and the one who exit at the semi final. It is a bit precarious for the finalist with the closeness of the championship. There is probably a bit of shadow boxing going on also. What does Cahill do against Kilkenny. If Kilkenny want to have another game they need to win. Waterford will advance even if beaten by ten points and Dublin need to win by more than 25. Not much at stake. I know stranger things have happened so not being cocky. In my humble opinion Waterford would be better maintaining the momentum and going for it it against the cats to measure themselves. Then taking a nonchalant approach after that. A lot may hinge on getting playing time into important injured players. I know some will say silverware is silverware but it scares me a bit. Wexford and Cork in the same boat.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2868 - 10/03/2022 18:21:06    2404834

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Replying To tiobraid:  "What do people make of Cono O'Donovans proposed rule change for the handpass? Personally I think its a farcical sugeestion - its a skill that hurlers use regularly but often not possible - if the hand holding the hurl isnt free which it isnt in a lot of occasions then you'll end up fouling the ball more often than not. Personally I think its a ridiculous suggestion."
Yeah I think it is ridiculous as well, I cannot for the life of me imagine hurling a match where bottled up, how are you supposed to get the hurl up. For me there are 2 options :
1. There has to be clear distance between the hand and the ball before the handpass
2. If you receive a handpass, you can't give one.
Personally I prefer the latter, it might also lead to more direct hurling and fast ball in to the forwards because a player who received a handpass won't want to take the ball in to contact.

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1785 - 10/03/2022 18:21:21    2404835

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Replying To bloodyban:  "What's stopping a guy throwing the ball 40yards then? It would be a farce. I love baseball aswell. Great sport.
I profoundly disagree with u on the handpass. If fellas were let throw then there'd have to be a pull down or hold up tackle.. the whole game would have to change. Can't work"
40 yards is a fair distance. It'd be a good trial of a hurling player to throw the ball that far, and I'm sure that it'd gee-up the crowd if he did. But why would he even try it, when he has a stick to easily hit it that far?

Still, firing the ball around the place could well become a great spectator element of the game of hurling.

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2096 - 11/03/2022 11:02:47    2404881

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "Yeah I think it is ridiculous as well, I cannot for the life of me imagine hurling a match where bottled up, how are you supposed to get the hurl up. For me there are 2 options :
1. There has to be clear distance between the hand and the ball before the handpass
2. If you receive a handpass, you can't give one.
Personally I prefer the latter, it might also lead to more direct hurling and fast ball in to the forwards because a player who received a handpass won't want to take the ball in to contact."
A clear distance? That's nonsensical. Sure, any opponent worth his salt will be in and have the ball snapped away, and possession overturned, if there's a player leaves a clear distance between his palm and the ball. That was fine in the days when the game and the players were a lot slower, but not nowadays.

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2096 - 11/03/2022 11:13:17    2404887

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Replying To Canuck:  "Getting back to the league. The teams that will probably benefit most are the ones who played well and the one who exit at the semi final. It is a bit precarious for the finalist with the closeness of the championship. There is probably a bit of shadow boxing going on also. What does Cahill do against Kilkenny. If Kilkenny want to have another game they need to win. Waterford will advance even if beaten by ten points and Dublin need to win by more than 25. Not much at stake. I know stranger things have happened so not being cocky. In my humble opinion Waterford would be better maintaining the momentum and going for it it against the cats to measure themselves. Then taking a nonchalant approach after that. A lot may hinge on getting playing time into important injured players. I know some will say silverware is silverware but it scares me a bit. Wexford and Cork in the same boat."
I fully agree with you on the league especially given the mind field of the Munster championship - Leinster is similiar. Waterford however I feel are better placed than anyone else as they seem to have great depth to their panel. Its a tough one and it is silverware at the end of the day but I do tend to agree. The final is too close to the start of the championship for my liking. I agree with the comments to move it to a straight final.

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 11/03/2022 11:39:12    2404893

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Replying To Viking66:  "
Replying To tiobraid:  "[quote=Oldtourman:  "[quote=tiobraid:  "I dont see where he was born or who he played with as relevant. It may not have been realised nationally but he has been highlighting this as an issue for a long long time. While i dont agree with the proposal I always find it strange that a person associated with Tipp can't enter a debate without where hes from (or played for in this case) being the only topic of conversation from the other party.

Going back as far as 2008,Conor has been concerned with the Hurling handpass and the fact that its now more thrown than handpassed properly"
Well your ex manager Sheehy, when challenged by Shane Dowling, could not agree that a referee should not blow a foul hand pass, where he was blindsided and could not see the hand pass anyway."
Liam sheedy never managed me and I don't have much interest in him or Dowling and find neither particularly informative as pundits.
Your still not discussing the point."]Nothing wrong with Tipp men. Both my countys and my clubs managers hail from Tipp. I've numerous friends from Tipp who would be more important to me than both of them too. Limerick, Clare, Cork and Kilkenny people have a certain feeling about Tipp people going back years to before they were born in Kilkennys, Corks and Limericks case and back to the 90s in Clares case. You must know this Tiobraid so best get used to it."]I'm well aware of all of that but its frustrating to try bring up a topic or argue a point when half the posters come back with nothing related to the topic and the basis of their reply is solely based around being from Tipp!
Addiitonally I find it amazing how so many posters here take everything the pundits say as gospel.

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 11/03/2022 11:43:27    2404895

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Replying To tiobraid:  "
Replying To Viking66:  "[quote=tiobraid:  "[quote=Oldtourman:  "[quote=tiobraid:  "I dont see where he was born or who he played with as relevant. It may not have been realised nationally but he has been highlighting this as an issue for a long long time. While i dont agree with the proposal I always find it strange that a person associated with Tipp can't enter a debate without where hes from (or played for in this case) being the only topic of conversation from the other party.

Going back as far as 2008,Conor has been concerned with the Hurling handpass and the fact that its now more thrown than handpassed properly"
Well your ex manager Sheehy, when challenged by Shane Dowling, could not agree that a referee should not blow a foul hand pass, where he was blindsided and could not see the hand pass anyway."
Liam sheedy never managed me and I don't have much interest in him or Dowling and find neither particularly informative as pundits.
Your still not discussing the point."]Nothing wrong with Tipp men. Both my countys and my clubs managers hail from Tipp. I've numerous friends from Tipp who would be more important to me than both of them too. Limerick, Clare, Cork and Kilkenny people have a certain feeling about Tipp people going back years to before they were born in Kilkennys, Corks and Limericks case and back to the 90s in Clares case. You must know this Tiobraid so best get used to it."]I'm well aware of all of that but its frustrating to try bring up a topic or argue a point when half the posters come back with nothing related to the topic and the basis of their reply is solely based around being from Tipp!
Addiitonally I find it amazing how so many posters here take everything the pundits say as gospel."]I'd say Sheedy would be fairly glad of that actually (LOL). But by that particular retort, Tiobraid, should we take it that some other Tipp senior hurling manager did happen manage you? Perhaps, the Babs? Would we happen to have an ex-senior inter-county player in our midst?

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2096 - 11/03/2022 14:07:40    2404932

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "I can already here the "Everybody wrote us off" interview after the first round of the championship. When in reality, NOBODY wrote them off at any stage this spring."
ST. Do you remember the famous ould rant Cregan gave after Limerick beat Cork in 'DE PARK' in 2001. He raged that the Cork Examiner had said that some of his team would be afraid to go into a darkened room. No such claim were ever made but Cregan had driven his team cracked at the 'sheer insolence' of the 'allegation' and they hurled out of their skin. In the actual post match interview he was so splendidly worked up that he actually seemed to believe his own lies and tore into 'the Medja'. It was magnificent and a thousand miles from an after interview match with Cody- well except when they had 'to pick Marty off the floor'.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4467 - 11/03/2022 20:17:14    2404989

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Replying To tiobraid:  "I dont see where he was born or who he played with as relevant. It may not have been realised nationally but he has been highlighting this as an issue for a long long time. While i dont agree with the proposal I always find it strange that a person associated with Tipp can't enter a debate without where hes from (or played for in this case) being the only topic of conversation from the other party.

Going back as far as 2008,Conor has been concerned with the Hurling handpass and the fact that its now more thrown than handpassed properly"
Maybe Tiobraid, but I read widely every article on hurling I see and it is only in the last few years I have noticed Conor talking about it. I am not saying he was not agitating about it locally earlier but I cannot remember seeing him holding forth on it earlier and I feel I would remember if I saw him on about it, especially as Connor is from Effin.
Anyway, if he was that interested in handpassing why was he not complaining earlier, when Cork won the 1999 All Ireland using the short puck outs and hand passing, which they had to as almost every player of that team from numbers 9 to 15 were-well bar two- were well under 6 ft.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4467 - 11/03/2022 21:26:58    2404994

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Replying To tiobraid:  "I fully agree with you on the league especially given the mind field of the Munster championship - Leinster is similiar. Waterford however I feel are better placed than anyone else as they seem to have great depth to their panel. Its a tough one and it is silverware at the end of the day but I do tend to agree. The final is too close to the start of the championship for my liking. I agree with the comments to move it to a straight final."
Is it really 'too close'? There are 2 weeks between the league final and the start of the Leinster and Munster Championships.

Looking at it from a positive point of view, a league final would be great workout and an extra game to fine tune the team. Besides, winning a trophy and a medal, always gives a team a lift.

From a Kilkenny point of view, I think they'll go all out to win it. The players from Ballyhale have yet to play a county game this year, and what with a few new young players (and old) on the panel who've impressed so far this year; Cody would probably like a few more competitive games to try and integrate the two groups (current panel and Ballyhale players), to give him a better idea of what his starting 15 should be come the 16t/17 April, the start of Leinster.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2655 - 11/03/2022 21:29:55    2404995

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Replying To tiobraid:  "I dont see where he was born or who he played with as relevant. It may not have been realised nationally but he has been highlighting this as an issue for a long long time. While i dont agree with the proposal I always find it strange that a person associated with Tipp can't enter a debate without where hes from (or played for in this case) being the only topic of conversation from the other party.

Going back as far as 2008,Conor has been concerned with the Hurling handpass and the fact that its now more thrown than handpassed properly"
Well it has been going for at least the past twenty five years, it is only lately he started writing to newspapers and going on the National Airways in relation to it and he seems to have a bee in his bonnet about Cian Lynch's hand passing. I know it has nothing with the fact that Limerick have beaten Tipp in six of their last nine meetings in Munster.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4467 - 12/03/2022 08:24:07    2405003

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Replying To PoolSturgeon:  "I think it will be Limerick Waterford and Cork coming out of Munster
. I think Limerick will beat Cork away and having Waterford at home might just swing it their way.

I am less sure about Leinster. It will be 3 of Kilkenny, Wexford, Dublin, and Galway but which 3? I think Wexford will beat us in the first game. The fact that we are not playing Dublin in Parnell Park (as opposed to the fact we have a home venue) might see us get past Dublin and having Kilkenny at home too could make the difference. I'm going to say it will be Dublin to miss out.

In any event I think it will be a Munster team winning the All Ireland and if that turns out to be the case I hope it will be Waterford."
Well if Limerick don't do it I hope Waterford win it too. That panel of players would definitely deserve it.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4467 - 12/03/2022 08:27:58    2405004

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Replying To Canuck:  "Sure while you are at it get rid of the hurleys and save the ash. Just throw the ball. Ya in baseball they won't play for 70 million they want 80 million and are mercenaries going where the most money is. I wonder what 80 can do for you that 70 can not ? Putting these people in the same sentence as GAA players is a joke."
I agree. I think that GAA players should not be mentioned at all in the same breath as baseball players.

Our baseballers go out to earn a living, to turn a crust. Yes, the elite make a mint, but for so many others it is a livelihood. Unlike hurlers or Gaelic footballers who essential just swan off to do their hobby. It is something they do in their free time, just like my walking my dog or playing a game of darts or billiards while having a beer; a recreational outlet.

So Canuck, you're right. Don't put them in the same sentence; one is a job and the other is just a leisure.

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2096 - 12/03/2022 09:13:53    2405009

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "Is it really 'too close'? There are 2 weeks between the league final and the start of the Leinster and Munster Championships.

Looking at it from a positive point of view, a league final would be great workout and an extra game to fine tune the team. Besides, winning a trophy and a medal, always gives a team a lift.

From a Kilkenny point of view, I think they'll go all out to win it. The players from Ballyhale have yet to play a county game this year, and what with a few new young players (and old) on the panel who've impressed so far this year; Cody would probably like a few more competitive games to try and integrate the two groups (current panel and Ballyhale players), to give him a better idea of what his starting 15 should be come the 16t/17 April, the start of Leinster."
I think it is too close. League finals are there to be won. Lads go flat out. If it was 2 weeks before an AI final then ya its ideal prep as that's a stand alone one off match. However the leinster championship is 4 tough matches in quick succession so prep for that is tailored. In kilkennys case it might be a nice fixture to get to as you say with ballyhale contingent etc and kilkennys start to the leinster championship being easier than others. I think cody knows his starting 15 or very close I'd imagine. I'm expecting a big year from kilkenny who no one is talking about.

daveboy (Limerick) - Posts: 1197 - 12/03/2022 09:41:12    2405013

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "Is it really 'too close'? There are 2 weeks between the league final and the start of the Leinster and Munster Championships.

Looking at it from a positive point of view, a league final would be great workout and an extra game to fine tune the team. Besides, winning a trophy and a medal, always gives a team a lift.

From a Kilkenny point of view, I think they'll go all out to win it. The players from Ballyhale have yet to play a county game this year, and what with a few new young players (and old) on the panel who've impressed so far this year; Cody would probably like a few more competitive games to try and integrate the two groups (current panel and Ballyhale players), to give him a better idea of what his starting 15 should be come the 16t/17 April, the start of Leinster."
I think another week would have made a big difference. It is not just the two weeks but also the intensity of games back to back after the championship begins. Winning the league never bothered Kilkenny going on to win the All-Ireland. Other counties I am not too sure about. Also they will be a dangerous animal this year. Always seem to have the ability to turn good players into great ones and doing it again.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2868 - 12/03/2022 14:26:29    2405040

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Replying To foreveryoung:  "I agree. I think that GAA players should not be mentioned at all in the same breath as baseball players.

Our baseballers go out to earn a living, to turn a crust. Yes, the elite make a mint, but for so many others it is a livelihood. Unlike hurlers or Gaelic footballers who essential just swan off to do their hobby. It is something they do in their free time, just like my walking my dog or playing a game of darts or billiards while having a beer; a recreational outlet.

So Canuck, you're right. Don't put them in the same sentence; one is a job and the other is just a leisure."
I know I am right and glad you agree about having them in the same sentence. The people who watch sports do it as a leisure and go to work like our GAA players. The billionaires would have to go earn their crust somewhere else without the people of leisure.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2868 - 12/03/2022 14:34:49    2405042

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "Is it really 'too close'? There are 2 weeks between the league final and the start of the Leinster and Munster Championships.

Looking at it from a positive point of view, a league final would be great workout and an extra game to fine tune the team. Besides, winning a trophy and a medal, always gives a team a lift.

From a Kilkenny point of view, I think they'll go all out to win it. The players from Ballyhale have yet to play a county game this year, and what with a few new young players (and old) on the panel who've impressed so far this year; Cody would probably like a few more competitive games to try and integrate the two groups (current panel and Ballyhale players), to give him a better idea of what his starting 15 should be come the 16t/17 April, the start of Leinster."
Agree 100%. I hope Egan does too.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13886 - 12/03/2022 14:54:07    2405047

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The closer we are getting to championship, the more I'm beginning to re-assess things. I can see a 'surprise' happening in Round 1 in Munster, in that I believe that Tipperary will prevail over Waterford, even though the Blaa-baas are at home. Everyone is talking about Waterford and rightly so, especially with Tim Burke back and Mikey Kiely going a bomb (he's some detail, and I'd hate to have to be the man to mark him), but do you know what? That's exactly when Waterford fall flat on their backsides, when they're expected to do something; Waterford could very well revert back to default mode, and prove themselves to exactly be... Waterford.

However, while I don't think that Waterford will recover from that blow, I also believe that Tipperary won't make it out of Munster, on very tight margins, in spite of this heroic win over Waterford (well, as in far as Tipperary beating Waterford in hurling can ever be considered either heroic or a surprise).

So, my three picks to come out of Munster and in this order are: 1. Cork, which I have criticised a lot, perhaps even maligned (mea culpa); 2. Limerick, and 3. Clare.

It's just a gut feeling. But, my hunches have been so right over so many years as regards hurling. I've made quite a few bucks from the bookies over the years on hurling. I fall flat when it arrives to Gaelic football though, as I always seem to get deluded into plumping for Kerry.

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2096 - 12/03/2022 15:38:03    2405053

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Do posters agree that the round robin now has really changed the attitude of managers towards the league??having to make sure teams are primed for 4 ultra competitive games in the province is huge..league is being used to get players a few games and maybe get them used to the set up..I've a feeling semi finals in league will be better than final..

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2380 - 12/03/2022 15:42:20    2405054

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Replying To Canuck:  "I know I am right and glad you agree about having them in the same sentence. The people who watch sports do it as a leisure and go to work like our GAA players. The billionaires would have to go earn their crust somewhere else without the people of leisure."
Thank you for seeing things in their proper light. Isn't it great that Croke Park can provide all these great facilities ( along with local community altruism), so that the average fan can pay less than 100 bucks ($$) on All-Ireland final day for a ticket? The biggest sporting day of the year for less than $100! Man, that's a steal.

In baseball, or the Super Bowl even, we do that in the thousands ($$$$). And I mean thousands, as actually getting your hands on a ticket is like... Charlie Bucket stuff. I suppose that's the actual difference when it comes to sorting out the boys ($$) from the men ($$$$); the amateurs versus professionals. But good luck to y'all, and enjoy it (even if you don't turn a penny or two of it).

Don't get me wrong, though; Gaelic games are a tremendous pastime pursuit, imho, but that's it: a splendid leisurely pastime, which you surely must have partaken in yourself at some stage during your free time away from work.

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2096 - 12/03/2022 15:58:53    2405056

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