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National Hurling League 2023

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Replying To foreveryoung:  "On the flat of their ass boy! Remember they were AI champs at the time too, and clearly fancied themselves for the 2-in-a-row at least. Never happened laddeen baire!"
I think you're being at bit harsh FY. They did win alot of kid's titles recently

Shocs07 (Limerick) - Posts: 374 - 15/02/2023 13:41:04    2458398

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Replying To Fitzy01:  "We will have no idea where Cork are at until the first match of the championship. They were blown away by a Limerick team just back from their holidays at times in the first half and didn't get a foot hold in the match until some of the key figures, namely Declan Hannon and Gearoid Hegarty left the field who were both completely dominant. Limerick were very inexperienced down one side with both Coughlan and Costello playing and Cork exploited that, Different story if its Kyle Hayes and Barry Nash playing there. They are improving but a bit to go yet I would say. Joyce and Downey may give them a bit of stability at the back but unless the likes of the Cork midfield and half forward line can also give them protection and find a way to deal with roaming attackers it won't matter how good they are as they will be left exposed. Although in players like Tim O'Mahony they have people who might be able to play these roles. Exciting times for Cork but way too early to judge yet."
I think Cork will win an All Ireland next after Limerick, they have serious talented, physical hurlers in the 19 to 23 age bracket.

But this year looks like Limericks again, the options they will have off the bench come the summer time looks frightening.

Past hurler (None) - Posts: 926 - 15/02/2023 13:41:44    2458399

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Replying To foreveryoung:  "On the flat of their ass boy! Remember they were AI champs at the time too, and clearly fancied themselves for the 2-in-a-row at least. Never happened laddeen baire!"
You're too kind! It's clear from your eloquence that you're a true Gael of outstanding character and noble stock! Mo chuid tubaiste ort, a phoncáin!

baire (Galway) - Posts: 1849 - 15/02/2023 13:46:56    2458400

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Replying To Past hurler:  "I think Cork will win an All Ireland next after Limerick, they have serious talented, physical hurlers in the 19 to 23 age bracket.

But this year looks like Limericks again, the options they will have off the bench come the summer time looks frightening."
Frightening to think that Limerick may have struck an even better balance between league and championship this year than last. I felt last year Kiely was content to run through his options in a negative sense - sort of "last chance saloon" for some of the prospects - and the squad way behind in conditioning to what they were aiming at.

This year, he has a better idea I think and whatever about winning or losing games, they are playing much closer to the pattern and intensity they will bring later on. Not only ominous for everyone else but with exception of maybe Cork very hard to see any of the rest even closing the gap in what for many, especially those with a new sideline, is the start of a plan rather than the end of one.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3525 - 15/02/2023 15:48:39    2458422

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Frightening to think that Limerick may have struck an even better balance between league and championship this year than last. I felt last year Kiely was content to run through his options in a negative sense - sort of "last chance saloon" for some of the prospects - and the squad way behind in conditioning to what they were aiming at.

This year, he has a better idea I think and whatever about winning or losing games, they are playing much closer to the pattern and intensity they will bring later on. Not only ominous for everyone else but with exception of maybe Cork very hard to see any of the rest even closing the gap in what for many, especially those with a new sideline, is the start of a plan rather than the end of one."
I think Galway will be good come summer. They've a great panel and more seasoned hard campaigners than Cork. A stronger spine in every way.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15735 - 15/02/2023 16:10:36    2458424

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Frightening to think that Limerick may have struck an even better balance between league and championship this year than last. I felt last year Kiely was content to run through his options in a negative sense - sort of "last chance saloon" for some of the prospects - and the squad way behind in conditioning to what they were aiming at.

This year, he has a better idea I think and whatever about winning or losing games, they are playing much closer to the pattern and intensity they will bring later on. Not only ominous for everyone else but with exception of maybe Cork very hard to see any of the rest even closing the gap in what for many, especially those with a new sideline, is the start of a plan rather than the end of one."
Agreed, you can see the extra year of conditioning on Adam English, young O'Brien and even the likes of Mike O Houlihan is also flying it all stepping up to the mark this last few week with established heads missing.

These lads are saying to Kiely we no longer want to be benchwarmers we want to take places of the older lads and for a manager to have that savage competitive environment every night at training is what makes a successful team stay successful like what Brian Cody and Jim Gavin managed to do with Kilkenny and Dublin.

Nobody gets comfortable as they say.

There is a cut about Cork this year too though under Pat Ryan already and what he expects of players, the tippy tappy softness is being weeded out.

Past hurler (None) - Posts: 926 - 15/02/2023 16:45:46    2458428

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Replying To Past hurler:  "Agreed, you can see the extra year of conditioning on Adam English, young O'Brien and even the likes of Mike O Houlihan is also flying it all stepping up to the mark this last few week with established heads missing.

These lads are saying to Kiely we no longer want to be benchwarmers we want to take places of the older lads and for a manager to have that savage competitive environment every night at training is what makes a successful team stay successful like what Brian Cody and Jim Gavin managed to do with Kilkenny and Dublin.

Nobody gets comfortable as they say.

There is a cut about Cork this year too though under Pat Ryan already and what he expects of players, the tippy tappy softness is being weeded out."
Wasn't the same thing being said about Cork this time last year?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15735 - 15/02/2023 17:02:14    2458430

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Replying To Past hurler:  "Agreed, you can see the extra year of conditioning on Adam English, young O'Brien and even the likes of Mike O Houlihan is also flying it all stepping up to the mark this last few week with established heads missing.

These lads are saying to Kiely we no longer want to be benchwarmers we want to take places of the older lads and for a manager to have that savage competitive environment every night at training is what makes a successful team stay successful like what Brian Cody and Jim Gavin managed to do with Kilkenny and Dublin.

Nobody gets comfortable as they say.

There is a cut about Cork this year too though under Pat Ryan already and what he expects of players, the tippy tappy softness is being weeded out."
Theres no doubt that the conditioning of these lads outside the regular first 15 seems to have come on a lot which is a big worry for everyone else. I just cant see Limerick not winning the AI this year again. Almost all other teams are in some sort of transition on top of Limerick being too good. It might be controversial but I actually think Limerick had an off year last year and hardly got close to the level they can all year.

We've been here so many times with Cork. Theyve beaten plenty of teams out the gate in the league in the past. Theyre defense may have improved and may continue to improve but theyre miles off Limerick or other all ireland winning teams. The jury is out until the end of the year with them in my opinion. A player either has it or they dont and it remains to be seen if the new man in charge can develop a forward line who actually bothers to tackle in any kind of meaningful way. Going back to 2016 I watched them in the a championship match with no forward getting a hook or block and no one really tackled either. A lot of the time since if they do attempt it, its a token gesture. It wont win you anything

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 15/02/2023 17:23:47    2458434

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Replying To Viking66:  "I think Galway will be good come summer. They've a great panel and more seasoned hard campaigners than Cork. A stronger spine in every way."
No more than most though I think there's an unsettled look about their team too. Its impossible to know what way they will line out. Even the majority of their older players - I've no clue where they will play. Two Mannions, McInerney, two Cooneys and even Whelan. Is Monaghan a midfielder or half forward? Thats the difference with Limerick. We can all probably pick 13 of the starting 15 in their positions too. I think Galway at a min will want to be winning Leinster this year and reaching an All Ireland final. They will feel its no or never for some of the older brigade

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 15/02/2023 17:28:12    2458436

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Yes. It's amazing how much coming into an established system with very high demands can bring on lads you mightn't even have taken huge notice of underage or at club. Kiely and his team are indeed akin to Cody and Gavin in doing that.

It takes some level of fitness, power, skill, and intelligence to thrive under the template that Limerick have established.

The stripey men put it up to them for a while last year through sheer refusal to bow the knee to anyone, but even Cody knew when he had met his match!

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3525 - 15/02/2023 17:33:05    2458437

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Replying To Viking66:  "I think Galway will be good come summer. They've a great panel and more seasoned hard campaigners than Cork. A stronger spine in every way."
I would agree with that. I think they gave Limerick their toughest championship game last year. In the all ireland KK were great but they were always just hanging in there and Limerick led for almost the entire match. Galway hit the front in the semis are were flying it and hit a lot of bad wides, it took an inspired substitution from Reidy off the bench to see us home.
Limerick can also be potentially much stronger this year, If Lynch stays fit, Hayes returns to half back and you could see Dan Morrisey going back to full back add the scoring threat of the returning Peter Casey in the corner and there is much more balance and threat to the Limerick team than last year.

Fitzy01 (Limerick) - Posts: 434 - 16/02/2023 10:32:11    2458472

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Replying To Fitzy01:  "I would agree with that. I think they gave Limerick their toughest championship game last year. In the all ireland KK were great but they were always just hanging in there and Limerick led for almost the entire match. Galway hit the front in the semis are were flying it and hit a lot of bad wides, it took an inspired substitution from Reidy off the bench to see us home.
Limerick can also be potentially much stronger this year, If Lynch stays fit, Hayes returns to half back and you could see Dan Morrisey going back to full back add the scoring threat of the returning Peter Casey in the corner and there is much more balance and threat to the Limerick team than last year."
Does anyone up your way know if Hayes and Gillane will be playing come Championship?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15735 - 16/02/2023 11:03:38    2458475

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Replying To Viking66:  "Does anyone up your way know if Hayes and Gillane will be playing come Championship?"
Hayes hasn't been absent, played last Saturday, I heard Gillane will be back in the panel in a week or 2.

TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1760 - 16/02/2023 11:06:41    2458476

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Replying To TerribleFootwork:  "Hayes hasn't been absent, played last Saturday, I heard Gillane will be back in the panel in a week or 2."
That's not what I asked TerribleFootwork!!!

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15735 - 16/02/2023 12:35:41    2458501

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Big blow for Tipp with cadell and Barrett picking up serious injuries last Sunday,big loss,Barrett might get back for latter stages of munster..also Niall o meara our for a number of weeks..is it just me or are players picking up more serious long term injuries and also are there a lot more getting injured??

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2510 - 16/02/2023 12:39:35    2458503

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Replying To Viking66:  "That's not what I asked TerribleFootwork!!!"
Ah right well if both are fit and available of course they'll be playing.

TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1760 - 16/02/2023 13:22:40    2458514

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Replying To TerribleFootwork:  "Ah right well if both are fit and available of course they'll be playing."
I was just wondering if they will be available. Lots of rumours flying around I was just wondering if anyone had heard anything worth repeating.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15735 - 16/02/2023 13:43:29    2458520

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Replying To Viking66:  "I was just wondering if they will be available. Lots of rumours flying around I was just wondering if anyone had heard anything worth repeating."
Both will be available for the championship.. Wouldn't pay too much attention to 99% of what you hear.
A lot it is wishful thinking from some of our near neighbours.

skillet (Limerick) - Posts: 1106 - 16/02/2023 14:01:18    2458526

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Replying To skillet:  "Both will be available for the championship.. Wouldn't pay too much attention to 99% of what you hear.
A lot it is wishful thinking from some of our near neighbours."
I'd still have you favourites even without the 2 lads

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15735 - 16/02/2023 14:53:31    2458540

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Replying To Viking66:  "Does anyone up your way know if Hayes and Gillane will be playing come Championship?"
As someone said 99% of what has been said about theses lads is totally lies and has been made up. The stories I read online coming from 1 of our neighbouring counties in particular are totally fabricated and seems nothing short of total jealousy and bedgrudgerry. Our players aren't angels but what's been alleged is miles off the truth.

updwell (Limerick) - Posts: 899 - 16/02/2023 19:13:00    2458583

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