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Joe McDonagh Cup 2023

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Replying To ITSCHOLAR: "Great performance yesterday and will feel unlucky not to get the 2 points. Looks like the game vs lapis will be the big one for us although we did get a result v Offaly last year when needed. Not writing off down v us bit after the league game would expect 2 points. In my opinion the Joe mcdonagh is the best competition the gaa has just now majority of the games are crackers and teams have very little between them. We could have any 2 of Offaly laois Kerry or Carlow in the final. Really have to wonder how the gaa doesn't give the rights to tg4 to show these games really is a shame and would be a better watch than the puke football we see most weekends." A good post. Scallioneater (Carlow) - Posts: 293 - 18/04/2023 09:19:16 2471491 Link
Replying To legendzxix: "It is a great competition. One of the most competitive across all levels. It is not transferring into big crowds however." Biggest reason why it's not getting the exposure it probably deserves. Also, because hurling plays second fiddle to football in each in the counties in the competition. TaosHum (Carlow) - Posts: 236 - 18/04/2023 11:21:27 2471517 Link
Replying To legendzxix: "It is a great competition. One of the most competitive across all levels. It is not transferring into big crowds however." That has to change if the middle tier counties are going to make a permanent step up to the top tier. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11732 - 18/04/2023 11:56:06 2471534 Link
Replying To Viking66: "That has to change if the middle tier counties are going to make a permanent step up to the top tier." You are right. It does have to change. It should also be looked at if the current format suits raising the profile. I might be in the minority but I'd be in favour of one group of 8 teams. Top 4 into semi-finals with home advantage for top 2. Final then as curtain raiser to an All-Ireland semi-final. The compromise would have to be forgoing the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7822 - 18/04/2023 12:54:16 2471554 Link
Replying To TaosHum: "Biggest reason why it's not getting the exposure it probably deserves. Also, because hurling plays second fiddle to football in each in the counties in the competition." Which won't change until the GAA promote hurling within those counties and to a wider audience. RTE and Virgin will show womens rugby. I would be willing to bet that the Christy Ring final would get similar viewing figures. At the very least they could stream them on GAA Go or Youtube. TG4 are great but most people can't speak Irish and like to listen to commentary. Rolo2010 (Donegal) - Posts: 738 - 18/04/2023 13:50:53 2471572 Link
Replying To legendzxix: "You are right. It does have to change. It should also be looked at if the current format suits raising the profile. I might be in the minority but I'd be in favour of one group of 8 teams. Top 4 into semi-finals with home advantage for top 2. Final then as curtain raiser to an All-Ireland semi-final. The compromise would have to be forgoing the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-finals." No don't mess with the format. Only change I'd be in favour of is maybe dropping from 6 to 5 teams. Each year despite being fierce competitive there tends to be one whipping boy. It was Meath recently this year it seems to be Down. 5 might be about right and gives teams a break / bye for a week which is no harm. Marketing it is difficult for sure when do few attend the games because in each county hurling is not top dog. However even if the supporters of each county are a bit passé about it there's enough hurling people around the country who would surely enjoy the games if shown live on tv one a week. Every game seems to go to the wire with huge scoring and very entertaining. Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1412 - 18/04/2023 14:30:04 2471585 Link
Replying To Rolo2010: "Which won't change until the GAA promote hurling within those counties and to a wider audience. RTE and Virgin will show womens rugby. I would be willing to bet that the Christy Ring final would get similar viewing figures. At the very least they could stream them on GAA Go or Youtube. TG4 are great but most people can't speak Irish and like to listen to commentary." Your first line in key. The Joe McDonagh and hurling in general needs to be showcased as the great competition and sport that it is in these counties. Shane Conway from Kerry or Marty Kavanagh from Carlow are as good as hurlers as in any county and they should be used as marketing figures for this great competition! Past hurler (None) - Posts: 716 - 18/04/2023 15:02:38 2471595 Link
Replying To Onion Breath: "No don't mess with the format. Only change I'd be in favour of is maybe dropping from 6 to 5 teams. Each year despite being fierce competitive there tends to be one whipping boy. It was Meath recently this year it seems to be Down. 5 might be about right and gives teams a break / bye for a week which is no harm. Marketing it is difficult for sure when do few attend the games because in each county hurling is not top dog. However even if the supporters of each county are a bit passé about it there's enough hurling people around the country who would surely enjoy the games if shown live on tv one a week. Every game seems to go to the wire with huge scoring and very entertaining." Definitely don't go reducing teams. The disappointing thing about last year for example is that Antrim, Kerry, Carlow and Offaly couldn't compete in semi-finals. Would a 2nd v 3rd semi-final be more beneficial for the McDonagh than the league? It's funny that league has semi-finals but the championship does not! legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7822 - 18/04/2023 19:55:54 2471672 Link
Replying To Past hurler: "Your first line in key. The Joe McDonagh and hurling in general needs to be showcased as the great competition and sport that it is in these counties. Shane Conway from Kerry or Marty Kavanagh from Carlow are as good as hurlers as in any county and they should be used as marketing figures for this great competition!" What the McDonagh needs is more supporters going to games. Laois and Offaly possibly have the potential to bring the biggest crowd to Croke Park for the McDonagh final? legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7822 - 18/04/2023 19:57:21 2471673 Link
Replying To legendzxix: "Definitely don't go reducing teams. The disappointing thing about last year for example is that Antrim, Kerry, Carlow and Offaly couldn't compete in semi-finals. Would a 2nd v 3rd semi-final be more beneficial for the McDonagh than the league? It's funny that league has semi-finals but the championship does not!" League semi finals is American style nonsense. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11732 - 19/04/2023 10:24:03 2471722 Link
Replying To Viking66: "League semi finals is American style nonsense." Definitely unnecessary in the league. A final in Division 1 is kind of understandable for sponsors. The rest of the league could have a 5th v 2nd playoff. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7822 - 19/04/2023 13:03:02 2471775 Link
Joe McDonagh Cup round 3 Kildare v Kerry, Hawkfield, 1pm Carlow v Laois, Netwatch Cullen Park, 3pm Offaly v Down, Glenisk O'Connor Park, 3pm Carlow v Laois is the standout game. Offaly should complete their 7th weekend in a row with a win. Kildare v Kerry is a difficult one to call. Both need a win for different reasons. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7822 - 20/04/2023 17:44:33 2472024 Link
Replying To Viking66: "League semi finals is American style nonsense." There's nothing wrong with a semi-final between 2nd and 3rd. It minimises the chance of dead rubbers towards the end and incentivises a team to come top to go directly into the final. I don't see how it's particularly American. Something similar is used in plenty of competitions and sports elsewhere (e.g. AFL, rugby league, play-offs in English soccer). CeachtPeile (Cavan) - Posts: 96 - 20/04/2023 20:30:00 2472041 Link
If Offaly win tomorrow, then a win against Kerry or Carlow will leave them on 8, which should be enough to secure a final spot. Laois have a tough run in against Carlow, Kildare and Kerry. Win out and that leaves them on 8 and into the final. Carlow and Kerry are in the same boat, with similar run ins. Both play Laois and Offaly, while Carlow go up to Down and Kerry play Kildare. Beating Laois is the key for both. Most points Laois can get then is 6, while Carlow and Kerry could still lose one of their remaining two fixtures and both end up on 7. Alot of hurling left obviously. Believe Down and Kildare can still spring a surprise TaosHum (Carlow) - Posts: 236 - 21/04/2023 07:21:33 2472072 Link
Replying To CeachtPeile: "There's nothing wrong with a semi-final between 2nd and 3rd. It minimises the chance of dead rubbers towards the end and incentivises a team to come top to go directly into the final. I don't see how it's particularly American. Something similar is used in plenty of competitions and sports elsewhere (e.g. AFL, rugby league, play-offs in English soccer)." Apart from the AFL maybe, all of those introduced playoffs etc following the American model. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11732 - 21/04/2023 09:44:05 2472087 Link
Replying To TaosHum: "If Offaly win tomorrow, then a win against Kerry or Carlow will leave them on 8, which should be enough to secure a final spot. Laois have a tough run in against Carlow, Kildare and Kerry. Win out and that leaves them on 8 and into the final. Carlow and Kerry are in the same boat, with similar run ins. Both play Laois and Offaly, while Carlow go up to Down and Kerry play Kildare. Beating Laois is the key for both. Most points Laois can get then is 6, while Carlow and Kerry could still lose one of their remaining two fixtures and both end up on 7. Alot of hurling left obviously. Believe Down and Kildare can still spring a surprise" I still think Kerry or Carlow will play Offaly in the final. I am not convinced about Laois this year. Past hurler (None) - Posts: 716 - 21/04/2023 09:45:05 2472088 Link
Replying To Viking66: "Apart from the AFL maybe, all of those introduced playoffs etc following the American model." What I'd like to see is 3rd in 2A versus 5th in 1B in a promotion/relegation semi-final. The winner then versus the 2A runners-up in a promotion/relegation final. 1 spot for promotion/relegation and 1 playoff spot for promotion/relegation would be fair movement between divisions. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7822 - 21/04/2023 10:07:55 2472095 Link
Replying To Past hurler: "I still think Kerry or Carlow will play Offaly in the final. I am not convinced about Laois this year." Kildare v Kerry. Kildare Carlow v Laois. Draw Offaly v Down. Offaly. Cuhullain (Kildare) - Posts: 271 - 21/04/2023 12:00:53 2472141 Link
Replying To Past hurler: "I still think Kerry or Carlow will play Offaly in the final. I am not convinced about Laois this year." Harsh to judge them on losing to Offaly. Carlow v Laois will tell a lot. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7822 - 21/04/2023 12:40:57 2472155 Link
Replying To legendzxix: "What I'd like to see is 3rd in 2A versus 5th in 1B in a promotion/relegation semi-final. The winner then versus the 2A runners-up in a promotion/relegation final. 1 spot for promotion/relegation and 1 playoff spot for promotion/relegation would be fair movement between divisions." That wouldn't be too bad. But having 4 semifinalists from a group of 6 is really pointless. A pure money making racket. Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11732 - 21/04/2023 15:07:59 2472235 Link