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Munster Hurling Championship 2025

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Fixtures announced and a key change is the Munster final next year will be on a Saturday evening.

April 19/20: Clare v Cork, Cusack Park; Tipperary v Limerick, FBD Semple Stadium.

April 26/27: Cork v Tipperary, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh; Waterford v Clare, Walsh Park.

May 3/4: Waterford v Limerick, Walsh Park.

May 10/11: Clare v Tipperary, Cusack Park.

May 17/18: Limerick v Cork, TUS Gaelic Grounds; Tipperary v Waterford, FBD Semple Stadium.

May 24/25: Limerick v Clare, TUS Gaelic Grounds; Cork v Waterford, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

June 7: Final

Clare v Cork first round will be a harder scramble for tickets than the All ireland final with the 21000 capacity of Cusack Park.

Tipperary at a low ebb have a very tough start away to Limerick and then home to Cork. I wouldnt like to be travelling to Limerick needed a win in the last round to qualify as a Clare fan so hopefully we can do the business beforehand but as proven this year, often there are no guarantees in the last round and all can be still up for grabs.

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2679 - 30/08/2024 09:53:04    2567621

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Replying To LohansRedHelmet:  "Fixtures announced and a key change is the Munster final next year will be on a Saturday evening.

April 19/20: Clare v Cork, Cusack Park; Tipperary v Limerick, FBD Semple Stadium.

April 26/27: Cork v Tipperary, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh; Waterford v Clare, Walsh Park.

May 3/4: Waterford v Limerick, Walsh Park.

May 10/11: Clare v Tipperary, Cusack Park.

May 17/18: Limerick v Cork, TUS Gaelic Grounds; Tipperary v Waterford, FBD Semple Stadium.

May 24/25: Limerick v Clare, TUS Gaelic Grounds; Cork v Waterford, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

June 7: Final

Clare v Cork first round will be a harder scramble for tickets than the All ireland final with the 21000 capacity of Cusack Park.

Tipperary at a low ebb have a very tough start away to Limerick and then home to Cork. I wouldnt like to be travelling to Limerick needed a win in the last round to qualify as a Clare fan so hopefully we can do the business beforehand but as proven this year, often there are no guarantees in the last round and all can be still up for grabs."
Clare v Waterford away must be first match Munster as usual is unreal to qualify from no guarantees that either ourselves or Cork will come out of it. It would be great to win a Munster final.

Wonder if any of the young players from our u-17AI winning team will make the cut or is it too soon you always need a team to be producing a couple of new players so hopefully so hopefully some fringe players like Daithi Lohan, Robyn Mounsey, Sean Rynne , Jack O Neill John Conneally, John Cahill, Cian Broderick , James Hegarthy Cian Galvin Jack Kirwan ect will get some valuable League time. Rory Hayes will be chomping at the bit this year needs to play further out the field

Some of the older players might benefit from a rest from Intercounty in the early stages of the League

clooney (Clare) - Posts: 960 - 30/08/2024 10:13:31    2567629

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Cork away to Clare and limerick,huge games in who'll get out..Waterford have limerick at home,they'll surely get a bounce from queally..a long way off but my god great to looking nearly 12 months down the road..

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2371 - 30/08/2024 15:09:50    2567690

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Waterford are always a bit of a wild card. The Fitzgeralds are older and Aussie back. Some great looking youth in the county championship. Teen Wolf and from Abbyside looks a gem. Tadgh was described as a giant among men. Scoring 7 points in the semi and the Ballysaggart driven Benetts though they could keep the ball away from him but he was still under every ball no matter where it was sent. Uncanny anticipation of where it is going to land. Pat McGrath the last one with that anticipation.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2865 - 30/08/2024 22:35:59    2567733

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Munster will be minefield as usual. Very exiting but also nail biting for everyone.

Everyone will up their game to try topple Clare (as All Ireland Champions) and Limerick (as 6 in a row Munster champions).

I feel like Cork are now the team in the country under most pressure to actually win silverware. (Great Performances are always good, but Cork by their own admission judge themselves by Silverware and Medals won).

Waterford weren't that far away last year, and with Aussie Gleeson back and the Ballygunner boys absolutely flying it, they will be a threat (and Limerick and Clare have to go to Walsh Park which Cork found out last year is a tough task).

Tipperary will be better next year if Liam Cahill and Mikey Bevans can settle on their best team and come up with a game plan to stick to.

No free passes in Munster again.

LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 94 - 10/09/2024 14:26:48    2569279

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1. Lim
2. Cork
3. Clare
4. Waterford
5. Tipp

countyman2022 (Wexford) - Posts: 726 - 10/09/2024 16:13:35    2569294

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Replying To countyman2022:  "1. Lim
2. Cork
3. Clare
4. Waterford
5. Tipp"
Anyone could finish top or bottom, Tipp have done great underage players coming up and could be yhe dark horse if there is such a thing .
Cork
Clare
Tipp
Limerick
Waterford

hurler32 (Limerick) - Posts: 870 - 10/09/2024 23:00:24    2569332

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Replying To LohansRedHelmet:  "Fixtures announced and a key change is the Munster final next year will be on a Saturday evening.

April 19/20: Clare v Cork, Cusack Park; Tipperary v Limerick, FBD Semple Stadium.

April 26/27: Cork v Tipperary, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh; Waterford v Clare, Walsh Park.

May 3/4: Waterford v Limerick, Walsh Park.

May 10/11: Clare v Tipperary, Cusack Park.

May 17/18: Limerick v Cork, TUS Gaelic Grounds; Tipperary v Waterford, FBD Semple Stadium.

May 24/25: Limerick v Clare, TUS Gaelic Grounds; Cork v Waterford, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

June 7: Final

Clare v Cork first round will be a harder scramble for tickets than the All ireland final with the 21000 capacity of Cusack Park.

Tipperary at a low ebb have a very tough start away to Limerick and then home to Cork. I wouldnt like to be travelling to Limerick needed a win in the last round to qualify as a Clare fan so hopefully we can do the business beforehand but as proven this year, often there are no guarantees in the last round and all can be still up for grabs."
LRH, Tipp are at home to Limerick and away to Cork. Tricky assignments for all concerned. Limerick have Cork and Clare at home in the last two games.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4465 - 12/09/2024 07:50:10    2569483

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It is strange that predictions are still based on traditional biases. Waterford beat the All-Ireland finalists. Were controversial beaten by a point by the All-Ireland winners in their own back yard. Tipp's draw was also a bit controversial with a square ball goal. Inspite of that Tipp are placed above Waterford by some. It is a crap shoot for sure and low expectations and predictions probably is the best for us.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2865 - 16/09/2024 00:01:07    2570039

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Still too many question marks over the Tipp and Waterford to put them in them in the top 3 but if they can get abit of momentum anything is possible. Limk will target those first 2 games and draw is more favourable this year with Cork and Clare at home. Kiely remaining on is a huge boost but I would think that he will look to rotate his team more in the round robin this year with the focus being on the All Ireland rather than Munster. The big question is will they have the hunger and the energy with alot of mileage on the clock. Cork have to go to Limk and Ennis this year and their is extra pressure for them but you would expect them to win their home games. Clare would love to win a Munster beating Limk. Will they have the legs with their key men Kelly, SOD etc in their 30s. It's going to be a wide open championship with all teams capable of beating each other. Limk, Cork, Clare, Wat, Tipp in that order.

journeyman (Limerick) - Posts: 140 - 16/09/2024 11:55:11    2570103

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Replying To Canuck:  "It is strange that predictions are still based on traditional biases. Waterford beat the All-Ireland finalists. Were controversial beaten by a point by the All-Ireland winners in their own back yard. Tipp's draw was also a bit controversial with a square ball goal. Inspite of that Tipp are placed above Waterford by some. It is a crap shoot for sure and low expectations and predictions probably is the best for us."
I think that would irritate me if I were from Waterford, but in fairness they've yet to qualify from a round robin in spite of some good performances.

I do think Waterford are the ones that have probably suffered the most with the current structure. Their season has been too short when you have the Joe Mac teams in preliminary quarter finals.

Still if I was putting money on it I'd be picking Limerick Cork and Clare to advance again.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3116 - 16/09/2024 12:49:26    2570127

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "I think that would irritate me if I were from Waterford, but in fairness they've yet to qualify from a round robin in spite of some good performances.

I do think Waterford are the ones that have probably suffered the most with the current structure. Their season has been too short when you have the Joe Mac teams in preliminary quarter finals.

Still if I was putting money on it I'd be picking Limerick Cork and Clare to advance again."
Doylewex I don't blame anyone for how they view the chances of contesting teams. One can look at it two ways. Not qualifying in the past or just a shot of the ball or some unlucky decisions of removing the finalists. I have said right from the start this system is flawed. The All-Ireland series is a national competition and advancement to play in it should be an equal opportunity for all teams competing. Anyone who says it is in denial as it is obvious that lesser teams than Waterford and Tipp are getting into this series. I am not disparaging any counties either as they are playing the system set up. The qualifier system was fairer as now you had to emerge from the best of what lost first time out.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2865 - 16/09/2024 14:03:34    2570151

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Replying To Canuck:  "Doylewex I don't blame anyone for how they view the chances of contesting teams. One can look at it two ways. Not qualifying in the past or just a shot of the ball or some unlucky decisions of removing the finalists. I have said right from the start this system is flawed. The All-Ireland series is a national competition and advancement to play in it should be an equal opportunity for all teams competing. Anyone who says it is in denial as it is obvious that lesser teams than Waterford and Tipp are getting into this series. I am not disparaging any counties either as they are playing the system set up. The qualifier system was fairer as now you had to emerge from the best of what lost first time out."
Was the greed for games has the set up we have. That's why there's a round Robin instead of knockouts and qualifiers.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13701 - 16/09/2024 15:11:49    2570169

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Replying To Viking66:  "Was the greed for games has the set up we have. That's why there's a round Robin instead of knockouts and qualifiers."
I love the round robin. I want to see more games. Its inherently fairer when everybody plays everybody else rather than a knockout or even a knockout plus a back door. Round robin plus the knockout combines the equity of a league and the excitement of knockout and is a good compromise.
Knockout even with backdoor means a team can get a lucky draw or you have a situation where close rivals dont play each other for years
The problem with the round robin we have is the inequality between the two "provinces" which means the 3 from 5 formula is unfair on the 2 Munster teams who lose out and some of the knockout games are poor (e.g. Cork v Dublin this year).
Expanding the number of teams to qualify for knockouts would ruin the competitive element of the round robin. And mixing the round robin leagues would upset the traditionalists who want a "Munster championship"
I think if they retained the current provinces, reduce Leinster to five, and have inter league games like they do say in American Football with the top six qualifying for the playoffs
So each team in the top 10 plays each other - 9 games
Top two in each province plays a provincial final

Next four teams with the most points (irrespective of their province qualifies for playoffs (Qfs with winners meeting the provincial champions as now)
Bottom team drops out and replaced by McDonogh winners - (if bottom team is Tipp and McDonogh winners are Laois so be it, but Tipp would only be bottom if they couldnt top the points totals for say Antrim or Offaly)
More games, but if you like cut games from the league or make the league a pre All Ireland warm up tournament played off on consecutive weeks, no gaps between games

Yadse (Limerick) - Posts: 55 - 16/09/2024 21:41:16    2570255

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5 Munster Teams and 5 Leinster Teams.
Instead of a by weekend you play a team from the other province.
You only play one team from the other province and it rotates every year.

WEX98 (Wexford) - Posts: 469 - 16/09/2024 22:18:59    2570265

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Problem is that you could have Cork v Offaly and Limerick v Kilkenny as your game with results contributing to your standing and qualification

Yadse (Limerick) - Posts: 55 - 17/09/2024 16:09:18    2570416

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I don't know what the solution is but I wouldn't change the Munster championship for anything. It is IMO the best championship the GAA have including the All Ireland series. Those home and away days are just magical. I love a packed Ennis on match day, the atmosphere is electric. The Munster championship is a cash cow for the GAA also but in fairness that is due to the fare on offer.

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2679 - 17/09/2024 22:01:28    2570481

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Replying To LohansRedHelmet:  "I don't know what the solution is but I wouldn't change the Munster championship for anything. It is IMO the best championship the GAA have including the All Ireland series. Those home and away days are just magical. I love a packed Ennis on match day, the atmosphere is electric. The Munster championship is a cash cow for the GAA also but in fairness that is due to the fare on offer."
The answer is not the one in use. Waterford were in the top 6 or 7 teams in the country this year and not in the All -Ireland series. Teams that were lower ranked and not near their level were. That is the reality of this system that greed and money trumps all. What will that do for hurling in Waterford or others in the same situation? Yes we have not won an All-Ireland since 59 but with the exception of one decade have been around the top teams. Now we have to play Russian roulette to get the All-Ireland series that unfortunately includes officiating hurdles. The All -Ireland series is a national competition that should have an open draw. Or else go back to straight knockout and lets get on with the club game.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2865 - 18/09/2024 15:01:14    2570588

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Replying To Canuck:  "The answer is not the one in use. Waterford were in the top 6 or 7 teams in the country this year and not in the All -Ireland series. Teams that were lower ranked and not near their level were. That is the reality of this system that greed and money trumps all. What will that do for hurling in Waterford or others in the same situation? Yes we have not won an All-Ireland since 59 but with the exception of one decade have been around the top teams. Now we have to play Russian roulette to get the All-Ireland series that unfortunately includes officiating hurdles. The All -Ireland series is a national competition that should have an open draw. Or else go back to straight knockout and lets get on with the club game."
I for one love the Munster Championship. I have GAAGo and even often go back to the archive to re-watch a Munster hurling match from earlier in the year. I wouldn't like it changed. However, I see your point. I am told that there is a great Premier Intermediate club championship in Limerick each year, with a group of 8 who all get to play each other, guaranteeing 7 championship games to each team.

What if you ran an AI championship like that? 3 games at home and 4 away or vice-versa depending on the luck of the draw. The 5 Munster teams, plus Kilkenny and two more from Antrim/Wexford/Dublin/Galway. Now, it could be 4 Munster teams as Tipp aren't a great shake at the moment, and 3 from Antrim/Wexford/Dublin/Galway. League rankings could be used to determine these top 8 teams. One team goes down each year and one is promoted. The top two go into a final, as we have to have an AI final. This proposal would be shot down though, as CP would be deprived of semi-final gates, and it would mean less games overall.

Unfortunately, Canuck, a fairer system doesn't equal a more profitable system!

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2091 - 18/09/2024 16:08:54    2570601

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Replying To Canuck:  "The answer is not the one in use. Waterford were in the top 6 or 7 teams in the country this year and not in the All -Ireland series. Teams that were lower ranked and not near their level were. That is the reality of this system that greed and money trumps all. What will that do for hurling in Waterford or others in the same situation? Yes we have not won an All-Ireland since 59 but with the exception of one decade have been around the top teams. Now we have to play Russian roulette to get the All-Ireland series that unfortunately includes officiating hurdles. The All -Ireland series is a national competition that should have an open draw. Or else go back to straight knockout and lets get on with the club game."
What are your grounds for believing you are in the top 6 counties in Ireland this year Canuck? I wouldn't rank counties specifically by any 1 position, but I do believe Clare were ahead of the rest of us being as they won the AI. As regards the rest of us it's really hard to say where we rank. Kilkenny won Leinster, but only got to the final after getting a penalty for a foul that was clearly outside the area. Like it wasn't even close. Cork only got through ahead of yourselves after Clare scored a 65 from the wrong position, that should've been chalked off and a throw ball awarded. Galway and Tipp both failed to beat any of the other top 9 counties in Championship so I suppose you could rank them below everyone else this year, but that doesn't mean either or both won't qualify for the AI series next year, both did last year.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13701 - 18/09/2024 17:09:50    2570613

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