National Forum

Hurling Club Championships 2024/25 - General Discussion

(Oldest Posts First)


The hurling provincial club championships kick off next weekend. Doon v Ballygunner is a tasty opener to the Munster championship.
In the Intermediate championship, Abbeydorney will be taking on Brickey Rangers of Waterford. Kerry senior champions have done reasonably well in the Munster intermediate championship. Usually has proven to be a fair level of competition.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8240 - 28/10/2024 16:13:51    2577354

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Ballygunner will be very short priced favourites now for both Munster and all Ireland honours..very hard to see doon being able to produce a performance next Sunday after winning their first ever title yesterday..an extra week might have helped..loughmore/ballygunner could be a very good semi..the other side then sees sars(beaten in cork)playing feakle who have first title since 1988.both will fancy their chances of playing in a Munster final..Leinster looks to be wide open,kilcormac might give it a right go..Galway have new champions,so anything is possible for them..in ulster it could be any of them and they love playing in all Ireland series..it really is great to see so many new teams making break through,and from my point of view it makes it a lot more interesting..this year for me shows what clubs can do with proper organisation and preparation.

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2361 - 28/10/2024 17:49:37    2577367

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Replying To legendzxix:  "The hurling provincial club championships kick off next weekend. Doon v Ballygunner is a tasty opener to the Munster championship.
In the Intermediate championship, Abbeydorney will be taking on Brickey Rangers of Waterford. Kerry senior champions have done reasonably well in the Munster intermediate championship. Usually has proven to be a fair level of competition."
Alot if not all of the Joe Mac county club champions would hold their own in any of the Liam McCarthy county senior club championships.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13643 - 28/10/2024 18:12:05    2577371

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1. Ballygunner, 2. Thomastown, 3. Loughrea, 4. Na Fianna, 5. Doon, 6 Cushendall, 7.Cappataggle, 8. Kilcormac, 9. Loughmore, 10. Feakle
That's my top 10 of the clubs left. All the teams that have beaten Ballygunner in last few years are gone, Thomas's, Nap and Ballyhale and definitely a power vacuum left there for them, they've never had a run so clear for an all Ireland. Feel like they've grossly underachieved on a national stage, have only won 1 all Ireland semi final but I think they'll take this opportunity, they're the best in it and by a few points I think, now they've to prove it.

Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (Wexford) - Posts: 276 - 28/10/2024 20:03:14    2577382

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Doon be doing well (gabh mo leithscéal!) to recover quickly from such an attritional match yesterday.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3061 - 28/10/2024 21:03:43    2577386

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Replying To Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin:  "1. Ballygunner, 2. Thomastown, 3. Loughrea, 4. Na Fianna, 5. Doon, 6 Cushendall, 7.Cappataggle, 8. Kilcormac, 9. Loughmore, 10. Feakle
That's my top 10 of the clubs left. All the teams that have beaten Ballygunner in last few years are gone, Thomas's, Nap and Ballyhale and definitely a power vacuum left there for them, they've never had a run so clear for an all Ireland. Feel like they've grossly underachieved on a national stage, have only won 1 all Ireland semi final but I think they'll take this opportunity, they're the best in it and by a few points I think, now they've to prove it."
KK are playing St Mullins first up. St Mullins have a better team man for man I'd be guessing. Not sure I'd rank the teams like you there, I agree Ballygunnar would be clear favourites, but the rest are much of a muchness. Not sure Cappy would beat any of the teams above them in the list ok, think Feakle would probably beat them too.
At the end of the day it's all going to be played out on heavy pitches in likely poor weather, which should suit the bigger players. If anyone will upset Ballygunnar then I think Cushendall are the most likely to do it.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13643 - 29/10/2024 07:59:48    2577407

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Replying To Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin:  "1. Ballygunner, 2. Thomastown, 3. Loughrea, 4. Na Fianna, 5. Doon, 6 Cushendall, 7.Cappataggle, 8. Kilcormac, 9. Loughmore, 10. Feakle
That's my top 10 of the clubs left. All the teams that have beaten Ballygunner in last few years are gone, Thomas's, Nap and Ballyhale and definitely a power vacuum left there for them, they've never had a run so clear for an all Ireland. Feel like they've grossly underachieved on a national stage, have only won 1 all Ireland semi final but I think they'll take this opportunity, they're the best in it and by a few points I think, now they've to prove it."
Slaughtneil could beat half of those teams you list also.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13643 - 29/10/2024 08:01:16    2577408

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Replying To Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin:  "1. Ballygunner, 2. Thomastown, 3. Loughrea, 4. Na Fianna, 5. Doon, 6 Cushendall, 7.Cappataggle, 8. Kilcormac, 9. Loughmore, 10. Feakle
That's my top 10 of the clubs left. All the teams that have beaten Ballygunner in last few years are gone, Thomas's, Nap and Ballyhale and definitely a power vacuum left there for them, they've never had a run so clear for an all Ireland. Feel like they've grossly underachieved on a national stage, have only won 1 all Ireland semi final but I think they'll take this opportunity, they're the best in it and by a few points I think, now they've to prove it."
Maybe Martins or Annes might beat one or two of those too.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13643 - 29/10/2024 08:16:12    2577410

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Weather and pitches will play a big part. I'd fancy Clough to give Na Fianna their fill of it if it was played in Portlaoise as they did with Crokes three years ago when beating them. Parnell this time for NF and that will be advantage.

The battle hardened sides like Slaughtneil and Cushendall, depending on who prevails there, will certainly be a threat to anyone.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3061 - 29/10/2024 09:14:51    2577414

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Replying To Viking66:  "Slaughtneil could beat half of those teams you list also."
3/4 years ago definitely but they've definitely gone back a bit since then and it's a few years since they reached those heights. I think once you get out of the next tier below Ballygunner in Loughrea, Thomastown, Cushendall and Na Fianna there isn't a whole pile between every other team in it, just don't think they've the same ceiling as those few. Could teams below them beat them? Ya, definitely but I think those few have much more scope for a charge at winning it out. Martins would probably fancy themselves to do something but Wexford teams, martins included have done nothing of note since Oulart. Have quality players but it's the players outside these that are just at lower level to the top teams. KK will be looking at winning a club all Ireland in the near future but don't think this year or even next year will be the year they do it. Scary amount of players there and coming. But like everything at this time of year, it's on the day too.

Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (Wexford) - Posts: 276 - 29/10/2024 11:59:25    2577438

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Replying To Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin:  "3/4 years ago definitely but they've definitely gone back a bit since then and it's a few years since they reached those heights. I think once you get out of the next tier below Ballygunner in Loughrea, Thomastown, Cushendall and Na Fianna there isn't a whole pile between every other team in it, just don't think they've the same ceiling as those few. Could teams below them beat them? Ya, definitely but I think those few have much more scope for a charge at winning it out. Martins would probably fancy themselves to do something but Wexford teams, martins included have done nothing of note since Oulart. Have quality players but it's the players outside these that are just at lower level to the top teams. KK will be looking at winning a club all Ireland in the near future but don't think this year or even next year will be the year they do it. Scary amount of players there and coming. But like everything at this time of year, it's on the day too."
Slaughtneil hadn't played a competitive hurling game in 77 days and Cushendall had to produce their best performance of the year to beat them in the Ulster final. Cushendall then left the AISF behind them against OLG, losing by a point but hitting a few uncharacteristic wides. I watched both games live, and couldn't help feeling at the time that maybe Slaughtneil would've done better than Cushendall against OLG.
As you say it's all on the day, and even which clubs suffer the worst with injuries to key players makes a difference. Hogan was a massive loss for OLG for instance.
As regards Wexford I wouldn't be writing the Annes off. Ive seen them 3 times and they've been better than the Martins, who I've seen twice, so far. Whether either them or the Martins give Leinster a right good go after celebrating is anyone's guess though.
I still think it's irrelevant which county a club is from as regards doing well in the club championships. Antrim clubs have more AIs won than clubs from Limerick, here and Waterford, and the same number as Dublin and Clare clubs have.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13643 - 29/10/2024 13:29:55    2577452

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Weather and pitches will play a big part. I'd fancy Clough to give Na Fianna their fill of it if it was played in Portlaoise as they did with Crokes three years ago when beating them. Parnell this time for NF and that will be advantage.

The battle hardened sides like Slaughtneil and Cushendall, depending on who prevails there, will certainly be a threat to anyone."
Cushendall needed ET to beat Portaferry last year also.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13643 - 29/10/2024 13:30:54    2577453

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Replying To Viking66:  "Cushendall needed ET to beat Portaferry last year also."
Don't rule Portaferry out of ulster this year

Awaywiththeferrys (Down) - Posts: 337 - 29/10/2024 17:22:38    2577496

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Replying To Awaywiththeferrys:  "Don't rule Portaferry out of ulster this year"
That's why I posted Cushendall needed ET to beat Portaferry!

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13643 - 29/10/2024 20:43:53    2577520

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The All-Ireland club hurling semi-finals last year were epic battles. TG4 do great work covering club games. It's a pity that RTE don't have a Sunday highlights programme when the club championships get to the provincial stage. With the split season and all the media complaining, they need to put the club championships on a higher profile stage.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8240 - 29/10/2024 21:29:44    2577528

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Replying To legendzxix:  "The All-Ireland club hurling semi-finals last year were epic battles. TG4 do great work covering club games. It's a pity that RTE don't have a Sunday highlights programme when the club championships get to the provincial stage. With the split season and all the media complaining, they need to put the club championships on a higher profile stage."
That's up to GAA. No particular fan of FAI but they market LOI well now.

People like local identity and if county loyalty attached to championship is being eroded due to telescoped season then they should be boosting club games from county finals on.

Must be spare Bruce and Swiftie Cash around for decent media campaign...

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3061 - 29/10/2024 21:52:21    2577530

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Last years club semi finals were epics and such a shame they were not marketed better. RTE don't appear to see the potential l, or?
Fantastic to see new clubs on the scene and there are some intriguing match ups, with potential 'upsets' likely.
Ulster sets familiar battle hardened opponents against each other. Slaughtneil will want to overturn last years defeat to Cushendall, though they were flattered by the final score line. They suffer from a lack of real competitive games and I'm not sure challenge games do the trick. Portaferry feel they have a score to settle with Cushendall, though I can't see them getting the early Xmas present goals they got last year, if Cushendall get through.
I always wondered why Wexford club teams do not feature more prominently. I recall a decent Buffers Alley team back in the day.

Leinster will be interesting and though Ballygunner are deserved favourites, their invincibility flag was lowered last year and the other teams will feel they have nothing to fear.

I am surprised Loughrea are so short in the betting stakes but any Galway team will be formidable.

Glensboy (Antrim) - Posts: 306 - 30/10/2024 09:19:28    2577557

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Games can go anyway at this time of the year with weather and pitches playing a part. If anything from what I see Ballygunner are strong and the conveyor belt continues and will for the foreseeable future. Anyone who thinks they will have any kind of complex because of losing in a shoot last year is living in cuckoo land. However I am not saying they won't be beat as I don't know about other teams. They probably have a second team that would be competitive.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2864 - 30/10/2024 12:35:46    2577589

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Replying To Glensboy:  "Last years club semi finals were epics and such a shame they were not marketed better. RTE don't appear to see the potential l, or?
Fantastic to see new clubs on the scene and there are some intriguing match ups, with potential 'upsets' likely.
Ulster sets familiar battle hardened opponents against each other. Slaughtneil will want to overturn last years defeat to Cushendall, though they were flattered by the final score line. They suffer from a lack of real competitive games and I'm not sure challenge games do the trick. Portaferry feel they have a score to settle with Cushendall, though I can't see them getting the early Xmas present goals they got last year, if Cushendall get through.
I always wondered why Wexford club teams do not feature more prominently. I recall a decent Buffers Alley team back in the day.

Leinster will be interesting and though Ballygunner are deserved favourites, their invincibility flag was lowered last year and the other teams will feel they have nothing to fear.

I am surprised Loughrea are so short in the betting stakes but any Galway team will be formidable."
"Leinster will be interesting and though Ballygunner are deserved favourites"
I take it you meant Munster, not Leinster. Thomastown are the bookies favourite to win Leinster.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2651 - 30/10/2024 16:46:14    2577633

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  ""Leinster will be interesting and though Ballygunner are deserved favourites"
I take it you meant Munster, not Leinster. Thomastown are the bookies favourite to win Leinster."
I think you know what I mean

Glensboy (Antrim) - Posts: 306 - 30/10/2024 18:01:24    2577638

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