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Hurling Championship 2026

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Replying To hlynch12:  "Galway were favourities yesterday. Beating Dubs was their All Ireland."
No it wasn't...

ColmFlaherty (Galway) - Posts: 112 - 07/06/2026 21:36:20    2678588

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I know it was the league but saw a very strong Galway fight back that night against our boys in the Gaelic grounds and they nearly pulled it out of the bag. Some said did limerick just put the foot off the gas but I thought the opposite, Galway played their way back into the game and could have won it. Yes you could argue they haven't met as high a standard opposition in leinster but they didn't just beat Dublin they beat them well. Now they have finally have gotten over their Leinster final hoodoo, the shackles are off and they will go in to the semi as underdogs. If they stay with cork for the first 20 mins i give them a right shout(I apologise Offaly as I think it might be another couple of years yet)..Galway have an excellent blend of youth and experience. I would certainly put them in the dangerous dark horses category

Mads (Limerick) - Posts: 389 - 07/06/2026 23:14:55    2678598

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Replying To Mads:  "I know it was the league but saw a very strong Galway fight back that night against our boys in the Gaelic grounds and they nearly pulled it out of the bag. Some said did limerick just put the foot off the gas but I thought the opposite, Galway played their way back into the game and could have won it. Yes you could argue they haven't met as high a standard opposition in leinster but they didn't just beat Dublin they beat them well. Now they have finally have gotten over their Leinster final hoodoo, the shackles are off and they will go in to the semi as underdogs. If they stay with cork for the first 20 mins i give them a right shout(I apologise Offaly as I think it might be another couple of years yet)..Galway have an excellent blend of youth and experience. I would certainly put them in the dangerous dark horses category"
They have the scoring power to stick with Cork throughout but they have to shore up that defence. They give up goals too easily. Cork dont need charity in that area. They will destroy you if you are soft defensively.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 600 - 08/06/2026 00:30:43    2678602

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Replying To hlynch12:  "Galway were favourities yesterday. Beating Dubs was their All Ireland."
didn't you have your own county beaten before the final whistle yesterday?

Maroonatic (Galway) - Posts: 1082 - 08/06/2026 13:51:07    2678674

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Replying To ColmFlaherty:  "No it wasn't..."
Cork will hammer them out the gap

hlynch12 (Limerick) - Posts: 125 - 08/06/2026 16:08:47    2678706

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Replying To hlynch12:  "Cork will hammer them out the gap"
We will see, like I said, many thought we would lose the Leinster final and we hammered Dublin and yet you're here writing us off once again.

ColmFlaherty (Galway) - Posts: 112 - 08/06/2026 18:17:18    2678723

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Wouldn't be so quick to let fly a comment like that at this stage of the championship

Same was said of Dublin against Limerick last year. Of course we all remember the greatest team of all time lay down like puppies for 14 man Dublin!

Kinvara (Galway) - Posts: 219 - 08/06/2026 20:45:27    2678743

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I'll be honest think Galway have a great chance of turning cork over,they have the forwards to trouble that cork defence..with 4 weeks to prepare any niggles will clear up..
Take it fitzgibbon will be back for cork so that will be huge for them..looking forward to daithi/hayes battle..I havnt mentioned Offaly cos I just can't see them compete with cork yet.
The other quarter I have a very slight preference for Clare..think the forwards will have to much for dubs defence..after that Clare won't worry if meeting limerick in semi final and as a limerick man I'd be very wary.
Think it's a pity Clare/Dublin isn't being played in portlaoise.

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2697 - 08/06/2026 23:47:07    2678756

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Will Ryan Taylor and/or Mark Rodgers be back for Clare against Dublin. I'd think Cian O'Sullivan probably won't be back for Dublin.

Regards for Cork, I think most people know their current situation.

ColmFlaherty (Galway) - Posts: 112 - 10/06/2026 15:58:56    2678882

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Replying To ColmFlaherty:  "Will Ryan Taylor and/or Mark Rodgers be back for Clare against Dublin. I'd think Cian O'Sullivan probably won't be back for Dublin.

Regards for Cork, I think most people know their current situation."
Crummy and rushe probably doubtful too. On the other hand, eoghan o donnell and Sean currie looked sharp when brought on . O donnell will surely start.
For clare Rodgers should be well recovered .

richiepmurphy (Kilkenny) - Posts: 112 - 10/06/2026 17:50:42    2678903

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Replying To richiepmurphy:  "Crummy and rushe probably doubtful too. On the other hand, eoghan o donnell and Sean currie looked sharp when brought on . O donnell will surely start.
For clare Rodgers should be well recovered ."
I just can't see the Dubs beating Clare. That beating in the LF will be very hard to come back from. Clare love playing in Thurles, and know every blade of grass there.

Cork will need huge improvement to get over Offaly, and 23 shots will not do. I'm not looking any further then that. Likely, that our midfield paring of Tommy & Tim will also be missing.

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 597 - 11/06/2026 09:01:32    2678954

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "I just can't see the Dubs beating Clare. That beating in the LF will be very hard to come back from. Clare love playing in Thurles, and know every blade of grass there.

Cork will need huge improvement to get over Offaly, and 23 shots will not do. I'm not looking any further then that. Likely, that our midfield paring of Tommy & Tim will also be missing."
Darragh Fitz would be some replacement for Tommy O'Connell though. Looking back to Sunday, I think Darragh Fitz would have made a massive difference for Cork if he had been fit to play.

I think Cork will just have too much class for Offaly and I honestly believe loosing the Munster Final will only motivate them more going forward.

I think the outcome of Clare and Dublin could be dependent on how many of Dublin's injured players are fit to feature and also depends on what Clare team turn up. If Clare perform like they did against Limerick and Cork (especially in the backs), Dublin would have the beating of them. If they play like they did in the first half against Waterford and like they did against Tipperary. Then Dublin would need nearly a full deck to compete with them.

LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 268 - 11/06/2026 15:58:39    2679015

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Replying To LimerickandProud:  "Darragh Fitz would be some replacement for Tommy O'Connell though. Looking back to Sunday, I think Darragh Fitz would have made a massive difference for Cork if he had been fit to play.

I think Cork will just have too much class for Offaly and I honestly believe loosing the Munster Final will only motivate them more going forward.

I think the outcome of Clare and Dublin could be dependent on how many of Dublin's injured players are fit to feature and also depends on what Clare team turn up. If Clare perform like they did against Limerick and Cork (especially in the backs), Dublin would have the beating of them. If they play like they did in the first half against Waterford and like they did against Tipperary. Then Dublin would need nearly a full deck to compete with them."
" If they [Clare] play like they did in the first half against Waterford and like they did against Tipperary. Then Dublin would need nearly a full deck to compete with them."
Waterford and Tipp lost every game they played in Munster this year, except for he game when they played each other.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2914 - 11/06/2026 17:09:43    2679026

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "" If they [Clare
play like they did in the first half against Waterford and like they did against Tipperary. Then Dublin would need nearly a full deck to compete with them."
Waterford and Tipp lost every game they played in Munster this year, except for he game when they played each other."]Waterford caused a lot of teams (Limerick and Cork included) trouble for long periods of matches this year, They are not that far away from taking a scalp and qualifying. I think they Look to have more about them than say Kilkenny at the minute.

Clare did damage in the first half against Waterford and but nearly got caught in the second half when they took their foot off the gas. That was my point.

Also when Clare had to up the intensity in a one off winner takes all game against the all Ireland champions they blew Tipperary out of it.

My point is Clare have been inconsistent but are well capable of causing an upset. Clare have had four weeks off to prepare for their next game, to rest and clear up injuries and are capable of taking out Dublin (and possibly Limerick after that). I think Dublin will need nearly a full deck to pick from, to trouble Clare in Thurles if they come in the right mood

LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 268 - 12/06/2026 12:29:03    2679119

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How are the Clare and Dublin hurling supporters feeling about the big clash in Thurles? Is there a kick left in Dublin? I fancy Clare based on what I've seen to date and their familiarity with Semple stadium, but just wondering if the Dubs are feeling confident?

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 597 - 18/06/2026 15:06:54    2680460

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "How are the Clare and Dublin hurling supporters feeling about the big clash in Thurles? Is there a kick left in Dublin? I fancy Clare based on what I've seen to date and their familiarity with Semple stadium, but just wondering if the Dubs are feeling confident?"
It's basically a free hit for Dublin. There's no real expectation on them.

They're physical, fit and organized. If they can produce a good performance I think they've a great chance.

Last hurrah for some of the older Clare lads who've done it all. That makes them dangerous.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4581 - 18/06/2026 15:27:29    2680467

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "How are the Clare and Dublin hurling supporters feeling about the big clash in Thurles? Is there a kick left in Dublin? I fancy Clare based on what I've seen to date and their familiarity with Semple stadium, but just wondering if the Dubs are feeling confident?"
The air went flying out of the Dublin balloon after Galway humiliated them in the Leinster Final.....can only see comfortable win for Clare

katser (Galway) - Posts: 2881 - 18/06/2026 17:07:32    2680495

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "How are the Clare and Dublin hurling supporters feeling about the big clash in Thurles? Is there a kick left in Dublin? I fancy Clare based on what I've seen to date and their familiarity with Semple stadium, but just wondering if the Dubs are feeling confident?"
I agree that I fancy Clare to do it especially in Thurles. I think Clare came into the Munster championship undercooked. The learnings from Munster campaign and the four week break means they should be primed.

While I feel like Dublin have improved massively throughout the Leinster Championship but I have to say was very disappointed with the final. Galway put on a tactical master class and Dublin had no Plan B.

If Dublin can regroup after the Leinster final defeat and beat Clare, it would be a statement victory in my opinion and it would prove that Dublin are more than capable of the odd scalp but would rightly take their place at Hurling's top table.

In the other match I can't see beyond Cork. Offaly are a coming team certainly, but are nowhere near the Level Cork have consistently showed they can play at for last few years

LimerickandProud (Limerick) - Posts: 268 - 19/06/2026 10:41:23    2680558

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Replying To katser:  "The air went flying out of the Dublin balloon after Galway humiliated them in the Leinster Final.....can only see comfortable win for Clare"
Dublin have lost 1 game out 6 this season in Leinster. Every team can have an off day. Luckily for Dublin they have another chance. Clare were well beaten (humiliated?) by both Cork (16 pts) and Limerick (15 pts) in Munster this season.
I don't know who will win, but I'll be rooting for Dublin, as I would be for any Leinster team against a Munster one. But you wouldn't understand that.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2914 - 19/06/2026 16:12:20    2680620

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Another very disappointing match this championship.i know Dublin created goal chances but I never felt they were in with a chance of winning..
A lot will probably be made of number of frees given again but almost everything that was blown was a free..the tackle with the spare arm is a huge problem and just maybe it will bring about change on how teams are making challenges..
A really horrible challange on Dave reidy and I really hope he makes a full and speedy recovery..huge credit to hedgeo for spotting straight away that it was serious..

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2697 - 20/06/2026 23:59:56    2680790

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