Most importantly hopefully we continue to contain Covid. And hopefully our club and county championships progress.

I'm a bit biased here but I'll rate the counties I feel are best suited to late October, to December hurling. Now I'm going on the premise of wetter weather, heavier grounds, as would be more usual. (Of course it could be lovely crisp dry weather).

I feel Cork may be in difficulty. They are supremely skilled but a little light in areas. If it's wet autumn weather it may negate their speed and skills.

Clare would seem to be in a similar position to Cork. Conlan, Duggan, McInerney etc are all strong men but hard to see Shane O'Donnell, Tony Kelly, the Galvins being as influential.

Waterford appear to have gone back a lot since 2017. Yet their U21 team of 2016 was perhaps the finest I've seen at that age group. The talent is there. A dark horse?

Limerick and Galway, and to a lesser extent Kilkenny are more suited to winter hurling. The former 2 especially.

Tipperary.. A few points. The team to beat. But can they do back to backs for the first time in over 50 years? Again, a team with serious skill, will that be blunted by weather. The likes of Paudie and Ronan Maher will play well in any weather.

Wexford are another team this format could suit. A hard working, solid team approaching their peak.

Dublin, fine hurlers too. They'll take anyone on their day, like Galway last year. Unlikely they'll take 2 or 3 scalps though. Would love to see Con O'Callaghan play. Though highly unlikely.

Laois. Great progress last year but a large number didn't commit this year. That will result in them going backwards. They need all their players.

CC2020 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 173 - 23/07/2020 20:41:40    2285061

I have a feeling Laois will beat Dublin again. I wasn't impressed with Dublin during the league they looked sluggish in most of their games and got beating badly by Kilkenny and Clare. The break may have come at a good time for Mattie Kenny so he could work on certain areas and maybe bring some new ideas in training.

The Wexford and Galway game is gonna be some battle, Wexford were motoring throughout the league and were carrying on their performances from last year will the break have done them more harm then good is another question.

Galway's league campaign was a mixed bag they had some poor defeats to Limerick and Waterford but had some good wins against Cork and Tipp. The last 15 mins Tipp could not cope with them and dominated all areas of the field.

They were coming into some good form and shame the pandemic happend when it did but like I said very delicately balanced and really looking forward to it. Limerick and Clare is another game I am looking forward to. People saying Limerick will win this i'm not so sure.

Clare were the team I was most impressed with during the league their Brian Lohan has brought something new and the Clare players are certainly buying into his methods. Moving David Mcinerney to midfield has benefited them along with Conor Cleary at full back, everyone has Limerick as favourites for Munster and the all-ireland so Clare will be going into this match with nothing to lose.

If I was Tipperary I would be delighted also they won the all-ireland last yr and the pundits still think Limerick will win Munster and the all-ireland, they will really want to win back to back titles and no better man then Sheedy to motivate them to do it. If they win their semi final in Munster their only two games away from an all-ireland final and that's the message that Sheedy will be hammering into them.

Cork and Waterford another interesting game. Waterford Like Clare looked really impressive in the league. Liam Cahill seems to have brought the swashbucklimg style back to Waterford they are playing with a lot more freedom. Cork are Cork they never seem to take the league seriously but come championship they are a different animal and will be more then ready for Waterford so i'm expecting a great game.

It's fair to say Kilkenny will be delighted with the draw they got Cody will be able to sit back and watch who his opponents will be Laois or Dublin. I expect Kilkenny to win their semi final and be in another Leinster final like Tipp they will be only two games away from another all-ireland final which is exactly what Brian Cody will want you can never write them off add DJ Carey who is gonna be bring new ideas and a different perspective to what Cody might not be used to Kilkenny will be there or there abouts again.

If all going well the number of cases for the pandemic staying down and we can get more crowds for games come winter we should have a great championship in store and i'm certainly looking forward to it.

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 414 - 24/07/2020 11:55:32    2285107

Yeah I dont see Tipperary in the All Ireland Final. They are a very good side but their best players are another year down the track and they got well beaten in the Munster final of 2019.
Cork would be my dark horse this year. They've got a good draw and they've got good players. Its weather they perform against dogged opposition or capitulate like like last year . Pat Horgan is nearing the end line and if Cork don't win it this year when will they.
Waterford..Im expecting big things from them and much better performances. There's no question about their talent ...there are plenty about their backs.. Cahill has done a good job so far.
Clare could be good. Kelly,O Donnell ,Galvin...on song are unplayable. The small squad will come against them but would anyone be surprised if they went to the semis via the back door..
Limerick would be my joint favourites. Size and power and the best game plan out there . Tactically astute. These guys love doing a job..Still could do with another forward and Gillane misses alot. I dont know a team that can go toe to toe with them when they are on top form.
Kilkenny have to have a good chance. Speed wise they are miles slower than the likes if Cork but Cody always hasaplan for that. Still they are lacking in a few areas and the likes of Richie Hogan and Walter have gone to the well once too often ...
Wexford..I like watching them but they struggle for scores and thei game plan is too complicated. Individually good but man for man would you pick any of their backs over Limericks back 6. I wouldnt.
Galway are my favourites for leinster. As flakey as ever they have oodles of talent but never really put teams away and are always liable to give away stupid goals. They never have a top class keeper. Also abit too predictable up front...

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts: 1710 - 24/07/2020 16:56:41    2285156

At the moment my 4 teams to make the semi finals are Tipperary, Clare, Limerick and Galway.

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 414 - 02/08/2020 12:42:44    2286108

"It's fair to say Kilkenny will be delighted with the draw they got Cody will be able to sit back and watch who his opponents will be Laois or Dublin"

Delighted? Sit back? Cody??? At the end of the day Kilkenny will play in the Leinster Semi-Finals, the same as Galway, Wexford and one other.

"I expect Kilkenny to win their semi final and be in another Leinster final like Tipp they will be only two games away from another all-ireland final..."

Any team who appears in the Leinster or Munster final will be only two games away from an AI Final; if they win their provincial final, they are one game away from the AI final.

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 356 - 24/07/2020 11:55:32 2285107

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2466 - 02/08/2020 19:44:20    2286150

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 414 - 03/08/2020 20:45:32    2286251

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2466 - 03/08/2020 21:45:23    2286255

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 414 - 04/08/2020 12:51:58    2286319

while ye are arguing away there i'm going to go with limerick..( surprise surprise )) dont think wet conditions will hinder them as they are a big powerful team.

munsterchamps (Limerick) - Posts: 1097 - 04/08/2020 13:20:15    2286330

Impossible to call. It will be like league hurling except probably on better pitches.
I think there is definitely no guarantee anything will go ahead. Sadly.

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1732 - 04/08/2020 15:18:19    2286349

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 414 - 04/08/2020 16:36:54    2286353

How is 500 people surrounding a GAA pitch too risky, you'd barely even notice 500 people at a GAA match.

gilly1910 (Galway) - Posts: 170 - 04/08/2020 17:44:20    2286359

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2466 - 04/08/2020 17:47:42    2286360

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2042 - 04/08/2020 18:45:19    2286370

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 414 - 04/08/2020 19:24:04    2286374

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2466 - 04/08/2020 21:43:53    2286389

Maroonforever (Galway) - Posts: 414 - 05/08/2020 15:25:28    2286465

I think once the government allows sport to continue intercounty championship will go ahead, behind closed doors or few hundred in attendance far from ideal but a small price to pay in the general scheme.

bostonredsox (Wexford) - Posts: 4368 - 06/08/2020 01:29:22    2286542

Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1236 - 06/08/2020 09:51:52    2286558

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2042 - 06/08/2020 10:40:16    2286570