Club Championships

Sheldons Brain

To be clear, I have no problem at all with a neutral venue provided it doesn't drag two neighbouring teams to the other side of the province

Why were you talking about the Ulster final then, it is not as if it was in Breffni Park?

feargale

Sheldons Brain wrote: »

Why were you talking about the Ulster final then, it is not as if it was in Breffni Park?

It took a Derry team across Tyrone to Armagh. There has to be a suitable venue nearer to both teams.

washman3

homeofhurling wrote: »

are ye trying to say cratloe are limerickmen .....lol.....

Well they were all born in Limerick, so...............;)

Mountainlad

feargale wrote: »

Were the supporters asked, or the NI equivalent of the Road Safety Authority? Are Mayo asked if they want to play the all-Ireland final against Dublin in Croke Park?




Indeed. We are all going to die sometime. I'd prefer tomorrow to today.

Your point re road accidents is banal. Have their been road accidents on the day of provincial club finals? Possibly, who knows.

Where these caused by the Ulster Council? Not in the slightest.


Indeed. Sure imagine if Tipp and Cork played, oh I dunno, an all-ireland semi final in Croker and they dragged 65,000/70,000 people all the way up there when they could have had it in Thurles....oh wait.

Does nobody in the GAA think about the potential for road accidents? :eek:

feargale

Mountainlad wrote: »

Your point re road accidents is banal. Have their been road accidents on the day of provincial club finals? Possibly, who knows.

You should know. I told you of one.

Mountainlad wrote: »

Where these caused by the Ulster Council? Not in the slightest.

Do you mean are the Ulster Council open to prosecution? Must I answer that?

Mountainlad wrote: »

Indeed. Sure imagine if Tipp and Cork played, oh I dunno, an all-ireland semi final in Croker and they dragged 65,000/70,000 people
all the way up there when they could have had it in Thurles....oh wait.

Reductio ad absurdum.

Mountainlad wrote: »

Does nobody in the GAA think about the potential for road accidents? :eek:

You tell me. Do you? Does anyone here? My whole point is that the GAA should do its utmost to reduce travel distances, especially in winter. I'll leave it at that.

feargale

washman3 wrote: »

Well they were all born in Limerick, so...............;)

For God's sake don't tell that to the Waterford people or Kilkenny hurling will be bled dry. We couldn't have that!

Mountainlad

feargale wrote: »

You should know. I told you of one.



Do you mean are the Ulster Council open to prosecution? Must I answer that?



Reductio ad absurdum.



You tell me. Do you? Does anyone here? My whole point is that the GAA should do its utmost to reduce travel distances, especially in winter. I'll leave it at that.

I suppose it should be there remit to create diversions from accident black spots as well on match day?

keane2097

Bizarre stuff tbh.

homeofhurling

anyway big game sunday Ballyhale again offalys kilcormac- killoughey this is 50/50 and could go either way

Rightwing

homeofhurling wrote: »

anyway big game sunday Ballyhale again offalys kilcormac- killoughey this is 50/50 and could go either way

It's been a while since I studied statistics, but seeing as Ballyhale are 1/4, I'm not all that sure it's 50/50.

Mountainlad

homeofhurling wrote: »

anyway big game sunday Ballyhale again offalys kilcormac- killoughey this is 50/50 and could go either way

It's really not 50/50, are you from Offaly? You've a big thing for Rhode as well (a decent team to be fair).

Kilcormac are tough, but they haven't half the class of Ballyhale.

homeofhurling

no not from offaly, but this time of year anything can happen, no they don't have the class of Ballyhale, but where have Ballyhale been the last 3 years
its not like the winners of the kilkenny championship have won leinster the last 3 years, as kilcormac-killoughey won it 2012 and were in the semil last year and back in the final this year, so i'd give them a chance, yes Ballyhale should win it but they won't run away with it as most on here think.

as for Rhode they also are knocking around a while and are a class side mountainlad and have won there games handy enough, lets for forget this is club not county, yes offaly wouldn't live with Dublin footballers or same in the hurling with kilkenny. but an offaly team as underdogs is an dangerous team.

Mountainlad

homeofhurling wrote: »

no not from offaly, but this time of year anything can happen, no they don't have the class of Ballyhale, but where have Ballyhale been the last 3 years
its not like the winners of the kilkenny championship have won leinster the last 3 years, as kilcormac-killoughey won it 2012 and were in the semil last year and back in the final this year, so i'd give them a chance, yes Ballyhale should win it but they won't run away with it as most on here think.

as for Rhode they also are knocking around a while and are a class side mountainlad and have won there games handy enough, lets for forget this is club not county, yes offaly wouldn't live with Dublin footballers or same in the hurling with kilkenny. but an offaly team as underdogs is an dangerous team.

Rhode are a good side, and maybe they'll do it but Vincents won an all-ireland to be fair they on class you would say they are one of the strongest teams Leinster have produce in quite some time.

Kilcormac have benefited from some poor opposition in the last couple of years. A tough team, at this time of year no doubt but again Ballyhale a class above what they've faced in the last few years. 1/4 isn't a great price, but I'll be very surprised if they lose.

Well aware of the difference between club and county but I'd say the Offaly teams are unlucky to be meeting such strong teams. The champions in that County have represented their county well these last few years (and Birr were incredible going back a good bit further).

homeofhurling

the strongest team ever was Birr, for all Ballyhale titles they couldn't put all ireland club titles back to back like Birr, Coolderry and Kilcormac both beat oulart the ballagh in leinster final in 2011,2012, and oulart both years beat the kilkenny champions so i'd say offaly are as good as kilkenny in club in leinster since 1971 they were the first winners in 1971 don't forget. kilkenny would have the most titles but offaly would be second and very near kilkenny in leinster wins.

Mountainlad

homeofhurling wrote: »

the strongest team ever was Birr, for all Ballyhale titles they couldn't put all ireland club titles back to back like Birr, Coolderry and Kilcormac both beat oulart the ballagh in leinster final in 2011,2012, and oulart both years beat the kilkenny champions so i'd say offaly are as good as kilkenny in club in leinster since 1971 they were the first winners in 1971 don't forget. kilkenny would have the most titles but offaly would be second and very near kilkenny in leinster wins.

Grand but I do believe Ballyhale will win Sunday, will be shocked if they don't in fact.

homeofhurling

should do.

dastardly00

So the provincial championships in hurling and football are all but finished, here are the winners so far:

HURLING

Connacht
Senior: Gort (Galway) v Portumna (Galway) - Final, December 14th
Intermediate: Cappataggle (Galway)
Junior: Annaghdown (Galway)

Leinster
Senior: Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Kilcormac Killoughey (Offaly) - Final, December 7th
Intermediate: Mullinavat (Kilkenny)
Junior: Shamrocks (Offaly) v Bennettsbridge (Kilkenny) - Final, December 6

Munster
Senior: Kilmallock (Limerick)
Intermediate: Cappoquin (Waterford)
Junior: Castlemartyr (Cork) v Modeligo (Waterford) - Final, December 7

Ulster
Senior: Portaferry (Down)
Intermediate: O'Donovan Rossa (Antrim)
Junior: Castleblayney Faughs (Monaghan)

***************************
FOOTBALL

Connacht
Senior: Corofin (Galway)
Intermediate: St Croan's (Roscommon)
Junior: Aran Islands (Galway)

Leinster
Senior: Rhode (Offaly) v St. Vincents (Dublin) - Final, December 14
Intermediate: Seán O'Mahonys (Louth)
Junior: Moate All Whites (Westmeath) v Straffan (Kildare) - Final, December 7

Munster
Senior: Austin Stacks (Kerry)
Intermediate: Ardfert (Kerry)
Junior: Brosna (Kerry) v Glin (Limerick) - Final, December 7

Ulster
Senior: Slaughtneil (Derry)
Intermediate: Warrenpoint (Down)
Junior: Rock St Patrick's (Tyrone)

dastardly00

Exciting stuff in the Leinster final.

Currently Ballyhale are winning by 3 points at half-time in extra time.

citykat

dastardly00 wrote: »

Exciting stuff in the Leinster final.

Currently Ballyhale are winning by 3 points at half-time in extra time.

Free taking (missing) is killing KK!

Mountainlad

citykat wrote: »

Free taking (missing) is killing KK!

Cost them in normal time.

Physical game but wouldn't be overly impressed with Ballyhale on the basis of today. Performance from the usual suspects but a lot of messing with the ball and making it hard for themselves. Not convinced by the backs either. TJ Reid has been immense in particular.

I suppose it'll be a different game in March, that rain just before half time had a detrimental impact on the game.

Realt Dearg Sec

Mountainlad wrote: »

Cost them in normal time.

Physical game but wouldn't be overly impressed with Ballyhale on the basis of today. Performance from the usual suspects but a lot of messing with the ball and making it hard for themselves. Not convinced by the backs either. TJ Reid has been immense in particular.

I suppose it'll be a different game in March, that rain just before half time had a detrimental impact on the game.

Totally ruined it yeah. Poor game as a result, very agricultural. Even aside from that ballyhale didn't look at all as slick and finished as in the county final. Thought shefflin was playing done lovely hurling mind you. Tough one for kk to lose.

dastardly00

Very tough to play on such soft ground. Good skill despite the conditions.
TJ was a class above the rest in my opinion. Henry displayed a few glimpses of his genius. Cha Fitzpatrick would still make the Kilkenny team if he was playing inter-county. Kilcormac played very well and they probably should have won it in normal time as they dominated the last 10 minutes.

Mountainlad

Shefflin is class when he has space, possibly the most skilful.of all time. But he only got space when Kilcormac tired, don't think he can fashion it for himself anymore.

Kerrydude1981

Brosna are Munster Junior Club champions,beat Glin of Limerick today 15pts to 2-6

A clean sweep for Kerry in Munster

Utopia Parkway

Ballyhale got away with it today bigtime. KK had more than enough chances to win it during the 2nd half of normal time. Some awful wides especially from frees.

dastardly00

Mountainlad wrote: »

Shefflin is class when he has space, possibly the most skilful.of all time. But he only got space when Kilcormac tired, don't think he can fashion it for himself anymore.

Yeah I agree Mountainlad. He got swallowed up a good few times fairly easily earlier in the game. He either lost possession or was forced into a risky pass.

Rightwing

homeofhurling wrote: »

anyway big game sunday Ballyhale again offalys kilcormac- killoughey this is 50/50 and could go either way

Credit due - hope you went for the draw. Offaly team should have won that.

toxicity234

Well done to Ballyhale Shamrock.
Watching Shefflin play is one of the greatest joy in life. His movement in Extra time was beautiful. His point from the sideline was Sex on legs.
only seen him play Live 50 or 60 times. it not enough. TJ Reid use of the Ball was excellent.

As an Offaly man. Disappointed. Kilcormac Killoughey hurler ok. Fought for everything. Had a good game plan and hurl a good band of Offaly Hurling that was build around hard work. No.5 Kevin Gorgan was excellent. Ger Healion going off for extra time was a huge loss.
Can't miss easy frees and win. Slevin Buied his grandmother yesterday and hurled with a broken finger. he was excellent from play but missed some free he put over in his sleep other days.

Once again well done to Ballyhale Shamorck.

MfMan

toxicity234 wrote: »

Well done to Ballyhale Shamrock.
Watching Shefflin play is one of the greatest joy in life. His movement in Extra time was beautiful. His point from the sideline was Sex on legs.
only seen him play Live 50 or 60 times. it not enough. TJ Reid use of the Ball was excellent.

As an Offaly man. Disappointed. Kilcormac Killoughey hurler ok. Fought for everything. Had a good game plan and hurl a good band of Offaly Hurling that was build around hard work. No.5 Kevin Gorgan was excellent. Ger Healion going off for extra time was a huge loss.
Can't miss easy frees and win. Slevin Buied his grandmother yesterday and hurled with a broken finger. he was excellent from play but missed some free he put over in his sleep other days.

Once again well done to Ballyhale Shamorck.

Wait until you see JC!!!:D Moving Shefflin out helped BH big time, was in Healion's pocket at FF, but to be honest I will be very surprised if he plays for KK next year or if Cody selects him, just doesn't look to have it at top level anymore. 2 Fennelly's not so good for BH, and Colin's striking looks to have regressed again. On the other hand, Reid was excellent and could Joey Holden be the answer for No. 3 for KK? Had Reid been taking the frees for Kilcormac, they would surely have won it. Ballyhale will improve more I feel and still take beating, but it's not automatic that they will win it out, as Portumna (though probably not Gort) or Kilmallock will test them even more. Credit to both sides for a typically top class club game in tough conditions.

washman3

Anyone think Henry will announce his retirement from I.C. hurling this week.?
Think he may have been waiting for this final to be over to avoid any distraction to Ballyhale. Just a thought.

feargale

Well done rank outsiders Kilcormac-Killoughey. To those who had prematurely written off Offaly hurling, it's not dead yet.

Speak Now

washman3 wrote: »

Anyone think Henry will announce his retirement from I.C. hurling this week.?
Think he may have been waiting for this final to be over to avoid any distraction to Ballyhale. Just a thought.

I'd guess it'll be when the club championship is finished.

dastardly00

Only two provincial finals to be decided now.

HURLING

Connacht
Senior: Gort (Galway) v Portumna (Galway) - Final, December 14th
Intermediate: Cappataggle (Galway)
Junior: Annaghdown (Galway)

Leinster
Senior: Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny)
Intermediate: Mullinavat (Kilkenny)
Junior: Bennettsbridge (Kilkenny)

Munster
Senior: Kilmallock (Limerick)
Intermediate: Cappoquin (Waterford)
Junior: Modeligo (Waterford)

Ulster
Senior: Portaferry (Down)
Intermediate: O'Donovan Rossa (Antrim)
Junior: Castleblayney Faughs (Monaghan)

***************************
FOOTBALL

Connacht
Senior: Corofin (Galway)
Intermediate: St Croan's (Roscommon)
Junior: Aran Islands (Galway)

Leinster
Senior: Rhode (Offaly) v St. Vincents (Dublin) - Final, December 14
Intermediate: Seán O'Mahonys (Louth)
Junior: Moate All Whites (Westmeath)

Munster
Senior: Austin Stacks (Kerry)
Intermediate: Ardfert (Kerry)
Junior: Brosna (Kerry)

Ulster
Senior: Slaughtneil (Derry)
Intermediate: Warrenpoint (Down)
Junior: Rock St Patrick's (Tyrone)

Realt Dearg Sec

feargale wrote: »

Well done rank outsiders Kilcormac-Killoughey. To those who had prematurely written off Offaly hurling, it's not dead yet.

I love this kind of "that showed up all you doubters" posts from people who said literally nothing about the match in advance. It would be a little more convincing if you'd actually predicted a close game or made a point about Offaly hurling BEFORE the game. We can all look clever after it.

By the way, kk being good doesn't stop Offaly being terrible right now.

thinkstoomuch1

dastardly00 wrote: »

Only two provincial finals to be decided now.

HURLING

Connacht
Senior: Gort (Galway) v Portumna (Galway) - Final, December 14th
Intermediate: Cappataggle (Galway)
Junior: Annaghdown (Galway)

Leinster
Senior: Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny)
Intermediate: Mullinavat (Kilkenny)
Junior: Bennettsbridge (Kilkenny)

Munster
Senior: Kilmallock (Limerick)
Intermediate: Cappoquin (Waterford)
Junior: Modeligo (Waterford)

Ulster
Senior: Portaferry (Down)
Intermediate: O'Donovan Rossa (Antrim)
Junior: Castleblayney Faughs (Monaghan)

***************************
FOOTBALL

Connacht
Senior: Corofin (Galway)
Intermediate: St Croan's (Roscommon)
Junior: Aran Islands (Galway)

Leinster
Senior: Rhode (Offaly) v St. Vincents (Dublin) - Final, December 14
Intermediate: Seán O'Mahonys (Louth)
Junior: Moate All Whites (Westmeath)

Munster
Senior: Austin Stacks (Kerry)
Intermediate: Ardfert (Kerry)
Junior: Brosna (Kerry)

Ulster
Senior: Slaughtneil (Derry)
Intermediate: Warrenpoint (Down)
Junior: Rock St Patrick's (Tyrone)

What gort like??
Who will win gort v portumna please?

dastardly00

thinkstoomuch1 wrote: »

What gort like??
Who will win gort v portumna please?

Hard one to call thinkstoomuch1. Portumna haven't played for ages due to the debacle here in Galway, so they could be quite rusty. And the weather conditions will have a massive impact on the game considering it is the middle of December. In saying that, I'll still fancy Portumna to win if Canning plays well.

feargale

Realt Dearg Sec wrote: »

I love this kind of "that showed up all you doubters" posts from people who said literally nothing about the match in advance. It would be a little more convincing if you'd actually predicted a close game or made a point about Offaly hurling BEFORE the game. We can all look clever after it.
By the way, kk being good doesn't stop Offaly being terrible right now.

I wasn't aware that this thread was confined to making predictions, or to schoolboy attempts at looking cleverer than the other guy, though God knows there's more than enough of that on GAA threads.
I'm not an Offalyman, but Offaly are the only county I have ever seen win their first ever All-Ireland Senior Hurling title, at a time when, I suspect, your posterior wasn't the size of a shirt button. It was one of the highlights of a life spent following hurling and I'm only sorry I didn't see it happen to other counties. It would have been the best thing that could happen to hurling.
I haven't read the pre-match comments on this thread and I have no idea what you posted, but I suspect that my post, harmless as it was, has hurt your feelings in a big way. Maybe you made predictions about the game or decried thè current state of Offaly hurling. I don't know nor do I care what you posted. I have found the current decliñe of Offaly hurling to be sad, though it has to be said that it is still in a healthier state than it was before the rise to glory and is only in decline when measured against the amazing achîevements of the two closing decades of the last century.
The performance of Kilcormac-Killoughey today bucked the recent trend, and the person who begrudges a pat on the back for that lacks a true appreciation of the game of hurllng. For the true aficionado it's not all about rooting for one's own side. You'll probably come to understand that when you grow older.
If you want to see how a mature discussion of sport is conducted in boards can I suggest that you try some of the threads devoted to other sports.
I'll leave you with the suggestion that you google what Brendan Behan said about the begrudgers.

Mountainlad

Offaly club champions have been competitive for a long time now so today didn't buck any trend, even though I was surprised by it myself. Their Senior setup was a joke this year and it their not doing enough in the new competitive era to remain so. They're looking down the barrel of some very gloomy years if there aren't big changes made up there.

Good win for Kilburn Gaels over Mullininavat in the intermediate quarter final at the weekend.

Good to see Waterford sides picking up a couple of Munster titles also.

citykat

MfMan wrote: »

2 Fennelly's not so good for BH,

:eek:

That wasn't what I saw. Thought myself Colin was man of the match. Full of strong running. Had his man in all sorts of trouble every time he got the ball. AFAIR he was still running at the KK defence well into ET. Had two good attempts on goal which were stopped. On his striking, he tends to go for hail mary shots from out the field - look great when they go over.

If Portumna get through in Galway, looking forward to seeing how JC gets on probably against JH - could make or break him next year. In fairness Ballyhale were given a stern test by KK who might feel they threw it away on missed frees alone but as you said credit to both on a very enjoyable game on the day/pitch that was in it.

citykat

Mountainlad wrote: »

But he only got space when Kilcormac tired, don't think he can fashion it for himself anymore.

Not bad for an old geezer like him to finish top scorer from play and see out the full 80+ mins all the same.

Realt Dearg Sec

feargale wrote: »

I wasn't aware that this thread was confined to making predictions, or to schoolboy attempts at looking cleverer than the other guy, though God knows there's more than enough of that on GAA threads.
I'm not an Offalyman, but Offaly are the only county I have ever seen win their first ever All-Ireland Senior Hurling title, at a time when, I suspect, your posterior wasn't the size of a shirt button. It was one of the highlights of a life spent following hurling and I'm only sorry I didn't see it happen to other counties. It would have been the best thing that could happen to hurling.
I haven't read the pre-match comments on this thread and I have no idea what you posted, but I suspect that my post, harmless as it was, has hurt your feelings in a big way. Maybe you made predictions about the game or decried thè current state of Offaly hurling. I don't know nor do I care what you posted. I have found the current decliñe of Offaly hurling to be sad, though it has to be said that it is still in a healthier state than it was before the rise to glory and is only in decline when measured against the amazing achîevements of the two closing decades of the last century.
The performance of Kilcormac-Killoughey today bucked the recent trend, and the person who begrudges a pat on the back for that lacks a true appreciation of the game of hurllng. For the true aficionado it's not all about rooting for one's own side. You'll probably come to understand that when you grow older.
If you want to see how a mature discussion of sport is conducted in boards can I suggest that you try some of the threads devoted to other sports.
I'll leave you with the suggestion that you google what Brendan Behan said about the begrudgers.

Sorry, I couldn't hear you over the condescension.

Mountainlad

citykat wrote: »

Not bad for an old geezer like him to finish top scorer from play and see out the full 80+ mins all the same.

As I said class when he gets space, but he wasn't doing enough in normal time. Ger Healion destroyed him at the start and to be honest Colin Fennelly was far more effective at center forward at that stage of the game, albeit notorious for taking the wrong option.

He still has plenty to contribute at thus level as obviously he got those 4points in the end, but I'm talking from a broader context. And he may find it tougher again next day out. Do you reckon he's still good enough to play inter county yourself?

citykat

Mountainlad wrote: »

Do you reckon he's still good enough to play inter county yourself?

Good enough - yes no doubt. Quick enough - that's another story.

Mountainlad

citykat wrote: »

Good enough - yes no doubt. Quick enough - that's another story.

He'll never not be good enough. But his body isn't able.

MfMan

citykat wrote: »

:eek:

That wasn't what I saw. Thought myself Colin was man of the match. Full of strong running. Had his man in all sorts of trouble every time he got the ball. AFAIR he was still running at the KK defence well into ET. Had two good attempts on goal which were stopped. On his striking, he tends to go for hail mary shots from out the field - look great when they go over.

If Portumna get through in Galway, looking forward to seeing how JC gets on probably against JH - could make or break him next year. In fairness Ballyhale were given a stern test by KK who might feel they threw it away on missed frees alone but as you said credit to both on a very enjoyable game on the day/pitch that was in it.

Doubt they'll match up if it comes to pass. JC largely plays towards midfield for Portumna these days, as does Ollie in the HF line. Be interesting to see if they'll draw the latter back to bolster the defence if they meet in Feb.

homerjay2005

feargale wrote: »

Well done rank outsiders Kilcormac-Killoughey. To those who had prematurely written off Offaly hurling, it's not dead yet.

Club championships dont prove alot, every year,club winners from the some of the so call weaker counties more than put it up to the winners from the big sides and often beat them also. weve had westmeath, Antrim (all ireland winners) and Clare clubs win their provence in recent years, yet they did absolutely nothing at inter country level in any of those 3 counties.

Cratloe from Clare, should have beaten Dr Crokes last year for example, the Nire had stacks beaten last week if they held their nerve - multiple other examples also, look at the bating that Corofin gave the mayo last 2 sundays ago and so on and so one.

Offaly hurling is at its lowest web in 30 years, nobody said its dead, but plenty of people have said its awful and thats an accurate statement based on senior intercounty results over the past 5 years.

playing GAA at this time of the year is a great leveller in most cases also - wetter/slower pitches, longer grass, wind, rain, cold - all makes a huge difference and helps the weaker teams by a few points in alot of games - the intercounty lads from the big counties would have had longer years also than the inter county players from the weaker counties and again, it all adds up.

keane2097

HJ is spot on.

All these games tend to show is that bad weather brings better teams down to the level of worse teams, which is hardly something any of us are surprised about unless we're trying to have a dig at someone.

feargale

toxicity234 wrote: »

Can't miss easy frees and win. Slevin Buied his grandmother yesterday and hurled with a broken finger. he was excellent from play but missed some free he put over in his sleep other days.

That explains alot, and he did indeed do well from play but it's difficult to understand why he wasn't relieved of free-taking duties during the game,

feargale

@ keane & homerjay, fair comment and very valid points especially by homerjay. I would just say that Kilcormac exceeded expectations yesterday and that can do Offaly no harm. Homerjay rightly says that Offaly hurling is at its lowest ebb in 30 years, but believe it or not it has been lower. Between 1929 and 1969 Offaly failed to reach a Leinster final, and to my knowledge won nothing then, not even a Leinster junior, bar a Division Two final against Kerry in 1966. If you check the records from 1930 to 1960 I think you will find about two Offaly hurlers featuring in a Railway Cup final. A combination of events in the sixties created a springboard: the coming of a committed hurling man to the Birr school, the rise of St. Rynaghs and Paddy Molloy who was then one of the country's best hurlers.
I would say that for a county with a handful of clubs, one of them doing well is more significant for the county than it would be for Kilkenny, Cork or Tipp.
A county as small as Offaly was never going to maintain the stunning successes of 1980-1997. That county may produce a good crop once every 30 years or so, and then needs additional factors favouring it, including luck. Next time Offaly will have some tradition to sustain it, unlike the last time.
Of course, as you suggest, the competitive nature of hurling has changed. I'm not sure where that is going to lead us.

Realt Dearg Sec wrote: »

Sorry, I couldn't hear you over the condescension.

Realt Dearg Sec wrote: »

What, out of interest, do you do on the weekend? I really hope it's something that justifies that level of condescension.

You seem to be no stranger to condescension. I wonder why.