National Hurling League 2020

Lundstram

smelly sock wrote: »

John Kennan ref having a nightmare in Ennis.

Weather isnt great but the standard of reffing is a worry.

Giving Clare everything. The booking on Willie Dunphy was laughable.

Chalk McHugh

You wouldn't put a dog out in this weather. While most county teams be finished hurling by early August. Hurling is not a game to be played in the wind, muck and rain. Should have cancelled all games this weekend last Friday.

smelly sock

Lundstram wrote: »

Giving Clare everything. The booking on Willie Dunphy was laughable.

Yeh two clear frees to Laois when the clare man has swipped across playing the hurley. I actually was worried he was going to send Dunphy off.

Tony Kelly is some hurler though. Best in the country for me at present.

smelly sock

Laois with the gale could ask serious questions here hopefully.

Chalk McHugh

Weather aside, be great to see Laois or Westmeath pull off a shock win.

PTH2009

You think the CCCC would have made up new fixtures instead of waiting to have there meeting next week

Chalk McHugh

Westmeath had Cork to two points before a goalkeeping blunder sees Cork lead by 5. Cant afford these mistakes against the top teams.

Chalk McHugh

Another Wexford win v Kilkenny. Good stuff. Wexford might fancy winning this years league. Limerick and Wexford final i feel.

PTH2009

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Another Wexford win v Kilkenny. Good stuff. Wexford might fancy winning this years league. Limerick and Wexford final i feel.

1B is looking pretty competitive for the stronger teams

Chalk McHugh

PTH2009 wrote: »

1B is looking pretty competitive for the stronger teams

Yes you are correct there. Kilkenny, Clare, Wexford and Dublin all looking for top two positions. Hard to call really. I just feel Wexford and Davy will go all out for the league more than some of the others. Some good games ahead.

caddy16

Lundstram wrote: »

Giving Clare everything. The booking on Willie Dunphy was laughable.

I'm not sure he actually touched him?

PTH2009

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Yes you are correct there. Kilkenny, Clare, Wexford and Dublin all looking for top two positions. Hard to call really. I just feel Wexford and Davy will go all out for the league more than some of the others. Some good games ahead.

Top 3

Chalk McHugh

Thought it was top two in 1A and 1B who get into league semi finals?

PTH2009

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Thought it was top two in 1A and 1B who get into league semi finals?

Top teams in A and B go into the semis finals with 2nd/3rd each group playing off in the QFs

Chalk McHugh

Thats pure nonsense. Thought they were getting rid of that extra quarter final game. No need for that extra weekend. Cheers anyway for clearing that up.

big_drive

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Thats pure nonsense. Thought they were getting rid of that extra quarter final game. No need for that extra weekend. Cheers anyway for clearing that up.

Agreed but it probably makes things more competitive going into final round, otherwise you could have a few dead rubber games

tipp_tipp_tipp

That was some battle down in Wexford!!

conor05

tipp_tipp_tipp wrote: »

That was some battle down in Wexford!!

Pure honest to go hard hurling.

No team wanted to lose that, they are building up a savage rivalry against eachother like the old days.

Cody won’t like Davy getting the win over him, albeit only league hurling.

Chalk McHugh

conor05 wrote: »

Pure honest to go hard hurling.

No team wanted to lose that, they are building up a savage rivalry against eachother like the old days.

Cody won’t like Davy getting the win over him, albeit only league hurling.

He certainly wont like it. When Davy was new on the Wexford scene and beat Kilkenny for the first time i remember Cody having a laugh with Davy post match. Haven't seen many laughs in recent matches as Davy is becoming aittle thorn in Codys shoe at this stage. From near 90-100% success rate v Wexford for years to Wexford gaining the upper hand in quite a few matches Cody knows playing Wexford is no picnic anymore.

Mantis Toboggan

Was impressed with Laois, probably just lacked that bit of know how. Have they anything coming through underage to allow them kick on?

TheMilkyPirate

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

He certainly wont like it. When Davy was new on the Wexford scene and beat Kilkenny for the first time i remember Cody having a laugh with Davy post match. Haven't seen many laughs in recent matches as Davy is becoming aittle thorn in Codys shoe at this stage. From near 90-100% success rate v Wexford for years to Wexford gaining the upper hand in quite a few matches Cody knows playing Wexford is no picnic anymore.

8 league and championship meetings since Davy took over. 4 wins for Wexford 3 for Kilkenny and 1 draw. A great rivalry again after years of terrible hidings for Wexford

Banner2theend

DF in full Kevin Keegan "I'll luv it if we beat them" mode post-Kilkenny win today. All I'll say to the maverick Sixmilebridge clubman is relax man it's only February!

Chalk McHugh

Have to say im not very enthused about Clare's chances of success this year. All this rejigging of the team is hard to fathom. Mclnerney to midfield when he's a class centre back. D Fitzgerald from wing back to centre forward and now today i see Seadna Morey gone from corner or wing back to wing forward. I see very few no faces either. Just rearranging the deck chairs on an already sinking Clare ship. Lohan has a massive job on his hands as i see Clare as by far the weakest team in Munster and todays performance hasn't in anyway altered that view.

conor05

conor05 wrote: »

Pure honest to go hard hurling.

No team wanted to lose that, they are building up a savage rivalry against eachother like the old days.

Cody won’t like Davy getting the win over him, albeit only league hurling.

You get the feeling that Fitzgerald is the only manager out off all the big teams that really wants to win this anyway.

Chalk McHugh

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

You get the feeling that Fitzgerald is the only manager out off all the big teams that really wants to win this anyway.

I think Kiely wants to win it also. Cody wants to win everything.

castletownman

Thought Wexford's fitness got us over the line today, and that Kilkenny looked spent in that regard in the last ten minutes. Wexford are surely the most athletic side in the country at this stage, and you can tell how dependent our game is on the runners when Chin and Dee O'Keeffe altered the game when they came on, even if the former looked rusty in possession.

Backs as a collective played very well, particularly Liam Ryan who is a warrior every day he goes out, but a special mention to Joe O'Connor. He seems to have nailed down the corner back spot- fair play to him after being thrown into the deep-end in the AISF last year and used as a scapegoat by some to highlight our lack of strength in depth.

I know its only February, but after spending most of my life as the bridesmaids to Kilkenny, its always great to get a win over them

Chalk McHugh

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

I think Kiely wants to win it also. Cody wants to win everything.

You’d have to have them as favourites for Leinster now anyway. They’d still lack the talent to trouble Limerick or Tipperary (strangely enough you’d back Kilkenny quicker against either) but they’re clearly better than Kilkenny now and probably better than Galway.

Chalk McHugh

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

You’d have to have them as favourites for Leinster now anyway. They’d still lack the talent to trouble Limerick or Tipperary (strangely enough you’d back Kilkenny quicker against either) but they’re clearly better than Kilkenny now and probably better than Galway.

Would you back them to beat Kilkenny this year? Think its in Nowlan Park? I always fancy the cats at home and this time will be no different. I also wouldn't totally dismiss Dublin's chances of making the top three in Leinster do it's not outlandish to say Wexford may not even get out of Leinster this year. Leinster toss of a coin between Kilkenny, Galway and Wexford. Hard to make any of them a favourite imo.

caddy16

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Have to say im not very enthused about Clare's chances of success this year. All this rejigging of the team is hard to fathom. Mclnerney to midfield when he's a class centre back. D Fitzgerald from wing back to centre forward and now today i see Seadna Morey gone from corner or wing back to wing forward. I see very few no faces either. Just rearranging the deck chairs on an already sinking Clare ship. Lohan has a massive job on his hands as i see Clare as by far the weakest team in Munster and todays performance hasn't in anyway altered that view.

When has McInerney played at centre back that you deem him class in that position?
Fitzgerald plays a lot of his hurling in the forwards and imo is more of a forward than a back.

Banner2theend

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Have to say im not very enthused about Clare's chances of success this year. All this rejigging of the team is hard to fathom. Mclnerney to midfield when he's a class centre back. D Fitzgerald from wing back to centre forward and now today i see Seadna Morey gone from corner or wing back to wing forward. I see very few no faces either. Just rearranging the deck chairs on an already sinking Clare ship. Lohan has a massive job on his hands as i see Clare as by far the weakest team in Munster and todays performance hasn't in anyway altered that view.

The team announced for next week's Kilkenny game should see a familiar Championship look to the team. Going down to Kilkenny will bring the best out of the Clare lads, I'm certain of that. Diarmuid Ryan hasn't played a minute under Brian in this League campaign so expect him to see some action in Nowlan park. Likewise for Colm Galvin who appeared to me to have an issue with his hand when I was saw him warm up at half-time today.

The big improvement that Brian has brought to the table is our much improved workrate with players tracking back and creating havoc for the opposing player on the ball. Really good to see this. I wouldn't lose sleep 're experimentation. We were criticised for not doing this in previous league campaigns. So in fairness I very much applaud the Clare hurling legend for doing just that.

I'm quite satisfied with what I've seen so far in the Lohan era. Bigger tests lie ahead but it's so far so good with 3 wins from 3.

Chalk McHugh

caddy16 wrote: »

When has McInerney played at centre back that you deem him class in that position?
Fitzgerald plays a lot of his hurling in the forwards and imo is more of a forward than a back.

Sorry, full back. And a bloody good one. Too much chopping and changing.

Chalk McHugh

Banner2theend wrote: »

The team announced for next week's Kilkenny game should see a familiar Championship look to the team. Going down to Kilkenny will bring the best out of the Clare lads, I'm certain of that. Diarmuid Ryan hasn't played a minute under Brian in this League campaign so expect him to see some action in Nowlan park. Likewise for Colm Galvin who appeared to me to have an issue with his hand when I was saw him warm up at half-time today.

The big improvement that Brian has brought to the table is our much improved workrate with players tracking back and creating havoc for the opposing player on the ball. Really good to see this. I wouldn't lose sleep 're experimentation. We were criticised for not doing this in previous league campaigns. So in fairness I very much applaud the Clare hurling legend for doing just that.

I'm quite satisfied with what I've seen so far in the Lohan era. Bigger tests lie ahead but it's so far so good with 3 wins from 3.

Fair enough. Some player Lohan. Best full back i've ever seen. Just dont fancy Clare at all this year.

caddy16

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Sorry, full back. And a bloody good one. Too much chopping and changing.

Mc has been poor for a few years now at fullback hence the move.

PTH2009

The whole schedule is ****ed now with the postponements of Limerick vs Waterford and Galway vs Tipp

They will prob move the QFs date to the 14/15 moving the semis to the week after and double header final on the 29th March

BloodyBill

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Have to say im not very enthused about Clare's chances of success this year. All this rejigging of the team is hard to fathom. Mclnerney to midfield when he's a class centre back. D Fitzgerald from wing back to centre forward and now today i see Seadna Morey gone from corner or wing back to wing forward. I see very few no faces either. Just rearranging the deck chairs on an already sinking Clare ship. Lohan has a massive job on his hands as i see Clare as by far the weakest team in Munster and todays performance hasn't in anyway altered that view.

You sound like a wum Chalk. Clare have 6 points from 6. Beat Wexford in Wexford. Clare have plenty of talent and beat both Cork And Waterford in Championship last year.

Chalk McHugh

BloodyBill wrote: »

You sound like a wum Chalk. Clare have 6 points from 6. Beat Wexford in Wexford. Clare have plenty of talent and beat both Cork And Waterford in Championship last year.

I'm no WUM. Just because i have an opinion that you dont happen to agree with. I dont really rate this Clare team. Think their the weakest of the Munster teams and wont get out of Munster this yesr. Do i have a crystal ball? No. Do you? No. I wonder do you call every poster that has a differet opinion of yours a WUM?

Chalk McHugh

PTH2009 wrote: »

The whole schedule is ****ed now with the postponements of Limerick vs Waterford and Galway vs Tipp

They will prob move the QFs date to the 14/15 moving the semis to the week after and double header final on the 29th March

Solution ; have no bloody quarter finals and free up a weekend. So be it if there are some dead rubbers on last round of the league.

Chalk McHugh

BloodyBill wrote: »

You sound like a wum Chalk. Clare have 6 points from 6. Beat Wexford in Wexford. Clare have plenty of talent and beat both Cork And Waterford in Championship last year.

So Clare have beaten Wexford with quite a few of their big players missing and Carlow and Laois in Ennis? And today v Laois they were not impressive. I dont see anything different in their panel depth. And losing one of their best players from last year in Peter Duggan is another big blow.
Tipp, Cork and Limerick far stronger. And Waterford are too imo. But time will tell.

PTH2009

Crunch weekend next weekend in 1B

Dublin vs Wexford (croke park Saturday)
Kilkenny vs Clare
Laois vs Carlow (winner survives in 1B, loser into relegation playoff)

Clare on 6pts
Wexford, Kilkenny, Dublin all on 4pts

Bonniedog

Dublin v Wexford will be interesting given that they seem to be on similar enough level although Wexicans had better championship.

Dublin topped the division last year and beat Tipp in quarter final so value of it is questionable!

Mantis Toboggan

Whistle happy referee in Croker, ruining the game.

Chalk McHugh

Davy acting the maggot again. He was roaring and bawling as early as the 5th minute and Mattie Kenny and himself are letting each other know what they think of each other. Davy just cant help himself.

North Cork Star

Mantis Toboggan wrote: »

Whistle happy referee in Croker, ruining the game.

Johnny Murphy is a brutal ref. He has ruined countless games. Ruining the game and not surprised he's ruining the game.

Lundstram

Awful game thanks to the referee. Resembles a hockey match.

Chalk McHugh

Dublin fighting hard and matching Wexford in the physical stakes. O Donnel a top class full back.

TheMilkyPirate

This is an absolute disgrace. What a farce ref ruining the game here in croker

Davys Fits

The ref is 100% correct and not runing the game. The players who cant keep their hand off each other are ruining the game. If the officials cant show some authority during the league then what hope is there for the championship.

Chalk McHugh

Davys Fits wrote: »

The ref is 100% correct and not runing the game. The players who cant keep their hand off each other are ruining the game.

Agree. Very scrappy affair. Ref just doing his job.

Rasputin11

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Agree. Very scrappy affair. Ref just doing his job.

The players never seem to get the blame, always the refs fault.

TheMilkyPirate

Ah c'mon lads let the game flow a bit blow it up for anything dangerous fair enough