Clare GAA Discussion - 2024 All Ireland Hurling Champions

I think his foot is in the astro. I assume that this is the margin of the small square. What happened after that is fair enough in terms of rules. The frame shown does not have the ball in the small square and he is marginally ahead of the ball. I'd say the ref got it right but it's not 100% certain.

What's the standard in the football like guys? It's been a long time since I was at a game. I did try and follow whomever won the County afterwards in the Munster Club. Had some enjoyable days. In general id prefer the rugby and I really think Gaelic Football needs a tackle..Thats all an aside. Eire Og again or can Cratloe upset the Applecart?

Have seen only about 25% of the games but I'd guess the standard is on a par with the other div 2 level counties. All the teams that qualified from the group stages are in peak physical shape and well conditioned. They are all more or less replicating a game plan implemented by county teams ie. Defending in big numbers and careful in possession when countering, working the ball through the hands and probing for openings or frees, not great spectacles but that's the way all field sports are gone because all teams are coached within an inch of their lives now, soccer, rugby and hurling are the same mostly poor spectacles apart from the odd game.

Dermot Coughlan, the Cahills from Corofin, Joe McGann, Brendy Rouine, Gary Brennan, Enda Ralph, Cormac Murray are some of the stand out performers I have seen outside of Eire Og. Eire Og have county men in every line if they keep it steady I think they will win the championship at a canter.

I think we are producing more top quality players in the county now than we ever produced but that probably relates to more time given over to training and coaching and young lads more into personal fitness in the present day.

Don't think possible to implement Kerry structure in Clare football as it dual county. Amalgamations like Western Gaels and Kilballyowen didn't work out as lads were playing two 2 games in a weekend.

Average standard of club players has to be raised to have a better senior team. That starts at 14 years of age. I can't say I know what is happening at underage football but today's seniors aren't going to improve much more than they are, but the underage is the only way.

I might be wrong but anecdotally I hear that West Clare kids are playing multiple sports now to the possible detriment of football, a big amount playing hurling and on county hurling development squads and a lot in academy rugby squads as well. This was unheard of 20 years ago but parents are ferrying kids big distances now for sport. I'm not saying that this as a negative, its brilliant to give kids opportunities but Football is not the be all and end all it was in West Clare in the past.

What rugby academies? There isnt one A.I.L club in Clare. Are parents ferrying the kids into Limerick? That's some commitment.

Senior weekend fixtures

Saturday

Sixmilebridge v Clonlara

Senior Hurling Championship Gp 1 Rd 5

Shannon 2:30 PM

Feakle v Whitegate

Senior Hurling Championship Gp 1 Rd 5

Tulla 5:00 PM

Sunday

Áth Leathan v Clarecastle

Senior Hurling Championship Gp 2 Rd 5

Cusack Park 3:00 PM

Cratloe v O'Callaghans Mills

Senior Hurling Championship Gp 2 Rd 5

Sixmilebridge 5:30 PM

It may not fill the place but this a really nice thing to see happening

Clonbony Hurling v Kilkee/Bealaha

Junior C Hurling Champ Semi Final

Cusack Park 5:00 PM Sunday

Is there much / anything at stake this weekend? In the senior hurling

Clares only Football All-Star is Seamus Clancy

I always thought Loughnane won our First All-Star

Or did you mean Roche won our First Football nomination? that man deserved an All Star

So the hurling quarterfinal draw was made

Eire Og v Inagh Kilnamona

Cratloe v Newmarket

Sixmilebridge v Wolfe Tones

Ballyea v Clooney Quin

my predictions,

Eire Og by 2 to 4 points

Cratloe by 4

Bridge by 8 to 11 points

Ballyea by 3

totally agree with that assessment WSH

Wolfe Tones traditionally give Sixmilebridge tough games. Its kind of a Derby game and there wouldnt be a fear factor there.Id give them an outside chance here . Sixmilebridge have very little coming through underage which is so unusual. The players just aren't there by all accounts. That Wolfe Tones underage is just about getting its act together after a horrible 20 years is a good sign but how they let it slip needs a book to be written with fine facilities and a big population. Dont give me the 'urban ' excuses when Na Piarsaigh in the road can churn out team after team whilst surrounded by AIL rugby clubs and junior soccer ..

Ballyea I haven't seen this year but even though they are county champions (fine champions) they are limited. Some of their players have glaring deficiencies which good teams will expose . Hard to know if Clare has those good teams at the moment. The likes of Na Piarsaigh or Ballygunnar would thump Ballyea.

Eire Og are the great 'sleeping giants' (in their own estimations) who fail every year. They ll find a way to lose again even though they have some excellent players in all lines. Inagh really do need this win aswell. I couldn't call it.

Cratloe should win. They are talented and play great stuff. Newmarket are out performing themselves. Cratloe to win but then struggle because of the dual commitments.