Kilkenny GAA Thread

Just in a follow up to the above, in thirteen finals from '95 to 07 there was a total of thirty goals scored, six of them in the one sided 2003 final- an average of just over two goals per final. In the four Finals Limerick have played in, in recent years,there has been a total of 12 goals were scored and the one in which there was no goal was played in the depth of winter. So it is pure nonsense to suggest that the number of goals scored in Finals has dramatically reduced.

Greasy paw and Alonzo both make great points above. I don't think any genuine hurling follower will try to demean Limericks success, I said it before this is an outstanding team. They would win any way you like to play it, just a super bunch of hurlers. But I agree with Alonzo the game of hurling is fast moving away from what we all recognize, driven by smart coaches and athleticism. I would like to see the handpass throwball, and the steps issues properly tackled. That would be a great start at protecting the skills of the game. The cheating by all players now is chronic and it's starting to turn off a lot of supporters. Hopefully the clamour will continue and the gaa will be forced to act.

I feel the inconsistency in applying the rules is amazing. Look at the situation where Will O'Donoghue, is rightly banned for making contact will young Tynan's head and yet Damien Cahillane, a man with past history in this regard, gets away scot free after hitting young Drennan across the head with a hurley. Why no further mention of or inquiry into that.

Again dragging Tipperary and Cork into it and mention of some comment made by some guy about Clare and Limerick suggests, like I said, unresolved issues.

On the substantive point, I do think that these 0-30 to 1-24 games can be tedious where one team is clearly better but the other can still get a score every 90 seconds. I think handpassing has contributed to many cheap scores. People questioning raises historical sores. It's still possible to loathe other counties if that's your thing but discussion of how to improve or reform a game should not be influenced by who is winning.

I agree. Giving away a foul on your own 45m line shouldn't result in a free shot on goal, which how accurate the top players are these days results in a score 95% of the time

Alonzo

Do you not think that if a player is digging or dragging out of another player all day that we should not look into how we deal with that as well. If a player clearly shoves the butt of a hurley into a man's groin should he not be punished. And I don't care what county the assailant comes from. One evening long ago, in Thurles a Full Back before did a knack like this before the throw in and the Ref saw it and went down and yellow carded. But I have never seen it dealt with like that since. This old phrase 'it's all part of the game ' does not wash for me. If we are having an overhaul lets go the whole hog.

Yes, when everybody can score from nearly anywhere it ceases to be a wonder. But it's a difficult conservation to have with many as it's so often just attributed to s&c, greater skill levels etc. The idea that equipment (which is more or less unregulated) might be a factor won't be widely discussed nor will the role of constant handpassing (leaving aside the legality question) in creating overlaps and an easy scoring opportunity. The great difficulty it creates is that huge gaps appear between teams very quickly as, like rugby, the team with most possession has a chance to dominate the scoring. Can't see it being rowed back though.

Looking foward to the weekend of hurling. All 3 teams will be up against it. The timing of the minor match isn't ideal. This will be their first test.Couple of nice hurlers on it all the same.

The 3 guys with the senior will be a loss to the u20s but it will open the door to a few others and they're getting great experience with the seniors. We need to unearth a few players.They haven't being with the group to date but hopefully after this weekend they might get a game or two with the 20s and as someone else said these aren't knock out games. Zac Bay,bill Hughes,Killian Corcoran and a few of the kierans and injured lads will all be additions who weren't part of last year's panel.Denis Walsh was carrying a shoulder injury around Christmas hopefully he will be back.

As we know alot of our lads will be judged after this match sunday.It's a Pity Richie hogan Is out after working so hard to get back. He picked up a hand injury after the penalty and before the schmozzle. We probably won't see a huge amount of changes. I'd like to see us continue with Lawlor at 6 and Tommy at 3.Id start Richie Reid instead of Corcoran.We dont often say this but our midfield was good the last day and scored 3 points. Will o Donahoe will be a loss for limerick but they've huge options and flexibility.

Cody might start for Clifford but I like the look of Clifford he's big,strong fast and direct.Donnelly although dropping a few short has done well and worked hard.We need him to cement a position this year. Billy Ryan could start for the injured hogan. We might have tj and mullen who have returned to training on the bench. Georoid dunne has done well off the bench.

Although we havent learnt a huge amount Infairness to lyng he's tried alot of players and padriags positioning looks a smart one and I'd be in favour of experimenting with Lawlor at 6 he offers a better presence granted we could be robbing Peter to pay Paul. Lynch and Casey are big additions but they have the luxury of leaving 3 or 4 all stars on the bench and still winning.They turn the screw after half time.

It's a tall order for sure sunday. Limerick are so experienced while we're trying to experiment and learn a different game plan.it will be interesting to see what way lyng sets the team up. They've so many star players but Nicky quid sets the ball rolling with his puckouts.We will need an awful lot to go right and be very efficient and them to be below par.we will probably push up and be brave and bring huge work rate and most expect limerick to pull away with a 6 or 7 point win but kk definitely won't fear them and will be really looking foward to having a go off the best at the moment.

Well as regards the goals we can go back to the teens, thirties and forties if we want but the fact is in twelve out of thirteen finals in the Modern game there was twenty four goals scored or an average of two goals per game. Furthermore when Cork and Kilkenny played in Four Finals, the last one sixteen years ago, there was a sum of four goals scored in all four finals. By contrast there was 16 goals scored in last five Five and thirteen scored in the four Limerick were involved in. Remember also that this is an age when the art of goalkeeping and defense is far better coached that it was twenty years ago. So the dearth of goals is a nonsense argument.

But having said all that Alonzo, how many of those players will be a TJ, a Young Tynan,-a hugely promising talent- a Sean Finn or Peter Casey. The fact is the vast majority of most U20 teams do not make it on to good Senior teams. I am afraid, as a lad who long ago long possessed some of the fine skills of the game, but could never be arsed to get fully fit, you were never at the pace of the game, even fifty years ago if you were not fit. As far back as 95 when Loughnane had the Clare Panel running up a hill in Tallow at 6am or '96 when Griffin had Wexford Players tearing over Sand Dunes in Curracloe, at a similar ungodly hour, fitness levels has gone through the roof and there is no going back. The days of old when things were done differently is long gone. Even at the height of Covid certain team managements and their panels clearly broke the rules in this regard, which gives an idea of how ruthless some people are in the pursuit of the Holy Grail.

Yes, looking forward to all three matches. Galway have yet another brilliant minor team by all accounts. I wonder how they do it but they have fallen away by under 20 level. It's no wonder they were anxious to join Leinster and get properly tested.

Wexford will be up for it as usual against a Kilkenny team. Our under 20s will be fully tested on Saturday. Mark Dowling will need to have our lads fully tuned in from the start.

Kilkenny seem to be the only team willing to take on Limerick at this stage of the year. The media would have us believe that Waterford weren't too bothered against us as they didn't want to face Limerick, just yet. Similarly with Cork although they're not out in the Munster Championship for another 3 weeks. Mind you it didn't stop Cork been "physical" against us and it's where Richie Hogan picked up his hand injury.

I'd stick with D Corcoran to give him more game time, and hold R Reid in the subs if he is fit.

I couldn't care less who you worked with and care even less what you think of people. No idea why you feel the need to share that. I've come across plenty of them here. Any thing less than utter sycophancy is seen as "bitterness".

No idea what Tipperary has to do with this. I never mentioned that county.

Seems an opinion is not allowed when it comes to this poster

Anyone know if the U20 game is being shown/streamed anywhere?