Originally posted by Kevin S
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Dublin's Drive for Five? GAA 2019
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This week's hurling fixtures:
Waterford v Clare:
Walsh Park should see a sell-out crowd, as Waterford play their first home Munster Championship tie since 1996. The absence of home advantage surely cost them a place in the knockout phase in 2018, and while the Banner did reach the All-Ireland semis last year, a home victory seems probable.
Cork v Tipperary:
The Rebels may feel they left last year's title behind them, beaten by Limerick in an epic last four encounter, while the Premier also seek redemption after finishing fourth in Munster last year. Form favours the away side, but Páirc Uí Chaoimh is usually a hurling fortress, and Cork may just prevail again.
Kilkenny v Dublin:
"Relegated" to Division 1B this spring (more a league reorganisation), the Cats have never been more vulnerable to an ambush, and Mattie Kenny's side won their league grouping before defeat to Limerick in the semis. However, now the Ballyhale contingent return to the squad, and playing at Nowlan Park, the shock may have to wait another season.
Galway v Carlow
Carlow have played senior hurling before, but not in the round robin format, which threatens to provide a harsh lesson. They did earn a famous draw here in the league, but the home side played an experimental side on that occasion, and will hardly be as forgiving this weekend.
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And the football:
Munster Championship:
Tipperary v Limerick:
Both are coming off mediocre seasons, with the former relegated to Division Three, and the latter towards the bottom end of Division Four - still, the higher standards in the second tier suggest a comfortable home win.
Clare v Waterford:
Again, the Banner just survived in Division Two, and Waterford were in the bottom division, so Clare will prevail by 6-10 points.
Leinster Championship:
Wicklow v Kildare:
The Lilywhites were unlucky not to be promoted to the flight, with a direct clash with Donegal deciding their fate on the final day. Wicklow scrapped with Limerick, Waterford and London in Division Four, and while at home, all form points to a clear Kildare victory.
Wexford v Louth:
The Wee County were promoted to Division Two, and so, not only an away win, but by a decisive margin, is expected.
Meath v Offaly:
Does the promotion of the Royals mark the beginning of a more competitive Leinster? Unlikely to threaten the Dubs, but would at least avoid them until the final, assuming they triumph here.
Connacht Championship:
Roscommon v Leitrim:
A red-letter season for Leitrim, winning a first promotion in decades, and tasting the Croke Park atmosphere. That said, the Rossies will be targeting the Super 8s, and should be too strong here.
Ulster Championship:
Tyrone v Derry:
Always a needly derby game, but highlighting the contrasting fortunes of both sides - where the Red Hand reached the September showpiece, the Oak Leaf made an early exit after a nightmare league in 2018. That was remedied this April, but Tyrone still appear 6-8 points the better side.
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- Jul 2016
- 9357
- Dublin
- Bohemian FC Manchester United Mansfield town Torino Berwick rangers
- Chocolate Digestives
Carlow are poster boys for the little counties with ambition, you need the players to begin with but they've put a lot of work in. Yes they're probably going to get a couple of hidings but it'll stand them well for the future.
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Originally posted by Diable Rouge View PostThe gallant Exiles ultimately lost by four in the end, but an excellent article on how more London-born players are featuring in the panel.
It looks to have been a great occasion, is there any likelihood of a similarly high profile fixture (in football or hurling) this summer?
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Originally posted by Ray de Galles View Post
Partly prompted by the discussion on the 'Sports I've Paid To See' thread I quite fancied making this match but parental responsibilities ruled it out.
It looks to have been a great occasion, is there any likelihood of a similarly high profile fixture (in football or hurling) this summer?
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Anton O'Toole, of Dublin's previous legendary side of the Seventies and Eighties, has died at the far too early age of 61.
Ulster Championship: Cavan v Monaghan
Promises to be one of the tighter games of the early phase of the football season - not only a local derby, but both scrapped against relegation from Division One in the spring. It certainly wouldn't surprise if the Breffni County turned over their neighbours, but Ciaran McManus is one of the most prolific forwards in the country, and wanting to return to the Super 8s, Monaghan should edge through after a struggle.
Down v Armagh
Again, another tie where strong cases could be made either way, even if neither are expected to trouble the main contenders later on. On the basis that the away side were a division higher this spring, that might stand to them here.
Connacht Semi-Final: Sligo v Galway
The home side have the ignominious record of 100% losses to date in 2019, and while Galway were atrocious, to put it mildly, in Ruislip, the hairdryer treatment in the dressing room afterwards, along with a potential Old Firm final against Mayo, should motivate the Tribesmen to a comfortable victory.
Hurling: Munster Championship - Tipperary v Waterford
After the earliest possible exit last year, Tipp even stunned their own fans last week with the extent of their dominance in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Waterford got stage fright at home to Clare, never convincing until too late, and while no strangers to Semple Stadium, this may prove a challenge too far.
Limerick v Cork
Last year's champions aim to continue their stunning 2019 form, following on from victory in the League. Ring-rustiness may come into play early on, with Cork already blooded, but in terms of performance, Limerick should be in a different level.
Leinster: Carlow v Kilkenny
The home side performed extremely creditable away to Galway, only losing by six points, and drawing the second half. The Cats, meanwhile, were almost shocked by Dublin, before dominating the subsequent 35 minutes, but it would be the upset of the decade if they were downed here.
Dublin v Wexford
Unfortunately, the Dubs spirited display last week was overshadowed by a selector interfering with play by grabbing the sliotar, and he was subsequently banned this week. Still, home advantage is crucial in hurling, and with this being Wexford's first game, the Dubs could take a major step towards the knockout phase.
Last edited by Diable Rouge; 18-05-2019, 07:25.
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- Oct 2011
- 26995
- Cambridgeshire
- Ipswich (convert)
- Those chocolate-coated ring-shaped ones you get at Christmas
Originally posted by Diable Rouge View PostUlster Championship:
Tyrone v Derry:
Always a needly derby game, but highlighting the contrasting fortunes of both sides - where the Red Hand reached the September showpiece, the Oak Leaf made an early exit after a nightmare league in 2018. That was remedied this April, but Tyrone still appear 6-8 points the better side.
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- Oct 2011
- 26995
- Cambridgeshire
- Ipswich (convert)
- Those chocolate-coated ring-shaped ones you get at Christmas
Tyrone seemed to give away a lot of fouls allowing Derry to keep in touch, and then they broke through for the goal. But it was one way traffic for the final ten minutes or so - Tyrone were physically the stronger side I think and made it tell. Nice goal of their own, too.
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- Jul 2016
- 9357
- Dublin
- Bohemian FC Manchester United Mansfield town Torino Berwick rangers
- Chocolate Digestives
You just got in before me,hard times for a county who was once among the elite, the problem is when you start to sink as they have,any quality players become more likely to concentrate on club instead.
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- Jul 2016
- 9357
- Dublin
- Bohemian FC Manchester United Mansfield town Torino Berwick rangers
- Chocolate Digestives
Waterford hurlers making a huge comeback against Tipperary,having been 8 behind with a man sent off they've now got it back to 3,btw is hurling the only sport in the world that players celebrate getting a free?
Scratch that, Tipperary just got a goal so it's back out to 6 points.
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- Jul 2016
- 9357
- Dublin
- Bohemian FC Manchester United Mansfield town Torino Berwick rangers
- Chocolate Digestives
Waterford's comeback didn't last long,they ended up the wrong side of a 2.30 to 0.18 hammering, Tipperary now looking like serious contenders, Waterford,after two defeats and a game against all Ireland holders Limerick to come,look Donald Ducked.
- Likes 1
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- Jul 2016
- 9357
- Dublin
- Bohemian FC Manchester United Mansfield town Torino Berwick rangers
- Chocolate Digestives
Vendors on O'Connell bridge are selling five in a row flags before a ball has been kicked,I'm not superstitious but that's the type of thing that usually comes back to bite you in the arse.
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Originally posted by elguapo4 View PostVendors on O'Connell bridge are selling five in a row flags before a ball has been kicked,I'm not superstitious but that's the type of thing that usually comes back to bite you in the arse.
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A football-dominated weekend:
Hurling - Galway vs Wexford
Little enough form to judge either county on, as the Tribesmen struggled to overcome Carlow, and Wexford dusted off the rust away to Dublin. Home advantage suggests Galway will justify their Leinster favouritism.
Football - Connacht Championship: Mayo v Roscommon
Again, it's mostly league form that counts here, given Mayo's facile success in Gaelic Park, and Leitrim's feeble challenge to the away side. An upset is imminently possible here, but after ending an 18-year national silverware drought, Mayo will hardly pass up the direct route to glory on offer here.
Ulster Championship - Tyrone v Antrim:
If Tyrone were sluggish at spells against Derry, the Saffrons go into this fixture on the back of a mediocre Division Four campaign, and will hardly come within 10 points of the All-Ireland contenders here.
Donegal v Fermanagh:
The Ernesiders remain the only Ulster county never to lift the provincial title, but have regularly upset the applecart against more decorated opposition. Should be a nip-and-tuck affair, but Donegal by three.
Leinster Championship - Carlow v Meath:
Carlow were the surprise breakthrough side of 2018, but received as many brickbats as bouquets, due to their defensive style. The Royals have become the renaissance men of 2019, securing top-flight football in emphatic fashion, and should prevail here by a 4-6 point margin.
Dublin v Louth:
Much like Kerry in Munster, such matches are a no-win scenario for the Dubs in relation to expectations - the most generous outcome for the Wee County is probably defeat by a dozen points, and the Dubs will probably best whatever spread the bookies offer here.
Longford v Kildare:
Again, Longford are a side that can trip up the unprepared, but generally in qualifiers, rather than in Leinster. Kildare narrowly missed out on promotion this spring, and while underwhelming against Wicklow, should have enough quality to advance.
Westmeath v Laois:
This Midlands derby is a reprise of the Division Three final, where the Maroon narrowly prevailed. Toss of a coin here, but Laois might nick it on this occasion.Last edited by Diable Rouge; 24-05-2019, 15:34.
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