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    #26
    First proper weekend of the season with one of the games of the year in prospect already
    GALWAY V MAYO:
    Two of the top contenders meet in the Connaught championship this Sunday,Galway , who reached the league final before narrowly losing to Dublin are the most improved side in the country over the last two years ,against Mayo, consistent finalists and one of the most consistent teams this century although they had a terrible spring and are showing signs of aging. Either way sparks will fly between this pair. I think Galway have too much for them and I think they'll win by a couple
    DONEGAL V CAVAN
    again two sides with differing form in the league, Donegal were relegated form division 1 while Cavan were promoted in the other direction. One thing in Donegals favour is they're unbeaten at home in the championship since 2010 but these runs have to come to an end so it's Cavan for me
    The big games in the hurling are Kilkenny v Dublin and Offaly v Galway, handy wins for Kilkenny and Galway here.
    Elsewhere look for Carlow to pull off a "shock" against a piss poor Louth and Laois to hammer Wexford

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      #27
      Soporific fare in Galway - makes the Ulster Championship look like Euro 2000.

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        #28
        A prime example today of when a venue has a bearing on the general flow of play in a game - the tight, narrow confines of Parnell Park suited the Dublin hurlers, who gave Kilkenny the fright of their lives in the early stages, scoring three goals and enjoying a six-point lead at one stage. Inevitably, however, the Cats rallied, and an injury-time goal helped them to a two-point win (1-23 to 3-15). Also in hurling, Offaly were highly competitive in the first half against Galway, but the All-Ireland champs eventually prevailed by 12.

        Another injury-time goal helped Galway to a narrow victory over Mayo, but the unedifying spectacle was hardly an advertisement for Gaelic football. Donegal had a surprisingly comfortable eight-point win over Cavan (2-20 to 1-15), though a late goal perhaps flattered the hosts, while Laois unbelievably retrieved a 10-point deficit against Wexford to defeat the Model County by six after extra-time. Wicklow defeated Offaly, also after extra-time, for the right to be the Dubs' punching bag, while Carlow recorded a famous win over Louth to set up a local derby against Kildare.

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          #29
          I was in Parnell park today, great athmosphere (Dublin hurling fans are a different breed to the sometimes non head football equivalent) .losing Conal Keaney was a big blow and Kilkenny could empty the bench in a way that was beyond us.
          Happy for Wicklow and Carlow to get their moment in the limelight,don't rule out Carlow taking another scalp

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            #30
            Watching back Donegal v Cavan on iPlayer. There is something very familiar about the matchup of kits to these East Anglian eyes.
            Last edited by Kevin S; 18-05-2018, 13:59.

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              #31
              After being gazumped last week, time for the return of my weekly previews:

              Ulster SFC - Tyrone v Monaghan:

              Promises to be the football match of the day, with both sides having Super 8 aspirations. It has been some time since a Championship game has been held in Healy Park, giving the home side favouritism, but Monaghan's superb spring form may give them the slight edge.

              Armagh v Fermanagh:

              The battle of this year's Division Three finalists, with the Orchard County downing the Ernesiders in the league decider. In truth, neither side will have an unduly long summer, but Armagh have been quarter-finalists in recent seasons, and would appear to have the stronger panel.

              Munster SFC - Limerick v Clare:

              The Banner County have made steady under-the-radar progress in recent years, finishing mid-table in Division Two, and winning away to Cork. Limerick had a non-descript Division Four season, and will be no match for their neighbours, who would next face Kerry.

              Tipperary v Waterford:

              The Premier narrowly failed to secure back-to-back promotions, and will overpower their neighbouring cellar dwellers.

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                #32
                Do the provinces ever make All-Star teams from their counties? Or would no-one care?

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                  #33
                  Munster SHC - Cork v Clare:

                  The new Southern era begins this weekend, and in truth, every fixture appears to be a lottery. Neither side would appear to be contenders for the ultimate honour, but home advantage may give the Rebels the edge on Sunday.

                  Limerick v Tipperary:

                  The Shannonsiders finally escaped 1B purgatory after six seasons, and enjoyed a fruitful League thereafter. The Premier, however, have one of the strongest panels in the country, and subs could very well prove crucial in securing wins in Munster.

                  Leinster SHC - Kilkenny v Offaly

                  The Faithful County were highly competitive against the All-Ireland champs, but ultimately flagged as the match progressed. The Cats underwhelmed in Parnell Park after their League victory and having survived that scare, are unlikely to show any mercy on Sunday.

                  Wexford v Dublin:

                  An unexpected weight of expectation on Pat Gilroy's men after last week's heroics, faced with a trip to Davy Fitz country. The Yellowbellies have blown hot and cold in 2018 to date, but will probably just about prevail on this occasion.

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                    #34
                    Originally posted by Kevin S View Post
                    Do the provinces ever make All-Star teams from their counties? Or would no-one care?
                    Yes, at the end of the year, there are awards for Footballers, Hurlers of the Year, etc in each province, but they're generally far lower-key than the national All-Stars. For example, here's the Munster awards for 2017:

                    http://munster.gaa.ie/2017/12/09/201...er-gaa-awards/

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                      #35
                      Ah, thanks. So there are no All-Star exhibition matches of, say, Munster vs Ulster and Connacht v Leinster.

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                        #36
                        Originally posted by Kevin S View Post
                        Do the provinces ever make All-Star teams from their counties? Or would no-one care?
                        Historically there was an Interprovincial Championship, sometimes known as the Railway Cup, but this has not been held since 2016. Seemingly interest was high in the past but by the end was minimal - the last hurling final attracted a crowd of 592 to 53000 capacity Semple Stadium.

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                          #37
                          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GAA_In...l_Championship

                          Ah, fabulous, that's what I was imagining. What a shame it withered, though; it sounds fantastic.

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                            #38
                            Amidst all the referendum hoopla, time for the weekend preview:

                            Munster SFC: Tipperary v Cork

                            Foolishly, the powers that be have scheduled this prime encounter directly against the Champions League final. Really one that could go either way, but one suspects the Rebels will ultimately edge through.

                            Connacht SFC: Leitrim v Roscommon

                            One tends to forget that the Rossies are defending provincial champions, given Mayo's September failure and Galway's resurgence. The Saffrons should beat Leitrim comfortably.

                            Ulster SFC: Antrim v Down

                            Another match on tonight, but the home side are best known for their hurling prowess, and languish in Division Four. The Mournemen were undistinguished themselves in Division Two, but a four-to-six point victory can be expected.

                            Donegal v Derry:

                            Sadly, the Oak Leaf have had a Coventryesque slide to the bottom tier in recent years, much to Joe Brolly's chagrin. It's Donegal's second game in a fortnight, but this threatens to be an absolute stroll.

                            Leinster SFC QFs: Carlow v Kildare

                            The Barrowsiders are a model for minnows seeking to progress up the championship ladder, and while Kildare should prevail, it could be in the balance right until injury-time.

                            Westmeath v Laois:

                            This Midlands derby will lack quality, but promises to be highly competitive. Could go either way, but I'll tip the men in maroon to progress.

                            Longford v Meath:

                            Like the other ties in Leinster, both counties have seen better days. If the Royals are to make any impression on the summer, they must win tomorrow, but could well make a slog out of the triumph.

                            Wicklow v Dublin:

                            A game such as this is perhaps the ultimate definition of the word Sisyphean, but proud Kerryman John Evans won't resile into defensive tactics. A 16+ point defeat will likely thus ensue, but at least heart won't be lacking.
                            Last edited by Diable Rouge; 26-05-2018, 17:23.

                            Comment


                              #39
                              Hurling:

                              Munster SHC: Cork v Tipp

                              Suspect there will be a somewhat bigger crowd at the small-ball meeting of the two counties - the Premier were extremely lacklustre against Limerick on Sunday, and while their tyros can only improve, Sunday may come too soon.

                              Clare v Waterford:

                              The Déise get their first taste of the Munster round-robin, but must play all their games on the road. Clare were competitive in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and their extra game may give them the edge.

                              Leinster SHC: Galway v Kilkenny

                              A contest that hurling connoisseurs will positively salivate over, as Joe Canning and TJ Reid lock horns. Both have impressed in their championship outings to date, but as the Cats have more to prove, they may be more hungry to lay down a marker.

                              Wexford v Offaly:

                              The Faithful County have been game, but unfortunately have nothing to show for their efforts. Wexford were impressive at home to Dublin, and should prevail here.

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                                #40
                                Wexford giving Offaly the proverbial shellacking: 3-12 to 0-6 approaching half time.

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                                  #41
                                  Perennial whipping boys Carlow beat Kildare by 7 points to reach Leinster football semi-finals. First time they've beaten Kildare in the championship since 1953

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                                    #42
                                    And could a second shock be on the cards, as Longford lead Meath by 3 midway through the second half?

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                                      #43
                                      A tight affair in Portlaoise: Dublin 2-7 0-1 Wicklow, the underdogs finally taking the bare look off their side of the scoreboard.

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                                        #44
                                        Longford finish the job at home to Meath, and Dubs lead 4-13 to 1-4 at the break. So, a rather unusual Leinster semi line-up of:

                                        Dublin v Longford
                                        Carlow v Laois

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                                          #45
                                          Longford result not as much as a shock,talking to a friend who lives in Dunboyne who said Meath morale is down in their boots and they're ripe for the picking

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                                            #46
                                            The Round One qualifier draw tomorrow should be tasty, with Mayo, Tyrone, Armagh, Tipp, Meath and Kildare all in the hat.

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                                              #47
                                              Now 4-21 (33) to 1-7 (10) in Portlaoise.

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                                                #48
                                                Something of a non-event in Ulster, with Donegal comfortable six-point victors over Derry, while the Dublin game finishes 4-25 to 1-11.
                                                Last edited by Diable Rouge; 27-05-2018, 16:43.

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                                                  #49
                                                  Most un-Kilkennylike performance in Salthill, as Galway pull away to win by eight, and that was eleven before an injury-time consolation for the Cats. Terrific tie in Munster, where Tipp were nine down to Cork at the break, but dominated the second half, and the sides finished all square. Clare crushed Waterford by nine points in Ennis.

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                                                    #50
                                                    Tyrone v Meath is the only interesting tie to come out of the first round of qualifiers,the other big guns,Mayo and Cavan,get handy trips to Limerick and Wicklow respectively,Derry and Kildare,the two most out-of-form sides in the country meet for the right to get slaughtered in the next round,of the others,London will fancy their chances against Louth

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