2006 Championship Draw

cruiserweight

The draw is taking place this Friday, well except for Ulster who decided to have there own party! So we may as well get the ball rolling with a thread dedicated to what we will be discussing next summer!

WEXFORD hurlers have been handed an early boost for the 2006 Guinness Leinster hurling Championship as they will be in the opposite half of the draw to Kilkenny, who will be chasing their eighth title in nine seasons, writes Martin Breheny.

The Leinster Council have seeded 2005 finalists Kilkenny and Wexford guaranteeing them a place in next year's Leinster semi-finals while also ensuring that they don't meet at that stage. Reaching the final guarantees entry into the All Ireland quarter-finals.

Offaly, Laois, Dublin and Westmeath will be drawn in two quarter-finals, with the winners playing Kilkenny and Wexford respectively in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Dublin, Wexford, Laois and Kildare, all of whom reached this year's Leinster football semi-finals, will be seeded to avoid first round action and can't meet each other in the quarter-finals.

Meath, Carlow, Offaly, Louth, Westmeath, Wicklow and Longford will all go into the first round draw, generating three fixtures. The remaining team will get a bye to the quarter-finals along with the seeded teams.

The draws for the 2006 Leinster, Connacht and Munster Championships will be made in the Brehon Hotel, Killarney next Friday night (7.0) and will be screened live on RTE television.

Some interesting seedings for the Leinster championship draw! The football ones were already known, while the hurling although not official was not 100% unexpected! Although there is a type in the article it should read
"Kilkenny hurlers have been handed an early boost for the 2006 Guinness Leinster hurling Championship as they will be in the opposite half of the draw to WEXFORD"

Flukey

I think each of the Provincial Championships should be done on an open draw basis. That makes things more interesting than seedings, even if you do get a few imbalanced matches. Having the qualifiers helps to soften that a bit. You'll get some crackers too. Remember that Dublin v Meath was a first round tie in 1991, the famous 4 match saga.

stevemac

you could get dublin and meath in the quarters again.
from the seeded teams in the foorball kildare look the weakest , but that could change by next year.

cruiserweight

Yeah I would agree that Kildare look the waekest hopefully Wexford can get them in the semi's! Should be interesting in Leinster with a number of teams capable of winning the championship or beating each other on any given day! Probably the most difficult provincial championship to call!

Waylander

I agree with Flukey, I think championship football should not be seeded. I hope you are right Stevemac, always nice to get a handy draw in the quarters:)

cruiserweight

Waylander wrote:

I agree with Flukey, I think championship football should not be seeded. I hope you are right Stevemac, always nice to get a handy draw in the quarters:)

Yeah Meath would be more than happy to get Dublin

mchurl

should be unseede to make it more exciting like club football.

Also hope the dubs get the royals just so we can beat them once again and show them no matter who is in charge, they will still be easy pickings!:D

Imposter

I think the seedings in Leinster are a good idea. You get seeded if you've performed well the previous year. The only open draw i'd like to entertain would be one where all 33 teams were entered.

Club championships work different in every county mchurl.

cruiserweight

Just over an hour to go! Down to the pub!:D

Daysha

HURLING

MUNSTER

Semi-finals:

Clare v Cork

Limerick/Tipperary v Waterford

LEINSTER

Semi-finals:

Offaly/Laois v Wexford

Westmeath/Dublin v Kilkenny

ULSTER
Semi-finals:

Antrim/London v Down

Derry v New York

FOOTBALL

LEINSTER

Quarter-finals:

Westmeath/Offaly v Kildare

Meath/Louth v Wexford

Wicklow/Carlow v Laois

Longford v Dublin

MUNSTER

Semi-finals:

Kerry/Waterford v Tipperary

Clare/Limerick v Cork

CONNACHT

Semi-finals:

New York/Roscommon v Sligo/Galway

London/Mayo v Leitrim


ULSTER

Quarter-finals

Armagh v Monaghan

Fermanagh v Antrim

Tryone v Derry

Donegal v Down/Cavan
_________________________________________________________________

Q_Elexra

At least we've got a day out this year. It would be great to get one over on the old enemy after pushing them so close in the last Senior game. Come on LOUTH

cruiserweight

I am not to displeased with the draw, hopefully could be 2 provincial finals for Wexford! In the football draw in all of the provinces except Leinster last years provincial finalists were kept apart!

The hurling looks interesting in Munster, hopefully a Limerick vs Clare final, bring back memories of there epic battles from the mid 90's!

Q_Elexra

The Munster Hurling draw looks good. Clare v Cork is a good draw for the semi finals

cournioni

Easy path to the Ulster final this year...

YeatsCounty

deise59 wrote:

CONNACHT

Semi-finals:

New York/Roscommon v Sligo/Galway

London/Mayo v Leitrim

Oh dear.
Ah well, what's another year? *cough*

mchurl

not the most intrigueing draw at first sight but then again muster as wlways looks pretty good hurling wise

The Rooster

The above draw agrees with what was on Aertel and suggests that Dublin and Laois are scheduled to meet in the semis. However, on gaa.ie and on the Dublin website it lists the draw as follows:

QUARTER-FINALS - Dublin v Longford; Kildare v Westmeath/Offaly; Wexford v Meath/Louth; Laois v Wicklow/Carlow

suggesting that if the Dubs get past Longford, they'll play KE/WM/OY in the semis?

Anyone know what the semi-final draw is?

chubba1984

Dublin and Loais are definitely on the same side of the draw i.e. they can only meet at semi-final. Laois-Wexford would be an interesting Leinster final.

As for my county, it should be a very interesting first game v Cork. It's good for us we're meeting them early, especially if Newtownshandrum do well in the club championship. Although I suppose the O'Connor's never get burned out!

For us to win the Munster final in football we'd have to beat Limerick, Cork and more than likely Kerry, so I'd say we'll be concentrating on the qualifiers again!

blackbelt

I'd predict Limerick to beat Clare in Munster although I think it is the closest match in the provincial drawer alongside Westmeath and Offaly in Leinster.

I predict Westmeath to beat Offaly and Kildare only to lose to Wexford.

Dublin should see off Longford and play Laois who will probably beat Carlow.

So I reckon we will see Wexford vs Dublin/Laois in the Leinster final.

Connacht is Mayo v Galway (no surprises) and Munster is Kerry v Cork or Limerick.

They are my predictions,lets wait and see what happens.

Geg124

Happy with the draw my county got(dublin). Should easily win and will give us a chance to retain our title once again which i think we should do.

I hope we can get a bit of form and push even more for the all-ireland again this year. At least the semi-finals this year and i will be happy.

Flukey

According the RTE radio sports news tonight, in the football it will be Longford v Dublin as apparently the game is to be played in Pearse Park. It appears that they are going to try and play more matches outside Croke Park next year, which I suppose it is not a bad thing. I checked the GAA and Leinster websites but found no details on dates and venues. We'll get them soon I suppose.

The Rooster

Its a very interesting draw in Leinster. It would take a major shock if Dublin and Laois didnt make the semis - and that should be a cracking game, and evenly balanced. The other half of the draw is wide open, and each of Kildare, Westmeath, Offaly, Wexford and Meath will fancy their chances of making the Leinster final. I still have doubts about whether Wexford will step up and turn their potential into success, but this is the year for them to do it. At this stage I'd pick Kildare to make the final - but a lot will happen between then and now.

I think there are concerts on in May in Croker, so it would make sense that Dublin v Longford would be played in Pearse Park or other provincial venue.

Apparently we'll know by the end of the week the full schedule of fixtures for the 2006 leagues and championships. It appears all Dublin's NFL home games will be played under lights in Parnell Park

Waylander

Longford specifically requested that they hold the match as they have not had a home championship game since 2000.

Flukey

They did do that Waylander, as they've invested a lot of money into the ground and are not getting much use out of it. As regular posters here will know, I go to nearly every match in Croke Park, but I do think that there should be more matches around the country. Croke Park is a great stadium and teams love to play there, but you don't get the atmosphere when it is half-empty. The same crowd in a provincial stadium would give a far better atmosphere. So I do think it is a good idea to have games in some of those venues. The way things are going there, Ulster needs a big stadium. The proposed Maze development might give that. Clones is no longer able to cater for a big game like Tyrone v Armagh, so a bigger stadium is needed. According to the Irish Independent today, Armagh have not had a home championship match in the past 5 years.

The Rooster

Hurling

Offaly v Laois - Portlaoise
Winners v Wexford - Nowlan Park

Westmeath v Dublin - Portlaoise
Winners at home to Kilkenny

Leinster hurling final - Croke Park


Football

Longford v Dublin - Pearse Park

Wicklow v Carlow - Wexford Park
Winners v Laois - provincial venue TBC

All other games - Croke Park

dates to be announced later in the week

cruiserweight

The Rooster wrote:

Hurling

Offaly v Laois - Portlaoise
Winners v Wexford - Nowlan Park

Westmeath v Dublin - Portlaoise
Winners at home to Kilkenny

Leinster hurling final - Croke Park


Football

Longford v Dublin - Pearse Park

Wicklow v Carlow - Wexford Park
Winners v Laois - provincial venue TBC

All other games - Croke Park

dates to be announced later in the week

Wexford Park for Wicklow v Carlow interesting! The stadium has been renovated in recent years and I suppose they probably want to use it as much as possible! It was used for the Tommy Murphy Cup games last year (well under used due to poor attendences)

blackbelt

Supervisor in work said it will be a Dublin vs Meath final.

Can you imagine that?That would be something.

He's always been wrong when we've made bets,so I'm sticking with Wexford v Dublin/laois final.

Kildare are too inconsistent in my view to reach the Leinster final.I'd imagine they'd lose to Westmeath or Offaly.

hawker

Yes Blackbelt, inconsistency has dogged Kildare over the last number of years. But in fairness it has dogged most teams not least Dublin. If Dublin were consistent over the last few years they would surely have won an All Ireland. In fact most counties in the country have suffered with the same plight over a number of years.

Kildare are suffering from post Micko trauma at present and have really struggled since 2000. However I do believe that they will get through this lull and go on and win another Leinster in the next few years. It seems the non existent underage structure during Micko's time is now being rectified.

I think Kildare will get through to the Leinster final this year with Offaly, I believe being the sternest test. Alas it's Dublin to win Leinster.

cruiserweight

hawker wrote:

Yes Blackbelt, inconsistency has dogged Kildare over the last number of years. But in fairness it has dogged most teams not least Dublin. If Dublin were consistent over the last few years they would surely have won an All Ireland. In fact most counties in the country have suffered with the same plight over a number of years.

Kildare are suffering from post Micko trauma at present and have really struggled since 2000. However I do believe that they will get through this lull and go on and win another Leinster in the next few years. It seems the non existent underage structure during Micko's time is now being rectified.

I think Kildare will get through to the Leinster final this year with Offaly, I believe being the sternest test. Alas it's Dublin to win Leinster.

I would willingly make a bet with you that Offaly and Kildare will not be in the Leinster final, as they are both in the same side of the draw!

Culchie

He said that Offaly will provide sternest test on way to the final.

Has to be Dublin or Laois.
Dublin at this stage, but 6 months before you'd be able to say that with confidence.

Waylander

Offaly last year were not a bad side, but their shooting was woeful. If they can improve on that this year they could well make the final. Dublin v Laois is a tough one to call, I would have to go for Dublin, but I am not entirely objective in this:)

cruiserweight

Culchie wrote:

He said that Offaly will provide sternest test on way to the final.

Has to be Dublin or Laois.
Dublin at this stage, but 6 months before you'd be able to say that with confidence.

My apologies I misread, the punctuation threw me off

Hopefully Wexford can make the final from that side of the draw, I predict a Wexford vs Westmeath semi-final! Laois vs Dublin will be hard to call, I think that Laois were unlucky in a way in last years Leinster final and were the better team going into that game, however that win has brought the Dublin team along!

hawker

My punctuation is not the best.

I'm saying Kildare will reach the Leinster final more in hope. But I do think Offaly were very unlucky against Laois last year. Westmeath might come again but maybe not this year. I think Wexford are a good football side but maybe they rely on Forde too much.

My opinion is that Laois are not physically strong enough up front. There are some lovely footballers there with Munnelly, Brennan (Donal) and McDonald being the most skilful and most likely to score. But they are small and light and if the game becomes physical they could get lost.

In general, Leinster football needs to beef it's players up a bit. When you see the likes of Kavanagh, Clarke, McDonnell and McGrane one would think they were eating calf nuts.

cruiserweight

hawker wrote:

My punctuation is not the best.

I'm saying Kildare will reach the Leinster final more in hope. But I do think Offaly were very unlucky against Laois last year. Westmeath might come again but maybe not this year. I think Wexford are a good football side but maybe they rely on Forde too much.

My opinion is that Laois are not physically strong enough up front. There are some lovely footballers there with Munnelly, Brennan (Donal) and McDonald being the most skilful and most likely to score. But they are small and light and if the game becomes physical they could get lost.

In general, Leinster football needs to beef it's players up a bit. When you see the likes of Kavanagh, Clarke, McDonnell and McGrane one would think they were eating calf nuts.

I would agree with a lot that you say! Offaly were unlucky against Laois but then they went out and lost to Carlow! Westmeath have some very good players and it will be interesting to see what they do this year! Wexford also have some good players, but to rely on the over-rated mattie Forde to get some scores!

I think that the Laois management know they have a problem with the size of some of their players that is why the brought in players like Sheehan last year!

My punctuation is not up to much either

blackbelt

I think that in time Kildare will improve but we may see the results of the changes they make in the next 3-4 years.

Offaly should have beaten Laois this year but their dyer shooting was their downfall.Wexford had a good season giving Dublin a run for their money.I was at that game in Croker and must admit I thought we were going to lose.Dublin upped their game against Laois and won it.

I can't see Meath doing too well.They may beat Louth and see then but I think this transitional period will still have an effect on them with new management and the fact that Faye and Trevor Giles may not be in the Meath squad.There is question marks over there heads.

Westmeath had a great season in 2004 but were outshined by Kildare.I hope they beat Offaly though because I prefer their style of football.

I think we are in for a Dublin vs Wexford final but too early to say for sure.

Triton

blackbelt wrote:

I think that in time Kildare will improve but we may see the results of the changes they make in the next 3-4 years.

Offaly should have beaten Laois this year but their dyer shooting was their downfall.Wexford had a good season giving Dublin a run for their money.I was at that game in Croker and must admit I thought we were going to lose.Dublin upped their game against Laois and won it.

I can't see Meath doing too well.They may beat Louth and see then but I think this transitional period will still have an effect on them with new management and the fact that Faye and Trevor Giles may not be in the Meath squad.There is question marks over there heads.

Westmeath had a great season in 2004 but were outshined by Kildare.I hope they beat Offaly though because I prefer their style of football.

I think we are in for a Dublin vs Wexford final but too early to say for sure.

First off, how exactly were Westmeath outshone by Kildare? Both had terrible seasons this year but at least Westmeath won Leinster last year.

As for Wexford, they too had a terrible All-Ireland series. They did well in the league but this counted for nothing in the Championship. They couldn't even beat an average Tipp team that they should of hammered in Tommy Murphy cup.

As a Meath man, I admit that Meath football is in the doldrums but, as a Leinster man, I also think that Leinster football is in the doldrums. Meath are going to have to take a few years to rebuild their team, Dunboyne's performance against Crokes showed that last week.

As for Giles and Fay, we'll see them back in the Meath panel. And don't forget that Dublin only beat Meath by a point this year and we should of hammered Cavan. Graham had personal problems and just didn't turn up on the day.

Let's hope Offaly can get some bleach to sort out their dyer shooting, is that to do with their jerseys or what? I myself would see their dire shooting as their downfall.

Waylander

I think he meant that Kildare outshone Westmeath when they beat them and put them out of Leinster. Also I could have sworn Dublin beat Meath by two points. As for your pedantic grammatical corrections, grow up, I think everyone knows what he intended.

cruiserweight

Triton wrote:

As for Wexford, they too had a terrible All-Ireland series. They did well in the league but this counted for nothing in the Championship. They couldn't even beat an average Tipp team that they should of hammered in Tommy Murphy cup.

Wexford had an excellent league campaign! You are forgetting that they came from a base of not winning a championship game in years a few seasons ago! In the last few seasons they have improved greatly and are knocking on the door of winning a Leinster championship! In fact the last 4 teams to beat Wexford in the Leinster championship have gone onto win the championship, in the case of Dublin twice and Westmeath it has been by narrow margins!

As for the Tommy Murphy trophy, as soon as Wexford were knocked out of the All-Ireland series they did not train and only met up for games! They did not take the competition seriously, although I think they should have! On the day of the final a woeful goalkeeping display gifted Tipperary 2 goals!

The Rooster

Triton wrote:

we should of hammered Cavan.

Interesting comment for someone who takes it upon themselves to correct the grammar of others

The quote itself is interesting too!

cournioni

Triton wrote:

we should of hammered Cavan.

Where did you come up with that idea? Cavan played terrible on the day and still should have beat you by eight or nine points. You were lucky that the penalty in the last minute or so took the bad look off the scoreline.

Just imagine what would have happened to you if Gerald Pierson, John Tierney, Paul Brady, Keith Fannin, Micheal Lyng etc. had all been available.

Lemlin

I'd agree with Pornapster's comments. I have to admit that Geragthy was terrible that day though. If he had played like he did against Dublin, Meath would of won.

That said, if Cavan had knocked over the points like they had done a week or two before against Donegal than Cavan would have won so it cancels itself out in the end.

And, only one team can win and did win - Cavan!

blackbelt

Triton,its not "should of",it is "should have".

Kildare did outshine Westmeath by beating them this year and Dublin did beat Meath by two points.When you say "only",you are automatically undermining the fact that Meath were still beaten.I could go on and say that my team lost by only six points but it does not change the outcome or the fact that Dublin were better than Meath that day.

I was at the Leinster final and the amount of cheers in Croke Park when it was announced that Meath were beaten by Cavan.It was funny.

I think we have to look at this years form at the moment to predict what might happen in the Leinster championship.I think Wexford are getting better every year.They played out of their skins against Dublin and I think whoever run into Wexford are in for a serious match.Whoever wins between Dublin and Laois (presumably) in the semi-final should go on to win the championship.I put my money on Dublin for now but I would certainly not be surprised if we see Wexford in the final.If Wexford are not in the final with Dublin or Laois,I think it will be Offaly.