Which 2 teams will make it through the hurling qualifiers?

ddddd

Its hard to pick from Galway, Waterord, Cork/ Dublin, Limerick/ Offaly!!!


I'd say that the favourites are probably Galway and Waterford but the other teams are all capable of making it through provided that they perform

premierstone

Its got to be Galway and Cork for me.

cruiserweight

I will wait and see what the draw is. Cork v Galway would be a great game if they drew each other.

aidan24326

cruiserweight wrote: »

I will wait and see what the draw is. Cork v Galway would be a great game if they drew each other.

Yeah alot depends on the draw. I'd expect Cork and Limerick to come through the two games at the weekend. For the next draw after that I'd say Galway and Waterford would both prefer to get Limerick than Cork. Waterford would be smelling a bit of revenge too after what happened last year.

Not that Limerick would be an easy game by any means, but Cork would be feared more. Whether that's justified or not I don't know, Cork aren't the force they were but you would still underestimate them at your peril. Galway v Cork would be a belter alright, in a way I wouldn't mind that draw as if Galway are going to win the All-Ireland we'll have to beat all the big teams anyway, the only variable is the order in which to do it.

And Galway have beaten Cork a couple of times this year, beat them in the league semi and again in a challenge game a couple of weeks ago. I'd be confident it will be two from Galway/Cork/Waterford, which two is hard to predict as there's not much between the three of them.

hunter164

Dublin and Cork.
A man can hope.

cruiserweight

hunter164 wrote: »

Dublin and Cork.
A man can hope.

If only they hadn't drawn each other

hunter164

Ah ye forgot about that! Dublin and Galway it is.

bill_ashmount

aidan24326 wrote: »

And Galway have beaten Cork a couple of times this year, beat them in the league semi and again in a challenge game a couple of weeks ago.

Whatever about the league game, don't read too much into the challenge game. I've seen more skill at an under 5's game than was shown by both teams that day.

Daysha

Regardless of what the draw is, since Galway and Waterford avoid each other I'd be fairly confident that us and them will be the two teams through. Both teams should beat Cork, and Limerick haven't shown much this year.

premierstone

deise59 wrote: »

Regardless of what the draw is, since Galway and Waterford avoid each other I'd be fairly confident that us and them will be the two teams through. Both teams should beat Cork, and Limerick haven't shown much this year.

Wouldnt be so quick to rule out Cork just yet and if your going on form their performance against Tipp was far more impressive than Waterford against Clare, still just have the feeling theres one more big surge in Cork yet.

Pride Fighter

Dublin and Galway.

Daysha

premierstone wrote: »

Wouldnt be so quick to rule out Cork just yet and if your going on form their performance against Tipp was far more impressive than Waterford against Clare, still just have the feeling theres one more big surge in Cork yet.

I'd agree we were diabolical against Clare, and I still think Cork are a strong team, but the situations leading up to the two games were very contrasting. We were playing without 4 All-Stars and under a manager who had apparantly lost the respect of the dressing room by then. Both those issues have since been fixed. Cork on the other hand were at near full-strength and they capitulated at the end of the match in a way I haven't seen Cork do this century.

And if go by form in Waterford/Cork matches, since the AI semi final in 2006, Waterford have beat Cork 4 times (knocking them out of NHL, Munster and the All Ireland), drawn once while Cork have only won the play-off we had during the NHL this year. And under Davy Fitz, I'd be very confident we can take them again.

ddddd

do ye not thik Limerick have a good chance considering that after the Munster Final defeat to Waterford everybody had written them off and eded up in the AI Final and were there abouts with KK for the whole match except the first 5 to 10 mins? More than alot of teams could say they did?

Beached

Its gonna be Galway and cork.

CyberDave

It's between Galway, Cork and Waterford to get through. Don't see Limerick posing much of a threat. Two of the three above are probably going to meet each other, I just hope it's not Galway and Waterford, It would be nice to see either of them stay in the championship for the sake of a change. Both of them play a high intensity game which would bode for an epic or two later in the championship. I think Cork have dipped a bit and seem to be in a mini period of transition (4/5 new faces for Saturdays qualifiers), however I wouldn't write them off.

Kojak

I am amazed that so many people are taking Galway to win their next qualifier match. After all they have had 2 meaningless games against Laois and Antrim (NO offence but 20 + point winning margins is hardly a test) which will leave them not knowing what their best team is or how some players will actually perform when the pressure comes on in the last 10 minutes of the game.

While most Galway people would choose Limerick over Crok as possible opponents, I dont think it matters. Galway will be coming in cold against a team who will have had 2 meaningful matches.

As for the others, well I'd expect Cork to beat Dublin fairly easily (+6 points) while if there is to be an upset, it will come in the shape of Offaly beating Limerick. Still its Limerick and Cork from this weekend's matches for me.

After that I'd say it will be Waterford and either Cork or Galway to go into the 1/4 finals. At this moment in time, I'd go for Cork.

CyberDave

Kojak wrote: »

I am amazed that so many people are taking Galway to win their next qualifier match. After all they have had 2 meaningless games against Laois and Antrim (NO offence but 20 + point winning margins is hardly a test) which will leave them not knowing what their best team is or how some players will actually perform when the pressure comes on in the last 10 minutes of the game.

While most Galway people would choose Limerick over Crok as possible opponents, I dont think it matters. Galway will be coming in cold against a team who will have had 2 meaningful matches.

As for the others, well I'd expect Cork to beat Dublin fairly easily (+6 points) while if there is to be an upset, it will come in the shape of Offaly beating Limerick. Still its Limerick and Cork from this weekend's matches for me.

After that I'd say it will be Waterford and either Cork or Galway to go into the 1/4 finals. At this moment in time, I'd go for Cork.

That surely has been the case as far as I can remember. Galway always come in cold against teams that have already had tough games. Often in the past it hasn't bothered them, it often even helps with an ambush of the opposition. The same could be said of Kilkenny this year. They are now sitting in the semi-final having only had any real test in first half of the Wexford game. Yes Galway have some well documented weaknesses, but it was Galway who ran Kilkenny closest last year even with those weaknesses.

Daysha

ddddd wrote: »

do ye not think Limerick have a good chance considering that after the Munster Final defeat to Waterford everybody had written them off and eded up in the AI Final and were there abouts with KK for the whole match except the first 5 to 10 mins? More than alot of teams could say they did?

You're forgetting one vital point. There is a HUGE difference between Limericks form last year in the run up to the Waterford semi final and Limericks form this year in the run up to this qualifier stage. No offense but I honestly don't think you guys have much hope of getting any further.

grenache

Kojak wrote: »

As for the others, well I'd expect Cork to beat Dublin fairly easily (+6 points) while if there is to be an upset, it will come in the shape of Offaly beating Limerick. .

I watched a Limerick-Dublin challenge game last weekend, and to say that either team wouldn't break eggs off a stone wall is being kind - Limerick won by a point. The men in green certainly won't go any further than the quarter finals this year, but i doubt very much that Offaly will even get near them, so bad are the Faithful men at the moment. Cork are in period of transition, bringing in new young talent like Pa Cronin and Cathal Naughton, their new look forward line didn't seem to gel at all against Tipp and i'm not one bit surprised to see Timmy McCarthy and Neil Ronan back in. They'll be there or there abouts, but i couldn't see them going any further than the semi's. I still think its Waterford and Galway that will go through, the former are still the second best team in the country in my opinion, and the latter are capable of a bit of magic on any given day. Galway's record in the qualifiers in recent years is quite good.

ddddd

grenache wrote: »

I watched a Limerick-Dublin challenge game last weekend, and to say that either team wouldn't break eggs off a stone wall is being kind - Limerick won by a poing. The men in green certainly won't go any further than the quarter finals this year

thats all that it was a CHALLENGE GAME... challenge games are like league matches.. meaningless when it comes to the championship and Dublin drew with KK I think in the league but I don't see you saying KK won't get past the Quarters??

grenache

ddddd wrote: »

thats all that it was a CHALLENGE GAME... challenge games are like league matches.. meaningless when it comes to the championship and Dublin drew with KK I think in the league but I don't see you saying KK won't get past the Quarters??

Not all challenge games are meaningless, they are often a very good indicator of a teams form. Also this was a game in which there was competition for places, and there was some shoddy hurling from certain Limerick players. The very same players who should have been looking to impress given their poor performances against Clare.

Kojak

grenache wrote: »

Galway's record in the qualifiers in recent years is quite good.

I'm sorry, grenache, but I have to disagree with you there. If you consider beating the sh1t out of Laois and Antrim every year as a good record then fair enough. But you have to remember that Galway haven't beaten any of the other top 9 teams in the country in championship action since the All-Ireland semi-final of 2005 against KK. That is almost 3 years without a meaningful win in the championship.

Since 2002, they have only beaten Limerick, Cork, Clare, Tipp and KK once each. That is 5 meaningful wins in 7 years (including 2008) and 3 of them came in the 2005 season where they reached the All-Ireland final. The stats show themselves that Galway are, in fact, one of the poorer teams when it comes to the qualifiers.

Daysha

Well that was a turn-up for the books. Again though like the Clare match it was more a case of Limerick pressing their own self-distruct button. Not taking anything away from Offaly though, fair play to them.

Regardless, I still think both Galway and Waterford will both be hoping they get Offaly and not Cork

Jugs82

Regardless of what the draw is, since Galway and Waterford avoid each other I'd be fairly confident that us and them will be the two teams through. Both teams should beat Cork, and Limerick haven't shown much this year.

Your probably right but still still Offaly are certainly capable of big performances against either Cork or Waterford, so i wouldnt rule out Offaly been involved in the semi finals

Kojak

deise59 wrote: »

Regardless, I still think both Galway and Waterford will both be hoping they get Offaly and not Cork

True, Deise59. But Cork seemed to be very lethargic today and maybe are not as strong as other years. Also, from the point of view of a more open championship, I think Waterford have a far better chance of beating the Rebels than Galway do. I will admit that if Galway draw Offaly tomorrow evening I will be a happy man.

CyberDave

Kojak wrote: »

I will admit that if Galway draw Offaly tomorrow evening I will be a happy man.

I would prefer if Galway got Cork. Offaly never feared Galway no matter when they met and who have Offaly won two of their All-Irelands off in the past. I was at the league match in Tullamore between Galway and Offaly earlier this year and Offaly should have won it only for a Farragher free in the last couple of minutes. Going on the evidence from yesterdays matches Offaly are more the in form team with Cork struggling to beat Dublin who in previous years they would have seen off easily.

Daysha

Offaly in the qualifiers, Wexford in the quarters which would mean Tipp in the semis, I'd take that tbh

I just know we'll get Cork as usual though. 9 Championship matches in 6 years between us and them since 2002 so you just know that'll continue for a while yet.

CyberDave

deise59 wrote: »

Offaly in the qualifiers, Wexford in the quarters which would mean Tipp in the semis, I'd take that tbh

I just know we'll get Cork as usual though. 9 Championship matches in 6 years between us and them since 2002 so you just know that'll continue for a while yet.

If the GAA were to tailor the draw to create as much interest as possible they would love to pair up Cork and Waterford for another epic battle and by pairing Offaly and Galway you have another neighbourly rivalry. I wonder will the two matches be played together next weekend? Will they be in Thurles?

Daysha

They sure will. Double header in Thurles (both on RTE)

tonc76

Is that definite?

CyberDave

Galway versus Cork and Waterford versus Offaly. Nice

tonc76

Good draw for Waterford Offaly will do well to be at full fitness and mentally right after yesterday

Are both games in Thurles?

KevIRL

CyberDave wrote: »

Galway versus Cork and Waterford versus Offaly. Nice

Far from a walkover for Waterford, but I'm well happy with that

Mossy Monk

tonc76 wrote: »

Are both games in Thurles?

Michael Lester just said details will be announced over the coming days. A double header in Thurles next Saturday would make sense to me.

CyberDave

Kojak wrote: »

I'm sorry, grenache, but I have to disagree with you there. If you consider beating the sh1t out of Laois and Antrim every year as a good record then fair enough. But you have to remember that Galway haven't beaten any of the other top 9 teams in the country in championship action since the All-Ireland semi-final of 2005 against KK. That is almost 3 years without a meaningful win in the championship.

Since 2002, they have only beaten Limerick, Cork, Clare, Tipp and KK once each. That is 5 meaningful wins in 7 years (including 2008) and 3 of them came in the 2005 season where they reached the All-Ireland final. The stats show themselves that Galway are, in fact, one of the poorer teams when it comes to the qualifiers.

Compared to who?

Pride Fighter

Offaly will take Waterford IMO.

Daysha

Feckin delighted tbh, but taking nothing for granted obviously. It's still the easier draw from our perspective regardless of recent form and i'm pretty confident that we'll come through it, but it'll still be tough.

Nice to see as well now that if we do eventually meet Cork again this year, it can't happen until the All Ireland final. I mean the games played between the two are consistently exciting, but they're not too good for the heart!

Galway and Waterford to qualify

Daysha

Can somebody confirm this for me? A few over on upthedeise.com seem to think that if Waterford win we have to play Wexford in the quarters since we can't meet Clare again this year. I knew this was the case with the qualifiers but does this apply for the All Ireland series too?

Edit: Just checked out the GAA website and that is indeed the case. Waterford can't meet Clare again in the quarter finals, so if we beat Offaly, we face Wexford! So with that, this is how the rest of the Championship shapes up:

Qualifiers
Waterford vs. Offaly
Galway vs. Cork

Quarter Finals
Wexford vs. Waterford/Offaly
Clare vs. Galway/Cork

Semi Finals
Tipperary vs. Wexford/Waterford/Offaly
Kilkenny vs. Clare/Galway/Cork

Interesting stuff. For my own counties sake, it's good to be on the opposite side of the draw to both Kilkenny and Cork. I think tbh we'd be favorites to be the team to go on and face Tipperary in the semis, but if we get there we'll be in for some wicked test.

Good to see Kilkenny with a tough test in the semi as well. I'd probably expect the winner of Galway/Cork to face them.

Kojak

CyberDave wrote: »

Compared to who?

Clare for one. The first year the "new" qualifier" system came in, they used it as a means to get to an All-Ireland final while Galway messed around in the 1/4 finals. Also in 2004, they reached the 1/4 finals while Galway were being thumped by KK below in Thurles (not the first time that has happened, and unfortunatly IMO it wont be the last either) In 2005 and 2006, Clare used the qualifier system to reach the semi-finals on both occasions. So there is one team, at least, who have a better record in the qualifiers than Galway.

As for the draw today, terrible draw for Galway. They have not been tested so far this year, and while Cork did look sluggish against the Dubs, I still think that the Rebels will have far too much for a naieve Galway.

In the other match, Waterford to win by 6+ points as most of Offaly's lads will have played 3 matches in the space of 8 days (The Limerick match yesterday, the U-21 Leinster final against KK on Wednesday and the Waterford match next Saturday)

nkay1985

deise59 wrote: »

Just checked out the GAA website and that is indeed the case. Waterford can't meet Clare again in the quarter finals, so if we beat Offaly, we face Wexford! So with that, this is how the rest of the Championship shapes up:

Qualifiers
Waterford vs. Offaly
Galway vs. Cork

Quarter Finals
Wexford vs. Waterford/Offaly
Clare vs. Galway/Cork

Semi Finals
Tipperary vs. Wexford/Waterford/Offaly
Kilkenny vs. Clare/Galway/Cork

Interesting stuff. For my own counties sake, it's good to be on the opposite side of the draw to both Kilkenny and Cork. I think tbh we'd be favorites to be the team to go on and face Tipperary in the semis, but if we get there we'll be in for some wicked test.

Good to see Kilkenny with a tough test in the semi as well. I'd probably expect the winner of Galway/Cork to face them.

Yeah was reafing that on upthedeise myself but I don't understand why the semi finals are guaranteed to be that way? Unless it's that provincial finalista are kept away from each other until the final but, as we met Lierick in the semi last year, I don't see how this can be? Can anyone clarify?

Can't believe we actually got the easier draw - we never do! But easier or not, it'll still be a tough game judging by the hiding Offaly gave to Limerick. Hopefully we'll progress to the semis. If we don't, we just aren't good enough this year.

CyberDave

Kojak wrote: »

Clare for one. The first year the "new" qualifier" system came in, they used it as a means to get to an All-Ireland final while Galway messed around in the 1/4 finals. Also in 2004, they reached the 1/4 finals while Galway were being thumped by KK below in Thurles (not the first time that has happened, and unfortunately IMO it wont be the last either) In 2005 and 2006, Clare used the qualifier system to reach the semi-finals on both occasions. So there is one team, at least, who have a better record in the qualifiers than Galway.

As for the draw today, terrible draw for Galway. They have not been tested so far this year, and while Cork did look sluggish against the Dubs, I still think that the Rebels will have far too much for a naieve Galway.

Limerick, Wexford and Offaly haven't had many meaningful qualifier wins either. It's not not as if Galway were the only team ever thumped by Kilkenny either ask Wexford and Offaly in the past few years. Coming in cold doesn't help Galway but they have proven that when they do click they have the ability and intensity to stick with and even beat Kilkenny.

I wouldn't be too sure about Cork having way to much for Galway next Saturday. Cork completely collapsed in the second half against Tipp and Galway tore them apart in the first half of the league semi-final before they became complacent in the second half and allowed them back into the match. It will probably be a tight game. Cork are probably at a slight advantage considering the extra hard matches but I don't believe they are SO much better than Galway. There isn't much evidence this year so far to suggest they are.

Daysha

nkay1985 wrote: »

Yeah was reafing that on upthedeise myself but I don't understand why the semi finals are guaranteed to be that way? Unless it's that provincial finalista are kept away from each other until the final but, as we met Lierick in the semi last year, I don't see how this can be? Can anyone clarify?

Can't believe we actually got the easier draw - we never do! But easier or not, it'll still be a tough game judging by the hiding Offaly gave to Limerick. Hopefully we'll progress to the semis. If we don't, we just aren't good enough this year.

To quote gaa.ie

10.08.08 (Sun)
All Ireland Hurling Semi-Final

Leinster Champions v Munster Runner Up or Team who beats them.

17.08.09 (Sun)
All Ireland Hurling Semi-Final

Munster Champions v Leinster Runner Up or Team who beats them.

Jugs82

In the other match, Waterford to win by 6+ points as most of Offaly's lads will have played 3 matches in the space of 8 days (The Limerick match yesterday, the U-21 Leinster final against KK on Wednesday and the Waterford match next Saturday)

Ive heard rumours that the Offaly U-21 match scheduled for mid-week has been put back to next week - IMO, it would be a disgrace to have the majority of Offaly players play 3 competitive matches in a week

Everybody rattles on about how hurling needs the likes of Offaly, Wexford etc.. doing well so i hope common sense prevails and Offaly can concentrate on the match against Waterford - looking forward to a great match and certainly think most of the Deise lads on here are a little over-confident - Offaly have a bit of momentum behind them now so it wont be the stroll on the park many expect - take a look at the comment below from last week

The men in green certainly won't go any further than the quarter finals this year, but i doubt very much that Offaly will even get near them, so bad are the Faithful men at the moment.

Daysha

Jugs82 wrote: »

Everybody rattles on about how hurling needs the likes of Offaly, Wexford etc.. doing well so i hope common sense prevails and Offaly can concentrate on the match against Waterford - looking forward to a great match and certainly think most of the Deise lads on here are a little over-confident - Offaly have a bit of momentum behind them now so it wont be the stroll on the park many expect - take a look at the comment below from last week

Not sure where you're getting that from tbh, From what I've read here and other sites the general consensus is that while it is the easier draw it's still going yo be an extremely tough game, and I'm not doubting that for one second.

Offaly have one of the best forwards in the game currently with Joe Bergin, and considering our full-back frailties over recent years, Ken is going to have to be at the top of his game to keep him quiet.

I do hope Offaly can get their U21 match rescheduled. They've nothing to lose now so they'll need the entire 15 in top shape if they feel they can beat us.

You cant blame us for being relieved that for once we get to avoid the neighbours. I'm obviously going to tip Waterford to get through but that doesnt mean im not expecting fiercely close games and one or two scares along the way

Mossy Monk

Jugs82 wrote: »

and certainly think most of the Deise lads on here are a little over-confident

?

I have only heard one person proclaim that it will be a walkover and that person is a tool. Everyone else saw a great Offaly performance last Saturday so I do not know where you are seeing the over confidence.

Jugs82

Not sure where you're getting that from tbh, From what I've read here and other sites the general consensus is that while it is the easier draw it's still going yo be an extremely tough game, and I'm not doubting that for one second.

Fair play - looking forward to it now

bill_ashmount

CyberDave wrote: »

Galway versus Cork

This match will tell a lot. I'm very unsure about Cork and have doubts about how good Galway really are. Should become a lot clearer by Saturday night.

Tomthepost

Surely Galway and Waterford. Cork look a spent force and as seems to happen every year Offaly or Wexford pull out a shock result. Waterford will surely handle Offaly.

aidan24326

Galway v Cork should be a cracker. Galway tore Cork to pieces in the first half of the league semi final and then fell asleep in the second half. It's likely to be alot closer this time, and I don't think that league game was high on Cork's priority list anyway. Next Saturday is a whole different animal altogether. Galway have better forwards and might be a bit hungrier for this one aswell, it's a huge game for Galway and a real make or break game for Loughnane, and I think Galway will shade it.

aidan24326

Confirmed as a double header in Thurles on Saturday evening.

Waterford v Offaly 5pm

Galway v Cork 7pm

Both games live on RTE.

cruiserweight

aidan24326 wrote: »

Confirmed as a double header in Thurles on Saturday evening.

Waterford v Offaly 5pm

Galway v Cork 7pm

Both games live on RTE.

Just beat me to it. I will be back in Ireland from Friday (for the big game on Sunday ) so I will get to see some hurling on rte and the football on tv3 without being surrounded by Scots (except for the missus who is coming with me)