All Ireland Minor Final - Clare vs. Kilkenny

Clareman

Couldn't see a thread for this so I thought I'd start 1

Clare are coming into this game after 2 shakey games where they were by far the stronger team but allowed the other team back into it repeatedly. Kilkenny are coming of very strong performances where they brushed asside the opposition.

Personally, I think that Kilkenny are the favourites, not 1/12 like the bookies are saying and not 9 point favourites either, which is why I've Clare backed at 13/2 and 11/10 +9.

Underage hurling is always difficult to judge, but my my reckoning it's Clare's 7th All Ireland Hurling Final in Croke park in my lifetime and it's going to be my 7th 1 to attend, Upper Cusack.

Up the Banner

adrian522

I'd agree with this, Kilkenny were strong again Galway but the game was over early on and Galway surprisingly threw in the towel quite early.

Very difficult to predict but I'd imagine Kilkenny would win but not by 9 points. Expecting big things from ollie Walsh and John Power in particular.

dastardly00

Clare will need to put in a better performance than they did against Dublin in the semi-final but I expect Kilkenny to be too strong. But I don't think they should be 1/12 favourites though, crazy odds! Minor matches at this level can be quite unpredictable. Heads can drop very quickly if a goal occurs from a mistake etc.

hardybuck

Waterford beat Cork in the Munster semi replay and had to play Clare again 4 days later. Clare edged out Waterford, who on another day could have won.

Galway were too good for Waterford. Kilkenny hammered Galway by 19 points.

Clare beat Dublin by a point. Kilkenny beat Dublin by 13 points.

All the indications are that Kilkenny could very easily win this game by 9 points or more. Hopefully I'll be wrong.

Toblerone1978

I didn't get to see the game between Clare and Dublin but by all accounts, they had difficulties with Dublin. But we all know that Dublin has some of the best underage teams, particularly at minors.

KK did swat Galway in the semi final but two qualifications I would add to this (1) KK minors were going for goals when they had the ball 40 yds out - sometimes it works for you (as it did on the day), most times it doesn't - personally I don't think lightning will strike twice and (2) the Galway keeper gifted KK a goal just after half time and any ambition GY had of getting back into the game was squashed by themselves.

I don't think KK are as good as the semi-final scoreline suggests but I do think they will win the AI. Like I said earlier, I know nothing about Clare but this KK minor seem to be as good as a minor team I've seen in a while. I put it this way, I definteily have more confident that we will the minor than I do about the senior.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Rarely are there one-sided finals in any sport but I'd fancy Kk to beat Clare by 20+. (that said I am from Galway!)

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Toblerone1978 wrote: »

I didn't get to see the game between Clare and Dublin but by all accounts, they had difficulties with Dublin. But we all know that Dublin has some of the best underage teams, particularly at minors.

Not going by the last 10 or so years. Cant recall any AI success Dublin have had other than this years U-21. Not trying to be biased here but I'd consider Galway the strongest underage county in both codes. This decade we've had AI success in both codes at minor and U-21 and I think this is the first year in 7 (?) that our minor hurlers aren't in the final.

Clareman

Don't forget as well that it was most of the Clare lad's first time playing in Croke Park which can have a big effect, the goalie also had an injury, 20 minutes into the game they looked like they were going to walk it.

Galway lost their best player early on and their goalie let in some stinkers. I don't think a Clare team will ever be favourites against Kilkenny (including footballers here ) but I think they are a very good price

marco_polo

I would expect us to be competitive, but Kilkenny should ultimately prove a little too strong I feel.

No matter what I am going to enjoy an all too rare appearance by the Saffron and Blue in Croke Park nonetheless. :cool:

Clareman

Remember that up until recently Clare were unbeaten in Croke Park, in fact I believe that Kilkenny have never beaten us there

marco_polo

*Cough* 1932 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final

Irish Hitman

marco_polo wrote: »

*Cough* 1932 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final

H'ON CLARE YEeehOOOO!!

Clareman

marco_polo wrote: »

*Cough* 1932 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final

It wasn't really finished then so it was still Jones Road

Nickibaby*

Clareman wrote: »

Remember that up until recently Clare were unbeaten in Croke Park, in fact I believe that Kilkenny have never beaten us there

2006 Semi Final Clare were beaten by KK in Croker.

Can't wait till Sunday. The U21s beat KK last year lets hope the minors do it this year

Up the Banner!!

Clareman

Right, I'll qualify this, Clare have never been beaten in the "new" Croke Park by a Kilkenny team in an All Ireland final (it's not that I thought that 2006 was in Thurlas)

Speak Now

Clareman wrote: »

Right, I'll qualify this, Clare have never been beaten in the "new" Croke Park by a Kilkenny team in an All Ireland final (it's not that I thought that 2006 was in Thurlas)

what's the "new" croke park? Was it not there in 2002?

Clareman

Everyone knows that hurling only really started in 1995

Wasn't there 4 different stages in Croke Parks development? Original (Jones Road), Croke Park, Croke Park with 2 tiered stands and what we have now

Speak Now

THFC wrote: »

Not going by the last 10 or so years. Cant recall any AI success Dublin have had other than this years U-21. Not trying to be biased here but I'd consider Galway the strongest underage county in both codes. This decade we've had AI success in both codes at minor and U-21 and I think this is the first year in 7 (?) that our minor hurlers aren't in the final.

2007 final was a repeat of Munster final, Cork V Tipp.

kilkenny have more underage all irelands in the last decade than Galway.

In last 5 years Dublin have won 2 each of Leinster minor and u21.

Speak Now

Clareman wrote: »

Everyone knows that hurling only really started in 1995

Wasn't there 4 different stages in Croke Parks development? Original (Jones Road), Croke Park, Croke Park with 2 tiered stands and what we have now

So why dont you count 2002?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XItXw05-XuI

Clareman

I was thinking more along the lines of the Juniors and the Under 21s, everyone knows that 2002 doesn't count

Warper

Got my ticket for Sunday - yaaaaaaaaa. Should be a great days hurling though will prob be dying with a hangover at 1.30 kickoff time. Hope we win obv. but KK are the favs and rightly so. Still I dont think the Clare boys will be afraid of them and if we can stick with them in the first half we can give it a right good go. Up the Banner.

Clareman

It's 1.15 throw in, I'm thinking hangover, breakfast, match, first half of senior match, road home

Irish Hitman

Clareman wrote: »

It's 1.15 throw in, I'm thinking hangover, breakfast, match, first half of senior match, road home

Shouda got train 30euro up and down

deccy15

Clare +9 in the handicap is an absolute cert imo.

flahavaj

deccy15 wrote: »

Clare +9 in the handicap is an absolute cert imo.

I went the other way tbh. These KK minors are absolutely exceptional.

coffeelover

I couldn't get a ticket but anyway C'MON THE BANNER

Junior D

adrian522 wrote: »

Ollie Walsh and John Power in particular.

John Power = Over-rated hurler. Not bad, but he's never gonna be a match winner,

Ollie Walsh is an absolute class player. Sometimes. Very inconsistant, can be exceptional but also very poor.

The real players from kilkenny to look out for are:

Brian Kennedy, St. Lachtains, Corner Back,
Luke Harney, Kilmacow, Centre Back (Future Kilkenny Star, Unbelieveable),
Ollie Walsh, Dicksboro, Midfield,
Kevin Kelly, St. Patricks, Midfield (Like Ollie, can be unpredictable, but is class. Still has next year as well),
Cillian Buckley, Dicksboro ,Wing Forward (Same as Harney, Unbelieveable),
Ger Aylward, Glenmore, Full Forward, (This man is built like a brick sh!t house. Class hurler as well)

Another man who should be here is Willie Phelan, although after a heavy shoulder injury during training i'd worry about him tomorrow.

Harney, Buckley and Phelan are definite future Kilkenny hurlers. Maybe Ollie, Kelly and Aylward as well.

soccymonster

It'd be great for Clare hurling if they could win today.
Especially after last years u21 success.

There'll be alot of pressure on Clare's defence alright. Seeing as KK destroyed Galways defence the last day out.
Although Clare have some exceptional players like Tony Kelly, Enda Boyce, Niall Arthur....
But still I don't think it's enough. If KK play like they did last time out, they'll win by 6+ imo.

KevIRL

Shameful decision by the GAA to do away with the victory speech for the winning minor captain. No sense or reason to it, change for the sake of change imo

Benny Cake

Is the rte.ie player working ok for people? Cant seem to get it going...

Min

D_Red_Army wrote: »

Is the rte.ie player working ok for people? Cant seem to get it going...

Tested it to see as I am watching the TV, it is working fine here.

jpo

Hi, i would be so grateful if anyone could provide a link to watch this game online for someone in England. The channel that usually shows it is not doing and as an exiled Clare man I'm a bit gutted.

Diabhal Beag

That penalty has really inspired Clare

Benny Cake

Min wrote: »

Tested it to see as I am watching the TV, it is working fine here.

Cheers, its working now, had to download firefox though, twasnt working on Safari...

KevIRL

KK getting it back to just 4 points by HT. Could be a cracking second half

Kristopherus

deccy15 wrote: »

Clare +9 in the handicap is an absolute cert imo.

Looks like it now. Hope you make a killing:)

mnholl

jpo wrote: »

Hi, i would be so grateful if anyone could provide a link to watch this game online for someone in England. The channel that usually shows it is not doing and as an exiled Clare man I'm a bit gutted.

Echo this - so frustrating when those with the rights don't fulfill them.
I've complained to Premier Sports and the GAA! So any link to watch it would be much appreciated.

mnholl

jpo wrote: »

Hi, i would be so grateful if anyone could provide a link to watch this game online for someone in England. The channel that usually shows it is not doing and as an exiled Clare man I'm a bit gutted.

echo this! I feel very let down by Premier Sports. Have complained to them and to the GAA. So any link would be much appreciated.

whocares86

was the Kilkenny 2nd goal a square ball

baldbear

Dont think it was a square ball. Kilkenny have it now i'd say.
Clare went too quiet at the start of 2nd half.

Kristopherus

Better team finished 2nd imho.

Min

WooooooooooooHooooooooooooooo

Congrats to our minor team, great win after the bad start.

Part one successful so hopefully part 2 is.

KevIRL

Kristopherus wrote: »

Better team finished 2nd imho.

I'd disagree, the better team must press home its advantage when they have it. Clare didnt in the first half, similar to the seniors in the Munster Championship against Waterford, they were well ahead but let KK get a few points late on to reduce the deficit to 4 by HT. They then never really looked like getting a goal. KK marginally the better team overall, but a really cracking second half.

Clare have lots of talent coming through and will definitely be a strong force in a couple of years.

Hammer Archer

Yet another fantastic decision by the bigwigs in the GAA to do away with minor speeches :rolleyes:

ShamoBuc

THFC wrote: »

Rarely are there one-sided finals in any sport but I'd fancy Kk to beat Clare by 20+. (that said I am from Galway!)

Isn't it amazing how some peoples predictions can be soooooo wrong.
A really enjoyable game, but, I did feel that Clare would need a goal at some stage to stay ahead of KK. Minor games every year, in both codes, prove that they are very hard to call. I would have liked to see a replay to be fair.

CiaranMT

And replaced by Black Eyed Peas... Fantastic :rolleyes:

KevIRL

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Yet another fantastic decision by the bigwigs in the GAA to do away with minor speeches :rolleyes:

Its terrible, and absolutely pointless. Should be outcry against it, and should definitely be brought up at the next congress.

Kristopherus

Well if thats the greatest ever Kilkenny minor team and win an All-ireland playing below par, then there's a huge challenge ahead for anyone trying to topple the Cats any time soon. The production line is getting even more productive !!!

Kristopherus

KevIRL wrote: »

Its terrible, and absolutely pointless. Should be outcry against it, and should definitely be brought up at the next congress.

+1

coffeelover

What a match!! Clare deserved to win though

Clareman

Back from the match now (couldn't bear to watch the senior), Clare were just a little bit too small for Kilkenny, but say that, Kilkenny are filthy, Arthur was taken out of it in the first half and the corner back was clocked for the second goal, which was a square ball by the way, I was shocked by the amount of off the ball "antics" from Kilkenny, never seen it in a minor match before, still our lads did us proud (and I broke even on my bets )