GAA Club All Ireland Finals

adrian522

The GAA Club all Ireland Finals are due to take place 2 weeks from Thursday on St. Patricks Day March 17th.

2pm Hurling final

O'Loughlin Gaels v Clarinbridge

3:45 Football Final:

St Bridgid's v Crossmaglen Rangers

Ticket Prices are €25. I seem to remember last year tickets were available earlier and for cheaper if you bought earlier. They seem to have abondaned that.

Also 2 weeks to go and there has been no promotion of the games, tickets are still not on sale on ticket master butt are available on tickets.ie though this has not been announced anywhere that I can see.

I think the prices are a bit steep and will discourage the casual fan from just turning up on the day.

Also I notice that the football is on after the hurling again. I thought they alternated which was on first every year?

I think it's quite difficult to switch to watching the football after watching the hurling as hurling is obviously a much faster game. But I generally prefer hurling anyway.

I see the bookies have made O'loughlins favourites. I'm not sure why as Clarinbridge looked very good in their semi final.

Hope we see 2 good games this year but I think the attendance will be down from last year.

blackbelt

I for one am not going this year for the first time in a long time.I thought the quality was quite poor last year and the atmosphere pretty dour.Add in that Kilmacud Crokes won't be there and the price of tickets.

Best thing the GAA could do is slash ticket prices or give out more free tickets to get as many people going.I always liked going every year but this year I will give it a miss.

adrian522

Yes, I'm debating it myself.

League games are €13 so €25 seems a bit steep.

blackbelt

adrian522 wrote: »

Yes, I'm debating it myself.

League games are €13 so €25 seems a bit steep.

Effectively,you are paying twice the amount for a seat for games which are not of the same standard.I didn't get anything from going to it last year plus I'm working that day this year so it works out better to have that day off later in the year.

ShamoBuc

The prices are a bit high. They should be 20 and 40 for a family ticket wouldn't be bad. Am looking forward to the hurling game alot, it should be a cracker, Clarinbridge for me - I thought earlier in the year that they could win it outright and there's only one step left for the.
The football - beating Nemo was a feat in itself and I wonder was that their All Ireland final? I would expect the experience of Croos to see them through.

adrian522

I seem to remember getting an early bird ticked for €5 or €10 with the season ticket last year.

OLG have a good club team and a great attitude, it could be a great game, hopefully the weather will be half decent.

wow sierra

Tickets are being sold to the clubs involved at €20 which isn't so bad.

In Roscommon there is huge interest as St Brigids are the first team from there to make the final for 20 years. And given that the county team is in Div 4 this year, it is a huge achievemnet to have a club team competing at this level. They also beat the Joyces (sorry Killererin:rolleyes:) and the mighty Nemo Rangers on the way.

The hurling semi final between Clarinbridge and De La Salle is being praised as one of the best ever Hurling games.

Think this will be a great day out in Croker and don't worry about atmosphere - the Rossies will take care of that.

adrian522

Well I've decided to go, have my tickets sorted. I'll watch the hurling anyway and if the football is shaping up like its a good game I'll stay for that as well, should keep me out of the pub for a few hours anyway which is good because I'm working Friday.

Hope the weather doesn't spoil it,

looseygoosey

blackbelt wrote: »

Effectively,you are paying twice the amount for a seat for games which are not of the same standard.I didn't get anything from going to it last year plus I'm working that day this year so it works out better to have that day off later in the year.

The club all irelands will be of a better standard and of course higher intensity than any league game.

aidan24326

looseygoosey wrote: »

The club all irelands will be of a better standard and of course higher intensity than any league game.

I agree. I think the club finals day is one of the best on the GAA calendar. It's a chance for the clubs to take centre stage, and winning in Croke Park with the club means more to most (if not all) players than winning with the county does, as your winning alongside lads you grew up with. I can't go this year as have other plans but I go most years and 25 euro isn't overly steep for two good games, though in the current climate I'd agree they should have reduced it to 20.

I'd go for Crossmaglen to win the football, think their experience might just see them through. Clarinbridge will win the hurling. I've seen OLG a couple of times and they didn't really impress me. They seem to be more a tough dogged team as opposed to a classy hurling outfit. There should be a decent crowd as I'd say the Ros supporters will travel in big numbers.

adrian522

aidan24326 wrote: »

I've seen OLG a couple of times and they didn't really impress me.

What games have you seen OLG play?

I've seen them play 3 times between the KK county championship as well as the Leinster final and I thought they have impressive enough.

They don't have a whole load of Inter county players but are a very good club team and they will cause Clarinbridge problems.

TBH I think that the hurling is a very difficult one to call and very evenly matched teams.

JR79

wow sierra wrote: »

Tickets are being sold to the clubs involved at €20 which isn't so bad.

In Roscommon there is huge interest as St Brigids are the first team from there to make the final for 20 years. And given that the county team is in Div 4 this year, it is a huge achievemnet to have a club team competing at this level. They also beat the Joyces (sorry Killererin:rolleyes:) and the mighty Nemo Rangers on the way.

The hurling semi final between Clarinbridge and De La Salle is being praised as one of the best ever Hurling games.

Think this will be a great day out in Croker and don't worry about atmosphere - the Rossies will take care of that.

Roscommon always turn out in big numbers, especially when we get to Croke Park. I think 25 euro is steep, but to see a Ros team in an All-Ireland final I'd happily pay more!

deise4ever

As a De la Salle supporter who was lucky to be at the semi-final, I would like to wish Clarenbridge every success tomorrow. Not alone was the match magnificent but your supporters were gracious in victory. I will be shouting at the television for you. Up the Bridge!!

adrian522

JR79 wrote: »

Roscommon always turn out in big numbers, especially when we get to Croke Park. I think 25 euro is steep, but to see a Ros team in an All-Ireland final I'd happily pay more!

The lack of promotion of these is criminal,

Has anyone seen any previews in any of the papers or the RTE website, maybe I'm missing something but there are 2 All Ireland Finals on tomorrow.

no wonder attendances are dropping if you are keeping the games a secret.

aidan24326

adrian522 wrote: »

What games have you seen OLG play?
I've seen them play 3 times between the KK county championship as well as the Leinster final and I thought they have impressive enough.

They don't have a whole load of Inter county players but are a very good club team and they will cause Clarinbridge problems.

TBH I think that the hurling is a very difficult one to call and very evenly matched teams.

I saw the KK county final on TG4 and highlights of the Leinster Final. So admittedly I haven't seen that much of them, but they just didn't impress me as a particularly classy hurling team. Now I expect they'll be hard to beat as they are tough and resilient, but for me lacking in the usual levels of flair that you'd associate with Kilkenny hurling. I think this game will be close though, and I couldn't really call it either way.

adrian522 wrote: »

The lack of promotion of these is criminal,

Has anyone seen any previews in any of the papers or the RTE website, maybe I'm missing something but there are 2 All Ireland Finals on tomorrow.

no wonder attendances are dropping if you are keeping the games a secret.

It's crazy alright. They should be promoting them way more, with lots of advertising, special offers etc The GAA are just not good at marketing.

adrian522

I thiught they were good in the county final against a team that probably should have won looking at the payers on each team. The same goes for the semi final when they beat Ballyhale. Albeit without Shefflin.

Edit I agree that they are lacking in flair but they are well capable of winning. I don't know why there odds on fav's tough, it's a 50/50 game for me.

LuckyGent88

Well Gales are on fire so far in this 1st half. The Bridge are having to work very hard to get there scores.

LuckyGent88

How in the name of god are Clarinbridge going in at half time level in this game is beyond me and could possibly be in front.

1-7 to 10 points at HT

LowOdour

'bridge do have a tendency to start slow so id fancy them to come good in 2nd half. Famous last words!

LuckyGent88

LowOdour wrote: »

'bridge do have a tendency to start slow so id fancy them to come good in 2nd half. Famous last words!

Seems like that anyway. They are really powering on now and have seemed to get a grip on the Gales forwards.

jacool

Dirty dig by Kearns and the goalkeeper almost pulled on a guy on the ground. I hope Clarinbridge run away with this now !!

ShamoBuc

Delighted to see the Bridge come to life in the second half. 1.16 V 0-12 with ten left.
Forde at centre back is clearing every ball at this stage.

LuckyGent88

Game over with 10 minutes left. 2-18 to 12 points. The Bridge are just unbelievable in this 2nd half. They are 1st to every ball and seem to have 2 men to every breaking ball.

flahavaj

Well done the Bridge. The DLS game should've been the final really, best game I've seen in years.

O Riain

lads have gaels got anyone sent off? it looks like their down about 3 men between midfield and half forward, there is NO ONE there, clarinbride are playing very well but my god theyre been gifted with space and ball, every ball!

fikay

A few of the Clarinbridge lads look classy hurlers. While I've only seen them in this and the semi- final you'd have to say that it really is testament to the talent in the county that none of them are involved in the senior setup so far this year.
Congrats to the Bridge.

LuckyGent88

Congrats to Clarinbridge. Super performance. Once again we have had another poor enough club hurling final.

LuckyGent88

O Riain wrote: »

lads have gaels got anyone sent off? it looks like their down about 3 men between midfield and half forward, there is NO ONE there, clarinbride are playing very well but my god theyre been gifted with space and ball, every ball!

Now they have a man sent off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ShamoBuc

very well deserved - they blew them away in the second half. The first goal was so important. I had a feeling at the qf stage that they would do it - should have put money on it!!! Football could be a good game but I expect the experience of Cross to come through.

O Riain

does the fact that de la salle nearly beat these guys, and possibly should have mean that de la salle are very very serious outfit?

O Riain

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Now they have a man sent off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

haha that was a dirty DIRTY stroke. a bad way for a man to finish the game.

flahavaj

O Riain wrote: »

does the fact that de la salle nearly beat these guys, and possibly should have mean that de la salle are very very serious outfit?

I think so. Clarinbridge only beat them with a goal with the last puck of the game in extra time. I think Mullane and co will be absolutely kicking themselves today tbh, I think they'd have beaten Gaels fairly handily.:(:(

deisemum

Up the Bridge, Congrats, ye did us proud today.

O Riain

deisemum wrote: »

Up the Bridge, Congrats, ye did us proud today.

i hope that you were not cheering for clarinbridge as some kind of dig because they beat de la salle......

deisemum

O Riain wrote: »

i hope that you were not cheering for em because they beat de la salle......

I'm Clarinbridge born and reared, but living in Waterford with children that attend De La Salle College and one plays for Ballygunner

I'm not having a dig at DLS just delighted that my home place won

FatherTed

Quite a turnaround. Clarinbridge outscored them 2-14 to 0-3 in the last 32 minutes.

O Riain

deisemum wrote: »

I'm Clarinbridge born and reared, but living in Waterford with children that attend De La Salle College and one plays for Ballygunner

I'm not having a dig at DLS just delighted that my home place won

jaysis, talk about covering all the bases....

deisemum

O Riain wrote: »

jaysis, talk about covering all the bases....

Split house for the semi-final

Almost forgot that the one that plays hurling for Ballygunner plays gaelic football for Gaultier

ShamoBuc

Not a bad game of football - Cross a goal up with 15 left.

ShamoBuc

Good win for Cross, 2-11 V 1-11

crackity_jones

Good win for Cross, 2-11 V 1-11

Indeed. Their record is simply stunning.

And I don't think I've ever seen a team (club or county) better at winning tight matches. How many games, in the cutthroat Ulster championship in particular, have they squeezed through by a point? 6 times today this game was tied and still they got over the line. It's a skill, rather than luck.

You have to take your hat off to them.

Excellent display by Kilbride for St Brigid's though. Unlucky to be on a losing side today.

Syferus

The referee made some pretty bad calls in the football final and in most 50:50 cases he leaned towards giving Cross a free rather than playing on or giving it to Bridgid's. The trip on Karl Mannion should have been a straight red in anyone's book, too.

Senan Kilbride terrorised the Cross backs and it only makes me excited to see him and Donie Shine hooking up again in the Roscommon forward line. It's not the best way to end the 2011 season but St. Brigids's have certainly done the county proud and raised our confidence even further after last summer's provincial titles.

Lapin

Well done Clarinbridge !

It was great to be in Croke Park today to witness yet another Galway club victory!

If only we could bottle whatever Micheál Donoghue said to the lads at half time and pass it on to our senior county team come The Championship !

forfcksake

Syferus wrote: »

The referee made some pretty bad calls in the football final and in most 50:50 cases he leaned towards giving Cross a free rather than playing on or giving it to Bridgid's. The trip on Karl Mannion should have been a straight red in anyone's book, too.

Senan Kilbride terrorised the Cross backs and it only makes me excited to see him and Donie Shine hooking up again in the Roscommon forward line. It's not the best way to end the 2011 season but St. Brigids's have certainly done the county proud and raised our confidence even further after last summer's provincial titles.

I couldn't have put it any better myself, definitely at the game the ref was piss poor but i would have to watch it back on tv to be sure, some of the frees he gave were comical, something has to be done about the standard of refereeing its ruining the game!

ardmacha

And I don't think I've ever seen a team (club or county) better at winning tight matches

Brigids winning by a point at half time was no help to them, it wasn't a substantial lead but it focussed minds in the Cross' dressing room.

I couldn't have put it any better myself, definitely at the game the ref was piss poor but i would have to watch it back on tv to be sure, some of the frees he gave were comical, something has to be done about the standard of refereeing its ruining the game!

Some decisions are hard to understand, as in every game, it seems. But the ref was the same for both sides.

Senan Kilbride terrorised the Cross backs and it only makes me excited to see him and Donie Shine hooking up again in the Roscommon forward line.

Kilbride is a fine player, able to snatch a point even when well marshalled. Roscommon should benefit from this and while he is the target man Brigids will be dangerous.

Has any man scored more in senior club championship than Oisin McConville?

forfcksake

ardmacha wrote: »

Some decisions are hard to understand, as in every game, it seems. But the ref was the same for both sides.

i agree he may have been bad overall for both sides but he punished the brigids players alot more, cross got away with alot of yellow cards which meant they could make a hard tackle when necessary, there was alot of yellow cards handed to brigids players which were for soft frees which hampered the way they played from then on.

K-9

Congrats to the Cross, new generation of players with a AI medal.

Still awaiting a Cross Nemo final to finally decide it once and for all.

Pride Fighter

I dont like to criticise the referee but I found it bizarre that one of the Kernan's was on the floor between 53 and 58 minutes receiving treatment, yet the ref only added 2 minutes added time. He did seem to give Cross every 50:50 and should have given out more yellow cards on both sides.

Maybe I'm just imagining things. 2 excellent games, particularly the hurling. Great advertisement for club football/hurling.

stooge

Pride Fighter wrote: »

I dont like to criticise the referee but I found it bizarre that one of the Kernan's was on the floor between 53 and 58 minutes receiving treatment, yet the ref only added 2 minutes added time. He did seem to give Cross every 50:50 and should have given out more yellow cards on both sides.

Maybe I'm just imagining things. 2 excellent games, particularly the hurling. Great advertisement for club football/hurling.

Cant really criticise the referee too much. I think the crossmaglen players were a little more experienced and knew how to con the ref into giving frees and yellow cards.

St Brigids showed their inexperience by getting drawn into niggly fouls and off the ball incidents. Shouldve concentrated more on their game.

Very close contest but I think the failure of the brigids full backs to get close to clarke and mcconville cost them dearly. Two bad goals to give away also.

Desperately disappointed for Brigids as they will find it hard to get back to croke again.

Syferus

stooge wrote: »

Cant really criticise the referee too much. I think the crossmaglen players were a little more experienced and knew how to con the ref into giving frees and yellow cards.

I can, honestly. Even on the one count of the Mannion trip, where he was made fully aware of what happened, he chickened out of making a big call, something that would have stopped Cross from playing what I found to be a very cynical, foul-heavy brand of football, something that became more prevalent after their second goal.

I very much believe with a better referee the result could easily have been reversed. C'est la vie, though.

wow sierra

Really enjoyable day out in Croker yesterday. The Clarinbridge come back was amazing - I really thought that Gaels were going to win it. That they won wasn't a huge surprise but their total dominance was. Fabulous display by the two Kerins Alan and Mark and Forde at centre back.

Bitterly disappointed for Bridgets in the football but I suppose the better team won. As everyone else said Crossmaglens experience told in the end. They really know how to win. Its the second time I've seen them win on Paddy's day - the defeat of Ballina in 1999 was amazing, Ballina seemed to control the entire game but still lost. Cross are a class side and its amazing to see McConville still performing so well and Francie Bellew coming on, if even for a few minutes. Clarke is a great player so the old conveyor belt is going strong:rolleyes:

Bridgets were unlucky to lose Cathal McHugh to injury and they were already sorely missing Grehan in the backs and O'Carroll at midfield. They seemed to start taking the wrong options in the forward line towards the end - shooting too quickly and from too far out, Senan taking the last free instead of someone else taking it to set him up from nearer in. They didn't win enough in midfield to win it anyway I suppose. But overall it was very positive. Eoin Sheehy held the head well for the goal after Hearty saved he made no mistake from the rebound. Some of Frankie Dolans footpassing to Kilbride was sheer class. And what can you say about Senan? A sheer joy to watch. Great to see the end of the club campaign so he can be back for the county. Same for Domican, great performance too.

As regards the injury time two minutes was rediculous, but Dolan should have walked for the incident that caused the injury time so maybe it balanced out. The high tackle on Kernan to me was close to a red card and as he was already on a yellow its amazing he stayed on the field.

Overall a great performance by Bridgets. Well done - they did the county proud.