All Ireland Hurling Final 2013 - Clare Vs Cork (Megathread)

Clareman

I was around town yesterday and noticed more and more flags being flown, it seems with the Under 21s going great guns (back to back Munster titles) and with the Seniors in a very winnable Semi Final next week there seems to be a bit of a buzz around.

I'm a bit biased/blinkered as a Clare GAA fanatic and tend to go to matches no matter what, just wondering what the general consensus is around the place, any one else excited/looking forward/couldn't care less?

buck65

Definitely great times for Clare hurling. Underage we are very strong and have a good nucleus for the next 5 or 6 years already at senior level.

Limerick might be a step too far for these guys as they are bigger players and have a better manager along with winning Munster they are on a roll.

Not sure if our game plan at senior level is good enough or positive enough for this bunch of players. I prefer the style that the U21's play which is more direct and less "coached".

Davy is a strategist, a deep thinker of the game who at times complicates things. I spoke to him a year ago (in a pub after the Limerick league 1b final win) before the Kilkenny game and he said "you don't go toe to toe with Kilkenny".

Actually this is just what Galway did and Dublin did and got alot of change out of a creaking Kilkenny side.

I think if Clare go out 15 against 15 they are a force to be reckoned with, a sweeper system might work on the likes of an undisciplined Galway side with one main scoring option but against Limerick who have threats throughout the side we need to hurl and get them thinking about our set up rather than the other way around.

Clareman

There is a huge gulf in difference between Under 21 and Senior, Limerick showed this a few years back with their 3 in a row team.

Clare's "style" of taking on a man to create an overlap and to play the ball in low to the forwards to run onto certainly does have it's benefits, but if teams do like Cork did and play their own game and keep the half back line in place then we can be in trouble, saying that, losing Conlon against Cork was a big blow as he's there to bring a lot of physicality to the forwards.

Shapey Fiend

They've done exceptionally well so far. I'm not a Gaa nerd so I won't speculate as to their chances next week but I'm certainly more excited about Clare hurling than I've been in ages. We've got a set of players who'll give us plenty to get amped up about for the next few years.

finbarrk

There are people going to this Semi Final who haven't gone to a game for years. Great to see. Loads of kids going too for their first trip to Croke Park. The €5 tickets are a great idea.

angelfire9

Car flag up
House flag hanging
Tickets got
Happy days

buck65

Clareman wrote: »

There is a huge gulf in difference between Under 21 and Senior, Limerick showed this a few years back with their 3 in a row team.

Clare's "style" of taking on a man to create an overlap and to play the ball in low to the forwards to run onto certainly does have it's benefits, but if teams do like Cork did and play their own game and keep the half back line in place then we can be in trouble, saying that, losing Conlon against Cork was a big blow as he's there to bring a lot of physicality to the forwards.

Yeah but how many senior teams would live with Clare 21's last Wednesday or against Kilkenny last year in the final?

That "Limerick u-21" argument has become a cliche now. The reason that Limerick didn't push on was due to player discipline and poor management. Joe McKenna anyone?.

The Clare u21 management team is vastly superior to the senior one I think.

Clareman

buck65 wrote: »

Yeah but how many senior teams would live with Clare 21's last Wednesday or against Kilkenny last year in the final?

I would say quite a lot, the difference in physicality means that Clare wouldn't be breaking tackles and thus making the space as easily, combine this with more experienced hurlers at senior level as well as more tactical games and less time on the ball at senior level means that there is a massive difference.

I would say that Under 21 level games can be far more entertaining to watch and skillful that a lot of senior games.

redzerologhlen

Clareman wrote: »

I was around town yesterday and noticed more and more flags being flown, it seems with the Under 21s going great guns (back to back Munster titles) and with the Seniors in a very winnable Semi Final next week there seems to be a bit of a buzz around.

I'm a bit biased/blinkered as a Clare GAA fanatic and tend to go to matches no matter what, just wondering what the general consensus is around the place, any one else excited/looking forward/couldn't care less?

Havent been to a game in a good few years but i would always follow their progress over the year. Should be a great game against Limerick, cant wait for it!! Nice to see a steady stream of lads coming along the last couple of years and them seem to be a tight knit bunch.

angelfire9

Just wondering if there are many Clare people going to this game?
It seems that most of Limerick are going

Clareman

I'd imagine it'll be at least 2-1 in favour of Limerick supporters, not only are they in the minor as well but the buzz around them after winning Munster is huge.

Green Giant

certainly looking forward to Sunday but I've only been to two Clare matches in 2013 (Waterford Crystal, NHL and championship) so I'm not going to go around proclaiming myself as a die-hard

if they win I'll be delighted, if not I'll be disappointed but I still think it's been a good year for Clare in any case

Tssk

Going to the match as well,very excited altogether..Great to have such a run of a games going between the 21s and all..And in the u21 final you could see the benefits of Davy's system,it just needs to click more in the senior side.. Think this game is wide open despite a lot of talk of it being a lock for Limerick.. Here's hoping for a dry sod and no silly red cards from the referee

Keano

Oh I'll be there!

We are the underdogs for sure but that's the way to handle it! They are Munster champions so should be beating us

I do believe the extra games may well stand for us, they've not had a competitive match in 7 weeks so may well be a little rusty, or least lets hope so :P

Warper

Keano A Legend wrote: »

Oh I'll be there!

We are the underdogs for sure but that's the way to handle it! They are Munster champions so should be beating us

I do believe the extra games may well stand for us, they've not had a competitive match in 7 weeks so may well be a little rusty, or least lets hope so :P

I think its 5 weeks. We have a great chance of winning and we are getting better. Really confident for this now, gonna be a wonderful atmosphere, see ye all there. Up the Banner

dr.fuzzenstein

Clareman wrote: »

I was around town yesterday and noticed more and more flags being flown, it seems with the Under 21s going great guns (back to back Munster titles) and with the Seniors in a very winnable Semi Final next week there seems to be a bit of a buzz around.

I'm a bit biased/blinkered as a Clare GAA fanatic and tend to go to matches no matter what, just wondering what the general consensus is around the place, any one else excited/looking forward/couldn't care less?

Is there a match on?:D:P

Lady Chatterton

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Is there a match on?:D:P

"I'm so excited and I just can't hide it" .......................

Mr. G

Starts in litterly a few minutes, best of luck to the lads

Lady Chatterton

There is a good match thread over in the GAA forum for anyone who is interested

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057010392&page=16

Brennans Row

I'm one disappointed Limerick fan.

Well done Clare, the Banner showed great composure, skill and coolness on the day.

kollegeknight

I miss the banner bodhrans. They were great.
The banner bangers were great too... It should be done again- just make sure tax, nct and insurance up to date.

Up the banner.

dr.fuzzenstein

kollegeknight wrote: »

I miss the banner bodhrans. They were great.
The banner bangers were great too... It should be done again- just make sure tax, nct and insurance up to date.

Up the banner.

I'm pretty sure they where on the old ones.;)

angelfire9

I'd be fairly sure the bodhráns will be back in September
And the old bangers might qualify as vintage now? Meaning no NCT and cheap road tax

opinionated3

Disappointed with the Clare turnout yesterday although those of us who did travel tried our hardest to roar them on to victory. No doubt people who didn't bother travelling to any matches this season will be out in droves now looking for all Ireland final tickets. ..

pilate 1

opinionated3 wrote: »

Disappointed with the Clare turnout yesterday although those of us who did travel tried our hardest to roar them on to victory. No doubt people who didn't bother travelling to any matches this season will be out in droves now looking for all Ireland final tickets. ..

we sure will:P

kollegeknight

opinionated3 wrote: »

Disappointed with the Clare turnout yesterday although those of us who did travel tried our hardest to roar them on to victory. No doubt people who didn't bother travelling to any matches this season will be out in droves now looking for all Ireland final tickets. ..

'twas poorest turnout I'd seen. Only traffic was from limerick. A real pity too.
And buying flags now. My local shops are nearly sold out and they had tonnes of them up to Ben Saturday.

angelfire9

We went by Galway there was a young fella with a Clare flag waving it on the side of the road between Gort and Loughrea I'd say he was a happy kid last night
Lovely to see hasn't been around for a long time, god love him he wasn't even born in '95 made our journey a bit brighter

Shapey Fiend

I was a fair weather fan in 1995 and I'm a fair weather fan now. Go Isotopes!

finbarrk

It was a great day. Train booked for the final. From Limerick. €50.

dr.fuzzenstein

Shapey Fiend wrote: »

I was a fair weather fan in 1995 and I'm a fair weather fan now. Go Isotopes!

'topes rule!

Tssk

Fair play to the group of lads unfurling the giant jersey in the Hill,they never stopped singing and roaring..Great impromptu rally in the bowels of Croker after too

DaNiEl1994

Tssk wrote: »

Fair play to the group of lads unfurling the giant jersey in the Hill,they never stopped singing and roaring..Great impromptu rally in the bowels of Croker after too

was in that crowd, the hill was great craic for clare fans

Yurt

DaNiEl1994 wrote: »

was in that crowd, the hill was great craic for clare fans

Same

opinionated3

Just read the Clare people there. Only an initial 11000 tickets? That's a terrible allocation! Can see a lot of disappointed fans missing out on the big day. Big pressure on pat fitz and the club secretaries to keep everyone happy

opinionated3

Tssk wrote: »

Fair play to the group of lads unfurling the giant jersey in the Hill,they never stopped singing and roaring..Great impromptu rally in the bowels of Croker after too

Time to bring the bodhrans back too big time. The rebels have a brass band that they will have on the Hill on final day. ...

kollegeknight

Long time since that jersey was out. I remember the days where it could have been passed around the stadium with all the support.

The lads have done us proud.

In my wedding speech a few months ago, I said clare would Win the all Ireland. Got a lot of laughs off my tipp side of the family... Now I'm getting texts saying I'm not so far off.

Video evidence to support the above statement.
I think that deserves a ticket if anyone has one on the go.

relaxed

opinionated3 wrote: »

Just read the Clare people there. Only an initial 11000 tickets? That's a terrible allocation! Can see a lot of disappointed fans missing out on the big day. Big pressure on pat fitz and the club secretaries to keep everyone happy

I bet the night before the final there will be people on here offering tickets at face value.

Always happens.

Clareman

Unless you are heavily involved with a club or have premium/season tickets it's next to impossible to be guaranteed a ticket now, even a week before the match they are like gold dust, usually the best time to get a ticket is after they have been distributed to the clubs and people have realised that they have too many now.

finbarrk

relaxed wrote: »

I bet the night before the final there will be people on here offering tickets at face value.

Always happens.

I'd be inclined to agree with you. Well hopefully anyway. The last final I was at was Tipp v Kilkenny in 2010 and there were plenty of spares around that day. I had a spare Nally Terrace myself and it wasn't immediately snapped up.
There will be the usual scramble next Tuesday when the clubs will receive them but by match day everyone should be sorted.

kollegeknight

In my club, even coaching teams won'tget you a ticket... You have to be the elite.

I maintain/ hope there will be tickets in limerick. A lot had hotel rooms booked and tickets semi sourced. Thatis my hope anyway.

Clareman

Every sport has a problem with tickets getting to the right people for the big games, you always hear stories of people that haven’t missed a game in years missing the final because they can’t get a ticket, imvho if you want a ticket badly enough you’ll get 1, if anything the GAA have some great incentives in place for tickets, 1 thing that often amuses me is that people expect 2 tickets for games even though only 1 person might be doing anything. You also have the problem with people getting tickets from multiple sources for loads of people.

Get your ticket from your local club and be prioritised for the next game.
Get a Season ticket and be guaranteed a ticket for the games.
Be involved in your local club and get a ticket.

For those wondering where all the tickets go, there’s a good breakdown here from 2011
All-Ireland ticket breakdown for 2011
Any changes from the 2010 allocation are indicated in brackets.
• County allocations: 58,401 (-604)
• Provinces: 335 (-50)
• Overseas: 470 (-29)
• Central Council and former Presidents: 798 (-107)
• Camogie: 120
• Ladies’ football: 150
• Rounders and handball: 147 (-15)
• Sponsors: 935 (-35)
• Press: 254
• TV and radio: 74
• Schools and educational bodies: 2,229
• 3rd Level: 240 (-38)
• Croke Park residents: 250
• Match officials and national referees’ panel: 103 (-5)
• Irish Sports Council and health bodies: 60 (-10)
• Match day / Vertigo / minor teams: 148 (-52)
• GAA staff and sub-committees: 718 (-93)
• Jubilee teams: 68 (-69)
• Mini-sevens: 244 (-2)
• Term tickets: 4,144 (-11)
• Season tickets: 1,884 (+1,120)
Total available for distribution: 71,772
• Premium and corporate seating*: 10,528
Total capacity (as per planning permission): 82,300

finbarrk

Great evening in Thurles yesterday at the U21 Semi Final. It was a great opportunity for the kids to run on to the pitch afterwards and meet some of the the new superstars of hurling. The final is on there on Sept. 14.

Keano

There will be an open training session tonight at 7.15 in Cusack Park. Chance to meet the players but also win tickets to the final and raffle prizes.

golfball37

I've been at 7 of the last 10 All-Ireland finals and not once did I not see tickets available at face value in the Big Tree or Gills the day of the match.

Don't panic people.

finbarrk

Club tickets being given out tonight. Got more than they expected seemingly. We will see later on.

Lady Chatterton

I've decided to make this thread a sticky as most of us can't think or talk about anything else at the moment .

Keano

I actually like The Road to Croker song!

Clareman

I've it set as my ringtone just to annoy them in work

redzerologhlen

Just leaving the training session in cusack park now. Feel sorry for Tony Kelly, he was swamped with young girls looking to get their jerseys signed to the extent he could hardly stand. Great night for young lads to meet their idols though!!

ger664

I think the training sessions should be closed. We need to keep it low key for the players before the match. They can meet with the fans/girls whatever all they want when we have Liam home.

babygirlz

redzerologhlen wrote: »

Just leaving the training session in cusack park now. Feel sorry for Tony Kelly, he was swamped with young girls looking to get their jerseys signed to the extent he could hardly stand. Great night for young lads to meet their idols though!!

I was in the middle of them with my 2.
It was a great night, the atmosphere was fantastic.