Hurling Rankings

HanaleiJ5N

Position|previous|change|Team|Points
1st |(1)|=|KILKENNY|9102
2nd |(3)|+1|WATERFORD|8678
3rd |(2)|-1|TIPPERARY|8661
4th |(4)|=|DUBLIN|8480
5th |(5)|=|GALWAY|8415
6th |(6)|=|CLARE|8288
7th |(7)|=|CORK|8238
8th |(8)|=|LIMERICK|8228
9th |(9)|=|WEXFORD|7537
10th |(10)|=|OFFALY|7391
11th |(11)|=|KERRY|7112
12th |(12)|=|LAOIS|6829
13th |(13)|=|WESTMEATH|6785
14th |(14)|=|CARLOW|6466
15th |(15)|=|ANTRIM|6336
16th |(16)|=|LONDON|6090
17th |(17)|=|KILDARE|5975
18th |(18)|=|DOWN|5791
19th |(19)|=|DERRY|5643
20th |(21)|+1|ARMAGH|5485
21st |(20)|-1|MEATH|5411
22nd |(22)|=|WICKLOW|5393
23rd |(23)|=|ROSCOMMON|5029
24th |(24)|=|MAYO|4992
25th |(25)|=|DONEGAL|4459
26th |(26)|=|TYRONE|4298
27th |(27)|=|FINGAL|3920
28th |(28)|=|MONAGHAN|3904
29th |(29)|=|LOUTH|3605
30th |(30)|=|FERMANAGH|3644
31st |(31)|=|LONGFORD|3461
32nd |(32)|=|WARWICKSHIRE|3031
33rd |(33)|=|SLIGO|2931
34th |(34)|=|LEITRIM|2740
35th |(35)|=|LANCASHIRE|2653


Perhaps a little disappointing that three lower ranked sides defeating higher ranked opposition hasn't led to much change. Clare and Limerick had started the year cast adrift of the 1A teams but they now find themselves now in fairly closely grouped bunch of 5 teams in terms of points from 4th to 8th.

The gap from Kilkenny to second placed Waterford is about 450 points, the gap from Waterford to 8th is also about 450 points, that's pretty much been the story of the last 8 years, Kilkenny out ahead of the chasing pack of the same 7 teams. Looking through the last few years one interesting trend is that Tipperary seem to win and lose all the right games because they rarely fall out of the top 3. They generally don't lose at home or lose to a team more than 300 points behind them, which will minimise points losses if sustained.

Also, Kerry now closer to 10th than they are to 12th. Three wins out of 6 is very respectable indeed, they and Offaly now prepare for their clash in 4 weeks time in Tullamore, a win for Kerry regardless of margin will see Kerry move into the top 10.

HanaleiJ5N

1B/2A play-off
Laois (12) -v- (13) Westmeath (Prediction; draw)
Both teams within the draw range, form unquestionably favours Westmeath, Laois have more often than not not been at their best, some bad defeats but a couple of respectable performances thrown in against Clare and in particular Wexford. The only black spot on Westmeath's record so far is the final round defeat to Carlow, but they had already qualified for the final and they atoned for that the following weekend against the same opposition in the final. If Laois play to their best they should have enough but Westmeath have been more consistent (albeit against weaker opposition) but I feel Laois's tendency towards the self destruct button this year could see this one go in Westmeath's favour.

2B/3A play-off
Donegal (25) -v- (23) Roscommon (Prediction; ROS by 6)
I've many times mentioned how Roscommon have not exactly been emphatic in 3A but nonetheless their record reads 6 games, 6 wins. Donegal also carrying a 100% record into this game. Both teams probably had a fair idea months ago that they would both be meeting in this game, Donegal also carried a 100% losing record into this game last year and survived, however Roscommon will pose a much tougher test than Tyrone did last year, the Connacht men should have this one and probably with a bit to spare.

3A/3B play-off
Tyrone (26) -v- (30) Fermanagh (Prediction; TYR by 7)
A play off here to transition 3A and 3B into two 5 team groups, Fermanagh have a tough task on their hands to add promotion to their 3B title, Tyrone have played to a higher level and standard in the last few years.

HanaleiJ5N

No table this week, there were some points exchanged but no positional changes. Limerick and Clare have a chance to shake things up this weekend.


Semi Finals
Waterford (2) -v- (8) Limerick (Prediction; WAT by 3)
Waterford looking to continue the defence of their title against a Limerick side who last time out deployed a sweeper system which could make this a relatively low scoring encounter, Waterford are far more used to the system however. Their form has dipped somewhat in the last month but Limerick have fluctuated wildly in that regard too. Ratings gap says Waterford 5 points the better team, form see's Limerick narrowing that gap but not closing it fully.


Kilkenny (1) -v- (6) Clare (Prediction; KLK by 6)
Both pulling in slightly better results than their rating gaps and both on a slightly upward trajectory, encouraging signs from Clare that they can finally put a below par 24 months behind them, still some way to go though and for now unless something exceptional happens Kilkenny are still a little out of their reach.

Bonniedog

I think Clare will take them and money will be down. Fill your boots :-)

HanaleiJ5N

Position|previous|change|Team|Points
1st |(1)|=|KILKENNY|8900
2nd |(2)|=|WATERFORD|8751
3rd |(3)|=|TIPPERARY|8661
4th |(6)|+2|CLARE|8490
5th |(4)|-1|DUBLIN|8480
6th |(5)|-1|GALWAY|8415
7th |(7)|=|CORK|8238
8th |(8)|=|LIMERICK|8155
9th |(9)|=|WEXFORD|7537
10th |(10)|=|OFFALY|7391
11th |(11)|=|KERRY|7112
12th |(12)|=|LAOIS|6935
13th |(13)|=|WESTMEATH|6679
14th |(14)|=|CARLOW|6466
15th |(15)|=|ANTRIM|6336
16th |(16)|=|LONDON|6090
17th |(17)|=|KILDARE|5975
18th |(18)|=|DOWN|5791
19th |(19)|=|DERRY|5643
20th |(20)|=|ARMAGH|5485
21st |(21)|=|MEATH|5411
22nd |(22)|=|WICKLOW|5393
23rd |(23)|=|ROSCOMMON|5058
24th |(24)|=|MAYO|4992
25th |(25)|=|DONEGAL|4430
26th |(26)|=|TYRONE|4329
27th |(27)|=|FINGAL|3920
28th |(28)|=|MONAGHAN|3904
29th |(29)|=|FERMANAGH|3613
30th |(30)|=|LOUTH|3605
31st |(31)|=|LONGFORD|3461
32nd |(32)|=|WARWICKSHIRE|3031
33rd |(33)|=|SLIGO|2931
34th |(34)|=|LEITRIM|2740
35th |(35)|=|LANCASHIRE|2653


Looks like Clare are finally beginning to find their mojo after it went AWOL for the last 24 months, they are now looking to be the second successive 1B team to win the NHL outright, they move up to 4th. Waterford hold second after blowing Limerick away in the second half.

The final will be played in two weekends time but fear not, your hurling thirst will be satisfied next weekend by the first round of the Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cups!

HanaleiJ5N

Bonniedog wrote: »

I think Clare will take them and money will be down. Fill your boots :-)

Fair play, I hope you took your own advice! :cool:

Bonniedog

Oh, I did . They actually drifted out to 11/4. Am reinvesting some in them winning AI. I reckon they're better than '13 and once the injuries are sorted they will be formidable team.

seligehgit

Bonniedog wrote: »

Oh, I did . They actually drifted out to 11/4. Am reinvesting some in them winning AI. I reckon they're better than '13 and once the injuries are sorted they will be formidable team.

Well done!

HanaleiJ5N

Christy Ring Cup R1
Antrim (15) -v- (17) Kildare (Prediction; ANT by 4)
Down (18) -v- (16) London (Prediction; draw)
Roscommon (23) -v- (19) Derry (Prediction; DER by 3)
Meath (21) -v- (22) Wicklow (Prediction; MEA by 3)

Antrim started with two wins in the league but their season has nosedived since, Kildare will smell blood but Antrim should stop the slide here. London are on a good run and will look to take advantage of Down's inconsistent form. Roscommon put their 2016 100% record on the line against Derry who have lost 5 from 5 but Derry's higher level experience could sway this one while Meath's inconsistency gives Wicklow every chance of an away win but Meath won comfortably in their league tie two months ago.



Nicky Rackard Cup R1
Fermanagh (29) -v- (28) Monaghan (Prediction; draw)
Armagh (20) -v- (25) Donegal (Prediction; LOU by 14)
Tyrone (26) -v- (24) Mayo (Prediction; MAY by 4)
Fingal (27) -v- (31) Longford (Prediction; FIN by 9)

I'd back Monaghan to claim the spoils in Enniskillen, Armagh should enjoy a comfortable win over Donegal. Mayo are surely kicking themselves after their league collapse and will seek to get their season back on track with victory at Tyrone while Fingal should have enough to keep Longford at bay.


Lory Meagher Cup R1
Leitrim (34) -v- (32) Warwickshire (Prediction; draw)
Louth (30) -v- (33) Sligo (Prediction; LOU by 10)

Leitrim won this tie last year and have home advantage this time, Warwickshire coming in on the back of a 5 game losing streak in the league. I'd back Leitrim to win here. And Louth should justify their status as favourites to win this competition.

HanaleiJ5N

Position|previous|change|Team|Points
1st |(1)|=|KILKENNY|8900
2nd |(2)|=|WATERFORD|8751
3rd |(3)|=|TIPPERARY|8661
4th |(4)|=|CLARE|8490
5th |(5)|=|DUBLIN|8480
6th |(6)|=|GALWAY|8415
7th |(7)|=|CORK|8238
8th |(8)|=|LIMERICK|8155
9th |(9)|=|WEXFORD|7537
10th |(10)|=|OFFALY|7391
11th |(11)|=|KERRY|7112
12th |(12)|=|LAOIS|6935
13th |(13)|=|WESTMEATH|6679
14th |(14)|=|CARLOW|6466
15th |(15)|=|ANTRIM|6442
16th |(16)|=|LONDON|6201
17th |(17)|=|KILDARE|5869
18th |(18)|=|DOWN|5680
19th |(21)|+2|MEATH|5506
20th |(20)|=|ARMAGH|5485
21st |(19)|-2|DERRY|5429
22nd |(22)|=|WICKLOW|5298
23rd |(23)|=|ROSCOMMON|5272
24th |(24)|=|MAYO|5098
25th |(25)|=|DONEGAL|4430
26th |(26)|=|TYRONE|4223
27th |(28)|+1|MONAGHAN|4072
28th |(27)|-1|FINGAL|3947
29th |(30)|+1|LOUTH|3608
30th |(29)|-1|FERMANAGH|3445
31st |(31)|=|LONGFORD|3434
32nd |(32)|=|WARWICKSHIRE|3199
33rd |(33)|=|SLIGO|2928
34th |(35)|+1|LANCASHIRE|2653
35th |(34)|-1|LEITRIM|2572

HanaleiJ5N

National Hurling League Final
Waterford (2) -V- (4) Clare (Prediction; WAT by 3)
Last year's champions aiming to prevent Clare from making it two years in a row of 1B sides winning the title. Good to see Clare heading in the right direction after two difficult years, they're seeking a first league title since 1978. Both sides impressed in their semi finals, good tie in store here and a tricky one to call.

LEINSTER SHC Qualifier Group
Kerry (11) -V- (14) Carlow (Prediction; KER by 8)
Westmeath (13) -V- (10) Offaly (Prediction; OFF by 4)
It's concerning just how comfortable Laois were in dealing with Westmeath in the 1B/2A play-off a few weeks ago, the gap between 1B and 2A seems rather wide. Hard to see an upset tomorrow.

Christy Ring Cup R2A
Antrim (15) -V- (23) Roscommon (Prediction; ANT by 15)
London (16) -V- (19) Meath (Prediction; LDN by 9)
Roscommon in bonus territory now having secured Ring Cup hurling for 2017 while London are on an excellent run of form since the beginning of March. Hard to look past two home wins here.

Christy Ring Cup R2B
Derry (21) -V- (18) Down (Prediction; draw)
Wicklow (22) -V- (17) Kildare (Prediction; KLD by 3)
Derry and Down have endured disappointing seasons, the home side looking to end a run of 8 successive competitive defeats, tough one to call. Kildare should have enough for Wicklow.

Nicky Rackard Cup R2A
Mayo (24) -V- (20) Armagh (Prediction; ARM by 1)
Monaghan (27) -V- (28) Fingal (Prediction; MON by 4)
Armagh and Mayo square off in a tie that is likely to repeat itself in the final, Armagh won by 7 points when they met 6 weeks ago in Armagh. 7 weeks ago Monaghan enjoyed a good win away to Fingal. Monaghan should win, but Fingal, much like their parent county Dublin do fluctuate wildly and pull the odd excellent performance out of nowhere, so you never know...

Nicky Rackard Cup R2B
Donegal (25) -V- (30) Fermanagh (Prediction; DON by 12)
Longford (31) -V- (26) Tyrone (Prediction; TYR by 5)
Should be fairly straight forward here, Donegal should be comfortable at home to Fermanagh and Tyrone will be expected to win at Longford.

Lory Meagher Cup R2
Warwickshire (32) -V- (29) Louth (Prediction; LOU by 1)
Lancachire (34) -V- (35) Leitrim (Prediction; LAN by 4)
Warwickshire will look to build on a good start next weekend as they host promotion rivals Louth, there was only a point between them (in Louth's favour) when they met in the league in February. And the bottom two clash as Leitrim look to undo last weekend's reversal of the two sides. Can Lancashire claim their first ever Meagher Cup win? (Were it my money I'd be backing Leitrim!)

Bonniedog

I can see Davy's boys giving Waterford a bit of a tanking. I think people are underestimating how good this Clare team is.

They got they sh1t together people....

HanaleiJ5N

Bonniedog wrote: »

I can see Davy's boys giving Waterford a bit of a tanking. I think people are underestimating how good this Clare team is.

They got they sh1t together people....

Definitely headed in the right direction alright. Davy completely lost the run of himself for a few years but he's settled down big time, made some key appointments (and reappointments), things were getting very stale and toxic, but he's turned it around. He just needs to keep his hand off that self destruct button and keep the tin foil hat locked away in the closet as it presently is. He's an excellent delegator and has assembled all the right men around him, if he keeps his head the sky is the limit for this Clare team, they are capable of providing Kilkenny with their first proper rivalry since the 99-06 Cork team. (No disrespect to the Tipp 08-14 team but 2010 aside Kilkenny did dominate that rivalry to be fair)

Bonniedog

HanaleiJ5N wrote: »

Definitely headed in the right direction alright. Davy completely lost the run of himself for a few years but he's settled down big time, made some key appointments (and reappointments), things were getting very stale and toxic, but he's turned it around. He just needs to keep his hand off that self destruct button and keep the tin foil hat locked away in the closet as it presently is. He's an excellent delegator and has assembled all the right men around him, if he keeps his head the sky is the limit for this Clare team, they are capable of providing Kilkenny with their first proper rivalry since the 99-06 Cork team. (No disrespect to the Tipp 08-14 team but 2010 aside Kilkenny did dominate that rivalry to be fair)

Cusack was master stroke. They've had the ingredients, 2013 and the 21s was too soon. Just needed to have the right recipe. They are only team with their heads right and the players to beat the Cats.

Realt Dearg Sec

Bonniedog wrote: »

Cusack was master stroke. They've had the ingredients, 2013 and the 21s was too soon. Just needed to have the right recipe. They are only team with their heads right and the players to beat the Cats.

I would say Paul Kinnerk was the masterstroke, in 2013 and now.

Bonniedog

Realt Dearg Sec wrote: »

I would say Paul Kinnerk was the masterstroke, in 2013 and now.

There are a few elements, but I'd say Cusack is important in terms of focusing them on tactics.

Davy lives and breathes the game, and he has great raw material - probably the best underage hurling team of all time.



Davy was maybe too close to them. Cusack has made them step back a bit and realise what they have. Anyway. that's my outside view.

Realt Dearg Sec

Bonniedog wrote: »

There are a few elements, but I'd say Cusack is important in terms of focusing them on tactics.

Davy lives and breathes the game, and he has great raw material - probably the best underage hurling team of all time.



Davy was maybe too close to them. Cusack has made them step back a bit and realise what they have. Anyway. that's my outside view.

Oh I'm very much an outsider too, just the way Clare people have spoken about Kinnerk to me, and the fact he's the common denominator in their best seasons (assuming this one pans out)

Bonniedog

You may well be right.

Going to throw a few pound on them Great price I think.

HanaleiJ5N

Position|previous|change|Team|Points
1st |(1)|=|KILKENNY|8900
2nd |(2)|=|WATERFORD|8734
3rd |(3)|=|TIPPERARY|8661
4th |(4)|=|CLARE|8507
5th |(5)|=|DUBLIN|8480
6th |(6)|=|GALWAY|8415
7th |(7)|=|CORK|8238
8th |(8)|=|LIMERICK|8155
9th |(9)|=|WEXFORD|7537
10th |(10)|=|OFFALY|7156
11th |(11)|=|KERRY|7120
12th |(12)|=|LAOIS|6935
13th |(13)|=|WESTMEATH|6914
14th |(14)|=|CARLOW|6458
15th |(15)|=|ANTRIM|6442
16th |(17)|+1|KILDARE|5991
17th |(16)|-1|LONDON|5979
18th |(18)|=|DOWN|5785
19th |(19)|=|MEATH|5728
20th |(20)|=|ARMAGH|5334
21st |(21)|=|DERRY|5324
22nd |(23)|+1|ROSCOMMON|5272
23rd |(24)|+1|MAYO|5249
24th |(22)|-2|WICKLOW|5176
25th |(25)|=|DONEGAL|4430
26th |(28)|+2|FINGAL|4066
27th |(26)|-1|TYRONE|4024
28th |(27)|-1|MONAGHAN|3953
29th |(29)|=|LOUTH|3608
30th |(31)|+1|LONGFORD|3633
31st |(30)|-1|FERMANAGH|3445
32nd |(32)|=|WARWICKSHIRE|3075
33rd |(33)|=|SLIGO|2928
34th |(35)|+1|LEITRIM|2764
35th |(34)|-1|LANCASHIRE|2461


A good weekend with a lot of lower ranked teams triumphing, movement aplenty in the bottom half of the table but no change in the top 15. I was hopeful Kerry and Offaly's results could see them swap places but instead Kerry are now tantalisingly close to breaking into the top 10.

Next weekend, Offaly can't gain any points with a victory over Carlow, and a Kerry win regardless of margin will be enough to see them climb ahead of Offaly, and they could reinforce that if they went on to defeat Offaly the following weekend.

Following their win today, Westmeath are also now on the verge of the top 10, a victory for them over Kerry by an unlikely margin of 10 or more points will see them take 10th.

HanaleiJ5N

National Hurling League Final
Waterford (2) -V- (4) Clare (Prediction; WAT by 2)
Difficult one to call here, both sides will feel they left it behind them the last day, hopefully the replay more closely resembles the last 30 minutes than the first 60 the last day. Very risky one to put your money on!

LEINSTER SHC Qualifier Group
Kerry (11) -V- (13) Westmeath (Prediction; KER by 5)
Offaly (10) -V- (14) Carlow (Prediction; OFF by 10)
Desperate times for Offaly but you'd expect them to rescue their season here, defeat would be a bigger shock than last weekend and would almost certainly plunge Offaly into Christy Ring hurling next year, making Daithi Regan's grim prediction of 3 years ago come true. Good start for Kerry last weekend, will be expected to win but Westmeath served a warning that complacency will be punished. They did qualify last year afterall so you couldn't put it past them.

Christy Ring Cup Quarter Finals
Kildare (16) -V- (17) London (Prediction; KLD by 3)
Down (18) -V- (22) Roscommon (Prediction; DOW by 8)
London have had slightly the better form than Kildare but the two drew when they met in the league in Ruislip, I'd still slightly favour London myself but rankings say otherwise. Down would be expected to win at home to Roscommon but this is one game where an upset could happen, Roscommon have been flying it for the last 12 months and they ran competition favourites Antrim very close last weekend. Down's unimpressive form this year could hurt them this weekend.

Nicky Rackard Cup Quarter Finals
Longford (30) -V- (20) Armagh (Prediction; ARM by 14)
Monaghan (28) -V- (25) Donegal (Prediction; DON by 2)
In terms of points, the difference between Armagh and Longford is the same as that between Kilkenny and Offaly, a Longford win would be a massive upset. Better chance of an upset in the other game though, Donegal should win, they have played at a higher level (in league hurling) and have comfortably in their previous two meetings.

Lory Meagher Cup R3
Louth (29) -V- (35) Lancashire (Prediction; LOU by 16)
Sligo (33) -V- (32) Warwickshire (Prediction; SLI by 2)
The pressure is on Sligo here as defeat would almost certainly rule them out of a final position, Warwickshire won this tie last year (also in Sligo, for some reason home venue hasn't switched this year) and victory would almost certainly secure them a place in the final. Unfortunately for Lancashire, their quest for a first Meagher Cup win will continue beyond this weekend.

HanaleiJ5N

Position|previous|change|Team|Points
1st |(1)|=|KILKENNY|8900
2nd |(3)|+1|TIPPERARY|8661
3rd |(2)|-1|WATERFORD|8652
4th |(4)|=|CLARE|8589
5th |(5)|=|DUBLIN|8480
6th |(6)|=|GALWAY|8415
7th |(7)|=|CORK|8238
8th |(8)|=|LIMERICK|8155
9th |(9)|=|WEXFORD|7537
10th |(10)|=|OFFALY|7156
11th |(13)|+2|WESTMEATH|7081
12th |(11)|-1|KERRY|6953
13th |(12)|-1|LAOIS|6935
14th |(14)|=|CARLOW|6458
15th |(15)|=|ANTRIM|6442
16th |(16)|=|KILDARE|6083
17th |(17)|=|LONDON|5887
18th |(18)|=|DOWN|5816
19th |(19)|=|MEATH|5728
20th |(20)|=|ARMAGH|5334
21st |(21)|=|DERRY|5324
22nd |(23)|+1|MAYO|5249
23rd |(22)|-1|ROSCOMMON|5241
24th |(24)|=|WICKLOW|5176
25th |(25)|=|DONEGAL|4512
26th |(26)|=|FINGAL|4066
27th |(27)|=|TYRONE|4024
28th |(28)|=|MONAGHAN|3871
29th |(29)|=|LOUTH|3732
30th |(30)|=|LONGFORD|3633
31st |(31)|=|FERMANAGH|3445
32nd |(33)|+1|SLIGO|3046
33rd |(32)|-1|WARWICKSHIRE|2957
34th |(34)|=|LEITRIM|2764
35th |(35)|=|LANCASHIRE|2461


The winners this week; Westmeath up to 11th and could even claim 10th next weekend. Offaly made up for last weekends disaster to set up a winner takes it all clash at home to Kerry.

The disappointed; Clare don't make any positional gains and Tipperary benefit from their win. 2nd to 4th is very tight in terms of points.

The odd; Tipp in 2nd, I've touched on this before though, they have a habit of losing only to Kilkenny, winning their home games and only losing away to high ranked teams.

The losers; 9 games, 9 wins, 9 losses; however the real losers are teams in the 2nd/3rd/4th tier competitions. Four teams (London, Roscommon, Longford and Monaghan) are now finished their hurling in 2016, no more competitive hurling for them until the middle of February 2017.

Up to 8 teams could play their final game of 2016 next weekend. There's no reason the Ring/Rackard/Meagher cups can't be played through the summer, it rally smacks of "Let's just get them out of the way and run them off as quickly as possible".

Henwin

if kerry lose to offaly next week which i hope they dont, will they go back down to the christy ring cup then next year?

windy shepard henderson

Henwin wrote: »

if kerry lose to offaly next week which i hope they dont, will they go back down to the christy ring cup then next year?

i think they will have a play off with carlow first

HanaleiJ5N

No, third place retains their place while 4th goes down. Kerry are safe, even if they lose and Carlow win. Doesn't go on points difference, head to head decides it. Carlow are down.

nice_guy80

Crazy that the bottom tiers are played off so early and gotten out of the way

The Christy Ring champions should get a place in the qualifiers

Kerrydude1981

nice_guy80 wrote: »

Crazy that the bottom tiers are played off so early and gotten out of the way

The Christy Ring champions should get a place in the qualifiers

I think the first Christy Ring Final was played before an All Ireland Semi or Quarter final

Fair play to TG4 for showing the finals live,RTE make me laugh with their coverage of the lower tier competitions,even the Leinster Round Robin games,they dont even show highlights of these games,

But if it was Football there would be highlights shown

nice_guy80

Kerrydude1981 wrote: »

I think the first Christy Ring Final was played before an All Ireland Semi or Quarter final

Fair play to TG4 for showing the finals live,RTE make me laugh with their coverage of the lower tier competitions,even the Leinster Round Robin games,they dont even show highlights of these games,

But if it was Football there would be highlights shown

There would be highlights, just about. RTE don't care about small counties.
The big finals and the advertising revenue is their main concern.

dr.kenneth noisewater

Real pity that Westmeath put in such a poor second half in the Promotion/Relegation playoff against Laois (Never mind the fact that there shouldnt a playoff) as they have really shown they are as good as most others in the division.

A move to 8 team leagues is whats needed at the top, Division 1B seems to be a battle between Limerick and whoever is relegated from 1A each year and all others seem to be at an even enough level with Wexford slightly a head

nice_guy80

dr.kenneth noisewater wrote: »

Real pity that Westmeath put in such a poor second half in the Promotion/Relegation playoff against Laois (Never mind the fact that there shouldnt a playoff) as they have really shown they are as good as most others in the division.

A move to 8 team leagues is whats needed at the top, Division 1B seems to be a battle between Limerick and whoever is relegated from 1A each year and all others seem to be at an even enough level with Wexford slightly a head

Just remove the promotion/relegation play off.
Problem sorted

Realt Dearg Sec

nice_guy80 wrote: »

Crazy that the bottom tiers are played off so early and gotten out of the way

The Christy Ring champions should get a place in the qualifiers

There's no good reason why the Christy Ring can't be played right up to august like they used to do, with the final played before a senior semi. Getting rid of that was a fairly blatant demonstration of their disregard for the competition. Very obviously trying to get it out of the way.

nice_guy80

Realt Dearg Sec wrote: »

There's no good reason why the Christy Ring can't be played right up to august like they used to do, with the final played before a senior semi. Getting rid of that was a fairly blatant demonstration of their disregard for the competition. Very obviously trying to get it out of the way.

well the likes of Cork, Kilkenny and Tipp made sure their minors were more important

feargale

Kerrydude1981 wrote: »

Fair play to TG4 for showing the finals live,RTE make me laugh with their coverage of the lower tier competitions,even the Leinster Round Robin games,they dont even show highlights of these games,

I could stomach them not showing the games. What gets to me is that mostly they don't even bother to give the results. It would be interesting to compare the attendance at some of these games with the attendance at some of the long spit events they report.

Kerrydude1981

feargale wrote: »

I could stomach them not showing the games. What gets to me is that mostly they don't even bother to give the results. It would be interesting to compare the attendance at some of these games with the attendance at some of the long spit events they report.

The line up for next Sunday nights The Sunday game

Des Cahill introduces highlights and discussion of the weekend's GAA games, including Laois v Kildare, Louth v Carlow, Offaly v Longford and Fermanagh v Antrim

Highlights of teams from the lower divisions of the football leagues playing their opening games in the provincial championships, why cant they do the same for the hurling and show highlights of the matches involving the teams in the Leinster Round Robin and the Christy Ring/Nicky Rackard/Lory Meagher Cups

I was at our game against Westmeath on Saturday in Tralee and I thought it was sad that as good as Westmeath played their performance would still not be shown on last nights Sunday Sport,

But as soon as they play Galway ,oh then the highlights be shown alright

Realt Dearg Sec

nice_guy80 wrote: »

well the likes of Cork, Kilkenny and Tipp made sure their minors were more important

Welcome to the gaa, the best interests of the sport are airways second fiddle to the self interest of the counties. I'd be wary of blaming those places though, they aren't any more powerful than anyone else, so might be with checking who did deals with whom before blaming the big boys.

CrabRevolution

The counties themselves often want them played off early too, I'd imagine to save training expenses.

Henwin

Offaly 4/11 kerry 5/2 Draw 10/1, i was really hoping kerry wud make a quarterfinal this year but ut is unlikely that kerry will beat them in their own backyard

HanaleiJ5N

They've already done it once this year so you never know!

nice_guy80

Kerry and Offaly have gone backwards since the league, whereas Westmeath have improved.
I await the day Wexford or Dublin drop into the round robin. I wonder how quickly will they change it

CrabRevolution

nice_guy80 wrote: »

Kerry and Offaly have gone backwards since the league, whereas Westmeath have improved.
I await the day Wexford or Dublin drop into the round robin. I wonder how quickly will they change it

People said the same thing when Cork got relegated in the league, and nothing happened. They also said the same about Offaly going down last year, and nothing happened.

If Dublin or Wexford (somehow) went into the qualifier group nothing would also happen, because they'd probably hammer every team in it and go straight back up within one year.

mountgomery burns

Offaly are cat and will lose at the weekend.

HanaleiJ5N

Sorry for the comparatively **** comment free "preview" this week, just couldn't get the time this week so here's predictions based on ratings gaps for this weekend.


LEINSTER SHC Qualifier Group
Carlow (14) -V- (11) Westmeath (Prediction; WES by 3)
Offaly (10) -V- (12) Kerry (Prediction; OFF by 5)

Christy Ring Cup Semi Finals
Antrim (15) -V- (18) Down (Prediction; ANT by 9)
Kildare (16) -V- (19) Meath (Prediction; KLD by 7)

Christy Ring Cup Relegation Play-off
Derry (21) -V- (24) Wicklow (Prediction; DER by 1)

Nicky Rackard Cup Semi Finals
Donegal (25) -V- (22) Mayo (Prediction; MAY by 4)
Fingal (26) -V- (20) Armagh (Prediction; ARM by 2)

Christy Ring Cup Relegation Play-off
Fermanagh (31) -V- (27) Tyrone (Prediction; TYR by 6)

Lory Meagher Cup R4
Lancashire (35) -V- (32) Sligo (Prediction; SLI by 3)
Leitrim (34) -V- (29) Louth (Prediction; LOU by 7)

nice_guy80

HanaleiJ5N wrote: »

Sorry for the comparatively **** comment free "preview" this week, just couldn't get the time this week so here's predictions based on ratings gaps for this weekend.


LEINSTER SHC Qualifier Group
Carlow (14) -V- (11) Westmeath (Prediction; WES by 3)
Offaly (10) -V- (12) Kerry (Prediction; OFF by 5)

Christy Ring Cup Semi Finals
Antrim (15) -V- (18) Down (Prediction; ANT by 9)
Kildare (16) -V- (19) Meath (Prediction; KLD by 7)

Christy Ring Cup Relegation Play-off
Derry (21) -V- (24) Wicklow (Prediction; DER by 1)

Nicky Rackard Cup Semi Finals
Donegal (25) -V- (22) Mayo (Prediction; MAY by 4)
Fingal (26) -V- (20) Armagh (Prediction; ARM by 2)

Christy Ring Cup Relegation Play-off
Fermanagh (31) -V- (27) Tyrone (Prediction; TYR by 6)

Lory Meagher Cup R4
Lancashire (35) -V- (32) Sligo (Prediction; SLI by 3)
Leitrim (34) -V- (29) Louth (Prediction; LOU by 7)

Carlow v Westmeath Offaly v Kerry not till.next weekend
Same with Christy Ring and Rackard games

HanaleiJ5N

nice_guy80 wrote: »

Carlow v Westmeath Offaly v Kerry not till.next weekend
Same with Christy Ring and Rackard games

Whoops! Yeah, mental week, haven't really been checking things properly, cheers!!

HanaleiJ5N

LEINSTER SHC Qualifier Group
Carlow (14) -V- (11) Westmeath (Prediction; WES by 3)
Offaly (10) -V- (12) Kerry (Prediction; OFF by 5)

Result irrelevant in the Carlow v Westmeath game, Westmeath guaranteed top, Carlow guaranteed bottom (and relegated), if you're a betting man steer well clear, it's all about the Galway game in two weeks time now for Westmeath. Kerry and Offaly have had two weeks to regroup after mixed results in the first two games, Kerry have turned them over once already this year, Offaly need this badly, defeat here would almost confirm their status as a middle tier county after they've spent the last decade clinging precariously to top tier status by their fingernails.

LEINSTER SHC Quarter Final
Dublin (5) -V- (9) Wexford (Prediction; DUB by 11)
Wexford rounded off a poor league campaign with a fairly respectable performance against Waterford in the quarter final while the Dubs are still nowhere near shaking off their frustrating wildly fluctuating form. Both teams are pretty much at the proverbial "poop or get off the pot" stage, this will be closer than the points gap suggests but Dublin have the edge in terms of big game experience and should come through here.

MUNSTER SHC Quarter Final
Tipperary (3) -V- (7) Cork (Prediction; TIP by 6)
Hard to get a proper read on Tipperary, no doubting their talent/ability but the question mark still hangs over their ability to close out the tight games if they're not home and hosed with 10 minutes to go; their league form reads two comfortable wins, a draw, two 1 point defeat and a 5 point defeat to Kilkenny. Cork had a pretty awful league but won the game that counted most, if they can keep Tipp within range up to the final quarter we'll see what both teams are made of.


Christy Ring Cup Semi Finals
Antrim (15) -V- (18) Down (Prediction; ANT by 9)
Kildare (16) -V- (19) Meath (Prediction; KLD by 7)
Antrim and Down regularly meet in Ulster finals and Antrim have won each Ulster title since 2002, Down did defeat them in the 2006 Christy Ring group stage, but anything other than an Antrim win would be a major surprise. Kildare meet Meath in what I suppose we could call the Leinster B final, Kildare won when the two met last year but Meath are the Dublin of Christy Ring hurling, more often than not disappointing but every now and then they pull a big win out of the bag. Kildare should win but don't bet on it!!

Christy Ring Cup Relegation Play-off
Derry (21) -V- (24) Wicklow (Prediction; DER by 1)
Last years Ring finalists looking to avoid the relegation play off this year, their 2016 record reads played 7, lost 7, but they have played to a higher level than Wiclkow in the last few years and that experience should see them through.

Nicky Rackard Cup Semi Finals
Donegal (25) -V- (22) Mayo (Prediction; MAY by 4)
Fingal (26) -V- (20) Armagh (Prediction; ARM by 10)
From the start that this competition was geared up for a Mayo v Armagh final and both those teams must win away to secure that. Mayo only won (at home) by 4 points when they met Donegal in the league so they've already been warned not to take them for granted. A Fingal win would be a major upset, can't see it happening.


Nicky Rackard Cup Relegation Play-off
Fermanagh (31) -V- (27) Tyrone (Prediction; TYR by 6)
Tyrone have generally been playing to a higher level in the last 5/6 years but they are on a slight decline of late, should still have enough to claim the spoils here though.

Lory Meagher Cup R5
Sligo (32) -V- (34) Leitrim (Prediction; SLI by 6)
Warwickshire (33) -V- (35) Lancashire (Prediction; WAR by 8)
Sligo should set up a final clash with already qualified Louth with victory at home to Leitrim here, a Leitrim win would earn them a place in the final if Lancashire were to win. Warwackshire will alost certainly win the England derby though, this combined with a Leitrim win would set up a 3 way tie decided by scoring difference, a scenario in which Sligo hold a comfortable advantage at present. Sligo holding all the aces heading into the final round.

dastardly00

Nice job HanaleiJ5N

mountgomery burns

There's nothing top tier about Offaly. And their regression will be underpinned when Kerry beat them this weekend.

HanaleiJ5N

mountgomery burns wrote: »

There's nothing top tier about Offaly. And their regression will be underpinned when Kerry beat them this weekend.

That's certainly an understandable and widely held perception. (And I'm not saying it's wrong)

Though up to this year, they can at least point to the fact that although by and large they are routinely beaten by the top 8 they have also pretty much always beaten non top 10 sides. So they could legitimately claim that as they always beat second tier sides that they are still above the second tier.

However, after defeat to Laois in last years championship and defeats to Kerry and Westmeath this year, that claim is looking increasingly bankrupt, it's unfortunately fair to say that they already are a middle tier county, but defeat to Kerry would pretty much rubber stamp that status.

mountgomery burns

HanaleiJ5N wrote: »

That's certainly an understandable and widely held perception. (And I'm not saying it's wrong)

Though up to this year, they can at least point to the fact that although by and large they are routinely beaten by the top 8 they have also pretty much always beaten non top 10 sides. So they could legitimately claim that as they always beat second tier sides that they are still above the second tier.

However, after defeat to Laois in last years championship and defeats to Kerry and Westmeath this year, that claim is looking increasingly bankrupt, it's unfortunately fair to say that they already are a middle tier county, but defeat to Kerry would pretty much rubber stamp that status.

There's only 12 teams in the championship proper, so top 10 teams is a pretty big top tier. Especially when the level varies so widely in those 10 teams.

Kerrydude1981

Its going to take a big effort from our lads on Sunday to repeat the league result,the spark seems to have gone from them but hopefully they will re find that spark on Sunday

HanaleiJ5N

Not to take away from Kerry there either, unfair on them to suggest victory for them would be due to Offaly's decline, they've made good progress over the last 5 years, they're where they are on merit, unlike many counties they're fulfilling their potential, not really much more they can improve by, not without some sort of a medium/long term plan in place, but the fact they are on the verge of entering the Leinster championship proper is the reward for excellent work done by them in the last few years.