Hurling 2016

randd1

Well, by all consensus, 2015 was as bright as an eclipse in hurling, and genuinely

Kilkenny won the AI at their leisure, without really being troubled in the end. Galway provided great performances, but twice against Kilkenny were beat well out. Tipp didnt perform under the greatest intensity. Waterford played a strong but ultimately limited gameplan that cost them in the end, but Galway apart were the only team that improved. Cork were shocking. Clare, Dublin and Limerick were worse. Wexford blew up under the pressure of the big time.

For me a lot of the problem is that Kilkenny, Galway and Tipp apart, no-one has the confidence or all round ability to go at the opposition and win, its all about containment. I dont think it was a surprise that the games involving Galway, Kilkenny and Tipp were a bit more physical, of a higher intensity and all round quality (even if Kilkenny beat Galway well twice) last year.

My worry is that the same thing will happen next year. There are doubts about whether Waterford can be more creative up front. Cork need a serious dose of strength and conditioning, workrate and ball winning ability. Ditto Clare, though they're short of any serious physicality as well. Dublin are an unknown quantity, but likely to be game and limited as usual. Limerick have the physicality and workrate, but last year was a serious step back for them in quality and fitness, which begs the question which Limerick will turn up next year. And now Galway are all over the place. So next year we could see a raft of teams trying be too tactical.

My hope is that teams cut loose and decide to go for the win, worry about yourself and let the opposition worry about you king of thing. A lot of tactics seem to be about containing the opposition rather than being creative yourself, so here's hoping managers decide the opposition are there to be beaten and let the players go at it. Hurling for me is a much better sport when teams just go for it and hurl with aggression and directness than systems.

zetecescort

lads, any chance we could have another thread on next years hurling? this must be the 3rd or 4th in a few weeks

blue note

It seems to be accepted that the reason Waterford couldn't have beaten Kilkenny was our defensive set-up, but I just don't agree. I think we just didn't play very well against them. Our shooting was off, our passing was off and our touch was off. In my view, we peaked against Tipp last year (and them against us) and for all the criticism of the match I think it was the highest standard Munster final in years. We did set up defensively and there were practically no goal chances, but the intensity of that game was extremely high. I think both teams suffered after the match, we were very slow out of the blocks against Dublin and flat again against Kilkenny. And Tipp were no-where near their Munster final performance against Galway.

But even playing poorly, we weren't all that far behind Kilkenny. There's no question who was the better team on the day and the scoreline was pretty fair, but if we'd played well it would have been a very close game. In my view it wasn't our tactics that were the problem on the day.

But for next year, it's always hard to say how it will go. I don't think Kilkenny's players are all that far ahead of the chasing teams, the problem is they always play well. You'll just never see less than a 7 out of 10 performance from Kilkenny. But Tipp, in spite of their retirements will still be good challengers. Their squad might be slightly thin to be the standout second best team, but they'll definitely be strong. Clare still have some top class players, if they can play well they'll be good challengers. I think Cork are short too many players for a realistic challenge. If Waterford can build on last year they could be very close. I expect Galway to be fully committed next year. They'll have massive criticism if they don't have a great season, so I think they'll possibly be the nearest challengers. Nothing like putting pressure on yourself to get the most out of yourself. I always think Limerick have a lot of very strong players, but they've never looked like realistic contenders. But that can change in a league campaign. And Dublin look like they're in a bit of a transition period. I don't see them being stronger next year.

lim4ev

For me blue note I think with fifteen min to go v kk last yr Waterford were right there but never made the changes needed to win the game that really disappointed me.

I think and hope Limerick could be dark horses this year to spring a surprise prob won't win it but could do damage

tommybrees

Attack is the best form of defence they say.
Hurling has to be played with emphasis on attack. It's not like football or soccer where defence can do the job.
Hurling is a different animal.