National Hurling League 2024 Discussion

Seadin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121751819#Comment_121751819

I said it before. He is fragile and we just won't win an All Ireland if we have to depend on him going forward, same as Lehane. Lehane tonight had moments of brilliance and then hits a few wides and dropping the ball short. Just won't get you over the line. IMHO.

Mantis Toboggan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121751749#Comment_121751749

He won't be taking over from TJ Reid anytime soon.

PTH2009

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121751861#Comment_121751861

I'm guessing TJ Reid is not retiring from inter county?

barneygumble99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121751861#Comment_121751861

But where is the hype you mentioned ?? There’s no hype in Kilkenny!!

Mantis Toboggan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121751904#Comment_121751904

Maybe it's died down then, isn't he supposed to be the next great hope for kk?

kksaints

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121751861#Comment_121751861

Yeah but that's a very high bar to reach. I'd be hopefully that he'll become a regular starter for us in the next two years or so. He's a excellent free taker, he has a knack of finding space to tap one over the bar and he's usually fairly clinical when he gets the ball. He does have areas to improve atm in particularly with regards to his mobility but I'm confident that will come in time. The main concern as far as I can see is that he plays for a Junior club who are unlikely to get promoted in the next few years. I'd just wonder whether he will get the hurling he needs a club level to improve.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121751919#Comment_121751919

"The main concern as far as I can see is that he plays for a Junior club"

The greatest success of the academy in Limerick is to move away from this kind of attitude. If a county is doing things properly then it won't matter what level a club is because the top players will get top training from a young age. You are way behind if still thinking club championships will bring players on.

Hegarty, Hayes, Quaid, Finn and others have rarely or never played senior.

kksaints

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121752070#Comment_121752070

Depends on the county I feel, Wexford did something very similar to Limerick the last few years but it just led to them developing a lack of squad depth and made it tricky for them to drop under-performing players. Players get lazy if they think they're guaranteed their place on the panel.

windy shepard henderson

carlow deserve a mention on here , i reckon they are a solid 1b team next year under the new format , huge win today against meath but last week against kerry their touch and application was top drawer ,marty kavanagh has always been a top hurler but it seems they have one or two more joining in now for a county with 8 or 9 clubs they produce some really good technical hurlers the new format will really suite them if they go up this year

C4000

Having watched all 6 Division one games, id have to say that it was a very enjoyable weekend of hurling. One of the best National League rounds in a good while.

windy shepard henderson

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121755374#Comment_121755374

all 4 games televised were evenly matched , the wexford v offaly game was nearly the best game of the weekend

NJSC1980

The new format is shooting itself in the foot with groups of 7 and 2 up/2 down.

There is a very distinct top 9 and in all likelihood the two teams that go down will go straight back up the following year.

It’s a near certainty that the format will be changed before 2030 on that basis. Those two teams will be seen as having an unfair advantage over the other 7 teams in the cutthroat environment of Division 1. Similar complaints occurred when 1B teams won the 2017 & 2018 championships.

But 6 team groups with 1 up / 1 down was great. Took Limerick 7 years to get out of 1B - while 1A was a dogfight between the top teams 1B was brutally punishing in the sense that one slip up and your promotion hopes were in tatters. Limerick lost out a couple of times via unexpected slip ups against Offaly. It was incredibly satisfying once we finally topped that division and earned promotion.

The complaints should have been ignored in 2017/18, laughable stuff to change the format of a competition because some of the counties believe it to be too competitive.

randd1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121757341#Comment_121757341

The 1A/1B group style form a few years ago (the one with the league SF's being top 1A vs top 1B, and 2nd and 3rd in the league SF's) was great stuff, and the best league format for a long time. I'd bring it back in a heartbeat.

But I would make it more competitive this time around, in that I would have two go up/down between 1A and 1B. More changeover in teams in 1A, more to play for in 1B (particularly for the weaker sides), more danger in what is essentially the same combined division anyway.

Happyilylost

With the Galway footballers and hurlers clashing I'll be using my football season ticket this weekend. Anybody wants my two hurling season tickets for the Antrim game pm me

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121800374#Comment_121800374

Always think that is unfair on people that follow both codes. Scheduling should at least give supporters a chance to be able to see both live, if possible. Especially if Galway - Cork - maybe Dublin etc

gormdubhgorm

If Dublin stay within 15 of Limerick would be doing well. Hope Limerick don’t dish out a right hiding.

It does not say much for the state of hurling that arguably the 8th best team is hoping to keep the score down. Wide pitch Croke Park favours Limerick as well.

If Dublin get a goal I will choke on me Ham Sambo. Because at the best of times a Dublin goal is an event in itself so rare.

Eoghan O’Donnell still out for Dublin. Might have helped if he was playing. But still Dublin have been very loose defensively. Game could be over as contest after 15-20 minutes.

PTH2009

How can anyone be confident of the year ahead when a Limerick team in 2nd gear can score 3-30 in Croke Park in February

ShamoBuc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121813326#Comment_121813326

I'm confident that if Limerick get out of Munster, they will the All Ireland.

They very nearly didn't get out last year, which was a pity - not from a Limerick perspective obviously.

NJSC1980

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121813326#Comment_121813326

Limerick were seen as untouchable after the league last year only for there to be a puck of the ball in it in all 5 of their matches in Munster in the following two months. They’re obviously favourites for the All Ireland but I wouldn’t read too much into what happens in February and March.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121813326#Comment_121813326

Well Limerick can feel confident 🤣

But in truth the post above is pretty accurate.

PTH2009

Yet another draw for Wexford

Kilkenny pushed all the way by Offaly

breezy1985

Cork really need those 2 points to stay in touch now. Any less and their only hope is to stay in Div 1 through the best 4th position.

evolvingtipperary101

Those Cork jerseys are actually cool.

evolvingtipperary101

Downey might be worth a go up front after that point. Powerful runner.

TheRiverman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121815913#Comment_121815913

They're a long and not in a good way from their tradtional colour.

evolvingtipperary101

Good instinct for the goal.

evolvingtipperary101

If things stay the way they are (things will change - still two rounds left):

2025 NHL 1A 

Clare 

Cork

Galway 

Kilkenny

Limerick 

Tipperary

Wexford

2025 NHL 1B

Waterford 

Offaly

Dublin 

Westmeath 

Antrim

Carlow 

Laois

breezy1985

Why were Cork wearing pyjamas today ?

I hope we are not getting like the soccer where teams wear change kits even with no clash.

evolvingtipperary101

Charlie Mitchell is a player.

Seadin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121817572#Comment_121817572

Why was Kyle Hayes playing yesterday for Limerick?