GAA - All Ireland Championship

[Selhurst Celtic]

We're back again for another year of the All Ireland Championship.

Ryan_the_eagle contributed the following to last years thread, but we all know how our dear leader, Casement Park regular, and fan of all things Aontroim, (especially those fine hurlers in Cushendall) Dave likes a new thread on subjects, rather than bumping old ones.

So here it is, now lower the blade & poc fada mo chairde.

[Heb 7:4]

Crazy decision

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Clearly should have been Clinton

[Selhurst Celtic]

Originally Posted by Ryan_the_eagle

What does everyone think of the new deal with Sky. I'm assuming that Sky have bought the rights to the games that were previously on TV3, but the loss of big games to a subscription channel seems very much against everything I believe the association to be. Think the GAA have got this one very wrong, don't imagine the decision has gone down particularly well in Ireland. I am starting to wonder whether this is the start of the game becoming professional, although I don't think that would be sustainable in such a small country.

Also says about RTE starting a worldwide streaming service, I assume this means the end of Premier Sports coverage. But also leaves me wondering what the pubs in the UK on RTEs television games.

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I've seen a clip of Jim White on Sky Sports News banging on about the Championship, but assume that it will swiftly be shelved to the lesser watched Sky channels along with Speedway and Water-Polo?

It would appear that the TV3 pundits are joining the Sky bandwagon. Though there was a rumour that Niall Quinn was to play a part somewhere, which might have been interesting.

Here's a clip of Ian Wright bigging up the start of the Championship. Which is weird.

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Their first televised game will the mighty Tribesmen of Galway taking on Sligo. There's a few Galwegians and Sligo heads on the BBS so hopefully we can all have a big row about it.

[Selhurst Celtic]

Feck you, Heb you Clare bastard. I thought you were flogging sand to Arabs, not gazumping my posts by seconds.

[Selhurst Celtic]

Originally Posted by Ryan_the_eagle

Properly got underway today, didn't get the chance to watch it as I'm on my way to work. But Tyrone very narrowly avoided going out to Down in Ulster. Goes to a replay now. Mayo hammered New York last week, ending their campaign which is a shame cause they could benefit from some game time in the qualifiers.

Tyrone beat Down in the replay, Donegal beat Derry, and Galway thump London in Ruislip in the football.

In the hurling, Antrim beat Laois by 2 points in a qualifier and will now play Wexford, whilst Laois take on Galway. Both matches this Sunday.

Game of the weekend was again from Munster hurling where Cork & Waterford played out yet another epic & drew 1-21 to 1-21. Waterford were looking all set to win but some rash wides and a slightly dodgy free for Cork meant they go again. My cousin has retired from Waterford now after 22 years of service. I can just picture his smirk if The Déise were to go all the way and win the All-Ireland.

Here's Gleeson's brilliant goal against Cork:



"Rasper!"

[Selhurst Celtic]

Here's Jim White talking up the drawn Tyrone v Down match through gritted teeth:

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Very brief highlights. As in very brief.

[Tyrone Eagle]

Tyrone were very lucky against Down last week. Down were very poor, but Tyrone stopped between 57 and 62 mins, conceding about 2-3 in the process blowing a 7 point lead. They were very lucky to escape with a draw.

However, Micky Harte is a master in replays and we were fairly comfortable winners last Saturday. I think our defence is too leaky to stay with the big boys though.

Donegal decimated Derry on Sunday and look good for a 3rd Ulster in 4 years.

Galway had a facile win over London. Did you get along SC?

In Leinster football, nothing of note has occurred. In the hurling Antrim have won 5 from 5 in the "poor team"/"qualifier" league. They play Wexford on Saturday whilst Galway play laois. I'd have to fancy both Wexford and Galway in those ties.

[Tyrone Eagle]

This weekend Fermanagh play Antrim and Limerick play Tipp in the football. These won't engender much interest! But I'd like to see Antrim and Tipp win, but don't think either will.

Unusually Limerick and Tipp also play in the hurling and both games are on Seperate days. I'd fancy Tipp here in league form.

[Selhurst Celtic]

TE, aye was up in Rusilip for the London v Galway game. I missed the first 10 minutes due to an *ahem* altercation with the gate staff. London GAA is presided over by corrupt divs, but the lads on the gate are something else entirely.

Good Galway turnout and a grand old session in the marquee afterwards. London were very poor and the decision to have the keeper take their frees was a waste of time. Cluxton he aint.
Big nod to the barman behind the jump in the main clubhouse. Remembering rounds and working fast. A credit to his profession.

As for Tipp V Limerick not being a double header in the same venue on the same day, why does HQ make these ludicrous decisions that punishes the supporters?

Oh yeah, I know: €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€

[Selhurst Celtic]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Eagle

This weekend Fermanagh play Antrim and Limerick play Tipp in the football. These won't engender much interest! But I'd like to see Antrim and Tipp win, but don't think either will.

Unusually Limerick and Tipp also play in the hurling and both games are on Seperate days. I'd fancy Tipp here in league form.

Limerick beat Tipperary in the hurling, and then Tipperary beat Limerick in the football.

Galway squeezed past Laois in the Leinster hurling. Class save at the end on the goal-line to give Galway a pretty undeserved win. I think that was the most cumbersome set of forwards I've ever seen tog out in the maroon of Galway.

And Wexford lash Antrim in the hurling, whilst the Antrim footballers see off Fermanagh despite their late comeback.

Football takes centre stage this weekend. Armagh v Cavan in the always competitive Ulster Championship & Louth v Kildare in Leinster being the pick of the games. Mayo should overcome Roscommon and Dublin should do the same to Laois.

Clare v Waterford in the Munster football won't draw too much attention, it would be different if they were playing the small ball game though.

In the Leinster hurling quarter final, Kilkenny take on Offaly. Come on you BIFFO's!

[Heb 7:4]

Pfft. Football. Roll on the 15th.

[Selhurst Celtic]

It's a long, long way from Clare to here.

[Ryan_the_eagle]

Kilkenny demolishing Offally in Sky's first game of the season. 2-15 to 0-6 with over 5 mins till half time.

In regards to having a double header last week it was suggested as a double header by the GAA but Limerick didn't want to give up home advantage.

[Selhurst Celtic]

Cats looking good.

[Optimistic Kev]

Kilkenny looked good, few players to come back as well. Didn't miss Shefflin, appreciate they'll have far tougher games.

Up the Cats.

[PalaceBhoy]

Originally Posted by Selhurst Celtic

It's a long, long way from Clare to here.

Written by a man from Croydon.

[Selhurst Celtic]

Nice to see that flags and parades are no longer an issue in the North of Ireland. Wait a minute!

Here's Armagh & Cavan getting stuck into each other before the match even began. Accusations of a deliberate ploy to target Dunne from Cavan as he's been playing well recently who ended up in a sling and played no part in the match. Armagh lined up behind the Cavan flag for the traditional pre match parade. Cavan decided it would be best to move them.

Armagh won the fight and the match.

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[Selhurst Celtic]

Cork beat Waterford in the Munster replay.

Nice to see a Nash penalty saved. For those unaware, Nash has a technique where he flicks the sliothar a fair old distance before striking. He's been grabbing extra metres for a while now, much to the annoyance of everyone who isn't from Cork. The Waterford keeper O'Keeffe decided that life and limb is immaterial to saving a goal, so steamed out from his line to block his fellow goalkeeper's penalty with his body, and then gave him a shoulder for his troubles. Cue stickfighting:



There needs to a be a rule change here. A penalty can't be struck further forward than the 20m line. If you get a sliothar in the throat you're going to be in trouble.

[Selhurst Celtic]

As predicted in Leinster, Kildare beat Louth and Dublin beat Laois in the football. Wexford beat Longford too.

Mayo squeak by Roscommon after a later rally in Connacht and win by a point.

Clare v Waterford in the Munster football ended in a draw

Kilkenny absolutely lashed Offaly in the hurling. Galway up next for the Cats. Gulp.

[PalaceBhoy]

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