GAA 2014

[The Black Pearl]

I'm from the north of the county. The football end. Clara to be precise.

What in the name of devine jaysus are you laughing at Rex? I'm not telling a word of a lie. You'd be doing well to find a woman between the ages of 32 and 36 from the bridge in Banagher all the way over to Birr and out the road to Cloghan as well that wouldn't know me, there's actually a lovely woman over there and she's publican too what's better that's always texting me, told me a fortnight ago that the biggest mistake she ever made in her life was letting me slip through her fingers in 5th year, there isn't a day or a night that goes by where she doesn't think of me, she says. We were on about the 80 yard free I put over the bar against Shinrone at the time.

 

[bazalini]

I don't know him personally, but I'll send on your regards. We're playing division 3 league against Rhode Sunday. He might even be togged out.

Where you from baz?

Kinnegad. Played U16, Minor & U-21 for Westmeath. would have played with a few rhode lads in my dad. Since yourselves & Rhode started winning the titles the Biffs have been crap

 

[RexHamilton]

What in the name of devine jaysus are you laughing at Rex? I'm not telling a word of a lie. You'd be doing well to find a woman between the ages of 32 and 36 from the bridge in Banagher all the way over to Birr and out the road to Cloghan as well that wouldn't know me, there's actually a lovely woman over there and she's publican too what's better that's always texting me, told me a fortnight ago that the biggest mistake she ever made in her life was letting me slip through her fingers in 5th year, there isn't a day or a night that goes by where she doesn't think of me, she says. We were on about the 80 yard free I put over the bar against Shinrone at the time.

I don't doubt ya!

Kinnegad. Played U16, Minor & U-21 for Westmeath. would have played with a few rhode lads in my dad. Since yourselves & Rhode started winning the titles the Biffs have been crap

Well Offaly been shite for 15 years. And We've only won 2 county titles in that time, so don't be blaming us for it.

 

[Stick]

What in the name of devine jaysus are you laughing at Rex? I'm not telling a word of a lie. You'd be doing well to find a woman between the ages of 32 and 36 from the bridge in Banagher all the way over to Birr and out the road to Cloghan as well that wouldn't know me, there's actually a lovely woman over there and she's publican too what's better that's always texting me, told me a fortnight ago that the biggest mistake she ever made in her life was letting me slip through her fingers in 5th year, there isn't a day or a night that goes by where she doesn't think of me, she says. We were on about the 80 yard free I put over the bar against Shinrone at the time.

With hurricane Charlie at your back!

 

[lem8sh]

I also predicted the imminent success of Andy Carroll at Liverpool............

 

[Stick]

It was the injuries!!

and the fact he was bloody useless

 

[The Black Pearl]

I'll be heading down to Waterford on Sunday, 20 euro on the supporters bus and that's including the ticket for the match as well. Nothing fecking wrong with that in fairness. Even though there's a shitload of lads missing I'm a lot more confident heading into it than I was this time last week. Waterford won't be easy get the better of down there though.

Some piece of skill this. feck me pink...


Joe outside my local with the owner and good buddy of mine Niall Linnane nephew of the legend Sylvie Linnane a month or two ago

 

[RexHamilton]

SO anyone here playing a bit themselves? Any county players on the caf? Or Senior Clubmen? Or any Junior stalwarts? Any former greats?

The club season is kicking off again. Or threatening to if the pitches would every dry up.

 

[Big Papi]

I've not been named, even for our Junior C panel.

The shower of cnuts. I'll never train for the cnuts again!!!
(I need an excuse)

 

[limerickcitykid]

I play in Canada if that counts. It doesn't count does it?

 

[The Black Pearl]

SO anyone here playing a bit themselves? Any county players on the caf? Or Senior Clubmen? Or any Junior stalwarts? Any former greats?

The club season is kicking off again. Or threatening to if the pitches would every dry up.

I play junior B usually at full back and have played along side 3 Galway senior players earlier on last year, they were only in challenge matches though that they were using to help them in coming back from injuries. One of them is below in the newbies, got his first proper crack at senior last year below in Thurlas against Clare in the Championship and was easily Galway's best player on the day. He's highly rated by lads that would know their onions about hurling both in the county and outside of it.

 

[Feeky Magee]

Grealish?

 

[The Black Pearl]

There's no flies on you Feeky!

Your man at 4 mins... Noooo tis definitely gone this time and RexHamilton at 6:25 then

 

[RexHamilton]

White socks are an essential piece of kit! Especially seeing as we're not allowed on the field with anything other than White Shorts and Socks.

 

[Buchan]

Typical Kilkenny bastards.

 

[RORY65]

That was some game and always pleasing to see Tipp lose.

 

[Buchan]

That was some game and always pleasing to see Tipp lose.

You must live in some warped sporting bubble if you gain pleasure from seeing Kilkenny win.

Unless of course, you are from Kilkenny.

 

[RORY65]

You must live in some warped sporting bubble if you gain pleasure from seeing Kilkenny win.

Unless of course, you are from Kilkenny.

Fair point. Born in Kilkenny, spent first couple of years in Carlow (where all my family are based) and now in London. A classic United fan.

 

[bazalini]

Was at the Sigersen on Friday in Belfast. The real talking point was having 2 of the 4 teams captained by Westmeath players - John Jeslin & Jamie Gonoud, a fine statement that the Under-age structure is healthy in the lake county . Weather was brutal and everyone got blown away. Queens have a brand spanking new Pavilion and stand, but decided to encamp everyone on another pitch with a temp stand and a freezing marquee. Would have been good for the Sigersen teams to get the better facilities.

No fan of Ulster Football and their BS. UCD were made wait on the pitch in near hurricane conditions by Jordanstown at half time by at least 10-12 mins. Heslin had to bring UCD into the Marquee just to keep the team dry.

 

[Stick]

SO anyone here playing a bit themselves? Any county players on the caf? Or Senior Clubmen? Or any Junior stalwarts? Any former greats?

The club season is kicking off again. Or threatening to if the pitches would every dry up.

I play a bit. Junior C level now as I'm getting on a bit. Great craic though. Looking to get a good run of games in this season.

 

[Big Papi]

Kilkenny/Tipp game on TG4 player. I missed it but everyone's talking about it.

http://www.tg4.ie/ie/player/tg4-player.html

 

[Big Papi]

Connacht won their first Interprovincial football title since 1969!! They are also in the hurling final and could win their first ever double.

Leinster have 9 doubles (first 1932; last 2006).
Munster have 7 doubles (first 1931; last 1981).

Ulster have none - the useless shites....they've never won the hurling final, though have been runners-up on four occasions, including 1995 where they only lost by one point.

In hurling, Munster's 1945 win over Ulster and their 1959 win over Connacht remain the biggest winning margin: 20 points.

 

[The Black Pearl]

Connacht won their first Interprovincial football title since 1969!! They are also in the hurling final and could win their first ever double.

Leinster have 9 doubles (first 1932; last 2006).
Munster have 7 doubles (first 1931; last 1981).

Ulster have none - the useless shites....they've never won the hurling final, though have been runners-up on four occasions, including 1995 where they only lost by one point.

In hurling, Munster's 1945 win over Ulster and their 1959 win over Connacht remain the biggest winning margin: 20 points.

CONNACHT - (all Galway) : J Skehill; F Moore, R Burke, J Coen; D Collins, I Tannian, G McInerney; David Burke, P Brehony; J Flynn, C Cooney, J Glynn; P Landers, C Mannion, D Glennon


They without Canning and a few more lads that I'd expect to be on the 1st team when the championship comes around beat Munster in the semi in Ballinasloe by 1-18 to 0-16 and a very strong Munster out fit too.

MUNSTER: A Nash (Cork); T Condon (Limerick), R McCarthy (Limerick), N Connors (Waterford); B Bugler (Clare), M Walsh (Waterford), P Maher (Tipperary); W McNamara (Limerick), B Maher (Tipperary); D Kearney (Cork), N McGrath (Tipperary), S Molumphy (Waterford); G Mulcahy (Limerick), P Horgan (Cork), C Ryan (Clare)Subs: M Cahill (Tipperary) for McCarthy h-t, S Walsh (Waterford) for Mulcahy 51, D O’Donovan (Clare) for Condon 53, P Donnellan (Clare) for Bugler 59, L McLoughlin (Cork) for Horgan 66.

 

[bazalini]

CONNACHT - (all Galway) : J Skehill; F Moore, R Burke, J Coen; D Collins, I Tannian, G McInerney; David Burke, P Brehony; J Flynn, C Cooney, J Glynn; P Landers, C Mannion, D Glennon


They without Canning and a few more lads that I'd expect to be on the 1st team when the championship comes around beat Munster in the semi in Ballinasloe by 1-18 to 0-16 and a very strong Munster out fit too.

MUNSTER: A Nash (Cork); T Condon (Limerick), R McCarthy (Limerick), N Connors (Waterford); B Bugler (Clare), M Walsh (Waterford), P Maher (Tipperary); W McNamara (Limerick), B Maher (Tipperary); D Kearney (Cork), N McGrath (Tipperary), S Molumphy (Waterford); G Mulcahy (Limerick), P Horgan (Cork), C Ryan (Clare)Subs: M Cahill (Tipperary) for McCarthy h-t, S Walsh (Waterford) for Mulcahy 51, D O’Donovan (Clare) for Condon 53, P Donnellan (Clare) for Bugler 59, L McLoughlin (Cork) for Horgan 66.

You really are obsessed with Canning - Is this not the problem with Galway? - They build their players up into County Superstars and on paper you realise they have yet to win anything.

Think Canning is a good lad, lovely hurler, but the whole superstar thing needs to be put in check. A quick look at your recent Minors in the Football will show you where they all are now. Ridiculous to think those lads were lauded around the county getting drink and nightclub invites all at the age of 18. The likes of Mickey Harte, Cody, Boylan could teach youse a thing or two about handling your underage

 

[The Black Pearl]

You really are obsessed with Canning - Is this not the problem with Galway? - They build their players up into County Superstars and on paper you realise they have yet to win anything.

Think Canning is a good lad, lovely hurler, but the whole superstar thing needs to be put in check. A quick look at your recent Minors in the Football will show you where they all are now. Ridiculous to think those lads were lauded around the county getting drink and nightclub invites all at the age of 18. The likes of Mickey Harte, Cody, Boylan could teach youse a thing or two about handling your underage

Canning has won nothing? Alright baz, apart from a senior all-Ireland he's won everything there is to be won, some a few times over and he's still only 25. In fact the majority of the Galway set up has won everything there is to be won but a senior.

He has been matching Shefflin match for match on the scoring front for years now. Shefflin considered by many as the greatest ever but yet if he had been born in Galway instead of Kilkenny I and I know of many that think the same he wouldn't have won a single All-Ireland. I couldn't see him carrying the Galway team the way Canning has or is since he burst onto the scene as a minor.

No other county has dominated the underage or club scene like Galway has in the last 20 or 30 years so to say there is a problem with the underage set ups is just pure stupid. We don't need Cody to sort out anything on that front.

The problem in Galway is and many have their own ideas as into why but what happens all these young lads that win all before them at underage, there's a reason why we're and have been labeled for a while now as the most frustrated hurling supporters in the country. My opinion on things is that the club scene has a lot got to do with it. I'm of the belief that players for one reason or another seem to care more for their clubs than the county set up. I've been swaying over and back towards it being that up until last year for a fair while but I think events last year in the county championship more or less has me persuaded now.

Getting back to Canning and not taking away what Shefflin is on the pitch or what he has achieved, Canning is by far the most exciting a hurler out of the two and IMO marginally better than him too. Canning is only 25 yet as well, when he finishes and if he continues to play the way he is he'll go down as one of the greats and that would be despite him not winning a senior all - Ireland. Start up a debate in 5/6 years time titled Canning v Carey v Shefflin and you'll see. Many would probably sway towards Canning today I'd say, don't mind 6 years down the line.

 

[bazalini]

The problem with your Underage is that you have always had bundles of talent but your ratio of producing senior Hurlers/footballers out of your minors is poor. And as was discussed last year by the media - mostly down to the status of your Minors as pre-madonna's

Canning as I said is a fine hurler, probably the most naturally gifted, but until he wins a senior he can keep any notions of grandiose in check. Something which the Galway public have great difficulty in helping him with. Peter Canavan won everything in the game and would have given everything up for a Senior, which he won towards the end of his career.

Start up a debate in 5/6 years time titled Canning v Carey v Shefflin and you'll see. Many would probably sway towards Canning today I'd say, don't mind 6 years down the line.

And you believe that - When I was young I thought Larry Giles was the best Footballer ever to grace a pitch. In 5/6 years and Canning has not won an All-Ireland he will be classed as the Ciaran McDonald of hurling

 

[The Black Pearl]

The problem with your Underage is that you have always had bundles of talent but your ratio of producing senior Hurlers/footballers out of your minors is poor. And as was discussed last year by the media - mostly down to the status of your Minors as pre-madonna's

Canning as I said is a fine hurler, probably the most naturally gifted, but until he wins a senior he can keep any notions of grandiose in check. Something which the Galway public have great difficulty in helping him with. Peter Canavan won everything in the game and would have given everything up for a Senior, which he won towards the end of his career.



And you believe that - When I was young I thought Larry Giles was the best Footballer ever to grace a pitch. In 5/6 years and Canning has not won an All-Ireland he will be classed as the Ciaran McDonald of hurling

I'm not to sure what you mean by that but since you mentioned the term superstar on your last post I'm thinking it's you maybe thinking Canning himself thinking he is some sort of superstar or some sort of arrogant cnut that thinks he's the best and if it is let me tell you that that couldn't be further from the truth, Canning isn't going around looking for attention, he's a quite lad that goes about his business. If you've followed his career to date you'd know that he has put up with more shit both on and off the pitch than I'd say any other hurler in the country has both in the game today or in days gone by and all of that shit I'm saddened to say has come from within the county of Galway. In short Galway people as a whole aren't making him out to be something he's not and neither is he, you'll have many that'll appreciate him and will have no problem admitting it but on the other hand you'll have a crowd that'll appreciate him to a certain extent but through club rivarlies etc almost want him to fail. Is he one of the best hurlers in the country today or possibly the best though, of course he is. No one that has seen him in action and when I say seen him in action I mean enough of times to make a judgement will deny that.

 

[bazalini]

In short Galway people as a whole aren't making him out to be something he's not and neither is he,

Well you for a start have an unhealthy infatuation with Canning then. The idea of posting a picture of Canning outside a Pub belonging to Sylvie Linnane's Nephew says it all. I feel sorry for the lad. In most counties Canning would be let do his thing in private.

There is an old saying - Those that have it don't talk about it.

 

[The Black Pearl]

I don't have an unhealthy infatuation with Canning at all. I love hurling and consider him the best hurler I've ever seen, that's all. The elderly man from Westmeath that I had the privilege to stand beside at Kenny Park Athenry at the county semi last November between Portumna and Loughrea said the exact same thing. He told me he does travel the length and breath of the country to see Canning play. He's a joy to watch. And once again Canning isn't talking about anything!

 

[bazalini]

I don't have an unhealthy infatuation with Canning at all. I love hurling and consider him the best hurler I've ever seen, that's all. The elderly man from Westmeath that I had the privilege to stand beside at Kenny Park Athenry at the county semi last November between Portumna and Loughrea said the exact same thing. He told me he does travel the length and breath of the country to see Canning play. He's a joy to watch. And once again Canning isn't talking about anything!

Good luck to Galway - Would love to see youse do something at Senior level.

"A true Legend is only declared after the last ball is kicked" - ask Zindane

 

[Stick]

Well you for a start have an unhealthy infatuation with Canning then. The idea of posting a picture of Canning outside a Pub belonging to Sylvie Linnane's Nephew says it all. I feel sorry for the lad. In most counties Canning would be let do his thing in private.

There is an old saying - Those that have it don't talk about it.

Eh? Nothing wrong with TBP getting behind his team and the star player on it. It's only if he starts using the baby oil and getting into the pictures himself. Leering seductively at poor Joe. Then I draw the line!

 

[Feeky Magee]

Canning is the best hurler in the country.

As for Galway hurling as a whole, I think their underage success has been bloated by a system where they only need to win two games to win titles. The senior hasn't been that way since 1996 (had to win 3 games 1996-2002, qualifiers 2002-2009, Leinster since), and even pre-'96, it's obviously easier to win two straight underage games than senior games, given there can be years where the traditional counties are relatively weak at underage levels. For all the talk from counties like Galway and Waterford about factors that have cost them an all-Ireland (club infighting, bad management, players bottling it, etc.), I couldn't really pick a year where they were the strongest team on paper but didn't win the all-Ireland.

 

[Big Papi]

A bit OTT there baz. I reckon Canning is the single best hurler in the country at the moment. Shefflin has been the best I've seen, but he's long on the wane. Since he batted that goal in, in 2002, he was well on his way to overtaking DJ as the best player of my lifetime.

Canning is an absolute beast. He's got all you would ever want in a hurler and TBP is right to laud him. If we had stars like that in Laois, you can bet your bottom dollar they'd be worshipped too. I bet there are plenty of photos of Henry outside pubs, with someone's nephew, taking by a huge fan. That's the glory of the GAA, as far as I'm concerned. The best hurlers are demi-gods and are heralded for their brilliance long after they die.

If Canning keeps this up and especially if he wins a senior or two, he'll be in a lot of people's top five I reckon.

And you believe that - When I was young I thought Larry Giles was the best Footballer ever to grace a pitch. In 5/6 years and Canning has not won an All-Ireland he will be classed as the Ciaran McDonald of hurling

Is that Giles from Kinnegad?

 

[bazalini]

A bit OTT there baz. I reckon Canning is the single best hurler in the country at the moment. Shefflin has been the best I've seen, but he's long on the wane. Since he batted that goal in, in 2002, he was well on his way to overtaking DJ as the best player of my lifetime.

Canning is an absolute beast. He's got all you would ever want in a hurler and TBP is right to laud him. If we had stars like that in Laois, you can bet your bottom dollar they'd be worshipped too. I bet there are plenty of photos of Henry outside pubs, with someone's nephew, taking by a huge fan. That's the glory of the GAA, as far as I'm concerned. The best hurlers are demi-gods and are heralded for their brilliance long after they die.

If Canning keeps this up and especially if he wins a senior or two, he'll be in a lot of people's top five I reckon.



Is that Giles from Kinnegad?

Where did I say anything negative about Canning? My beef is that people in Galway are parading him about as a legend and seeing as the lad is only 25, its unfair on him and the county to do that. Galway have a history of producing good underage talent and a failure to keep them in check.

Yes that is Lar Giles in question. He was born 100 meters inside the Meath border and played his club football with Kinnegad. He would have had a few All-Ireland medals in his pocket if he opted to played for the Meath team in the late 80's / 90's

 

[Feeky Magee]

Where did I say anything negative about Canning? My beef is that people in Galway are parading him about as a legend and seeing as the lad is only 25, its unfair on him and the county to do that. Galway have a history of producing good underage talent and a failure to keep them in check.

Yes that is Lar Giles in question. He was born 100 meters inside the Meath border and played his club football with Kinnegad. He would have had a few All-Ireland medals in his pocket if he opted to played for the Meath team in the late 80's / 90's

Hang on, I thought having an all-Ireland medal was firmly within a player's control and a key part of determining how good they are/were.

 

[bazalini]

Hang on, I thought having an all-Ireland medal was firmly within a player's control and a key part of determining how good they are/were.

Absoultely which is why few people will even know who Lar Giles is and seldom talked about

 

[Big Papi]

Where did I say anything negative about Canning? My beef is that people in Galway are parading him about as a legend and seeing as the lad is only 25, its unfair on him and the county to do that. Galway have a history of producing good underage talent and a failure to keep them in check.

Yes that is Lar Giles in question. He was born 100 meters inside the Meath border and played his club football with Kinnegad. He would have had a few All-Ireland medals in his pocket if he opted to played for the Meath team in the late 80's / 90's

Did he have a younger brother Joseph?

 

[bazalini]

Did he have a younger brother Joseph?

No - cousins - Joe was a mighty player, captained the Kinnegad team who won senior in early 90's. Was too small for county. Joe you're talking about is sister of Gearldine Giles who was President of the Ladies GAA about 5/6 years back

Lar had a brother called Pascal.

 

[Feeky Magee]

Absoultely which is why few people will even know who Lar Giles is and seldom talked about

Right but then at the same time you're saying all he had to do was play for a different team and he would have had all-Irelands and therefore have been better.

 

[bazalini]

Right but then at the same time you're saying all he had to do was play for a different team and he would have had all-Irelands and therefore have been better.

Yes - his legacy would have been better - what is your problem with that?- I am saying how he was born in County Meath yet opted to play for Westmeath 100 meters down a road over a tiny river, with a tiny bridge which determines the county boundary . I said this decision cost him 3 All Ireland Medals.

By him doing that (which was talked in every corner of the GGA back in the late 80s when Meath wanted him to play in their centenary year winning team) he never became a legend of the game which he should have done as he was better then Brian Stafford. Brian Stafford who became the blueprint of Full forwards and place kicking. Again look at Teams of the decades & Centenary teams to see where Brian Stafford is acclaimed.

You're trying to mince words here. Google Brian Stafford and then Google Lar Giles. Giles was a better player, yet Stafford has the legacy. Countless players over the generations have excelled and never talked about once their boots have hung up - Jobber McGrath, William Carley, Ger Heavin, Spike Fagan. If you go outside Westmeath look at Declan Browne, Johnny Nevin, Matty Forde. A legacy and greatness in GAA is determined by winning a senior All Ireland. Lar giles to be the best of my knowledge only walked away with an O'Bryne Cup medal and knocking Derry out of the National League when they were AI champions.

In relation to Spike Fagan - born in Mullingar, I'm a good friend of Greg Blaney & Joe Brolly, both would say Spike Fagan was the best Forward in the country in the early 90's. Few will even know who Spike is? If he won his All Ireland like Blaney or Brolly he's be a pundit on RTE.

Now put that into perspective with Canning, he is been heralded around the county as a legend. Give the guy space and let him do his own thing. Everyone wants a piece of him, but unlike Shefflin & Carey he ain't got a senior in his back pocket yet.