National Forum

Power Shift In Hurling. Here To Stay?

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Replying To Galway9801:  "Defenitely, and keep in mind the vast majority of counties prioritise football over hurling, most of them considerably so, so it's ironic listening to football people criticise kilkenny for only focusing on one code.
Kilkenny may not do football but they're still an amazing gaa county imo."
Believe it or not there are some very passionate football men up there. Just not enough to get a consistent League team together.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13866 - 16/05/2024 17:43:01    2545166

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Replying To Galway9801:  "Defenitely, and keep in mind the vast majority of counties prioritise football over hurling, most of them considerably so, so it's ironic listening to football people criticise kilkenny for only focusing on one code.
Kilkenny may not do football but they're still an amazing gaa county imo."
Is one code really the spirit of the GAA though?

Cork, Galway, Wexford and in fairness Dublin are the real GAA counties.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3143 - 17/05/2024 10:15:00    2545212

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Replying To Ryanteam:  "Statistics show that since 2000, only 2 teams dominated, Kilkenny and Limerick. Dublin last won all Ireland 1938, Waterford 1959, Wexford 1996, so apart from Limerick there hasn't been any great breakthrough. Waterford in particular have had great teams in late fifties and early sixties, and in the noughties. Limerick's all conquering under 20's team were successfully and quickly transitioned to senior, and for that they deserve great credit."
"Statistics show that since 2000, only 2 teams dominated, Kilkenny and Limerick"

Tipp have played in 7 All-Ireland finals since 2000, winning 4 of them. Limerick have only dominated the last 5 years, appearing in only one AI between 2000 and 2017 (which they lost).

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2654 - 17/05/2024 10:39:24    2545217

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  ""Statistics show that since 2000, only 2 teams dominated, Kilkenny and Limerick"

Tipp have played in 7 All-Ireland finals since 2000, winning 4 of them. Limerick have only dominated the last 5 years, appearing in only one AI between 2000 and 2017 (which they lost)."
While we are splitting hairs Limerick won an AI 6 years ago CC;-)

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13866 - 17/05/2024 10:50:18    2545219

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "Is one code really the spirit of the GAA though?

Cork, Galway, Wexford and in fairness Dublin are the real GAA counties."
Clare? Limerick? Tipp? Westmeath? Laois? Offaly? Carlow? Antrim?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13866 - 17/05/2024 11:07:38    2545223

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I think investment in Inter County set ups only takes you so far and it is not always sustainable. It really depends on you having the fundamentals right, especially in a sport like hurling.

To be sustainable you need lots of hurling for 6, 7, 8 ,9, 10 years olds etc. The investment at I/C level is important but you need solid foundations.

There are vast parts of the country with very little or no hurling. Or the hurling section is tacked on in a predominantly football club (the opposite happens in other areas!). In these areas serious changes are needed. Combining clubs etc. But these changes can be really hard to implement. Practical logistical reasons (pitches etc) and the historical reasons (clubs with proud histories even if the current club is dying on its feet).

Was it Dublin that had a combined Colleges team to make them competitive? No one size fits all solution and not easy!

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1890 - 17/05/2024 11:10:43    2545225

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Without being a snob, hurling is a more difficult game to play well. Which requires high standards of coaching in particular.

The mystical "tradition" people refer to is the practical generational experience that is reflected in high standards, particularly in clubs and schools.

Almost impossible to invent a "tradition" like that. Counties have made break throughs at senior level in football that would be almost impossible to imagine or replicate in hurling.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3118 - 17/05/2024 11:32:01    2545231

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Replying To Doylerwex:  "Is one code really the spirit of the GAA though?

Cork, Galway, Wexford and in fairness Dublin are the real GAA counties."
If you want to have Wexford in that list you would also have to include Clare. Tipp Limerick Waterford and also Kerry where hurling is stronger than football is in a lot of the top hurling countries.
Also what about Offaly Laois Carlow Westmeath Kildare.
Don't forget Down Antrim and Derry.
If you confine the list to counties with a realistic chance of winning Liam and Sam it varies over the years but bookies would have Galway probably shortest odds now followed by Dublin and Cork. Anyone else would be way down the list. Maybe Clare would be next.

Westfester (Limerick) - Posts: 976 - 17/05/2024 11:32:20    2545232

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Replying To Mayonman:  "I think investment in Inter County set ups only takes you so far and it is not always sustainable. It really depends on you having the fundamentals right, especially in a sport like hurling.

To be sustainable you need lots of hurling for 6, 7, 8 ,9, 10 years olds etc. The investment at I/C level is important but you need solid foundations.

There are vast parts of the country with very little or no hurling. Or the hurling section is tacked on in a predominantly football club (the opposite happens in other areas!). In these areas serious changes are needed. Combining clubs etc. But these changes can be really hard to implement. Practical logistical reasons (pitches etc) and the historical reasons (clubs with proud histories even if the current club is dying on its feet).

Was it Dublin that had a combined Colleges team to make them competitive? No one size fits all solution and not easy!"
This is the point.
You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear as they say. You need the coaching at underage.
It is a national scandal that every child in this country does not get the chance to play our ancient game.
There is no reason why a chap in Longford can't hold a hurl the same as a chap in Kilkenny. And even less reason why he shouldn't at very least be given a chance to do so.
I think the top hurling counties are happy enough to look after themselves, and f the rest of them.
I don't for a second believe this Limerick team are products of anything other than top coaching and top investment in that coaching, and whatever else goes on behind the scenes.....we'll never know.
But it had to start at club u6 level and unless it does, no top hurler can be made later in life.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1259 - 17/05/2024 12:16:04    2545243

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