National Forum

Joe McDonagh Cup 2025

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Joe McDonagh Cup round 1
Laois v Westmeath, Portlaoise, 3pm
Carlow v Down, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2.30pm
Kildare v Kerry, Cedral St Conleth's Park, 2pm
Round 1 throws in today. Any predictions will probably look ridiculous at 5pm! At the time of writing hoping Kerry can get off to a flying start like they did against Westmeath last year. Otherwise this is going to be a long and difficult championship."
The bookies usually have their finger on the pulse.

PP Odds
Carlow 1/20 Down 7/1
Kildare 1/4 Kerry 16/5
Laois 8/15 Westmeath 7/4

Cannot see any of above odds being upset.

saorkick (Dublin) - Posts: 17 - 19/04/2025 12:32:48    2602744

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Impressive start by Carlow. 6-21 - 0-18 when I last looked.
Kerry surprise Kildare
Laois look home and hosed against Westmeath

Blackbog (Carlow) - Posts: 750 - 19/04/2025 16:01:59    2602774

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Replying To Blackbog:  "Impressive start by Carlow. 6-21 - 0-18 when I last looked.
Kerry surprise Kildare
Laois look home and hosed against Westmeath"
Kerry are always a different team in the Joe McDonagh compared to the league, it doesn't surprise me they beat Kildare.

Carlow are definitely the team to beat, that is a very an impressive scoreline. But don't forget they drew with Kilkenny last year.

Past hurler (None) - Posts: 900 - 19/04/2025 16:29:22    2602784

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Replying To Blackbog:  "Impressive start by Carlow. 6-21 - 0-18 when I last looked.
Kerry surprise Kildare
Laois look home and hosed against Westmeath"
Unlike other years Joe Mac isn't going to be hugely competitive it's already almost certainly a Carlow v Laois final with the other 4 fighting to avoid relegation.
As big worry for the GAA as Westmeath and Kerry have regressed badly.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1682 - 19/04/2025 17:08:30    2602797

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Kerry win again in championship hurling when not expected to. Oisin Maunsell with the winning point. Padraig Boyle impressive but also was off the field through injury when Kerry came back from 4 points down when there was only over 5 minutes left.
Laois and Carlow the favourites to make the final after the other results today. Still a lot of hurling to be played on retaining McDonagh status as well but there was a lot of tension in St Conleth's Park today. Massive result for Kerry after the league defeat.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8698 - 19/04/2025 17:15:46    2602802

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Fair play to Kerry for coming up trumps today.

Their former player Fionán Mackessy is a huge addition to Kilkenny.

saorkick (Dublin) - Posts: 17 - 19/04/2025 20:14:50    2602887

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Kerry win again in championship hurling when not expected to. Oisin Maunsell with the winning point. Padraig Boyle impressive but also was off the field through injury when Kerry came back from 4 points down when there was only over 5 minutes left.
Laois and Carlow the favourites to make the final after the other results today. Still a lot of hurling to be played on retaining McDonagh status as well but there was a lot of tension in St Conleth's Park today. Massive result for Kerry after the league defeat."
You never cease to amaze me, you constantly keep Kerry on the peripheral of probabls, you had Carlow favourites on my last check in, now you have Carlow & Laoise favourites to reach the final.?? Should Kerry apologise for downing Kildare today. Personally I fancy your Kerry side to reach the final, after that anything can happen.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3159 - 19/04/2025 21:05:08    2602898

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Replying To supersub15:  "You never cease to amaze me, you constantly keep Kerry on the peripheral of probabls, you had Carlow favourites on my last check in, now you have Carlow & Laoise favourites to reach the final.?? Should Kerry apologise for downing Kildare today. Personally I fancy your Kerry side to reach the final, after that anything can happen."
I'd see Down as being above Kildare. Kerry squeezed Kildare out by a point. A lot of hurling to be played yet for those battling to retain McDonagh status.
Laois beat Westmeath. Logical enough that Laois are now favourites to make the final. Carlow are the team to beat. Nervous about the favourites tag are you?!

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8698 - 19/04/2025 21:52:06    2602914

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Lots of old Yerra stuff on here from our Kerry friend … the Joe Mac is always close between a bunch of evenly matched sides, that's why it is is such a good competition. Plenty of hurling yet.

Bainisteoir (National) - Posts: 575 - 20/04/2025 08:43:51    2602960

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Replying To Bainisteoir:  "Lots of old Yerra stuff on here from our Kerry friend … the Joe Mac is always close between a bunch of evenly matched sides, that's why it is is such a good competition. Plenty of hurling yet."
Kildare are the newly promoted Christy Ring Cup champions. I didn't realise that Kerry had beaten the McDonagh favourites, who are also expected to win an All Ireland preliminary quarter final and go all the way to win the Liam McCarthy Cup!!!

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8698 - 20/04/2025 11:24:58    2603003

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Replying To supersub15:  "You never cease to amaze me, you constantly keep Kerry on the peripheral of probabls, you had Carlow favourites on my last check in, now you have Carlow & Laoise favourites to reach the final.?? Should Kerry apologise for downing Kildare today. Personally I fancy your Kerry side to reach the final, after that anything can happen."
I might be wrong but I'm pretty sure there has to be two teams in the final? So what exactly is the issue with having who you think are favorites for the final?

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1557 - 20/04/2025 11:36:32    2603006

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did i hear correctly on radio yesterday that two teams relegated, that surely cant be rigfht???

preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 791 - 20/04/2025 13:17:09    2603030

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Replying To preddan:  "did i hear correctly on radio yesterday that two teams relegated, that surely cant be rigfht???"
Only one team is relegated.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2711 - 20/04/2025 13:33:09    2603036

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Replying To oneoff:  "I might be wrong but I'm pretty sure there has to be two teams in the final? So what exactly is the issue with having who you think are favorites for the final?"
I suppose in fairness anyone can post what they think at the time and can change their minds as they go along, all I'm saying is I fancy Kerry to reach the final, and any one of the remaining teams to claim the other final spot, at this point I have no idea who will win the final on the day.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3159 - 20/04/2025 13:38:47    2603043

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As I posted before I thought our lads would struggle come the Joe Mc. Too much energy expended during league. Don't be surprised if we are in the relegation mix

BaileCrann (Down) - Posts: 71 - 20/04/2025 15:23:09    2603071

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Replying To supersub15:  "I suppose in fairness anyone can post what they think at the time and can change their minds as they go along, all I'm saying is I fancy Kerry to reach the final, and any one of the remaining teams to claim the other final spot, at this point I have no idea who will win the final on the day."
Kerry and Carlow have had some good battles down through the years. 2020 to 2022 saw Kerry nudge ahead. Even though we drew in 2023, Offaly thought it was favourable to avoid Laois in the final. Carlow didn't look a gift horse in the mouth! Poor Offaly beaten by the finalists they wanted!
It was evident in last year's league that Carlow had opened a gap. Enough signs from Carlow's opening day victory that that gap hasn't closed.
Westmeath and Kildare were the big losers on the opening day. Westmeath are on the back foot. Tough to make the final from here. Kildare would have seen yesterday as a big opportunity for getting a strong foothold in the McDonagh at the third attempt. They have no margin for error.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8698 - 20/04/2025 16:26:54    2603084

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