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Hurling
Aug 15, 2006 15:01:03 GMT -1
Post by thales on Aug 15, 2006 15:01:03 GMT -1
Kilkenny force blitzes Banner Monday August 14th 2006
Majestic Shefflin leads the way as courageous Clare denied in the end
Kilkenny 2-21
Clare 1-16
All-Ireland SHC semi-final
THERE are days when a team has to admit that they came up against a superior force and yesterday was one such occasion for Clare.
They worked as hard as was humanly possible, showing trademark determination and defiance but they simply couldn't match Kilkenny over the full 70 minutes of an enthralling Guinness All-Ireland hurling semi-final. In particular, they couldn't cope with Henry Shefflin who scored 1-13 to take his total for the championship to date to 2-38 in four games.
Shefflin possesses so many skills that there's no way of knowing which ones he will unleash on any given day. Whether the ball is in the air, on the ground or swirling through a thicket of ash, it's all the same to Shefflin whose technical excellence is as close to perfect as it comes.
He scored 1-6 from play and added seven more points from placed balls on a day when his return fell just three points short of Clare's overall total. Roaming all over the forward line, he left the Clare defence spinning with the most painful headaches as they attempted to limit the damage. Ultimately, they failed, although the eight points margin doesn't do justice to their courage and persistence.
They were only a point adrift after 63 minutes (2-14 to 1-16) but failed to score again whereas Kilkenny pointed seven times, five of which came from Shefflin, two from play, two from frees and one from a penalty which he deliberately blasted over the bar.
Cork's treble bid could
depend on how successfully
they police Henry Shefflin
Shefflin started and finished the scoring and did so many delightful things in between that even Clare fans had to admire the sheer scale of his brilliance.
His goal after just 80 seconds was typically opportunistic, whipping a ground stroke to the net when the ball dropped in over the Clare defence. He pointed a free a minute later and when Eddie Brennan added another point it looked as if Clare were headed for a disastrous day.
Not so. Between then and the 64th minutes, they out-scored Kilkenny by 1-16 to 1-12 and should have had at least two more goals. Tony Griffin and Niall Gilligan, who had scrambled Clare's first goal in the ninth minute, should have done better with good chances in the 10th and 15th minutes. It was a worrying time for Kilkenny who were springing leaks in various areas of their defence.
Their problems were compounded by the shoulder injury to centre-back, John Tennyson which forced him out after 15 minutes with Brian Hogan taking over. He did well enough but right throughout the first half, Clare continued to cause problem for the Kilkenny defence.
Tony Griffin was the biggest menace but Gilligan, Tony Carmody also had some good moments. Colin Lynch was working diligently at midfield while Seanie McMahon was steering a high proportion of the long range frees over the bar.
Clare's recovery was completed by the 16th minute when they drew level for the first time and they twice opened two-point leads. However, Kilkenny dug in for a real battle and popped over three points before Carmody hit the equaliser (1-10 each) in stoppage time.
Clare goalkeeper, Davy Fitzgerald had gifted Kilkenny a point in the 23rd minute when he was penalised for wandering outside the small square on a puck-out. It earned a '65' for Kilkenny, which Shefflin pointed while Fitzgerald was booked for protesting.
Kilkenny began the repair work at half-time, despatching Eoin McCormack in place of Michael Rice, a move that yielded dividends in the 50th minute when he scored their second goal after the ball broke from a throw-in on the Clare 20-metre line. Kilkenny had, in fact, been awarded a penalty but referee, Seamus Roche cancelled it after a brief flare-up involving players from both sides.
That goal put Kilkenny five points clear (2-14 to 1-12) but Clare refused to yield and popped over four points to put themselves in an excellent position with seven minute remaining. They should have been level but Gilligan missed a relatively easy chance from a 50-metre free.
Just as happened in last year's semi-final against Cork, Clare lost their way over the home stretch as Kilkenny piled on the points. Their misery was compounded when corner-back, Frank Lohan was sent off on a second yellow card offence in the 69th minute.
He had hurled bravely all the way as did brother, Brian, McMahon and Lynch. All four may be in the veteran stage but their determination and sheer will sustained them through another big Croke Park test. They all turned in courageous performances but it remains to be seen if they return to the grind next season.
So then, Kilkenny march on to their third All-Ireland final clash with Cork in four seasons, a collision that will test the Croke Park foundations to their very core.
Kilkenny took their points tally into the twenties for a fourth successive game and have remained unbeaten in all 15 games played in Walsh Cup, National League and All-Ireland championship.
For all that, Brian Cody will be working towards improving the defensive alignment before the final. The full-back line looked edgy in the first half but improved in the second half when Tommy Walsh swopped places with Jackie Tyrrell.
James Ryall hurled soundly all through while 'Cha' Fitzpatrick had a fine afternoon at midfield.
Eddie Brennan and Martin Comerford provided most support for Shefflin in an attack that improved when Willie O'Dwyer arrived midway through the second half.
Clare played a two-man full forward line for a period in the second half but Kilkenny held their formation which proved a sound tactic as they continued to win lots of possession further out. And with Shefflin on such a relentlessly productive streak, Clare's resistance eventually crumbled.
The momentum was with them when they came within a point of Kilkenny after 63 minutes but once again Shefflin intervened.
He broke Clare hearts with his high-octane efficiency which ultimately was the difference between the sides. Westmeath, Wexford, Galway and Clare have all been scorched by Shefflin's searing heat over the past few months, a development that will be noted in the Cork camp.
He remains the biggest threat to their three-in-a-row bid and will figure very prominently in all strategy sessions.
Indeed, Cork's treble bid could depend on how successfully they police the best sniper in modern-day hurling.
Martin Breheny
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Hurling
Aug 29, 2006 15:04:39 GMT -1
Post by thales on Aug 29, 2006 15:04:39 GMT -1
5 days until it's 29allirelandsLUFC ;D
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Hurling
Aug 29, 2006 19:04:21 GMT -1
Post by nordonwooler2 on Aug 29, 2006 19:04:21 GMT -1
Eoin since when have the Simpsons supported Leeds I thought they were Dallas Burn
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Hurling
Sept 6, 2006 7:33:37 GMT -1
Post by thales on Sept 6, 2006 7:33:37 GMT -1
Champions
Cats use raw power to stifle Cork short game Monday September 4th 2006
Kilkenny hassle their way to an emphatic victory
CORK may have been favourites going into this All-Ireland final, but there can be no surprise that Kilkenny won it.
They played at a high intensity and they imposed their will on the game from the very start, made it physical and never allowed Cork into it at all.
It was always going to be very difficult for Cork to win a third All-Ireland in a row because they've been a long time on the road. It would have been easier for them to achieve that against a team with less pedigree than the Cats, because they have a squad of young fellas who are used to winning minor and U21 titles.
Kilkenny have used the word 'transition', but that was really only used for the media. This Kilkenny team has been unbeaten all year. They have won the Walsh Cup, the National League and the Leinster Championship, so they went into yesterday's final as the only team in the country not to have lost a game. Now they have the All-Ireland.
The game was a raw, intense clash with a meeting of two very different styles. Cork wanted to play a lovely, flashy, tricky, controlled style while Kilkenny went back to their old style, challenging everything.
They were like Tyrone or Armagh in football, always hassling and never allowing the opposition to settle into their own game. Cork just couldn't get away from their short game. Even when it wasn't working, they found it very hard to do anything else.
Kilkenny wore them down and once they got the goal before half-time, it was always there as a cushion. Kilkenny probably deserved to be in front by more than just three points at half-time, and, if truth be told, at the end of the game.
If Cork look at the tape, they will realise that. But once Kilkenny got that margin ahead, they were always good enough to keep it.
Limerick and Waterford both had their chances against Cork earlier in the summer but they hadn't enough hurlers who were good enough to keep the Rebels at bay.
Yesterday Kilkenny had those players, players like Aidan Fogarty, 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, who had a great game, and Tommy Walsh who played brilliantly too. There were questions about Jackie Tyrrell at the start of the year, but he came through with flying colours. Noel Hickey was always comfortable at full-back.
Now these are the proven operators and the rest of the counties are going to have to work to stop them from winning the next All-Ireland. It was always on the cards that someone other than Henry Shefflin or Martin Comerford was going to get some important score.
Henry has had a great summer and Martin does a lot of hard work around the forward line, but you needed someone new to come through. Aidan Fogarty popped up and took that responsibility. He caused Pat Mulcahy major problems from the very start and finished the game with 1-3.
The key factor, though, was the midfield, and Kilkenny clearly knew what they were doing there. 'Cha' and Derek Lyng stayed deep in the middle of the field and didn't bother going on long solo runs.
It's a long time since we have seen Tom Kenny and Jerry O'Connor being outhurled, but eventually the Kilkenny duo took control. You could see that their players were supremely focused on this game and on doing what they had to do to win it.
You could see it too on Brian Cody's face at the final whistle. He was a man under pressure, but the pressure comes from within Kilkenny and not without.
Fair dues to Cork, though; they kept battling away and there could have been a grandstand finish to the game.
Ben O'Connor's goal was extremely well worked, with Niall McCarthy setting him up with a brilliant pass. But the fact is that it was too little, too late for Cork.
To me, they never looked like winning the game and in hindsight Kilkenny dominated proceedings so much that they deserved to win the game by more than three points.
It's a pity that the hurling season has to end on this note, but once again the pitch at Croke Park was a massive disappointment.
It's clear that after the football final, the GAA should close the stadium down, dig the whole pitch up and re-do it. They have a fantastic stadium but a pitch that's like a skating rink.
They left the grass long yesterday to help the players get a grip, but still there was no grip. This isn't good enough for our top stadium.
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Hurling
Sept 6, 2006 7:34:39 GMT -1
Post by thales on Sept 6, 2006 7:34:39 GMT -1
Champions
Cats use raw power to stifle Cork short game Monday September 4th 2006
Kilkenny hassle their way to an emphatic victory
CORK may have been favourites going into this All-Ireland final, but there can be no surprise that Kilkenny won it.
They played at a high intensity and they imposed their will on the game from the very start, made it physical and never allowed Cork into it at all.
It was always going to be very difficult for Cork to win a third All-Ireland in a row because they've been a long time on the road. It would have been easier for them to achieve that against a team with less pedigree than the Cats, because they have a squad of young fellas who are used to winning minor and U21 titles.
Kilkenny have used the word 'transition', but that was really only used for the media. This Kilkenny team has been unbeaten all year. They have won the Walsh Cup, the National League and the Leinster Championship, so they went into yesterday's final as the only team in the country not to have lost a game. Now they have the All-Ireland.
The game was a raw, intense clash with a meeting of two very different styles. Cork wanted to play a lovely, flashy, tricky, controlled style while Kilkenny went back to their old style, challenging everything.
They were like Tyrone or Armagh in football, always hassling and never allowing the opposition to settle into their own game. Cork just couldn't get away from their short game. Even when it wasn't working, they found it very hard to do anything else.
Kilkenny wore them down and once they got the goal before half-time, it was always there as a cushion. Kilkenny probably deserved to be in front by more than just three points at half-time, and, if truth be told, at the end of the game.
If Cork look at the tape, they will realise that. But once Kilkenny got that margin ahead, they were always good enough to keep it.
Limerick and Waterford both had their chances against Cork earlier in the summer but they hadn't enough hurlers who were good enough to keep the Rebels at bay.
Yesterday Kilkenny had those players, players like Aidan Fogarty, 'Cha' Fitzpatrick, who had a great game, and Tommy Walsh who played brilliantly too. There were questions about Jackie Tyrrell at the start of the year, but he came through with flying colours. Noel Hickey was always comfortable at full-back.
Now these are the proven operators and the rest of the counties are going to have to work to stop them from winning the next All-Ireland. It was always on the cards that someone other than Henry Shefflin or Martin Comerford was going to get some important score.
Henry has had a great summer and Martin does a lot of hard work around the forward line, but you needed someone new to come through. Aidan Fogarty popped up and took that responsibility. He caused Pat Mulcahy major problems from the very start and finished the game with 1-3.
The key factor, though, was the midfield, and Kilkenny clearly knew what they were doing there. 'Cha' and Derek Lyng stayed deep in the middle of the field and didn't bother going on long solo runs.
It's a long time since we have seen Tom Kenny and Jerry O'Connor being outhurled, but eventually the Kilkenny duo took control. You could see that their players were supremely focused on this game and on doing what they had to do to win it.
You could see it too on Brian Cody's face at the final whistle. He was a man under pressure, but the pressure comes from within Kilkenny and not without.
Fair dues to Cork, though; they kept battling away and there could have been a grandstand finish to the game.
Ben O'Connor's goal was extremely well worked, with Niall McCarthy setting him up with a brilliant pass. But the fact is that it was too little, too late for Cork.
To me, they never looked like winning the game and in hindsight Kilkenny dominated proceedings so much that they deserved to win the game by more than three points.
It's a pity that the hurling season has to end on this note, but once again the pitch at Croke Park was a massive disappointment.
It's clear that after the football final, the GAA should close the stadium down, dig the whole pitch up and re-do it. They have a fantastic stadium but a pitch that's like a skating rink.
They left the grass long yesterday to help the players get a grip, but still there was no grip. This isn't good enough for our top stadium.
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Hurling
Sept 15, 2006 14:16:58 GMT -1
Post by thales on Sept 15, 2006 14:16:58 GMT -1
replay tomorrow, come on the cats ;D
Hogan grabs a draw for the Cats Sunday, 10 September 2006
Substitute Richie Hogan scored with the second last puck of the game as Kilkenny rescued a 2-14 to 2-14 draw against Tipperary in today's Erin All-Ireland Under-21 hurling final.
Hogan pounced for his goal three minutes into injury-time, rifling a ground shot past Gerry Kennedy to reel Tipp back in and set up a replay next Saturday in Portlaoise.
Neither side deserved to lose what was a rip-roaring encounter, particularly Fr Tom Fogarty's Munster champions, who were given little chance of preventing the Cats from nabbing their county's first All-Ireland senior-and-U-21 double since 2003.
Five frees from senior star James Cha Fitzpatrick helped Kilkenny go in at the break with a 0-09 to 0-08 lead - Darragh Egan (0-04) led the Tipp scoring during the opening half.
The second period was only six minutes old when Egan, who made his senior debut last year, netted from a 21-yard free to push Tipp in front. However Richie Power's rocket-like finish in the 48th-minute pegged it back to 1-13 apiece.
Tipp replied with their second goal, five minutes later, when Niall Teehan flicked home, giving them every hope of lifting a first U-21 title since 1995. Yet despite having substitute Maurice Nolan sent off, the Cats lived to fight another day.
The omens were good for Kilkenny when Paddy Hogan flung over the opening point inside ten seconds. It took Tipp seven minutes before they registered their first score - midfielder Stephen Lillis crept over a free from distance.
By the end of the first quarter-hour, the Cats' ability to win easy frees, particularly the elusive Power, was coming to the fore - Fitzpatrick hit over four placed balls to help his side into a 0-05 to 0-02 lead. David Sheppard had lofted over the other Tipp point.
Three points on the trot from Tipp had them back on terms by the 20th-minute, with Egan flashing over off his right side and notching his first free, and centre-fielder James Woodlock darting through for a solo score.
A mistake from Jim Bob McCarthy allowed Paddy Hogan to reply for the Cats, before Austin Murphy had his opening point cancelled out at the other end by tigerish Tipp captain David Young.
The sides hit four more points between them before the half's end - the barrel-chested Egan notched two frees, while TJ Reid and Fitzpatrick (free) also sandwiched in scores.
The pace of the hurling went up a notch for the second half, which began with Tipp substitute Danny O'Hanlon having a kicked effort batted away by Liam Tierney.
Lillis stroked over a free to draw the sides level for the third time at 0-09 apiece. Murphy, one of Kilkenny's best forwards on the day, replied before Egan rippled the net with his thunderous free.
It was point for point after that with Fitzpatrick, Woodlock, Power, Teehan, Murphy and Ryan O'Dwyer exchanging scores. When Lillis raised another white flag, Kilkenny looked in trouble, trailing by 1-13 to 0-13, but up popped Power with a sublime finish from 15 yards out.
Kennedy stood no chance as the Liam McCarthy Cup winner found the top right corner of the Tipp net with a stinging drive. Hogan even sent the Cats ahead again - he steadied himself, far out on the right flank, to fire over a hair-raising point.
Tipp bounced straight back with Teehan showing great strength to tee up Egan for a neat point - the sides were level for a fifth time at 1-14 apiece.
What should have been the turning point came seconds later when Teehan dribbled the ball towards the Hill 16 goal with his feet before flicking a shot beyond Tierney's grasp into the far left corner.
A one-goal lead with seven minutes remaining - surely Tipp could hold on? The answer was ultimately no, but Kilkenny certainly left it late.
Tipp 'keeper Kennedy came into his own in the closing stages - he produced some brilliant shot-stopping, denying a certain goal for Hogan before getting back on his feet immediately to beat out a close range attempt from Power.
In the last minute of normal time, the final nail looked to have been put in Kilkenny's coffin when they lost Nolan for a silly strike on Woodlock. But Adrian Finan's side drew on their ninth life when a Michael Fennelly ball in was deflected into the path of Hogan, who smashed it home to book a second day out.
Kilkenny: L Tierney; K Joyce, J Tennyson, S Cummins; P Hartly, J Dalton, D Fogarty; J Fitzpatrick (0-06 (0-06f)), M Fennelly (capt); TJ Reid (0-01), A Murphy (0-03), P Hogan (0-02); A Healy, R Power (1-01), D McCormack.
Subs used: R Hogan (1-01) for Healy (40 mins), M Nolan for Hogan (56)
Tipperary: G Kennedy; P Stapleton, A Byrne, C O'Brien; D Young (capt) (0-01), JB McCarthy, S Horan; J Woodlock (0-02), S Lillis (0-03 (0-02f)); R O'Dwyer (0-01), N Teehan (1-01), D Sheppard (0-01); R Ruth, D Egan (1-05 (1-03f)), R McLoughney.
Subs used: D O'Hanlon for McLoughney, D Hickey for Ruth (both half-time), K Quinlan for McCarthy (50)
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Hurling
Jan 26, 2007 9:06:45 GMT -1
Post by thales on Jan 26, 2007 9:06:45 GMT -1
well new season starts sunday, the cats take on UCD in the walsh cup
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Hurling
Jan 26, 2007 10:11:17 GMT -1
Post by spurrsgirl on Jan 26, 2007 10:11:17 GMT -1
I love to watch the Hurling !! They are madder than rugby players !! ;D
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Hurling
Jan 26, 2007 11:19:43 GMT -1
Post by thales on Jan 26, 2007 11:19:43 GMT -1
I love to watch the Hurling !! They are madder than rugby players !! ;D once's it not cork or tipp you shout for fast field sport in the world, by the way!
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Hurling
Jan 26, 2007 14:39:50 GMT -1
Post by spurrsgirl on Jan 26, 2007 14:39:50 GMT -1
I love to watch the Hurling !! They are madder than rugby players !! ;D once's it not cork or tipp you shout for fast field sport in the world, by the way! I have no favorite Eoin, they're all crackers and highly entertaining !! Its a wonder no-one is ever killed !! ;D
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Hurling
Jan 26, 2007 15:11:32 GMT -1
Post by thales on Jan 26, 2007 15:11:32 GMT -1
once's it not cork or tipp you shout for fast field sport in the world, by the way! I have no favorite Eoin, they're all crackers and highly entertaining !! Its a wonder no-one is ever killed !! ;D ahem, look at my avatar lots of broken fingers mainly, occasional loss of an eye.......
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Hurling
Jan 27, 2007 11:54:08 GMT -1
Post by mortontheblade on Jan 27, 2007 11:54:08 GMT -1
i feel like hurling....
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Hurling
Jan 27, 2007 11:55:54 GMT -1
Post by Arnold on Jan 27, 2007 11:55:54 GMT -1
touche Mort. According to my old man I drunk at least 2 bottles of red wine last night
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Hurling
Jan 27, 2007 11:57:16 GMT -1
Post by mortontheblade on Jan 27, 2007 11:57:16 GMT -1
i'll never drink again....
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Hurling
Jan 27, 2007 11:58:14 GMT -1
Post by Arnold on Jan 27, 2007 11:58:14 GMT -1
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Hurling
Jan 27, 2007 12:01:26 GMT -1
Post by mortontheblade on Jan 27, 2007 12:01:26 GMT -1
sick bastard
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Hurling
Jan 27, 2007 12:05:06 GMT -1
Post by Arnold on Jan 27, 2007 12:05:06 GMT -1
I love it I made a new years resolution not to drink from Sunday through to Thursday and I have stuck to it resolutely. Only problem is my weekends have turned into more carnage than before
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Hurling
Jan 27, 2007 12:12:54 GMT -1
Post by mortontheblade on Jan 27, 2007 12:12:54 GMT -1
;D well if you will start at 4 ;D
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Hurling
Jan 27, 2007 12:14:58 GMT -1
Post by Arnold on Jan 27, 2007 12:14:58 GMT -1
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Hurling
Jan 27, 2007 12:16:04 GMT -1
Post by mortontheblade on Jan 27, 2007 12:16:04 GMT -1
ow a pool table
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