Search Results for 'All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship'

It’s amazing how a Kilkenny supporter’s mind works. Making my way back to the car last Saturday evening after the Cats had dished out another hammering to Wexford I asked a few fans for their thoughts, thinking that an 11-point victory would have left them content, how wrong I was.

The Galway hurlers face their first major test of the 2011 championship when they play Dublin in the Leinster championship semi-final on Saturday evening in O’Connor Park in Tullamore (7pm).

To say I am lost for words after Kilkenny’s dismal display last Sunday is putting it very mildly. The defeat is one thing but the manner of it is of more concern. First things first, hats off to Dublin on winning their first National League title since 1939 they were truly magnificent on the day and thoroughly deserved their victory.

In recent years Semple Stadium has become the spiritual home for the National Hurling League Final. Geographically it probably suited all participating counties. However with the Dubs reaching the final for the first time since 1946 the authorities in HQ have in one way made a constructive effort to attract a big crowd by holding it in Croke Park only to shoot themselves in the foot with the admission fee of €25.

Kilkenny Under-16 Camogie girls under the management team of Paddy Kelly, TJ Bryan and David Hogan are on the verge of an All-Ireland final place as they prepare for Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final encounter with Clare in Killmallock Co Limerick — 1pm throw-in.

The Allianz Hurling Division 1 final between Kilkenny and Dublin will be played at Croke Park on Sunday, May 1 and will be preceded by the under-21 final between Cavan and Galway.

Twelve months ago most of the final round games of the National Hurling League were played out as mere challenge matches — Galway and Cork had already qualified for the spring showdown. The only games of any consequences were played by Limerick and Offaly who were both looking to avoid the relegation drop.

Last weekend’s game between Kilkenny and Waterford was far from a classic, it was one of those start stop encounters that just never got going. Cork referee Sexton was whistle happy but in his defence having watched the match again on TV a lot of his calls were justified.

The authorities in the GAA will be rubbing their hands in delight after last week’s National Hurling League results. The outcome of these games have seen the league table tighten up to such an extent that after four rounds of action there are still six teams left in the hunt for honours. The only two teams out of the equation are Wexford and Offaly, it now looks certain that one of these will drop back to Division 2.

It’s a pity really that after three rounds of the National Hurling League the main talking point is not of the action but of the low attendance’s. Everyone has their own views as to why this is happening, some experts are blaming the Saturday night flood light games. This theory doesn't wash with me because the facts are that the biggest crowds for league matches this year in either code were for games under lights.