Search Results for 'Anthony Daly'

If last Sunday’s hurling action is anything to go by we are in for one hell of a summer. After watching some tame games during the league I must admit I was worried that we would live in the shadow of football again this year. However, after last Sunday it looks as though the hurlers can give the big ball players a good run for their money this year.

The Galway senior hurlers start their third senior Leinster championship campaign on Saturday when they take on Westmeath at 7pm in Cusack Park, Mullingar.

The big three Kilkenny, Cork, and Tipperary have dominated the hurling scene for quite some time now, you have to go back to 1998 when the last non-superpower of hurling, Offaly, won the Liam McCarthy. Thirteen teams have ambitions to derail the current champions Tipperary but realistically only a handful have the talent to do so.

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.

There were only two parties rubbing their hands with pleasure after last weekend’s strange round of league action. Those were the Tipperary management team and the GAA authorities. Tipperary sent out a statement of intent with an emphatic victory over Galway at Salthill. As for the GAA they will be delighted that at least four teams are still in the hunt for a league final spot when the last round is played in a fortnight’s time.

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.

This Sunday in Parnell Park the Galway hurlers will face Dublin in a crucial tie which could decide the 2011 league finalists.

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.

Isn’t hurling a funny old game? Two weeks ago at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny put up a decent first half performance against Cork, and for their efforts they took an eight point lead into the second 35 minutes of action.