Kilkenny reached their first All-Ireland decider since 2016 this evening after defeating Limerick by a single point in Croke Park. It was a gripping contest with many ups and downs. For large parts of the first half, it seemed as though Brian Cody’s men were going to run away with it such was the dominant fashion with which they went …
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There is no doubting the hurling talent of Tadhg de Burca. Despite being marketed as a sweeper, the Waterford number five has demonstrated nothing but quality since he was introduced to the senior side back in 2014. The uncertainty over his availability must have disrupted the Déise’s preparations for Sunday’s semi-final with Cork. Now that it has finally been confirmed that …
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One thing is clear, Cork hurling will never be quiet. Whether performing well or performing poorly, Cork hurling will command attention and column inches. And the turnaround this year has been remarkable in many ways. From a landslide of negativity rolling rapidly down a hill, Cork have managed to climb a mountain not quite as big as Mount Everest, but big …
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When Cork defeated Waterford in the Munster Championship, the scene was beginning to look all too familiar for certain sections of the Déise support. Long have they been everyone’s second favourite team, but the tag of competitive semi-finalists and nearly men looked set to be following Waterford yet again. 2015 and 2016 saw Waterford firmly position themselves as the second …
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It’s safe the say that ranking this down to a Top Five was a challenge. Thirty-seven All-Ireland semi-finals have taking place since the turn of the millennium, with fifteen of these truly falling under the ‘great game of hurling’ category. Croke Park has seen lots of drama unfold over the last eighteen seasons and here are our favourite five games …
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It will be no consolation to Tipperary fans, but today’s instalment between themselves and Galway was yet another epic endorsement for the game of hurling. The physicality may have overshadowed the skill at times, but the battle that both teams produced showed why Irish people believe that hurling is the greatest game in the world. This was the third year in …
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The first of this year’s All-Ireland hurling semi-finals is almost set to throw in. Little has separated Galway and Tipperary in recent years. One point was between the teams when both have met at the same stage in the last two seasons. Galway and Tipp have also shared the most recent national titles. Tipperary winning last year’s All-Ireland title and …
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Richie Power has gone to battle with Galway on many occasions in both the Leinster and All-Ireland championships and the former Kilkenny hurler spoke to the Independent about their credentials to win this Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final against Tipperary. Galway have been the most impressive team in Ireland so far this year. But the past has questioned their ability to cope …
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Tadhg de Burca’s availability for next Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final is looking less likely after another appeal failed on Thursday night. De Burca has been a key figure in the Déise’s return to the top tier of hurling over the last three years. The much publicised and heavily scrutinised sweeper role has been exemplarily filled by the Waterford number five. De …
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After two classics on Saturday and Sunday, we can finally look back on a hurling weekend this summer and say it was a true classic. Tipperary and Kilkenny advance to the All-Ireland Final, and they will lock horns in three weeks’ time. We take a look at what all this means for the Pundit Arena Hurling Power Rankings. 1. Kilkenny …
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‘It was a great weekend for hurling’, ‘Hurling was the real winner’ are many of the cliched terms thrown out there about one the most unique things available to Ireland. But while systems and sweepers were having a detrimental effect on the game, nearly all critics were answered over the last two weekends. It really was two great weekends for …
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Seen as it is such a big weekend of All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Finals, this week’s Thursday Top 10 will pick out the Top 10 All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Finals since the year 2000. We left out last Sunday’s game seen as a winner is yet to be determined. We looked long and hard, so here it goes. 10. Offaly 0-19 Cork 0-15 – …
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Sunday presents a huge game for Galway. The element of surprise is gone after beating Tipperary at this stage last year. A big challenge presents itself, but these are the challenges they must overcome if they are to win an All-Ireland. Here we run through the men that need to perform on Sunday 1. Daithí Burke The way Galway have …
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Tipperary face Galway in the second All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Final on Sunday. At this point last year, Tipp were caught by the same opposition. Having impressed through Munster this year, Tipp look to be in a good position to gain revenge for last years loss. 1. Padraic Maher This is the man who sums up the Tipperary hurlers. Playing well, Maher …
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Waterford gave Kilkenny a second chance. This is something that may teams have rued in the past as Brian Cody’s men have often triumphed in replays. Here we pick out five key figures ahead of Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final replay. 1. TJ Reid This is the man with the biggest scope for improvement in the Kilkenny side. By his high standards, …
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Waterford changed their formation for last Sunday’s semi-final. They took a far more positive approach and had a real go at Kilkenny. They expressed themselves and took on the Cats. The result was arguably their best display under Derek McGrath, and by far the best match of 2016. It is worth asking how Waterford departed from their previous over defensive mindset, …
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The general consensus after yesterday’s game is the Kilkenny got out of jail. A late goal and an equalising point gained a draw for the Cats. It was seen as a missed opportunity for Waterford, and now both teams have to go at it again. ‘You only get one chance to beat Kilkenny’, This is the much repeated and very …
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Finally, a cracking game of hurling. Waterford and Kilkenny must do it all again. Walter Walsh’s goal leveled it for Kilkenny with Pauric Mahony and Conor Fogarty adding further points in added time. Here is how Twitter reacted. Such a brilliant spectacle for all those competing in #GAAWorldGames to get to watch in the flesh at Croke Park – best …
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