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Post by townend on Mar 25, 2016 16:26:07 GMT
the hurling league is a joke kerry should be in division 1b again next year won two games. laois with no points should have went down, great win over offaly, but i would fear a big backlash from them in the championship round robin round in a few weeks time. they will be out for blood the next day.
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Post by Mickmack on Mar 26, 2016 0:52:18 GMT
Martin Breheny Indo
A far better alternative to the current system is eight-county Divisions 1 and 2.
If it applied this year, the groups would have been as follows:
Div 1: Kilkenny, Waterford, Dublin, Tipperary, Galway, Cork, Clare, Limerick.
Div 2: Wexford, Offaly, Kerry, Laois, Carlow, Westmeath, London, Antrim.
Obviously, quarter-finals would be dispensed with but then they were only introduced to give counties more than the five games guaranteed in six-team groups. Semi-finals could go too, similar to the situation that will apply in football from next year.
The hurling league underwent numerous changes over the last 20 years, yet has ended up with possibly the worst format of all under a number of headings.
Don't blame Croke Park - they are merely implementing what Central Council, which has representatives from all 32 counties, has decided.
Frankly, it's a serious indictment of that group that the best they can come up with is a system riddled by serious anomalies.
Hurling and hurlers deserve better.
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Post by givehimaball on Mar 26, 2016 17:01:30 GMT
Martin Breheny Indo A far better alternative to the current system is eight-county Divisions 1 and 2. If it applied this year, the groups would have been as follows: Div 1: Kilkenny, Waterford, Dublin, Tipperary, Galway, Cork, Clare, Limerick. Div 2: Wexford, Offaly, Kerry, Laois, Carlow, Westmeath, London, Antrim. Obviously, quarter-finals would be dispensed with but then they were only introduced to give counties more than the five games guaranteed in six-team groups. Semi-finals could go too, similar to the situation that will apply in football from next year. The hurling league underwent numerous changes over the last 20 years, yet has ended up with possibly the worst format of all under a number of headings. Don't blame Croke Park - they are merely implementing what Central Council, which has representatives from all 32 counties, has decided. Frankly, it's a serious indictment of that group that the best they can come up with is a system riddled by serious anomalies. Hurling and hurlers deserve better. One problem with the hurling league is that if you disperse with quarter-finals, you increase the possibility of meaningless games for teams towards the final rounds (you are likely to see it somewhat in the football league with the removal of the semi-finals)This means you end up with games where one side is battling to avoid relegation while the other side doesn't care what the result is.
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Post by baurtregaum on Apr 1, 2016 12:47:22 GMT
It is an awful pity that this game is not on with the football on Sunday. The hurlers deserve a crowd and Laois are much improved since the day Kerry beat them. The bad weather could also play a part tomorrow. Good luck to the lads and hopefully they get the right result.
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Post by Mickmack on Apr 1, 2016 21:14:09 GMT
Kerry Senior Hurling Team V Laois – Allianz Hurling League Division 1B Relegation Playoff The Kerry Senior Hurling Team to play Laois in the Allianz Hurling League Div 1B Relegation Playoff at Tralee’s Austin Stack Park on Saturday (5pm) shows one change in personnel from the side that surprised Offaly in Round 5 with Shane Nolan coming into the half forward line instead of John Buckley.
The team captained by Daniel Collins of Kilmoyley lines out as follows: 1 Aidan McCabe Kilmoyley 2 Bryan Murphy Causeway 3 Patrick Kelly Clarecastle 4 Keith Carmody Causeway 5 Jason Diggins Causeway 6 Darren Dineen St Brendans 7 Tom Murnane Kilmoyley 8 John Griffin Lixnaw 9 Daniel Collins (C) Kilmoyley 10 Brendan O’Leary Abbeydorney 11 Michael O’Leary Abbeydorney 12 Shane Nolan Crotta O’Neills 13 Jordan Conway Crotta O’Neills 14 Mikey Boyle Ballyduff 15 John Egan St Brendans Fir Ionaid: 16 Martin Stackpoole Lixnaw 17 Brendan Brosnan Lixnaw 18 John Buckley Lixnaw 19 Tommy Casey Causeway 20 Paudie O’Connor Kilmoyley 21 Dougie Fitzelle Kilmoyley 22 Jack Goulding Ballyduff 23 Colum Harty Causeway 24 Philip Lucid Ballyheigue 25 James O’Connor Abbeydorney 26 Sean Weir Crotta O’Neills Bainistíocht: Bainisteoir: Ciaran Carey (Patrickswell)
Coach/Selector: Mark Foley (Adare)
Treanálaí: Damien Ryall (Abbeydorney)
Róghnoirí: James McCarthy (Kilmoyley), Michael Conway (Lixnaw)
Additional Players on Panel Darragh Shanahan Kilmoyley Jordon Brick Kilmoyley P J Keane Abbeydorney Gerard Stackpoole Lixnaw Mike Milner Dr Crokes Mike Milner Dr Crokes
The Ballyduff pair, Paud Costelloe and Padraig Boyle, are rehabbing from injury.
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mossie
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Post by mossie on Apr 2, 2016 10:43:27 GMT
It is an awful pity that this game is not on with the football on Sunday. The hurlers deserve a crowd and Laois are much improved since the day Kerry beat them. The bad weather could also play a part tomorrow. Good luck to the lads and hopefully they get the right result. I wonder did the hurlers seek a double header?? They might prefer a stand alone fixture? The last double header before a huge crowd in Tralee did not work out well. Personally I would love a double header. Hurling in Kerry needs big crowds like a double header on sunday to promote the game to a wider audience within the county
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mossie
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Post by mossie on Apr 2, 2016 10:45:13 GMT
Kerry Senior Hurling Team V Laois – Allianz Hurling League Division 1B Relegation Playoff The Kerry Senior Hurling Team to play Laois in the Allianz Hurling League Div 1B Relegation Playoff at Tralee’s Austin Stack Park on Saturday (5pm) shows one change in personnel from the side that surprised Offaly in Round 5 with Shane Nolan coming into the half forward line instead of John Buckley. The team captained by Daniel Collins of Kilmoyley lines out as follows: 1 Aidan McCabe Kilmoyley 2 Bryan Murphy Causeway 3 Patrick Kelly Clarecastle 4 Keith Carmody Causeway 5 Jason Diggins Causeway 6 Darren Dineen St Brendans 7 Tom Murnane Kilmoyley 8 John Griffin Lixnaw 9 Daniel Collins (C) Kilmoyley 10 Brendan O’Leary Abbeydorney 11 Michael O’Leary Abbeydorney 12 Shane Nolan Crotta O’Neills 13 Jordan Conway Crotta O’Neills 14 Mikey Boyle Ballyduff 15 John Egan St Brendans Fir Ionaid: 16 Martin Stackpoole Lixnaw 17 Brendan Brosnan Lixnaw 18 John Buckley Lixnaw 19 Tommy Casey Causeway 20 Paudie O’Connor Kilmoyley 21 Dougie Fitzelle Kilmoyley 22 Jack Goulding Ballyduff 23 Colum Harty Causeway 24 Philip Lucid Ballyheigue 25 James O’Connor Abbeydorney 26 Sean Weir Crotta O’Neills Bainistíocht: Bainisteoir: Ciaran Carey (Patrickswell) Coach/Selector: Mark Foley (Adare) Treanálaí: Damien Ryall (Abbeydorney) Róghnoirí: James McCarthy (Kilmoyley), Michael Conway (Lixnaw) Additional Players on Panel Darragh Shanahan Kilmoyley Jordon Brick Kilmoyley P J Keane Abbeydorney Gerard Stackpoole Lixnaw Mike Milner Dr Crokes Mike Milner Dr Crokes The Ballyduff pair, Paud Costelloe and Padraig Boyle, are rehabbing from injury. strong selection. Colm Harty unlucky not to start but should make an impact off the bench. Pity Psdraig Boyle and Paud Costello have them long term injuries. They would really add quality to the team and panel.
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Post by Mickmack on Apr 2, 2016 12:05:51 GMT
The two O'Leary brothers in the half forward line will test thir mettle and thats for sure
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Post by Chinatown on Apr 2, 2016 13:33:22 GMT
The two O'Leary brothers in the half forward line will test thir mettle and thats for sure My dad and their grandad were great buddies, different stock for sure. Think it will be close.
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Post by neilesflynn on Apr 2, 2016 15:41:14 GMT
Best of luck to the hurlers today!!!Looking forward to this one! Hopefully everything goes well today. If John Egan and the forwards are on song today and the backs are tight and get on top and leave down an early marker it will be a good day for the Kerry hurlers!! Fingers crossed anyway!!
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Post by Mickmack on Apr 2, 2016 16:44:24 GMT
Kerry 0-17 Laois 1-8 at half time in Austin Stack PARK. Kerry 0-16 Laois 1-8. Kerry 0-16 Laois 1-7 Kerry 0-15 Laois 1-7. Kerry 0-14 Laois 1-7. Kerry 0-14 Laois 1-6. Kerry 0-13 Laois 1-6. Kerry 0-12 Laois 1-6. Kerry 0-12 Laois 1-5. Kerry 0-11 Laois 1-5. Kerry 0-10 Laois 1-5. Kerry 0-10 Laois 1-4. Kerry 0-9 Laois 1-4. Kerry 0-8 Laois 1-4. Laois 1-4 Kerry 0-7. Laois 1-03 Kerry 0-7. Laois 1-03 Kerry 0-5. Goal for Laois. 1-03 to Kerry's 0-4. Kerry 0-4 Laois 0-2. Kerry 0-3 Laois 0-2. All level. 2 points a piece. Laois 0-2 Kerry 0-1.
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Post by southward on Apr 2, 2016 16:45:07 GMT
Kerry lead by 6 at half-time. 0-17 to 1-8.
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Post by Mickmack on Apr 2, 2016 16:58:18 GMT
"Goal by the great John Egan" per Radio Kerry
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Post by southward on Apr 2, 2016 17:06:42 GMT
1-18 to 1-12 now. Laois down to 14 men.
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Post by southward on Apr 2, 2016 17:08:06 GMT
1-19 to 1-14
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Post by southward on Apr 2, 2016 17:28:42 GMT
2-26 to 1-18 now. Hon!
Laois down to 12
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Post by southward on Apr 2, 2016 17:33:01 GMT
Fulltime 2-27 to 1-19. Well done Kerry! Shame ye had to play at all.
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Post by mitchelsontour on Apr 2, 2016 18:00:56 GMT
Great win and well done. Now on to the Championship.
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Post by Mickmack on Apr 2, 2016 18:06:13 GMT
This could all end in tears yet. A doomsday scenario would be Kerry v Galway in the Leinster Hurling Final. Would it be fixed for Limerick. Would Galway object to Limerick like Mayo did.
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Post by fenit67 on Apr 2, 2016 20:08:19 GMT
Our hurlers' stock is on the rise so do not be surprised to see them playing and matching teams in Munster in 2 or 3 years' time. We will compete in Leinster this year and we are capable of 1 or 2 surprises. Well done to all and a quarter-final is on the cards for next year's league unless the rules change between now and then of course!
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Post by kerrygold on Apr 2, 2016 21:19:36 GMT
Great win for the hurlers, it would have been farcical if Laois had survived at their expense. It makes the preliminary competition in the Leinster championship interesting.
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Post by Mickmack on Apr 2, 2016 23:32:26 GMT
Kerry 2-27 Laois 1-19
Kerry enjoyed a richly deserved win over a Laois side that lost their way and discipline midway through the second half in this Allianz Hurling League Division 1B relegation play-off at Austin Stack Park, Tralee.
Kerry hurled magnificently throughout as they had won two games in the league and did not want to lose to a Laois side that had finished the campaign pointless.
Laois trailed by just six points when they lost wing-forward Willie Dunphy to a second yellow and then six minutes later sub Ross Ring was shown a straight red.
Then with the contest decided, Laois were reduced to 12, when Willie Hyland got a straight red for an altercation with Patrick Kelly.
But it was not a dirty game as both sides went for broke. It was simply the power and excellence of this born-again Kingdom side who are really hurling way above what even their most ardent followers expected.
The first half of this relegation faceoff was feast of attacking hurling with 26 scores and a couple of goal chances being created by both sides.
Kerry were on top after a nervous opening with John Griffin controlling midfield and with the O’Leary brother Michael and Brendan winning crucial ball in the half forward line, Laois were on the back foot.
Kerry conversion rate in the opening half was just over seventy percent as Laois were dependent on Kerry errors and turnovers for scores.
Patrick Purcell fired Laois in front inside a minute but Michael O’Leary replied for Kerry from the puck-out. Cha O’Dwyer and Shane Nolan swapped points before Nolan and PJ Scully converted frees, as the sides were tied on 0-3 apiece after seven minutes.
Kerry were tenacious at the back, with Patrick Kelly, Jason Diggins, Darran Dineen and Keith Carmody on top against their opponents.
However Laois received a boost in the 10th minute when a Kerry mistake around midfield resulted in PJ Scully feeding Stephen Maher, who blasted the ball to the Kerry net.
Kerry responded with new found intensity as they went on a 0-7 to 0-2 run, with points from Michael O’Leary, John Griffin, Brendan O’Leary (2) Shane Nolan (2) and John Egan seeing Kerry move 0-12 to 1-5 clear with Willie Dunphy and Scully replying for Laois.
Cha Dwyer then whipped the ball over the bar when it could have been worse, as Griffin, O’Leary and Nolan hurled like men possessed and Kerry fired over five more points to lead 0-17 to 1-8 at half-time, with Shane Nolan scoring 0-7 in that opening half.
Laois hit the ground running at start of the second half with early points from Enda Rowland ( free) and Willie Hyland but Kerry struck for a crucial goal in the 40th minute, when Darren Dineen broke up a Laois attack and played the ball long, to Jack Goulding who set up John Egan for a superb goal.
Then disaster for Laois as they lost two players in the space of seven minutes when wing forward Willie Dunphy was sent off in the 46th minute and then Ross King got a straight red in the 53rd minute.
Kerry were now leading 1-20 to 1-14 and they assumed complete control, with a succession of points before John Egan pounced for a Kerry goal in the 63rd minute and Kerry cruised to victory in a testy final ten minutes.
So Kerry will see it as justice being done as they stay in Division 1 B next year while Laois have a trap-door game next weekend against Westmeath to stay up.
Scorers - Kerry: S Nolan 1-9 (0-6 frees), J Egan (1-6), M O’Leary 0-3, J Griffin, B O’Leary, M Boyle and J Goulding 0-2 each , C Harty 0-1.
Laois: PJ Scully 0-7 ( 0-3, 0-1 ’65), S Maher 1-1, C Dwyer 0-4, C Healy and W Hyland 0-2 each, E Rowland (0-1 free), P Purcell and W Dunphy 0-1 each
Kerry: Aidan McCabe; Bryan Murphy, Patrick Kelly, Keith Carmody; Jason Diggins, Darren Dineen, Tom Murnane; John Griffin, Daniel Collins; Brendan O’Leary, Michael O’Leary, Shane Nolan; Jordan Conway, Mikey Boyle, John Egan.
Subs: Jack Goulding (0-2) for J Conway ( h/t), Tommy Casey for D Collins (43), Colum Harty (0-1) for B O’Leary (56), Brendan Brosnan for J Diggins (64), James O’Connor for J Egan (64)
Laois: Enda Rowland; Tom Delaney , Darren Maher, Cahir Healy; Leigh Bergin, Matthew Whelan, Ryan Mullaney; Patrick Purcell, Colm Stapleton; Charles Dwyer, Stephen Maher, Willie Dunphy; John Lennon, Willie Hyland, P J Scully.
Subs: Neil Foyle for M Whelan (22), Joe Phelan for T Delaney (44), Ross King for J Lennon (48), Brendan Reddin for l Bergin (66)
Referee: Sean Cleere (Kilkenny)
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Post by Mickmack on Apr 2, 2016 23:34:09 GMT
Limerick beat Dublin tonight in the QF
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Post by southward on Apr 2, 2016 23:37:55 GMT
Anyone at the game have a report?
Was planning on going myself but got engrossed in the the Sem game and missed my lift. Pity - sounds like it was a great performance. Still, the Hogan final was a good one too.
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Post by watchdebreakswillye on Apr 3, 2016 1:10:09 GMT
Anyone at the game have a report? Was planning on going myself but got engrossed in the the Sem game and missed my lift. Pity - sounds like it was a great performance. Still, the Hogan final was a good one too. Beautiful evening for a match with only a very slight breeze favouring Kerry in the first half as they played into the goals nearest the Mitchel's end. There was very little between the two sides in that first half by way of endeavour, although I suppose the Laois goal helped their cause. A feature of the first half for me was the outstanding fetching of the sliotar from the air amid swinging hurleys by Michael O' Leary from O'Dorney. Catching it is one thing but managing to effect a puck thereafter with flailing sticks all around is another matter. He has that skill too. Shane Nolan was like an Olympic champion archer - the Crotta O' Neill man's aim is always straight and true. The Kerry backs harangued better than Vincent Browne and nipped at their opponents like terriers out on the hunt. There was a very good crowd, nearly all Kerry with the colder blooded ones taking 'refuge' in the stand to avail of the mutual body heat. Half time brought warm applause from the crowd for the Kerry players as they ran off into their dressingroom. Tralee Parnell youngsters entertained the crowd during the break and great credit to the mentors of these young boys and girls. The future is being hatched. The second half started as the first ended - well, for a short while anyway as both sides exchanged points. Then, Kerry began to exert control. John Egan is some player. He reminds me of John Egan - no fuss, no triumphalism, just sheer class in everything he does. Mickey Boyle is fearless when he raises that hand in search of the sliotar and he's a born hurler. Jack Goulding came on as a sub at half time and he was like Maradona, darting hither and thither and scoring from the left side or right. He 'clashed' with two Laois defenders at one point and you could hear the thud below at the Hospital. Did it knock a stir out of him? Not even a tickle. The sending offs happened one after dudder and Laois found themselves down to a dozen. I thought the referee Sean Cleere from Kilkenny did what he had to do. I couldn't fathom that ref v Wexford but this man was game ball, as they say. Laois kept battling away against all the odds and you have to take your hat off to them for that. They have some fine naturally talented hurlers in their midst. I'm not sure if any of those sent off will be missing for them v Westmeath. They won't be long down - in fact they may well stay up. The Kerry supporters applauded the team from the field. Everyone of them deserved it. They are proud of their geansai. You could see the team are delighted and proud and good. They stay put in 1B and the next adventure awaits. I got my ticket in a shop in a town outside Tralee on the way in. I thought the taille was ten huros if one bought it that way. But faith no - your one told me that tis €15 if tis bought on the day of the match. I paid up. Anyway, twas worth it but I'll be wiser the next time
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Post by gbbuei on Apr 3, 2016 6:18:26 GMT
Martin Breheny Indo A far better alternative to the current system is eight-county Divisions 1 and 2. If it applied this year, the groups would have been as follows: Div 1: Kilkenny, Waterford, Dublin, Tipperary, Galway, Cork, Clare, Limerick. Div 2: Wexford, Offaly, Kerry, Laois, Carlow, Westmeath, London, Antrim. Obviously, quarter-finals would be dispensed with but then they were only introduced to give counties more than the five games guaranteed in six-team groups. Semi-finals could go too, similar to the situation that will apply in football from next year. The hurling league underwent numerous changes over the last 20 years, yet has ended up with possibly the worst format of all under a number of headings. Don't blame Croke Park - they are merely implementing what Central Council, which has representatives from all 32 counties, has decided. Frankly, it's a serious indictment of that group that the best they can come up with is a system riddled by serious anomalies. Hurling and hurlers deserve better. One problem with the hurling league is that if you disperse with quarter-finals, you increase the possibility of meaningless games for teams towards the final rounds (you are likely to see it somewhat in the football league with the removal of the semi-finals)This means you end up with games where one side is battling to avoid relegation while the other side doesn't care what the result is. That's exactly it. As is often the case I find myself disagreeing with Martin Breheny's opinion. The hurling league had been a disaster for years. There were 8 teams and the top 5 or 6 were comfortable knowing they'd never go down. So several matches in the league were dead rubber. As long as the good teams won a few matches at the start, the last 2 or 3 games were pointless. And there were/are a limited number of top quality inter-county hurling games as there is. The league, at inter-county level, is there to provide games in preparation for the championship. With just 6 teams in a Division and just 5 games, each game is important. You lose a couple, you're fighting relegation. If you come in the bottom 2, you have to play off the final game with another top side of your level ie Galway and Cork, Kerry and Laois. This game will be of championship intensity as no one wants to drop. Job done. This is what the league is for. You could just as easily put the bottom team down but this is better as its a further big game in preparation for the championship. Surely exposing the hurlers to more of these type of games is a great thing for their development. They have also proved beyond doubt the first league win was not a flash in the pan and they completely merit their 1B status for next year. If we are good enough to stay up then people should not be worried about us having to play that extra game. Great stuff and well done to the hurlers. Looking forward to seeing their further development and improvement.
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Post by hurlingman on Apr 3, 2016 9:26:28 GMT
Great win yesterday. One of the best allround displays i've seen from a Kerry team. 17 points in the first half and 27 in the end is huge scoring. Was very disappointed with Laois thought they would have been up for it more. Was interesting to see brendan cummins was on the line for Laois
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2016 9:57:47 GMT
Outstanding win yesterday,the lads are now playing a good style of hurling,the build up Egan's goal was top class,Dineen winning the ball at the back then finding Goulding with a great pass and then Goulding picking out Egan who was just playing off the shoulder of his man,he won it and he was in on goals,great finish
That move has shown me how the team has changed,if that was 5 or 6 years ago,the ball would have been cleared out of the backs without picking out anyone in the forwards
Now the lads are very comfortable on the ball and the stick passing is a big feature of this Kerry teams play,
Roll on the championship.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2016 9:59:03 GMT
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1B RELEGATION PLAY/OFF KERRY 2-27 LAOIS 1-19 By Rory Delaney at Austin Stack Park, Tralee Kerry secured their Allianz NHL Division 1B status with a commanding 11 point win over Laois in Tralee on Saturday evening. The first meeting between these sides was a high scoring affair and this was a similar contest. Kerry took a narrow early lead courtesy of a couple of points from Shane Nolan, but Laois pounced for a goal moments later. PJ Scully picked up a breaking ball 21 yards out and fed Stephen Maher, who rifled the sliotar to the back of the net. Rather than be upset by the setback, Kerry hit back in rapid fashion, as two points in less than a minute had them level at 0-6 to 1-3. From then until half time they dominated exchanges, with their half-forward line causing Laois plenty of problems. Shane Nolan, Michael O'Leary, and Brendan O'Leary finished the half with 0-12 between them, as Laois were hanging on with scores from Cha Dwyer and PJ Scully. Kerry's excellence saw them finish the half with an incredible 17 points, as they headed to the dressing room to thunderous applause from the home support, leading 0-17 to 1-8. The second half saw Laois get off a bright start as they tried to chase down Kerry's lead, but the hosts took a massive step towards victory when John Egan fired in their first goal. Laois tried to bounce back from that setback, but when Willie Dunphy and Ross King were red-carded in quick succession, it ended their hopes. Shane Nolan got a second goal for Kerry before Willie Hyland became the third Laois man to be dismissed with Kerry running out deserving winners. Scorers for Kerry: S Nolan 1-8 (6fs), J Egan 1-6, M O'Leary 0-4, J Griffin, B O'Leary, M Boyle, J Goulding 0-2 each, C Harty 0-1. Scorers for Laois: PJ Scully 0-8 (4f, 65), S Maher 1-1, C Dwyer 0-3, W Hyland, C Healy 0-2 each, P Purcell, W Dunphy, E Rowland (f) 0-1 each. Kerry: A McCabe; B Murphy, P Kelly, K Carmody; J Diggins, D Dineen, T Murnane; J Griffin, D Collins; B O'Leary, M O'Leary, S Nolan; J Conway, M Boyle, J Egan. Subs: J Goulding for Conway (ht), T Casey for Collins (44), C Harty for B O'Leary (56), J O'Connor for Egan (65). Laois: E Rowland; D Maher, R Mullaney, C Healy; L Bergin, M Whelan, T Delaney; P Purcell, C Stapleton; W Hyland, C Dwyer, J Lennon; W Dunphy, S Maher, PJ Scully. Subs: N Foyle for Whelan (22, inj), J Phelan for Delaney (44), R King for Lennon (46), B Reddin for Bergin (67). Referee: Sean Cleere (Kilkenny). www.gaa.ie/hurling/news/allianz-div/
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Post by Mickmack on Apr 3, 2016 10:40:40 GMT
One problem with the hurling league is that if you disperse with quarter-finals, you increase the possibility of meaningless games for teams towards the final rounds (you are likely to see it somewhat in the football league with the removal of the semi-finals)This means you end up with games where one side is battling to avoid relegation while the other side doesn't care what the result is. That's exactly it. As is often the case I find myself disagreeing with Martin Breheny's opinion. The hurling league had been a disaster for years. There were 8 teams and the top 5 or 6 were comfortable knowing they'd never go down. So several matches in the league were dead rubber. As long as the good teams won a few matches at the start, the last 2 or 3 games were pointless. And there were/are a limited number of top quality inter-county hurling games as there is. The league, at inter-county level, is there to provide games in preparation for the championship. With just 6 teams in a Division and just 5 games, each game is important. You lose a couple, you're fighting relegation. If you come in the bottom 2, you have to play off the final game with another top side of your level ie Galway and Cork, Kerry and Laois. This game will be of championship intensity as no one wants to drop. Job done. This is what the league is for. You could just as easily put the bottom team down but this is better as its a further big game in preparation for the championship. Surely exposing the hurlers to more of these type of games is a great thing for their development. They have also proved beyond doubt the first league win was not a flash in the pan and they completely merit their 1B status for next year. If we are good enough to stay up then people should not be worried about us having to play that extra game. Great stuff and well done to the hurlers. Looking forward to seeing their further development and improvement. Your argument is pesuasive. I agree with you even though i took the opposite view up to now. Kerry are now ahead of Laois and Artrim and Carlow. Thats a significant jump. The next targets are Offaly and Wexford. I know they beat Offaly but Offaly might have been off guard. They wont be the next time. Having a few round robin games on a dry sod in summer if we get a summer is great. Good innovation by the GAA. I think two of these games are at home... not sure about this though.
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