When a weekend of GAA action makes more headlines than the World Cup Final, you know something is up! But that’s exactly what happened when Louth were robbed. And not by the referee in my opinion, but by the umpire. Why he didn’t tell the ref that Joe Sheridan threw the ball over the line I will just never know.
As for the hurling, last minute action there too! Cork were unlucky I suppose that they didn’t hold out but as I well know better than anyone, Waterford always fight to the end. A draw was probaly the fairest way to end the game though as both sides had large periods of dominance. Looking forward now to the replay.
This week the big event is the Bord Gáis Energy U-21 Leinster Hurling Final but we also have the two U-21 Munster Hurling Semi-Finals and the Ulster Hurling Quarter-Final. Dublin meet Wexford in Parnell Park, Cork and Tipperary do battle in Pairc Uí Chaoímh, in the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick take on Clare, while in Brewster Park, Fermanagh take on Armagh.
I think in the Tipp and Cork match I have a slight fancy for Tipp. The quality that they have at their disposal is frightening. Noel McGrath and Padraic Maher are just two of the players and I expect them to have too much experience and skill for the Rebels. Plus I don’t know if Aidan Walsh will be playing for Cork either due to his football commitments and if he isn’t he will be a huge loss.
In the other Semi-Final I think Clare will have just enough to get over a hard working Limerick side. It will be interesting to see whether or not the senior Clare players will be up for this match seen as they only just lost to Dublin last Saturday evening. A few players worth watching for Limerick and Clare would be Paidi and Tommy O’Brien for Limerick. Keep an eye on Nicky O’Connell and the speedy Sean Collins too.
With many of last year’s All Ireland Minor ‘C’ winning team lining out for Fermanagh they will not be short of talent and confidence but Armagh should have enough to get through that one.
In the Leinster Final it’s a huge occasion for both counties. Dublin will be on a high after comprehensively accounting for Kilkenny in the Semi-Final in Nowlan Park. A great team performance that night and one which will need to be re-enacted if they are to overcome Wexford. Wexford will feel coming into this final that they have nothing to lose. All the pressure will be on Dublin to perform in their home ground in front of, hopefully, a huge crowd and it’s up to Wexford to take the game to Dublin. I still think, even without Rory O’Carroll, that if Dublin play anything like they did in the Semi-Final they should have just too much in the tank for Wexford.
Enjoy the Hurling and get out in support of your team.
Tags: Aidan Walsh, Armagh, Bord Gáis Energy, BordGáis Energy U-21 Leinster Hurling Final, Brewster Park, Clare, cork, Dublin, Fermanagh, GAA, Gaelic Grounds, Kilkenny, Leinster Hurling Final, Limerick, Louth, Nicky O'Connell, Noel McGrath, Padraic Maher, Paidi O'Brien, Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Parnell Park, Sean Collins, Tipperary, Tommy O'Brien, U-21 Munster Hurling Semi Finals, Ulster Hurling Quarter Final, Wexford