The Official GAA thread

Had a Galway v Derry 2022 feel to it. A certain inevitability about the whole thing. Truth is we don't have enough forwards to win big games. Still, I am glad I was there. A privilege to follow your county.

 

On the way into Croke Park yesterday, there were a couple of young families in front of us. A young Kerry fan had one of those vuvuzela things and was blowing it every couple of seconds. To his left was a young Derry fan, about 3 years old who blew her vuvuzela every time the Kerry lad blew his. This went on all the way into the ground. Once inside we were surrounded on all sides. Anyone who has ever been near or among Kerry fans will know how obnoxious some of them can be. In the midst of all the Kerry shouts and cheers, about two rows behind us this wee voice kept answering "cmon Derry" and "cmon Brendan". I looked around several times to see who it was and there was this wee boy about 4 or 5 years old and his wee sister (about 3), the one who had been blowing her vuvuzela all the way into Croke Park. Personal memory of the season. Eoin McEvoy's double in the league final was a close second.

 

Huge congratulations to Derry's back to back invincible minors. Great end to what was a difficult season for the county.

https://x.com/Doiregaa/status/1809961030723817512

 

All credit to Cork hurlers today as well beating 4 time defending champions Limerick in the semi-finals. Likewise for Clare after their brilliant come back to defeat Kilkenny on Saturday. Cork will be favourites in the final and have the history behind them but Clare did beat Cork in 2013 the last time they were in an All Ireland final.

 

I was in Croke Park on Saturday for the Clare v Kilkenny semi final. Really enjoyed it. It was a totally different experience being a neutral. Atmosphere was intense. It reminded me of 2002 when we travelled to Thurles for the AI club finals to support Ballinderry against Nemo Rangers. The match was preceded by the hurling final between Birr and Clarinbridge (Galway). The atmosphere that day was electric, almost literally. There was a constant buzz in the crowd, like the noise electricity pylons make in damp weather. It's hard to beat a good hurling match and this year we had two great semi finals.

 

What a * game. Secured a ticket at 10:40 yesterday morning and I was on the bus at 10:55 on the M1 to Croke. Serious atmosphere.

 

Jaysus that was absolutley incredible from start to finish, those Limerick wides at the start turned out crucial.

 

I was a footballer myself with Kilmacud Crokes and Dublin but a good hurling match is always great to watch too. It's strange the difference between the 2 at the moment. In hurling you have a lack of quality throughout much of the country with only a small number of truly competitive counties at the top another smaller group including Dublin who can't compete with them but are clearly better then the rest and then very quickly the drop of quality. But overall the structure they have for the league and championship is working fairly well.
In football you have way more depth and quality throughout the country in general but the game itself is in a defensive mire and just isn't fun to watch most of the time and has been that way for a while. While the structure of the entire season league and championship is a farce.

I am really hoping the attacking focused changes are in place for the start of next season. I think the 2 points for a score from behind a 40m arc and 4 for a goal will be positive as will having to keep 3 players inside your own half. Unfortunately though it looks like of any meaningful change to the structure of the season seems unlikely.

 

Update for eire4.

https://www.irishnews.com/gaa/gaeli...d-sfc-restructure-RQ5NR5H55FDAXJ66FD4UNADP7E/

 

Armagh to lose on penalties

 

Hopefully Armagh don't bottle it now. It's theirs to lose at this stage

 

Surely now!

 

Excellent from Armagh

 

What's the chances the Ulster final being a repeat of the all Ireland final. Both teams operating from division 2

 

Up yer ma
Up yer da
And
Up * Armagh

 

Well done, Armagh.
Didn't see the match. We were down in county Louth leaving back Mickey Harte before his 12 month warranty expired.

 

He was on the BBC for the game

 

Delighted for Armagh and Geezer.

 

Very hard to call this so far Galway with a bright start but Donegal came rushing right back into it.

Both teams matching each other all over the pitch.