1. Davy Fitzgerald’s first year in Wexford
DAVY FITZGERALD never going to stay away for long, but few could have predicted how quickly he’d be back in inter-county management. Fitzgerald is dropping down the ladder at Wexford, with a talented bunch of players who’ve achieved little at senior level.
The All-Ireland winning manager will expect to bring a sharp rise in the fortunes of the Yellowbellies, particularly in the first season. Much will go down to his ability of getting the best out of stars Lee Chin, Conor McDonald and Jack Guiney.
2. New men at the helm in Clare
Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney are now in charge in the Banner county. The All-Ireland winning U21 duo enjoyed a remarkable spell in charge of underage Clare teams, winning five straight Munster underage hurling titles — minor in 2010 and 2011 before the U21 wins in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
O’Connor and Moloney helped mold many of Clare’s current stars and they’ll be aiming to steer the county back to the heady heights of 2013. Tony Kelly looked back to his 2013 form with Ballyea, while Podge Collins will be focusing only on the small ball next year.
This is a huge year for the Banner.
3. The rebuilding of Cody’s empire
There’s talk of “transition” and “rebuilding” in Kilkenny this winter. Brian Cody signed on for an 19th year in charge of the Cats with plenty of question marks hanging over a team that was ravaged in the All-Ireland final.
Experienced veterans Eoin Larkin and Jackie Tyrrell have waved goodbye to the inter-county scene, as Cody must once again look to the future.
The hallmark of Brian Cody’s genius has been his ability to rebuild his teams while consistently contending for All-Ireland honours. This winter, he’s facing into one of his biggest challenges as Kilkenny boss.
4. Tipperary’s attempt to defend their crown
Tipperary’s last bid to retain the All-Ireland in 2011 ended in failure. They lost to Kilkenny by four points in the final, but that was a great Cats team coming to their end.
This time around Kilkenny are in a period of transition, and less of a threat for the Liam McCarthy. The problem is Waterford and Galway must feel their All-Ireland ambitions are in the “now or never” phase. Derek McGrath is potentially facing into his last year as Deise boss, while Galway star Joe Canning recently turned 28 and may have only a couple of prime years left in him.
Tipperary have the continuity provided by Michael Ryan staying on as manager, plus a younger squad than their previous win in 2010.
5. The future of the ‘new-era’
Tipperary’s All-Ireland win was undoubtedly a victory for the purists. A fast, direct game plan eschewed any need for a sweeper as their prolific forwards were devastating at the far end.
Tactically, hurling has evolved quite drastically in the past few years, with the use of an extra defender becoming common place. But Tipperary’s victory, allied to poor years for Cork, Clare and Limerick (each of whom used a spare defender), might see another shift towards attacking play.
One thing’s for sure: Tipperary, Galway and Kilkenny will go man-on-man next year. But it’ll to interesting to see who follows suit, and who opts for damage limitation.
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In other news: the laws around the breakdown, lineout and offside line have been abolished.
Saracens win then! Him and Barnes are in a league of their own for blinkers.
@David Coyne: get your excuses in early
@David Coyne: Barnes is actually one of the best out there these days.
@Bungee Aky:
Did not expect to see you on here after Jim took your head off the other day ?? Did you Email him and say sorry !! You know he is having a good laugh at you !!
Has not been kind to irish teams so far this year
Not sure who this suits more but I suspect that the more cynical team at the breakdown will be rewarded.
@Jim Demps: suits Sarries I’d say as Garces as red means no offside and free for at rucks
@Conor Sexton: have you watched Leinster recently? Furlong and Fardy haven’t been legal at rucktime in an age. The only ruck I remember furlong staying on his feet for this season was the one he put Cloete on a stretcher at. Saracens are no angels at the ruck but neither are Leinster.
@Jim Demps: I don’t know whether to laugh or to pity you when I see how bitter you are towards Leinster. Read Nietzsche and set yourself free!
@Andrew Hurley: yawn. Not bitter at all, I’ll be supporting them in Newcastle. You going?
@Jim Demps: No, why?
@Andrew Hurley: thought you might make the effort to actually go to a game. You’re a leinster fan right? Or are you just anti munster?I could have pointed out all the finer points of the sport to you that you wouldn’t know having not played it.
@Andrew Hurley:
Ask him if he played ::and to what level since he is making fun of your participation in the game, he is having a go at you.
“The only ruck I remember furlong staying on his feet for this season was the one he put Cloete on a stretcher ” he must have said that at least 10 times over the last Month. Then he says” I’ll be supporting them in Newcastle.” not a chance will he !!
@Jim Demps: I go to plenty of games of rugby dear Jim. You’re such a fanboy, and so typical of a Munster fan (but I don’t think you see why).
Another insult to genuine rugby followers from the powers that be. This guy should have been put out to grass a long time ago. I hope Leinster can cope with Saracens illegal tactics because Garces will let them away with everything.
@Peter O’ Dowd: it’s up to both teams to play the referee. While Saracens have the advantage of already experiencing him and his interpretation of the laws already, the onus is on leinster to figure out what they will and will not be allowed get away with – which was a lot – I’m sure they have the experience to adapt accordingly
@Norris Kevin: fair point and it’s not as if Garces has never refereed any of the Leinster lads before. Stu and Leo will do their homework on the ref and what they need to watch out for!
@Norris Kevin: The ref should be fair and impartial & should apply the laws of rugby. It should not be up to the contestants to figure out what laws the ref will not apply n the day. If Saracens continue to cheat at the breakdown Leinster should take the law into their own hands.
@Locojoe: all very true in theory but referees are human and the laws can be ambiguously interpreted at times (e.g – deliberately weeling a scrum, clearing out etc) All you can ask from a referee is that he applies his interpretation of the laws consistently to both sides. In this day and age, teams prepare for games and also for the ref.
If he referees the final the way he did the semi then the ruck is going to be a free for all again. At least Leinster now have a template to work off and can plan accordingly.
@Eddie Hekenui: He’s a great referee, the best team always wins when he refs. Only Barnes close to him at a world level.
@Andrew Hurley: I’m guessing by that you mean Saracens were the better team and his performance had no impact on the result and if so that would be correct. Saying the best teams always win when he refs is a nonsense statement. The best team tend to win 99% of games. But he has made bad decisions in big games that have cost teams. Ask Gloucester fans for their opinion on him after he cost them a European title last season.
He is a very good referee but like all referee’s they have flaws. He doesn’t take full advantage of the tools at his disposal (namely the touch judges and TMO) and he can let the breakdown turn into a mess.
@Eddie Hekenui: I think he’s excellent and doesn’t try to be the headline in a match (like Barnes years ago and Owens throughout his career). Matches always better to watch when he refs, I think Ge’s an absolute treasure.
Very disappointing! A compensationary token to French Rugby? Could ruin the game as a spectacle as synical play will dominate.
Not good news about Garces, he does not see the offside, Itoge is off most of the time
Ah facksticks, it was going to be hard enough
Irish rugby football fans have to accept that Nigel Owens can’t referee every match involving the national team or a provincial franchise.
@Treaty Bhoy: just as well, Owens has been poor for a while now. While he is decisive he is often factually wrong. Would have preferred Poite or Raynal myself.
@Kevin Colman: Agreed, I don’t rate Owens as a ref either.
It’s just certain elements within Irish rugby football think the sun shines out of “Nigel.” I know he gives the Irish national and provincial sides plenty of decisions so that’s why they idolise him but I think he makes it more about him than the two teams, the stupid attention seeking gags about soccer etc.
@Treaty Bhoy:
I would be very happy with him as my ref, still one of the best in the world. Also Billy would be stopped from all that illegal running over players ::he would stop him from doing that (with a smile on his face)
He let’s a good contest at the breakdown. So we need to be on the sarries ball and commit numbers to defend our own properly. Not overly worried as Sarries dont have an out and out 7 but the do have an effective back row
@Dean Soady:
Players going in off their feet and from the side is a common occurrence in top14 rugby, at least we know what to expect from him and can be prepared
It was always going to be a Frenchman, but I would have preferred to see Poite in charge. Is Raynal injured?
Would you every all stop with your complaining, he’s a consistent ref, it’s up to the teams to play within his approach of the game, and they have plenty of time to get ready, he is not as prone to a howler as other refs are and won’t be the reason any particular team loses the game.
His approach to the breakdown is more lenient than other refs, but he always favors the team with the ball so whoever wins the possession game will also win the penalty count and in a final which will be a super tight affair that is huge.
@Bungee Aky:
Are you OK Bungee Aky ?? Jim is not a nice person and he should not be laughing at you. I don’t agree with you much of the time but you are a Rugby man and that is enough for me !!
Well another Irish side for a roasting – he clearly impressed Saracens
Is there a dictat to referees from the authorities to keep games flowing at any cost? Watching both semi finals I couldn’t help but think that is the case. The rules regarding the breakdown are not being enforced. Side entry, clearing beyond the ruck, offside at the breakdown are not being policed at all. Has there been a rule change or are the ref’s just not policing it anymore? It’s bloody infuriating!