WATERFORD MAY BE bidding for Munster glory on Sunday but hurling demands do not come at the expense of everything for their squad.
Like watching the Euro 2016 action in France.
Or going to the pub to celebrate a big Munster championship win, like they did against Clare last month.
“We actually had training originally for Wednesday night (when Ireland played Italy) and we changed it,” remarks manager Derek McGrath.
“It has to. Particularly with the group we have, they’d be mad keen to watch the soccer.
“We had a sweep for the Euros as well. I got Austria! And they give me first pick.
“You have to factor it in because they love all sports, love watching Ireland games. (After a) Friday night we trained, they had the weekend off, had Saturday off to watch (Ireland) Belgium.
“(The) night Ireland were playing Sweden, we didn’t train either. We’d look at all the fixtures. Tried to keep away from the England fixtures as well.”
McGrath was keen to let his players savour the semi-final success over Clare as well.
“The satisfaction came from the effort the lads put in for the four weeks leading into that game, it was fantastic, and getting a performance out of them, it was brilliant.
“We had a few pints on the Sunday – and on the Monday, which is probably unheard of in this day and age, and then they went back to the clubs.
“I went for a couple with them the second night and it wasn’t a case of the old schoolteacher keeping an eye on them.
“I know what they put into it themselves, and I know if the release valve isn’t tearing into a big session, if it’s a little slower than that, it may be better.
“Letting them have two days once they behave is fine, and they do behave. I remember Gary Neville saying that sometimes in that socialising different friendships can form, fellas can relax.
“That’s not to promote a drink culture, which we don’t do, but at the same time we don’t have a big drink ban either. We let them drive that but they’re so keen to do well that that’s not a problem.
“I’d probably be a bit looser on them now. But it’s always easier to be loose with them when they’ve won a game.”
The reward for defeating Clare is a final showdown with Tipperary on Sunday. Staging the game in Limerick rather than the traditional environs of Thurles has prompted debate.
“We took upon it ourselves to work out what was best for us as a team this year, though,” revealed McGrath.
“We’d think that a Munster final should be in a neutral ground, that that’s an absolute entitlement. If Cork were available then it’d be a no-brainer, the game would just be on there.
“But there’s also the thing where Waterford people just have it in their heads that there’s going to be a bottleneck going into or coming out of Limerick.
“I’ve been meeting people in Waterford who are saying, ‘I hope the game is in Thurles, you know what the traffic is like in Limerick’.
“I just think that the more you say something, the more it becomes ingrained in people’s minds. My view would be to concentrate on getting into Limerick early and worry about getting out after.
“At least it all got settled quickly, and fair dues to the county board, they were very supportive of us in doing that. The rumour mill often gets out of hand, and last year there was a lot of talk about Waterford selling their soul to go to Thurles.
“In fairness, Paddy Joe (Ryan, chairman of the Waterford County Board) and the lads put absolutely no pressure on us to go to Thurles, certainly not for financial reasons.
“People have forgotten that Tipperary went to Limerick last year and hammered the life out of Limerick, so it’s not a matter of discommoding them.
“If we lose to Tipperary it’ll only be the small-minded who’ll point to the venue as the reason for losing.”
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Looks like Mayo will be asking Santa Claus for Sam this year
@david hynes: Now you’re just being silly there David. Even we know Santa doesn’t come until Christmas eve ..
@david hynes: even if they whole championship was cancelled they’d still be runners up.
Croke park in December. Rain and hail. Extortionate ticket prices. Getting dark at 4pm and a very long dismal drive home. No thanks.
@Patrick Agnew: Haha stay at home so. Some of us would be delighted with the misery of being in croker in december
@Patrick Agnew: I’d say you’re the life and soul of a party. Generally, ticket prices are good value with many being double headers. As for the weather, this being Ireland, you’ve as much chance of being soaked in July as you do in December.
@Gareth Ward: off you go Gareth. I’ll watch it in the pub.
@Patrick Agnew: I’ll meet you there for a pint so after ive been to the games!
@Patrick Agnew: Do ya hear this lad? Christ. The pessimism. I’d crawl over broken glass to see my county play in a December final. Driving home from a match in the dark, what will they think of next!
@Patrick Agnew: You’re from Fermanagh Paddy, you won’t need to worry about it…
@Joe Brennan: good spot joe but I’m from Armagh
@Patrick Agnew: Still won’t.
Hopefully galway can beat mayo to relegate them
How is the provincial system fair for lets say an Ulster team who have to play a lot more and tougher games. Open draw would have been fairer and a good chance to trial something different. Instead its the same old.
@Lad: The provincial system has never been fair. So its not any different this year
@Gareth Ward: there is no back door? That does make it more unfair.
@Lad: Agree about Ulster but this is best way as open draw means some teams dont even have provincial title to go go for. I for one will be looking forward to it!!!
@Lad: Probably. But someone else would have a reason to complain then
@BrianG: true but they have a chance to go for that every year. What about giving them one good chance off the All Ireland. Last 32, round of 16, quarters, semis and final. Fair for everyone and gives someone like kildare, Tipp, Derry a real chance to go further than they could ever hope for the AI, rather than through the province. Give them hope, its crucial in GAA, just like nowhere but Newbridge and what that meant for kildare.
Just imagine a game of hurling in a potential snowstorm
@Sean Treacy: Bring it on baby
@Sean Treacy: just give me a game of hurling anywhere right now ..hail , rain or snow .
This will shorten the winter for a lot of people.
Roscommon at 100/1, twill be the best Xmas ever had
Lets go 6 in a row!
@Johnny 5: “Yis can fook off with your ga, Liverpool are playing Southampton at 4 o clock.” Jesus wept
@Baz:
Ha ha you can watch the paint dry Wel watch a mans game
Football so predictable.
Hurling so exciting.
@Colman Walsh: your comment was also predictable
Galway for the double this year at senior and U20, and the camogie and ladies football too!
@David Finn: Is that not a quadruple?
Kerry v Galway and Dublin v Donegal for the semis. Repeat of last years final, Dubs to shade it by a couple of points.
@Johnny 5: jes lad say if Galway can get back to the form they had up till this will give Kerry a good run for there money
@Johnny 5: jaysus I dunno, I like the name Johnny 5.
@Johnny 5: our game v Tyrone in ballybofey will be massive.
Should the semi finals not be Leinster v Munster and Connacht v Ulster? Before the break the super 8′s would have been Connacht and Ulster winners in one group and Leinster and Munster in the other. Why the change now?
@Alan Kenny: They obviously want a kerry dublin final
@Alan Kenny: I’d imagine 2020 framework moves to 2021. Hopefully back to normal
not a hope we will be well into lockdown 2 by then
Is there relegation in the leagues ??
@Gareth Ward: I would say so. Bottom two will still get relegated.
Also why are games to be finished on penalty’s? These are not low scoring games, there could easily be made a new rule to finish a game after a draw in extra time, such as first team to lead by 2 points or more wins.. Much fairer.
@Lad: Penalties are more craic anyway. Plus it could take an hour for a team to get a 2 point lead
@Gareth Ward: Seriously? An hour?
Ya because All Ireland Finals are all about the craic.
@Lad: Well i cant put an exact time on it. But imagine how untra defensive teams would get then! An hour might be generous
And yes, all ireland finals are great craic!
@Lad: can you imagine Tyrone defending a lead in extra time with that rule. Christ there be lads building blocks across the 45m line
I’m just glad we’re having championships – but fingers crossed! The virus will do what it wants to do.
Good luck to all – GAA management, teams and players.
Limerick league champions. So only lost two of the last 7 trophies they could have won. 2* league 1a, 1 all Ireland, 1 * league 1b, 1* munster
@Trevor: Well Clare are also league champions. 1a and 1b are the same level, it was division one split into 2 groups
@Gareth Ward: 1a and 1b are not the same level
@Trevor: Do your research kid, they are
@Trevor: they are the same level changed format start of this year
@Gareth Ward: use your brain. Also I would have included a munster cup win if I was going to the level of lower 1b
@Trevor: Hahaha you are making less and less sense with every comment
it’s an absolute farce. Never has it been easier for Dublin and Kerry to walk their provinces.
No other div 1 team from their provinces next year. Kerry might not even face a div 2 side.
Absolute huge asterix joke.
@Peter McGlynn: no there won’t be any asterix next to it, if Kerry or Dublin win the all ireland it’s cause they are the best team, its not there fault if the rest aren’t up to the standard.
Dream on GAA
Another handy all Ireland for Tipp