Afternoon all and welcome along to today’s Allianz Hurling League coverage.
Here are the main games, we’ll be keeping track of.
Division 1A
Kilkenny v Cork, Nowlan Park, 2pm
Tipperary v Clare, Semple Stadium, 3pm
Division 1B
Galway v Laois, Pearse Stadium, 2pm
Wexford v Kerry, Innovate Wexford Park, 2pm
It’s been a brilliant start so far to life with Wexford for Davy Fitzgerald as they’ve claimed victories over Limerick and Galway to now be in pole position for promotion.
The venue for today’s showdown in Kilkenny.
Here’s how last night’s big hurling games unfolded in Croke Park and the Gaelic Grounds.
Kilkenny 0-2 Cork 0-0
2 mins – Flying start from Kilkenny with TJ Reid and Eoin Murphy both converting frees.
Wexford 0-2 Kerry 0-2
Two Lee Chin points so far for Wexford, Kerry reply each time through Brian Murphy and John Buckley.
Kilkenny 0-3 Cork 0-2
8 mins – Shane Kingston finds Alan Cadogan in space and the combination play between the Douglas duo results in a point.
Kilkenny 0-4 Cork 0-4
11 mins – Richie Leahy stretches Kilkenny’s lead before Seamus Harnedy and Lehane are on target to reel them in.
Wexford 0-3 Kerry 0-3
11 mins – Kerry making it interesting at the moment, still level with the Division 1B league leaders.
Galway 0-11 Laois 0-2
11 mins – Galway are running riot in Pearse Stadium, looks grim already for Laois.
Kerry 0-4 Wexford 0-3
Padraig Boyle puts over a free to put Kerry, who are backed by the wind, in front.
Kilkenny 0-5 Cork 0-5
14 mins – Points swapped by TJ Reid from a free and Bill Cooper from play.
Kilkenny 0-6 Cork 0-6
17 mins – It’s tight and closely contested so far in Nowlan Park. A free from Cork’s Conor Lehane leaves the sides level.
Galway 0-13 Laois 0-3
18 mins – An impressive 10-point lead now for Galway. Jason Flynn, Padraic Mannion, Joseph Cooney, Conor Cooney and Aidan Harte amongst their point-scorers to date.
Kilkenny 0-7 Cork 0-6
20 mins – A majestic point by TJ Reid, his first from play, and Kilkenny are back in front.
Wexford 0-6 Kerry 0-4
A little bit of daylight between the teams now as Paul Morris notches a point for Wexford.
Kilkenny 0-8 Cork 0-7
25 mins – Richie Hogan from play for his first of the day and Conor Lehane from a free for his fourth of the day.
Wexford 0-7 Kerry 0-4
Jack O’Connor is fouled and the free is slotted over by Conor McDonald to increase the gap to three points.
Kilkenny 0-9 Cork 0-7
29 mins – Reid fires over a free and then is just off target from play after an excellent flowing move by Kilkenny cut open the Cork rearguard.
Kilkenny 0-11 Cork 0-9
36 mins – Lehane hits over a wonderful free but that’s quickly cancelled out by Richie Hogan.
Kerry 0-7 Wexford 0-7
Paudie O’Connor brings Kerry level.
Galway 0-20 Laois 0-4
Thomas Monaghan on target as Galway reach the 20-point mark.
Half-Time: Galway 0-20 Laois 0-5
Half-Time: Wexford 0-7 Kerry 0-7
Half-Time: Kilkenny 0-11 Cork 0-10
A result from Croke Park.
Cork 0-11 Kilkenny 0-11
37 mins – Conor Lehane brings Cork level early in the second half.
Kilkenny 0-12 Cork 0-12
39 mins – Cillian Buckley points from play and Lehane bangs over a ’65. Cork could have netted before that ’65 but Eoin Murphy was equal to Cormac Murphy’s well-struck shot.
Goal for Wexford from Harry Kehoe!
Goal for Galway from David Burke!
Wexford 1-9 Kerry 0-7
A five-point lead now for Wexford.
Galway 1-23 Laois 0-7
The Galway captain hits the net and it looks like game over in Salthill.
Kilkenny 0-15 Cork 0-12
43 mins – Walter Walsh with a brace and one from Reid sends Kilkenny clear by three.
Tipperary 0-4 Clare 0-0
3 mins – Brendan Maher and John McGrath on target so far for Tipperary.
Kilkenny 0-18 Cork 0-12
45 mins – The gap is steadily increasing. Richie Hogan (2) and Conor Martin both point to increase the gap to six.
Tipperary 0-5 Clare 0-1
8 mins – First point of the day for Clare comes from Podge Collins.
Kilkenny 0-19 Cork 0-13
51 mins – Cork grab a point back through Dean Brosnan but Richie Leahy quickly responds for Kilkenny.
Goal for Wexford from Diarmuid O’Keeffe!
Red card for Kerry’s Patrick Kelly!
Kilkenny 0-20 Cork 0-13
55 mins – Richie Leahy raises another white flag for Kilkenny with a glorious shot from the sideline.
Brilliant save by Anthony Nash to deny Colin Fennelly finding the net for Kilkenny.
Subs: Cork bring in Patrick Horgan and Stephen McDonnnell for Killian Burke and Shane Kingston.
Red card for Cork’s Cormac Murphy.
Tipperary 0-8 Clare 0-8
David Reidy brings the Banner level. They’ve recovered well from a bad start to this game.
Joe Canning and Conor Whelan goals for Galway.
Galway 3-29 Laois 1-10
Quite the beating Galway have handed out at Pearse Stadium today.
Result – Kilkenny 0-22 Cork 0-15
Result: Wexford 3-18 Kerry 0-12
Clare 0-11 Tipperary 0-10
John McGrath points a free and now there’s only one between them in Thurles.
Half-Time: Clare 0-11 Tipperary 0-10
Result: Galway 3-31 Laois 1-11
A good day’s work then in Division 1B for Galway and Wexford while Kilkenny claim their first victory of the campaign in Division 1A.
Clare 0-11 Tipperary 0-11
Noel McGrath brings Tipperary level early in the second half.
Tipperary 0-15 Clare 0-12
45 mins - Noel and John McGrath both point, three in it now.
Tipperary 0-19 Clare 0-15
55 mins – John McGrath fires over a point, he’s been excellent today.
Tipperary 0-22 Clare 0-15
60 mins – Tipperary pulling clear now, seven points to the good.
Tipperary 0-23 Clare 0-20
68 mins – Galvin has made a real impression since coming on, now only three between the sides.
Tipperary 0-27 Clare 0-20
71 mins – Tipperary putting the game to bed now, newcomer Paul Flynn on target.
Result: Tipperary 0-28 Clare 0-21
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7 for sexton and 6 for Murray? I thought sexton was the worst Irish player on the park, not a slight on him at all, just it was obviously his first run out and he was rusty and below his own standards. Murray had his best game of 2019 today. Looked sharp, moved the ball quickly and passing was on point and even had the odd snipe.
@Jim Demps: agree, felt this was one of Murray’s best games since coming back from injury. Don’t understand how he was a six
@Jim Demps:
Likewise, this was Sexton’s best game in green, and probably blue, since november.
I think both are still some way off the form they need to show.
@Jim Demps: Murray brought back the awful box kicking we’d do well to see the back of.
@Jim Demps: I agree that Sexton wasn’t at it today. But Sexton getting 7 and Murray getting 6. Why are you comparing? Are you doing the usual Munster versus Leinster ‘carry on’? Not arguing, just don’t get it.
@Jim Demps: what’s your view on luke McGrath. Surely marmion should be in the squad
@Jim Demps: what planet are you on? Marmion should be in the squad ahead of Murray. Today he was his usual slow, docile and befuddled self. Probably the worst Irish scrumhalf at the moment
@Jim Demps: Murray was slow enough getting around the place, had a couple of poor passes (one to Earls stands out in particular) and made some odd decisions on the ball. A 6 is hardly a harsh rating for that performance. Didn’t think Sexton was much better. They were both solid, which is a massive step up from how they were in the Six Nations.
@Con O’Hannrachàin: And Stuart Quinn
“marmion should”
This is not about the Club player it is about the squad playing for Ireland ::get off your cub and get behind Ireland and who are playing for them !!
@James: just thought it was odd that a guy who played well got less of a mark than a guy who didn’t. Nothing more to it than that.
@Con O’Hannrachàin: I think it was a tight call between the 3 scrum halves behind Murray. I personally wouldn’t have picked him but I wouldn’t begrudge him either. He brings something the others don’t.
@Stuart Quinn: nah you’re way off the mark there.
@ScewMadd: I’ve no idea what ye were looking at. I thought Murray was excellent, our defence when he’s not playing can look very narrow, but watch today how many tackles he made outside the outside centre, did Wales have one clean break? He’s a different class to all our other scrumhalves, there’s some myth that the smaller lads are somehow quicker to the ruck & give quicker ball, not at the very top level they don’t. Marmion, McGrath or Cooney would not be starting scrumhalf for any of the top teams, Murray is a lion test player for a reason
@Jim Demps: I think both are short of where we want them to be unfortunately….. but let’s keep the fingers
@Jim Demps: Jim Leinster bad munster good. We know him we know
@Jim Demps: I genuinely forgot Stander and Kleyn were playing today. I turned to my mate because I thought there were no Munster players on the pitch after Murray went off. We had to go through everyone on the pitch before we realized he was still there. Murray had his best game in 2019 because that wouldn’t be hard. Sexton still not at his best, but he’s definitely getting there, aside from that kick on the full, didn’t do much wrong. Kleyn anonymous. Kearney he usual imperious self, watching him off the ball, his movement and anticipation is a sight to behold. Earls a 6? Very harsh, thought he was excellent as well, same with Larmour.
@Alan Roddy: buddy you’d want to ask gatland & patchell if stander was playing today, without being disrespectful, patchell hasn’t a clue & gatland is saying ‘oh f*ck’
Conan was never ahead of Stander for the 8 shirt and even the commentators were noting how he was once again not “setting the world alight” in green. Today further cemented the POM, VDF and Stander backrow.
@Rochelle: Conan isn’t good enough at top tier test level unfortunately, and his lack of any versatility is also a huge minus factor.
@Rochelle: agree but Ruddock threw his hat in the ring today too. His physicality at 7 or off the bench will be useful
@Rochelle: Stander hasn’t been up to it lately. Conan wasn’t brilliant today at 8, but he was good enough, Stander hasn’t been good there for a long time for Ireland. I think they balanced well. I think having Stander on the pitch is important, but I’d say there’s room for both. POM could do with getting some form back. JVDF was great again today.
@Rochelle: I’m a fan of the CJ,Conan,Pom backrow myself. With Ruddock and Beirne on the bench
@amusing_musings:
I think they balanced well.
Conan and CJ played well together and were involved in about 4 tackles together knocking back Wakes :: CJ had his best game for a good while::
@PScald:
VDF ???
@Martin Quinn: I’m not a huge fan Martin. Not a bad player by any means. I just dont think I’ve ever seen him command a game from backrow like I’ve seen Leavy, pom, CJ Conan and Ruddock do. A complimentary player, not one you build your backrow around. Just my opinion
@Rochelle: you must be very upset that Ireland won.
@PScald: yeah with Ryan and Hendy in the row, would be great
@Rochelle: I think we saw the starting back row today, CJ ahead of P O’M, with JC at 8, we didn’t contest an opposition lineout today, so no need for O’M.
@Rochelle: Stander a far superior back row to Conan but it’s about balance. Stander plays his best rugby at 6 & O’Mahony can shift in at 7. Having Stander at 8 will allow O’Mahony with 1 of Ruddock or VDF to start but he’ll be nowhere near his best. Perhaps Ruddock can shift to 8
Jack Conan went missing today as usual. People talking about what he brings to the side but we saw none of it the last two games. Dave Kilcoyne should be in front of Cian Healy. Big Sexy and Murray were very good today. And what else can you say about James Ryan? Up there as one of the best locks in the world and no where near his prime.
@Dave Barry: bit harsh to say conan went missing. He showed up for work and put in a decent shift but I don’t think he did anything to suggest he’s in control of the 8 jersey. I’m not particularly sure he suits Ireland’s style of play and isn’t dominant enough defensively like stander is. Conan’s a great guy to have in the mix though.
@Dave Barry:
Conan had 15 carries, same as Stander and made more meters. He put a couple of big tackles in as well, that’s hardly going missing. Agree with Kilcoyne, he was massive again. Thought Sexton and Murray were only ok, both still look rusty
@Jim Demps: what’s your view on McGrath
@Jim Demps: Thought he was very poor. People can point to stats but we all have eyes ourselves. Wasn’t dominant in anything he did and I forgot he was playing by the end of the game.
@Con O’Hannrachàin: Luke?
@Umpaloompa: Conan made 11 meters from 15 carries with Stander getting 2 meters fewer, hardly anything to boast about. The can’t break the gain line meaning Murray is going backwards. Time to try POM, VDF and Ruddock.
That’s more like it. Nice to see Cronin nail a few hard throws to the back of the lineout. Looks like we have two top class front rows with Porter and Kilcoyne good enough to start
Aki is the man. Henshaw fantastic in his natural position.
Kearney really good
Ryan and CJ outstanding
Notable mention for Ruddock. What a player to have in reserve.
With him, Kilcoyne, Porter, Carbery, Beirne and perhaps Conway in the bench. Ireland have great options
Nice to see Sexton hitting some form. Thought he was really good for the 20mins 2nd half.
@PScald: you are bang on with your assessment. Agree with everything you said. Thought Kearney was v good!!
@PScald: I thought Kearney was very good. Thought Murray played well too. I’d like to see more of Ruddock. I think he’s good. Aki and Henshaw are a good pair. Sexton wasnt great but hes rusty so that game will bring him on. Killer is some sub to bring on. Think after today we are in a better position than a few weeks ago after England game.
Never put huge store in player ratings, but some very weird ones in there.
Kleyn & Conan given the same rating as Stander and Aki? Sexton rated higher than Murray? Larmour given a 6 and Earls not bothered with at all?
Do ye just fire these up without a second look or what lads?!
@Oval Digest: a journalist’s ratings. Subjective. I thought Murray had his best game in 12 months for Ireland his passing was crisp, accurate and fast. Wales’s attempts to slowdown Irelans’s ball made it difficult for Murray to get quick ball from the base of the rucks. Worth 8 for me.
Would be worried for O’Mahony after Standers shift at 6 but Conan did nothing to make him nail down 8
@sean o mahony: Wouldn’t be worried at all. O’Mahony has proved his worth time and again for club and country. He will start against Scotland and Japan, no question.
Thought Stander was at least an 8 today. Conceded one turnover but won two turnovers- one great choke tackle. Solid carries making ground and lively in lineout and defense. Blindside really gets the best out of him.
@John Carey: standers close in carrying was unreal today. He’s probably after totally messing up wales’s chances by burying patchell. Fair chance they’re only left with biggar now
@John Carey: surprised they called those two lineouts at the end of the game to him. Good throws and he took them well. Didn’t really think he was that kind of a backrow lineout man.
Larmour or Conway at 23? Honestly think after that solid showing Schmidt will give it to Jordan. One of his best games for Ireland today and looked lively throughout . Wish the wings got more ball though..
@Fade: One of them should start over Earls
@Simon Clarke:
Earls is special and Stockdale is to come in !!
@Simon Clarke: silly
Murray comes back and so do those interminable box kicks
@Simon Clarke: nothing wrong with the box kick, unless you think we can pass our way out of our half. If it’s worked well it should give us a 50/50 chance of getting the ball back. You kick to touch I’d say a good lineout would win it 80/90% of the time
@Tim Magner:
It is part of our game and we will be using it ::just need to get it right ::
We have trouble in the lineouts so will have to work ourselves out of it :: I believe we will ::it is our Squad and it is IRELAND
@Martin Quinn: I thought our lineout in the 2nd half was excellent. Cronin was spot on with every throw. We looked shaky at the start but when the ref pulled Wales for stepping in across the line there was no problem. We mightnt have looked great creatively today but defensively and physically we were brilliant. Now gatland has the problems we had in the 6ns
@Martin Quinn: a few days ago you scoffed at the notion that Best was Tour captain and may not start the big games, Toner was no longer crucial. Did you notice what happened our line out stats when Best departed ? Do you think Joe noticed? Now you do know why Dev was sacrificed?
Good win but lineout is still a mess. Don’t see how we can accommodate two poor throwers in the team. Some of the calling was odd though.
Ryan and Kilcoyne setting the tone again. They’ve been the standout players of the summer series.
Aki has to start. His dynamism trumps Henshaw’s solidity and we have few game breakers.
Kearney looked good but he continues to show zero interest in passing.
Good cameo from Ruddock
@Emmet Martin: at the start it was but as the game went on it improved. I thought Sean Cronin was a big big winner today, his throwing was faultless, hitting guys at 6 consistently
@Tim Magner:
Tim I looked back at it after the game and look at the lineouts Best throws were spot on but on 3 occasions we lifted to early and were out jumped by Wales :: as you know it is about all 3 things Through :::Lift :: Jump ::it is easy blame the thrower but when Cronin did it all 3 went well :: he did nothing different then Best :: something needs to be done:: OK Hen was on and that helped :: but still work to do :::
@Martin Quinn: I don’t know about that Martin, look at the 1st one thrown to no.2 in the lineout, a gentle, wobbly lob that tipuric had all the time in the world to intercept, if you’re throwing to 2 it has to be a bullet. Throwing to 4 or 6 is a different ballgame cos you’ve big lads jumping in front of you. Great day for best today, a great servant and a brilliant captain but if he’s starting in the WC we’ve serious problems. Scannell is the best thrower we have but I was delighted to see Cronin go so well today cos he’s our best all round hooker
@Tim Magner: yeah but I just wouldn’t trust Cronan’s throwing to start a big game or win a clutch lineout in a QF. If the lineout melts down under Best, I couldn’t see Cronin coming in to solve it. Best excellent around the park today. Lineout just didn’t feel steady all match even where we won our ball it felt under pressure, harried
@Emmet Martin: fair enough but no team in our group are going to cause us huge problems, gives Ryan a good chance to grow into the job. Mcinally for Scotland is a fine player but he’s as bad if not worse than any of our throwers
@Emmet Martin: it is not the throwers fault. Ryan called a ball for CJ stander in the middle. He was jumping against Alun Wyn Jones who is much taller. Best throw the ball where directed. So it wasn’t a bad throw but a bad call by Ryan. The other issue is that the lifters must get their timing spit on too. Easy to blame the hooker but not always his fault.
For me kilcoyne and Aki have been Ireland’s stand out players in the warm up games. James Ryan is just a serious operator and it all of a sudden looks slot better going into the world cup. Coybig!!!!
My only bitch, I thought that the bias posts would stop when we all became one for the world cup :: 5 posts in a row and the best post was Jims
I though Cj and Conan played well together and knocked wales back between them on many occasions :VDF was his all-consuming self ::some player :: Kilcoyne had a v great game and it is great to see we have 3 TOP props ::though Porter was nothing special ::J Kylne is still looking like a journeyman and please let me say I was looking for him to do well :: our Centres were great in defences at the top of their game and Attacking could do better but can see they will get better (even when Ringrose came on he did well ) Earls was his usal self but he was tied up by Wales .And R K had one of his very good games and showed why he is there:: Murray was back near his real game , some hard and fast passing and his partner is showing he is going in the right direction with very clear instructions and directions to his backs IMO all the team fronted up today they hit Wales early and often and HARD::
Our Squad all of them from all Clubs did themselves proud ::for Ireland ok lads look beyond your noses :: if you want to come back at me just keep it to our squad not who they are !!
Still have lineout issues but refs have to clamp down on teams closing the gap. Both England and Wales did it to us. England got away with it, Wales were penalised a couple of times for it but still infringed at every lineout. We didn’t challenge theirs and you could clearly see the gap. They were all over our side all day. Need to warn ref of this during matches at WC. Our lineout is shaky enough without adding this encroaching to the mix
Improvements…
-Offloads?! Wha?!?!
-Excellent scrum…Porter being rode by a ref who was afraid to award the dominance we were showing at scrum time.
-Kept the penalty count under 10.
-very few line breaks against us.
-kicked intelligently when the carrying game wasn’t working
-Cronin did very well on his lineouts for the first time in ages, including a few to the back.
-everyone is beginning to find a bit of form
-a squad where a huge number of players are dipping in and out of positions and appearing to be relatively comfortable with it.
Room to improve…
-Murray and Sexton still have another gear to reach. Sexton’s intercept pass and errant 22 drop out…Murray frequently passed to the shoulder of the carrier and could have demanded cleaner ball at ruck time from both the ref and his forwards.
-once again camping ourselves in the opposition 22 and not getting the desired result from the dominance. We were full value for a 9 point won bit it ought to have been 20 given how much more were in the contest.
-I know we can’t help it, but I really hope we harness the emotion and fear around the qf as opposed to being overcome by it all.
Thought the 23 did very well. No drop in performance when replacements came on. We left some points behind but a good showing all the same. Well done!
Sexton game management superb Rory we need you congrats immense ,Kilcoyne getting better and better superb,Klien not the wrecking ball we hoped and Hello Rob Kearney shut the front door class World Class
And Earls?
Tough when Aki doesn’t pass the ball.
@Gavin O’Donoghue: funny how Henshaw seemed to do ok outside aki this weekend?
Sexton and Murray slowly getting back to there best..Both have missed a lot of Rugby so it will take a few games for them to get up to speed..I think Murray needs to improve his passing, but his experience is vital.. He got us that first penalty where the Welsh lads came up to early, and he was calling to the ref! Also think the line out will need a few games but I think it will benefit the forwards that Toner was left out, as we need more mobility in defence, Toner is to slow against the too teams, which can leave gabs in our defence..