1. Are Laois really on the road to respectability?
Leaving Tullamore last June after being torched by Dublin, Laois were in a bad and brutal place. Amazingly it got worse in the qualifiers as Limerick hit a half dozen goals against them. Laois were at a low ebb, so they shopped local. Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett came in and has gone back to basics.
A kind draw has them in a provincial semi-final. An O’Moore Park gig against Galway is exactly the environment to examine how much progress has actually been made.
A passionate and purposeful showing is what Laois will be striving to produce. By five o’clock on Sunday Laois will be completely aware of where they truly stand.
Anthony Daly and Liam Dunne are furiously preparing for Saturday’s revealing Leinster Senior Hurling Championship replay at Parnell Park. What the first match lacked in inspiration was certainly made up for through sheer perspiration.
Tough and tight. Tense too. The sequel shouldn’t be any different. Daly and Dunne pulled a few strokes altering the complexion of their starting XV’s. Just to add to the intrigue. Replays are usually won by whichever outfit learns and subsequently adapts. Another game, an extra chance to shine.
Rectifying scoreless spells and finding the best berth for the talents of Liam Rushe and Conal Keaney is what will dominate Daly’s thought process this week. A year ago Dunne promised Wexford could return to the top table under his watch. Could this be a step on that journey?
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Anthony Daly
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
3. Can the Galway attack help JC?
The NHL brought mixed results for Galway, but again the scoring burden was carried by Joe Canning. Frees beefed up Canning’s hauls, but from open play Galway’s forward unit weren’t exactly thrilled by their figures and statistics.
Outside of Canning Davy Glennon was Galway’s most threatening operator up front. Direct and capable of vexing backs Glennon’s tricky footwork frequently means he will be dragged to the deck. Glennon hit five points for his club Mullagh during a recent Galway SHC loss to Ardrahan.
He has the fire to make a summer impact. Galway’s campaign won’t be defined in Portlaoise, but positive statements must be made. Glennon looks primed, willing, ready, and able. How many others can join him?
Davy Glennon
Pic: INPHO/Mike Shaughnessy
4. Is a good start half the battle?
Anthony Cunningham has Galway expertly drilled to adopt a swift, counter attacking style. Last year the majority of Galway’s Championship jousts followed a familiar script. Galway commenced brightly, taking a lead and it ensured their opponents had to respond.
For emphasis, recall the Leinster Championship wins over Offaly and Kilkenny. Even the drawn All Ireland with Kilkenny showcased Galway’s ability to worry teams with a smart opening salvo.
When Galway were forced to chase the game, though, particularly in the All Ireland replay they encountered turbulence. Obviously Laois won’t bring the same forward punch as Kilkenny, but they will be anxious to put doubt into the Corribsiders’, who must build on a promising 2012 adventure.
Galway boss Anthony Cunningham with his players.
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
5. Where are Dublin and Wexford in the pecking order?
Talk about Division 1A and 1B lessened a bit following Limerick’s passionate burst in the Gaelic Grounds. There is a vast difference between spring and summer, but does that Limerick triumph over Tipperary augur well for whoever emerges from Dublin and Wexford?
That is a burning question that could be debated at length, but have Dublin lost some of the bite and bark that had them rated as real Championship contenders before the start of the past two campaigns?
The sterling work at second and underage level has brought them so far, but a Allianz NHL isn’t enough to satisfy their appetite. When Tipperary fended them off in the 2011 All Ireland semi-final Dublin looked to be on the verge of the big time. It hasn’t quite happened for them since.
Wexford would relish the opportunity to hurl in mid August, but their ambitions haven’t been quite as lofty as Dublin’s for several years now. A sign of the times perhaps, but Dublin and Wexford want to edge closer to seriously competing with the aristocrats of Kilkenny, who will be next on the agenda.
Wexford’s Eoin Quigley and Garrett Sinnott tackle John McCaffrey of Dublin
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
5 talking points before this weekend's Leinster SHC action
1. Are Laois really on the road to respectability?
Leaving Tullamore last June after being torched by Dublin, Laois were in a bad and brutal place. Amazingly it got worse in the qualifiers as Limerick hit a half dozen goals against them. Laois were at a low ebb, so they shopped local. Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett came in and has gone back to basics.
A kind draw has them in a provincial semi-final. An O’Moore Park gig against Galway is exactly the environment to examine how much progress has actually been made.
A passionate and purposeful showing is what Laois will be striving to produce. By five o’clock on Sunday Laois will be completely aware of where they truly stand.
Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett.
Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
2. They will be busy on the sideline at the ‘Nell
Anthony Daly and Liam Dunne are furiously preparing for Saturday’s revealing Leinster Senior Hurling Championship replay at Parnell Park. What the first match lacked in inspiration was certainly made up for through sheer perspiration.
Tough and tight. Tense too. The sequel shouldn’t be any different. Daly and Dunne pulled a few strokes altering the complexion of their starting XV’s. Just to add to the intrigue. Replays are usually won by whichever outfit learns and subsequently adapts. Another game, an extra chance to shine.
Rectifying scoreless spells and finding the best berth for the talents of Liam Rushe and Conal Keaney is what will dominate Daly’s thought process this week. A year ago Dunne promised Wexford could return to the top table under his watch. Could this be a step on that journey?
Anthony Daly
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
3. Can the Galway attack help JC?
The NHL brought mixed results for Galway, but again the scoring burden was carried by Joe Canning. Frees beefed up Canning’s hauls, but from open play Galway’s forward unit weren’t exactly thrilled by their figures and statistics.
Outside of Canning Davy Glennon was Galway’s most threatening operator up front. Direct and capable of vexing backs Glennon’s tricky footwork frequently means he will be dragged to the deck. Glennon hit five points for his club Mullagh during a recent Galway SHC loss to Ardrahan.
He has the fire to make a summer impact. Galway’s campaign won’t be defined in Portlaoise, but positive statements must be made. Glennon looks primed, willing, ready, and able. How many others can join him?
Davy Glennon
Pic: INPHO/Mike Shaughnessy
4. Is a good start half the battle?
Anthony Cunningham has Galway expertly drilled to adopt a swift, counter attacking style. Last year the majority of Galway’s Championship jousts followed a familiar script. Galway commenced brightly, taking a lead and it ensured their opponents had to respond.
For emphasis, recall the Leinster Championship wins over Offaly and Kilkenny. Even the drawn All Ireland with Kilkenny showcased Galway’s ability to worry teams with a smart opening salvo.
When Galway were forced to chase the game, though, particularly in the All Ireland replay they encountered turbulence. Obviously Laois won’t bring the same forward punch as Kilkenny, but they will be anxious to put doubt into the Corribsiders’, who must build on a promising 2012 adventure.
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
5. Where are Dublin and Wexford in the pecking order?
Talk about Division 1A and 1B lessened a bit following Limerick’s passionate burst in the Gaelic Grounds. There is a vast difference between spring and summer, but does that Limerick triumph over Tipperary augur well for whoever emerges from Dublin and Wexford?
That is a burning question that could be debated at length, but have Dublin lost some of the bite and bark that had them rated as real Championship contenders before the start of the past two campaigns?
The sterling work at second and underage level has brought them so far, but a Allianz NHL isn’t enough to satisfy their appetite. When Tipperary fended them off in the 2011 All Ireland semi-final Dublin looked to be on the verge of the big time. It hasn’t quite happened for them since.
Wexford would relish the opportunity to hurl in mid August, but their ambitions haven’t been quite as lofty as Dublin’s for several years now. A sign of the times perhaps, but Dublin and Wexford want to edge closer to seriously competing with the aristocrats of Kilkenny, who will be next on the agenda.
Wexford’s Eoin Quigley and Garrett Sinnott tackle John McCaffrey of Dublin
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
11 of Galway’s 2012 All-Ireland final side to start against Laois
Lee Chin to start for Wexford hurlers against Dublin
2 changes in Dublin team for Leinster SHC replay with Wexford
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Comment All-Ireland Senior HC Dublin Galway Laois Wexford