THE QUESTION OF how strong a team Ireland should go with for their first two World Cup games, against Romania and Tonga, was up for discussion on today’s Rugby Weekly Extra, a podcast for subscribers to The 42.
Ireland play Romania in their Pool B opener on 9 September, followed by Tonga on 16 September before they face South Africa and Scotland.
Bernard Jackman, former Dragons coach and Ireland hooker, wondered whether Ireland should hold back in the opening two fixtures. He asked Murray Kinsella, The 42 rugby journalist, whether they should go half strength for Romania and full for Tonga, or the other way around.
“Personally, I’d go second string for Romania, they’re absolutely useless,” said Kinsella. “And then I’d go full for Tonga, get battle hardened.
“Yeah, maybe there’s a risk of injury, but you need an edge a week before you play the Boks. That’s how I’d go. The feeling is, though, or there’s a sense that they might actually go full strength against Romania, which I think would just be a waste of time, it could be 150-nil.”
Jackman said: “Well they’ll have to go full strength against Tonga as well then.”
He added: “Or you go full strength against Tonga, and you have a weaker bench. You don’t want to get into a situation like where we were against Samoa where you have to bring the bench on to salvage something. I think that would be too risky and also may be a bit of a blow in terms of momentum against South Africa.
“I prefer to go half (against Romania), with the likes of (Johnny) Sexton, (Ronán) Kelleher if he needs gametime starting, without taking any risks, and then full, full (against Tonga and South Africa).
Kinsella explained why he favours going full strength after the opening game against Romania.
“You want to be clever and use your squad wisely but it is – and not to diminish how tough it would be to play all those games – seven games and these guys are fit, they’re motivated more than they been in their entire careers and you don’t want to just waste chances to get your frontline team up to speed because, as we’ve seen, they’re not there yet,” he said.
“And that’s the thing, there’s key players for Ireland who understandably haven’t peaked yet and that’s a good thing. But they want to really get going now, Tadhg Beirne has shown glimpses of what he can do but hasn’t been the force that we’ve seen before.
“(Robbie) Henshaw is probably another one . . . not quite at the level that he can get to. That’s the benefit of having those Romania and Tonga games now, and that’s allowing them to get towards a peak for South Africa and then for Scotland and then onwards.”
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Ah thats pure bull whether the ref saw it or not we can clearly see he intentionally pulled the helmet clean off. Be sad to see a lad miss out on an all ireland final but rules are rules and he should be banned
@Jack: exactly,it shouldn’t matter who he’s is or what game it is.
It’s mad people saying “well it’s a shame he’ll miss final”
If it was first round who people be the same.
@Jack: a lot ud know about it
@Jack: but nothing for the galway man
Pipe down u Muppet
@Aido86: better he is playing Waterford have no excuse now if they lose. Let’s see for once what Waterford are made of.
@Jack: sure it’s the GAA different rules for the big players.
@Jack: if this guy was a normal bog standard Joe soap he’d be banned but its Austin Gleeson so different rules apply! It would have been sad to see a quality player miss out but he did what he did and this is an absolute joke!
@Jack: Again Tuohy did the same to Bonner Maher and got away with it so everyone giving out that special rules for AG need calm down a bit.
Both players should either be banned or allowed to play. Can’t leave one play and ban the other.
Come on people.
@Anthony O’Keeffe: absolutely, most of the comments against Gleason are from Cork and Galway . They are jealous of the talents that Waterford have got .. shame on you haters ..
@Jack: and the six o’clock news just proves if we didn’t know it already that the GAA is as crooked as a bonham’s tail , or the OCI , take your pick, a full joke…
@richard cooper: I support waterford 100percent & hope they win. but I believe the action by AG was intentional & he should have been sanctioned… what message does it give to younger players…. that’s not good role modeling.
@Jack: total joke the least serious of 3 helmet incidents suffers semi final ban and other 2 get to play final
@Mary Elizabeth Whittle: Ah you and your role models!!!!!
@Jack: Good to see common sense prevail
@Anthony O’Keeffe: most sensible comment on the thread
@maverick: do not personalise. have you something to say then say it if it’s constructive
@Finbarr Lucey: how are those lemons you are sucking ??
@richard cooper: Galway and Cork people can at least spell his name.
@richard cooper:Your talking through your “coop” richie most poster here from Cork are hopeing AG plays in the final, but really the way some waterford fans are trying to spin this is laughable.
@Enda McCallion: Because you feel you know me personally is it…you think it wasn’t intentional ?
You are having a laugh flembomb
@Jack: Gleeson was only helping him get up. It was very sporting of Austin actually.
Was always going to happen when the Galway player escaped suspension.
Looking forward now to a cracker of a final.
From a Cork man.
@IrishOwl: there is no comparison between Tuohy and Gleeson. It is clear as day Gleeson meant it and knew what he was doing. The better team won on the day but the antics of Waterford would make ya sour. Pulling and dragging all day with a sprinkle of cheap shots. If that’s what they are willing to stoop to to win, that’s on them but the GAAs primary responsibilities must be enforcing rules. All waterfords cry baby antics about De Burca have paralysed the GAA it seems, and that’s just plain wrong.
@Himalaya Joe: Cork were robbed! Go on strike! Fly the Confederate Flag! Eat sour grapes!
@Himalaya Joe: serious sour grapes from you. Waterford did no more pulling or dragging than Cork did. Cork players were falling down at the slightest touch. In relation to Gleeson – I hope he won’t get sanctioned but I feel he will as just about every media in the country have said he should be and that’s likely to have an influence. Fair trial? I doubt it.
@Sean Healy: Know why Cork is called Cork…… It keeps in the Whine!
@Sean Healy: fair trial?? Look at the picture. That’s called “bang to rights”. He was lucky to stay on the pitch. He should be counting his blessings he got 70 minutes in the semi final.
@Paul O Mahony: Yeah look at the picture, his helmet was not secure. A gust of wind could of knocked it off him. Like i said before if this rule is to be implemented checks should be made before the game starts.
@deise: don’t think it matters that the Helmut was tied or not.. don’t know why people are saying that. The boy reached down an intentionally pulled it off. Couldn’t care less id he plays or not.. too busy eating lemons.. but it certainly looks like he will get off.
@Fracko:’ya fool ya’ how cork of you!
@Himalaya Joe: is this clown serious did u not see the Cork defender kick out at Jamie Barron after his goal and the first yellow for cahalane for his challenge on Austin Gleeson and the challenge on Kevin Moran but it was all Waterford !!!!!
@deise: absolutely correct .. they are all jealous of waterford’s special talent . They would move mountains and earth to ban him for their own greed .
@Fracko: falling down like Nash when Bennet brushed off him, shut up dope
@richard cooper: we are ya. We re jealous of your kip of a county, your “city” and your 2 all irelands. Don’t make me laugh will ya!
@Himalaya Joe: what about the cork no.6 kicking Jamie Barron after scoring his second goal? But shur only a Waterford player is dirty or would do that kind of thing……….
@Himalaya Joe: are you a moderator or something ??? Ami allowed to make a comment …. you a keyboard warrior … lol
@deise: oh…so it wasn’t possible that it was pulled off him?
@Himalaya Joe: Up the Déise
@deise: have you something constructive to write.
@Paul Coughlan: Yes – get over the incident now, go live your life!
@Paul O Mahony: Well the ref didnt seem to think so :P
Disgraceful. Might aswell just ditch the rule altogether. Pointless having it when sometging as blatant as this happens and f all is done about it.
@Paul O Mahony: have to agree this is opening a can of worms
@43 major trophies: if it was unintentional then maybe you could argue it but this was blatant. What makes it worse is it happened by a Waterford player after all the De Burcha debacle. For that stupidity alone he should get it.
@43 major trophies: The can of worms was opened last week with the Galway player, a precedence was set last week not here, now if it was dealt properly with last week there would not be an issue here, the horse bolted or to use your phrase the can of worms was opened last week.
@Paul O Mahony: Both incidents involving sendings of only merit yellow cards anyway contact sport nobody getting seriously injured !
@Noel: well they need to change the rules if that what you think. People have been hurt though by having their face guards and helmets interfered with.
@Noel: What if a player has the helmet pulled off him during a game and then gets struck by a hurley and suffers serious brain damage? It’s a red card offence because it’s dangerous.
@Paul O Mahony: Rule should be yellow card and same in conor Gleeson tap with Hurley contact sport ok
@Paul O Mahony: name them paul not know of any ?
@Thomas O’ Donnell: or if a bird flew into his face of something like that when the helmet is off
@Noel: sorry there Noel but former Tipp full back Declan Fanning received 20 something stitches to reattach his ear back in 2010 after an altercation in which Stephen Banville ripped the helmet off his head. The rule was brought in with good reason – to prevent serious head and facial injuries
@Paul O Mahony: correct, if there was a rule there at all this is the clearest case/evidence!
@Noel: it’s not though is it? What’s the rule again?
Hope he plays. Don’t want Waterford having any excuses. Let the other glesson play as well #galway2017
Galway fans can have no complaints. Tuohy had a lucky escape, when really they both should have been banned. GAA disciplinary system is an absolute joke though, so that’s that. All that aside, would have been a shame to see Waterford without their star man in the final anyway. Canning v Gleeson should be some battle. A free-roaming centre forward against a free-roaming centre back, and both of them their teams best player? Bring it on.
@Ewan Euphrenza: to be fair I wouldnt say he is their star man this season. That’s being harsh on some other players who have contributed a lot more particularly this season. He was anonymous Sunday until the sending off. Barron is now one of the stars.
@Paul O Mahony: Cahalane committed 2 yellow cards offences against Austin which made him see Red. If that’s the turning point on the game then he had a big impact on game before last 15 minutes. No excuse for what he did with helmet pull. Indefensible…
@Tom O’Brien: first one was hard. My point was that tgis season he hasn’t played the same as last and that Barron is playing a lot better than him tgis season. If you honestly can say he has being playing better than Barron then I dont know what to say.
@Paul O Mahony: Agreed about Barron.. . I think Conor would be a bigger loss than Austin in final. He’d have the ability to keep an eye on Canning with a man marking job.
@Tom O’Brien: Second yellow was for a foul on Conor Glesson. First yellow was for a strike on Ozzie though.
It’s true that Ozzie changed the game tho. A moment of magic to set up Barron’s first goal, which turned the match. And then his own goal sealed the deal. It wasn’t as obvious as Canning’s natch winner the week before, but it was equally as critical to the final outcome. Hon the Déise. Up Mount Sion!!!!
@Ewan Euphrenza:
Galway fans don’t have any complaints unlike Waterford fans after the other semi emailing the sunday game trying to get Touhy banned. They were very quite last Sunday evening.
@BLACKBERRY: no need to call in on Sunday night, they spent about 5 minutes on the issue at halftime and at full time. It would have been preaching to the converted
@Ewan Euphrenza: ‘Galway fans can have no complaints’. This has nothing to do with Galway fans. They didn’t start a whinging campaign after the match trying to get him suspended, unlike the Waterford fans the previous sunday. CCC said in Tuohey’s case that the footage didnt show intent. Looks like the Gleeson incident won’t even be looked at by them, if this article is right. It would seem all of the ‘Its Austin Gleeson, forget the rules’ stuff over the last few days has put enough pressure on the officials and disciplinarians for them to look the other way.
Not sure where the rule goes now if this story is true (also think Tuohy should have been banned). This example of removing the helmet was one of the main reasons the rule was introduced – could easily have caused serious damage to Meade.
As for appealing the other Gleeson’s red card – could there be a more blatant example of striking. Until the GAA increase the ban for failed appeals that are found to have had no substance every county is going to chance their arm. Be much better to double a ban length is appeal all the way to DRA is failed – would make counties think twice about the validity of the appeal.
@Brian Barry: that’s a very good idea. Problem is, the rule would probably have to be changed at convention, and no county would vote in favour of it for fear they’d be shooting themselves in the foot at some later stage. Democracy is one of the GAA’s greatest strengths, but in cases like this, it’s one of the greatest weaknesses too.
@Brian Barry: very true Brian. According to Philip Mahoney in the Examiner he says he’s fairly sure the ref told Meade to put his straps back on which means he saw it but thought it came off in the tumble the 2 players took as there was no free. He must have seen the footage since so how can he stand by his original decision. Every commentator agrees he has to be sanctioned. Otherwise why have the rule at all.
@Newgate: thing is the ref cannot re ref the match once the match is over. He can’t watch a video afterwards and then retrospectively change his mind. If he thought the helmet straps had become dislodged in the rough and tumble at the time then that is the end of the matter.
No complaints about last Sunday’s result but whats the point in the GAA preaching from the high heavens about the big clampdown regarding players interfering with opponents safety equipment.
This serious foul play was on national TV for christs sake which was no doubt viewed by the next young generation of hurlers.
Are our underage gaa coaches just banging their head off a bloody wall and wasting their time in teaching children the laws of the game when the powers that be will just turn a blind eye to serious foul play because of internal politics.
He should be banned, full stop……. as he is certainly no role model for childred with his poor discipline.
@Mike Walsh: glee so does more of spectacular but de Burca is a better all round player.
@Mike Walsh: Cork were a disgrace in the closing stages with late pulls sly dogs and dangerous pulling . Take your beating like a man and don’t let people see you are a crybaby with your faux outrage . Ye all travelled up in numbers with big cocky heads up on ye and ye got a big shock when the deise boys did not follow the script. We destroyed ye!! DESTROYED Ye!!! Direct your faux outrage at the utter hurling incompetence of your players . Now dry up your tears and get on with your life !
@Joe O’riordan: Thats pure tripe Joe..
@joe o Riordan:That is fair shite from you.The way waterford supporters are going on their will be alot of support for Galway.
@John Carroll: the answer was in response to a ludicrous assertion by the original poster not that I would expect a clown like you to understand the nuances of debate and riposte …
@Joe O’riordan: Seems like you got a big chip on your shoulder there Joey boy, glad i helped you shed some of your inferiority complex by letting you shoot your load
Whether Gleeson gets a ban or not you REALLY have to question the intelligence, or lack there of, of the man. There he was playing with the number 5 on his hand in tribute to his teammate de Burca who was banned in what Waterford people felt was controversial circumstances for interference with the helmet and the media storm surrounding it and then he goes and blatantly pulls the helmet off Luke Meade’s head right in front of the officials. I struggle to have sympathy for him. The rule is harsh in it’s implementation but of all counties Waterford and their players should have been acutely aware of it’s ramifications. I hope he gets off for the betterment of the final and not because I feel it would be a personal shame for him to miss out. Curb your enthusiasm a wee bit young Gleeson.
@Mike Breen: really don’t think the rule is a harsh one – happened to Tipps Declan fanning v Wexford years ago, did severe damage to his ear n ended up with a shitload of stitches! The rule is the rule – end of – n it can do serious harm! If I read again someone sayin ‘ah it’ll b a shame if he misses final’ ill craic up. Tough s**t if ya ask me – don’t care how good he is!
The whole system is ludicrous, if officials miss something so blatant in a match the incident is swept under the carpet if the ref turns around and says I’m happy with how I dealt with it.
Isn’t the whole point of the situation that the severity of the incident was missed by Owens!!
@Ray Laffan: spot in ray. Therefore Owens should hauled up and asked why he didn’t red card gleeson
@Ray Laffan: if you look at association football, they have the exact same rule. If it’s dealt with on the pitch at the time by the ref, no case can be taken later.
@Ray Laffan: if you look at association football, they have the exact same rule. If it’s dealt with on the pitch at the time by the ref, no case can be taken later.
@Sean Healy: and yet you want Conor Gleeson to get off? Go figure!
@Tadhg Keating: hello! Anyone home? Conor Gleeson was sent off. We’re (most of us at least) are discussing Austin.
As a Cork man and a hurling fan, I hope this is true as the final will be all the better with Gleeson playing. There is no doubt but he is one of the best hurlers in the country with the ability to light up any game. I was at the game on Sunday and did see Owens tell Meade to tie his straps after the incident. I can only assume Owens didn’t see what happened because if he did he would have had to send Gleeson off. Something is now going to have be done about this rule as in its current guise it’s not fair to players or teams. I know De Burca was sent off for his incident and the other two weren’t but for this rule to be implemented fairly, games should be reviewed by the authorities and serious foul play , whether or not seen by the ref should be dealt with retrospectively.
GAA are a joke!!
To all the begruders on this site , lads it’s an amateur sport.
I’d hate to hear what yed say if ye were watching hurling in the 60s or 70s.
The game has gone too clinical today.
Best wishes Gleeson and all the Waterford team and mentors hope you go all the way, it’s well deserved.
From a Kilkenny supporter
@Bob Murphy: nothing to do with begrudgery all to do with inept officials and not physically fit enough to be up with play he was miles from the 2nd sending off and could not have seen Austin pull on helmet.
Query now is all players who were
Sent off for this must now be fairly sick
Refs are mostly robots doing what Gaa head boys club tell them without doubt Owens got a phone call to dictate his report. However thrilled a guy with his talent plays in an all ireland final as it may never happen again .
@Bob Murphy: thanks Bob. Appreciated. I never realised cork were so bitter. They could learn a lot about graciousness from kk fan’s. Kk took their beating tremendously and had nothing but goodwill for Waterford since. A Class bunch compared to the cocky bitter rebels
@Bob Murphy: ah ya Bob sure let lads wail into each other with the caman and knock each other’s teeth out. It’s a man’s game after all!
Irish Examiner speculation is fact now is it? He’s defo going to miss it
@Cathal: For someone thats so sure hes going to miss it – you post alot of comments about it :D
@deise: All I’m asking is where has the story originated that he’s getting off? A journalist in the examiner has decided to write it based on ZERO facts, with ZERO quotes from the GAA, the CCCC or the referee. It’s pure speculation by one man and people are taking it as fact. I don’t care if he gets off or not. I’m just amazed people take something written with no back up as fact
@Cathal: From the referees match report. Your comment of how he is “defo going to miss it” is also speculation at this point, however it looks more likely no action will be taken.
@Cathal: seems Irish Examiner had the facts right after all. Cathal, you need to ditch your sources.
@Cathal: Looks like the RTE panel got your hopes up.
Fact remains, the Examiner article was based solely on speculation at the time. His guess just worked out.
Phone traffic must have been very heavy from about 4.50pm till Ref got home! Whilst I hate to see the best players miss out it was very blatant. See no point in trying to coach or instill discipline in young lads.
@Shane Farrell: Owens fatally harmed his professional reputation. He bottled decision on Gleason and while I want him playing on first Sunday in September this decision
Speaks volumes from nasty side of Gaa
@Tim Brennan: the thing he (Owens) is amateur not a professional…..
@Maurice Mulcahy: he is a top ranking ref in Gaa terms and players deserve better protection than the see no evil hear no evil response. Does it have to come to someone receiving a serious neck injury before he decides to act. Personally delighted Gleason is playing for a right good game but he won’t get away with any skulduggery next time
This is outrageous! There is clear and conclusive evidence that he intentionally grabbed and pulled the helmet clean off him! The GAA must be consistent in their application of the rules and ban him for the final. However, it seems the ‘Gleeson v Canning’ headlines must be enough for them to turn a blind eye! Absolutely disgraceful!
He was just trying to help luke adjust his helmet, in mount sion thats how gleeson tells ya you are playing well, gleeson once saved a litter of puppy’s from a burning building, no way should he be suspended. #saintGleeson
If James Owens is satisfied with how he officiated that game he should never be allowed to referee at inter county level again. If the rule in regard to the interference of another players helmet is not going to be enforced get rid of it. It is constantly being said that it would be terrible for Gleeson to miss the final but rules are rules, however in the GAA are they?
@David Nihill: yup he’s basically just written his own P45. He said he saw the incident and dealt with it…..by blatantly disgregading a rule implented to protect players faces and ears from bad injuries
It’s Waterford’s all Ireland now I think. I remember when we won our third all Ireland back in 1893. We had a great night ;)
Glesson should have being sent off in the first half. I wonder who would have won the game then!
@Todd: Waterford
It seems now you can rip the helmet straight off a fella but if you’re not looking at him it’s fine. Absolute horseshit that is
Hell almost certainly miss the final and deservedly so. All players know the rules it’s a cowardly foul too and deserves a ban in my opinion.
The gaa’s rulebook is an absolute shambles. Zero consistency and too many appeals processes. But at least now Waterford will have no ready made excuses and it’ll be a case of the best team on the day winning.
Ok he shouldnt of done it and a rule is a rule. However look at the pic above the helmet came off his head without the straps opening…. Was the helmet secure in the first place should there be a check on this before matches start?
@deise: Rule relates to whether the helmet is pulled or not. Irrelevant if it comes off or not
@Cathal: Exactly, thats what im saying should it be changed to ensure helmets are secure in the first place. If this rule is to be enforced correctly then in my opinion yes they should be checked.
If diarmuid connolly had done that he’d be banned for life
Both him and Touhy should have been banned, from a waterford man. We’ve benefited, but inconsistencies of gaa decision making are laughable.
Refusal appeal Tadhg be Burca announced in middle night 2 days prior, disciplinary committed process is a joke because panders to too many internal bodies wanting a say, as a result no agreement on anything or how anything applied
@ginger tomatoes i9: Spot on! There’s no point in having the rule if they’re not going to enforce it
Look lads 31 counties say it was a red card, 31 counties wud not like him to miss the final either but he did very wrong! The ref is out of order really. Bad day for him today. His ears must be buzzing from his mobile phone. Sure we can do what we want on de pitch so. Bad example from the GAA this. Don’t be surprised if he gets the final.
Good decision.
@Ciarán: What decision? This is just a journo speculating. No facts backing it. Gleeson defo going to miss final
@Cathal: Lets hope they make a sensible decision then.
@Ciarán: it’s pretty straight forward. He misses the final
It says more about the quality of Mr Owens qualities as a referee than Austin Gleason – a very poor ref constantly in love with the red card and miles from the play. Just shows with B Cody and now Austin how shabby the treatment of Diarmuid Connolly has been. Not called grab all association for nothing.
Dead right @ Ray Laffen! James Owens is the problem here for him to say you were happy with the way he officiated the game and he missed something like that! He’s either blind a poor referee or he’s biased against Cork!!
@Ciaran Cronin:
Tell Dublin that James Owens is biased against Cork- remember a certain Semi- Final against Cork a few years back. Mr Owens cost Dublin the match!
So is he satisfied that he sent off Pa Horgan too? Great to see refs taking responsibility
I know it’s the rule but Jesus lads be a bit more happy to see one of the games best playing on the big day Canning V Gleeson is what we want to see not Galway win and Waterford missing their best player
Whoever wins, it better to have two full strength sides, less excuses afterwards. Liam is in for some celebrating whether it goes south or west. Gailimh Abu
As a nation we deserve an Aussie v Canning final
@David Carroll:no. He got to play the semi final in its entirety without being sent off. That was his luck. He doesn’t deserve to play simply because of who he is. The sheer stupidity of the act alone considering all that had gone on in the build up to the semi final warrants a ban.
I would hate to see anyone miss out on anygame, but the GAA rule book is a joke now if this is true.The hole is getting bigger and bigger keep digging boys!!!
Just bring back the sin bin, 7 mins for a serious offense.14 men for that period, most hurlers would accept that, most supporters too.
Red card for striking offenses only with Hurley, fist, or foot ( kick ).
That should minimize the use of committees, appeals, DRA etc.
Think if Ownes sees nothing wrong with the A Gleeson incidents it’s a poor reflection on his capabilities to ref again. Least with the De Burga incident the linesman and ref made a decision(think wrong).
Saw the tweet from Eddie Brennan and he’s right. The rule is gone. Imagine the up roar if say joe canning gets set off in the final so similar.
It’s the most blatant one out of the 3 issues this year regarding the interference of a opposing players helmet. And yet he gets off. Very strange
On the basis of the helmet when I play if I take a heavy shoulder sometimes the clips will open but you will never take the helmet clean off my head without the clips opening. Look at Stephen Bennett’s ban for instance he nearly took your mans head off but the clips didn’t open and it didn’t come off his head either. What I’m trying to say is Luke Meades helmet must be quite loose must be the way he likes it so the helmet is gonna come off easier than some others. Still doesn’t make what Gleeson did right I’m just saying we all need to have a bit of cop on and get over it and look forward to what is hopefully a good All Ireland final.
@Brian Murphy: if you grab the guard it’s a red too.
@Barry O’Connor: It is a red I’m admitting that but look we are human we make mistakes we make rash decisions that we may regret. The rule needs to change or be enforced more consistently. Hopefully the officials and Gleeson will learn from this. One suggestion I have is possibly have the ref wearing a microphone(not broadcasting over the tv because the language would be ridiculous) but to have on record for the GAA go over after a game has finished so they can see and hear how a ref has dealt with a situation in a game. I’m trying to take my Waterford hat off and just talk about my love for the game I’m sick of arguing with lads over the last few days.
@Brian Murphy: very logical Brian. I’m a Cork man and I would agree with ya. It’s a pity that this is happening to ye ahead of the all Ireland. Ye played great and deserved the win and strategically were fantastic with the extra man. Best of luck in the final al hope gleeson plays a blinder.
Rules are there to give guidance and In this case lets have the talent in both teams on the field On the first sunday in sept . Austin broke our hearts sunday in cork but his talent must be their for all sports lovers in the all Ireland. Yes he sinned on Sunday but how many times has he been sinned against. Come on Let us see the best players battle it out on the field . The preoccupation with suspensions is madness
@Tim Brennan:So by that logic we should allow Conor Gleeson to play as well in the All Ireland Final Hoggie in the first rd next yr, and Diarmuid connolly should never have been suspended and sure what the heck lets burn the rule book all together.Where do you stop Tim???
@John Carroll: well in your logic John that’s what the gaa have done this evening with the See no evil hear no evil approach.
To hell with it bring on a cracker of a game. Everyone is baying for players to be sent off and bye the way my sympathy goes out to cork minor Robert Downey Just am over zealous attempt to strike the ball Was their intent to strike Dublin player no.
We could go around the house but hopefully two good all Ireland finals will display Hurling In a better light
Gleeson free to play all ireland. Just now announced on rte app. Come on galway.
Gleeson regularly commits sending off offences but never gets sanctioned. Bubbles O’Dwyer was the same for Tipp until it finally caught up with him. Luckily for him it was a Munster semi final match and didn’t affect the result or the next game. Will Gleeson be so lucky especially now that his card is marked?
@Chicken George: watch this space he will have to be careful in the final he has played his hand as he got off on pressure but not be admitted on Owens – you will get next all ireland son as we must give Offaly Man his last huray this year
It’s probably better for the match that he is playing but i think we have just witnessed the end of rule 5.19. Referee bottled it.
How can the ref say he was happy with how he dealt with the situation?
If he told Luke Meade to put on his straps then the ref thought Meade’s Helmet came off in a tumble without interference from Gleeson…. And this is why Gleeson wasn’t sent off…so in this situation the ref has clearly not seen the incident.
When shown the incident how can the ref stand over his initial reading of it. It’s so clear that Gleeson rips the helmet from Meade’s head…typical GAA where the rules aren’t really the rules
@Barry O’Connor: Is the ref not supposed to issue his report before he gets to watch the game or read any of the papers so that his opinion on any of the incidents in the game isn’t changed?
@Brian Murphy: my point is he couldn’t have mentioned that incident in his report, because then he would have to say he saw Gleeson pull Meade’s Helmet off and didn’t enforce the rules. If he said Meade’s Helmet came off in a tussle then he actually admits to missing the incident which is Meade’s Helmet was pulled off by Gleeson
@Barry O’Connor: @brian Murphy if he missed the incident he’s shown it again and asked does he think he took the correct course of action? He obviously said he saw nothing wrong with it…so how is he a referee?
@Barry O’Connor: if he mentions in his report that dealt with it (very badly I might add) during the game. There is nothing the CCC can do about it because it’s in his report. Thats my point he is supposed to issue the report before he gets to review the game so his report is wrong therefore the CCC can’t take any action. I’m from Waterford I’m admitting he should be suspended I’m just saying it was a poor decision by the ref. I have a love/hate opinion on Gleeson when he is on form he is unplayable but he is far too inconsistent for me. Shouldn’t of gotten hurler of the year in my opinion but that’s just me. At the end of the day he’s a very lucky boy I just think it’s time to move on and stop dragging his name through the dirt like he’s killed someone.
The gaa might as well throw away the rule book !! Crazy decision !!!
This frustrates me so much. He was so obvious like! He clearly clenched his fist and took Meades helmet off. It shouldn’t matter that he is missing an All Ireland Final, in 1999 Roy Keane in soccer got suspended for the Champions League Final. I know its a completely different incident but just because it’s a final doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be suspended. It’s a complete joke. And another point, Patrick Horgan was sent off for absolutely nothing! He touched Gleeson on the back and Gleeson hit him with the hurley! The disciplinary system in the GAA is terrible, if Tadhg DeBurca got suspended then the Galway guy and Austin Gleeson should be suspended. Plus where was the lines man for the helmet incident??
Why don’t the GAA just give the cup to Waterford
If the match was not televised and there was no such thing as the Sunday game Austin gleeson would be a free man coming into the game but know he has this in his mind
@Darraghmalone: and if my aunt had balls she would be my uncle.
@Paul O Mahony: they would probably suit her to
@Anthony O’Keeffe: no comparison between what Tuohy did and what Gleeson did . Tuohys pull was during play and he was looking away from player. Gleesond pull
Was while play was stopped and he slid his fingers INTENTIONALLY into the helmet guard and pulled it off .
Yes Gleeson should of been sent off. Yes he should have a suspension. Yes cahalanes sending off was the turning point of the game. But Cork lacked a Plan B. Damien Cahalane is a fine hurler but has a poor record of sending off 2/3 times this year alone. Correct me if I’m wrong. So I question the management who should see that this lad is liable to get himself in trouble early in a game what can we do to protect him? What is our Plan B just incase this happens? So all this talk that Cork would of won is something that we will never know.
@Brian Murphy: Waterford didn’t need a plan b because the ref/linesman didn’t do their job.
@Luke: Waterfords Plan B was their use of the bench. What did Cork do to change it after the sending off?
trial by media. the source article only has quotes from another Waterford player. joke
Never heard Barry Kelly’s reaction last week pure bs journalism
Too often top players dirty acts are excused due to their ability. Gleeson is at best a player who plays on the edge and will continue to cross the line until he is pulled up. Hopefully the Galway players can bait him in the final and he will become a liability!
Awful lot of people giving crap here. That game was a savage game. Im a cork man and was seriously gutted. Waterford were better on the day. Needs to be accepted. Cork learned lots of lessons and they learned the hard way. I think gleeson pulled on the helmet and I understand the rules and there should be no exceptions but since I don’t give a crap about the rules I would say he should be allowed to play. Cause then there are me excuses. So never mind the getting crappy with each other lads. We are all Irish and we have the best sport in the world. Will be a great final and from a cork man the potential for championship next year is unreal.
Justice was done , happy days !
@niall kennedy: justice? please explain. Whatever about tadhg but austins indiscresion is fully deserving of a ban!
@niall kennedy: here here! so we all agree(ccc included) that it is ok to pull the helmet off your opponents head (ssshh…as long as you don’t get caught!!)
@richard cooper The main talent the Waterford hurlers(and Mayo footballers)have is shitting on the eggs when the big day comes
Was Conor Gleeson’s offence not a lesser one than Austin Gleesons…less dangerous, less sinister?
Why should he pay a heavy price just because the official saw one and not the other and in hindsight says he thinks he dealt with it when clearly he didn’t.
If Austin escapes (and I hope he does) I think Conor is all entitled to a appeal (as is Horgan) and can feel hard done by if unsuccessful
@Quad Quad: Difference is C. Gleeson was seen striking with the Hurley- red card offence. Incident involving A. Gleeson happened so quickly it obviously wasn’t seen because if it was he, would have had to been sent off. C. Gleeson unlucky and A. Gleeson very lucky.
Nobody died get over it. It’s a mans game and the best game in the world for skill and played by amateurs. Let the Man have his day for the final. Things happen on the field of play in the heat of battle.
Ah lads come on, as a Cork man we can’t be greedy as we have won it 30 times. At least spare a thought for these poor people of the South East and let them have something to cheer for(they might never get there again). I wish these poor folk success in the final even though they have a mountain to climb.
Just like a motorbike helmut it should be wore tight , not like a Easter bonnet , tighten the strap as your instructed and you won’t have this problem .
Some load of Cork supporters have been the most sour sore losers I have ever seen. Your team was hammered. Look closer to home instead of blaming everyone else.
@Eamonn Sheen: sour? the Waterford fans after the u21 semi brought sourness to another level!
@Ailín Ó Céileachair: With the behaviour on the so called “banter” pages and flying of racist symbols Cork supporters should be ashamed of themselves. Even after being told what the confederate flag stands for they vow to continue flying it. Cork GAA is due a strike about it.
@Eamonn Sheen: as a corkmam no bitterness best team won end of story
If Waterford win it now it’ll be forever tainted with this debacle….. Will they really deserve it?
There’s some bitter, tipp and Kilkenny supporters on this, the amount of stuff those teams have got away with through the years is unreal… some cork fans are bitterly disappointed they didn’t reach the final, but there time will come again, quality physical team with shed loads more to come…
I’ve never encountered such sore losers in all my life…
can’t wait for the 3rd to come, it’ll be an incredible battle… if Waterford can’t get over the line that day, we’ll tip the cap at the tribesmen and let them enjoy it!!!
And as for the rest of the begrudgers, a couple of words come to mind…
*uck ye
@Rory Kavanagh: I’m a kk fan and I’d love to see our neighbours win liam mc !! But the rules are there and Austin should be suspended for the final !! It would be awful tough on him but the helmet pull was blatant !!!
Glad that he is not missing the final but it clearly demonstrates how the CCC as a body should be brought to task over their in consistency re observing the rules of the organisation. Its a slap in the face for every referee & volunteer in every club. Change the rules if necessary but be consistent.
Gleeson is a very lucky boy, not to mention the fact that he’s a complete idiot to do what he did, especially considering all of the hype over his teammate, and Adrian Tuohy. He may be the best hurler in Ireland, but he’s also something of a loose cannon, and I’ve no doubt that Galway will target him in the final.
So is it legal now to pull the helmet off a player? Beginning to look like it !
@Ciarán: Why?
Does this mean that Austin is cleared to pull helmets off any Galway players he tackles in the final ? It seems unfair to me but maybe I just don’t understand. I hope no one gets hurt on account of this free for all !
Farce , a clear act of violent aggression and its seems to be becoming a trait with Waterford players. But at least it’s 1 excuse less for the blas if they lose
embarrassing
I’m sorry to say but James Owen must have been got at . There is no way he could be happy with his performance and definitely not the way he dealt with Austin Gleeson. He should be ashamed of himself and the powers that be should drop Owens from their panel. A poor ref and Gleeson should be getting a Mass said for him.
A picture paints a thousand words.