HEAVY DEFEATS FOR Westmeath and Laois in the Leinster hurling championship over the weekend sparked a conversation on The Sunday Game about how to best help develop the game of hurling in weaker counties across the country.
Saturday’s three games in the Leinster hurling championship produced two massively one-sided contests, with Kilkenny beating Laois on a score of 2-34 to 1-14 in Nowlan Park while Galway were 3-37 to 1-17 winners at home to Westmeath. The weekend previously, Westmeath conceded 5-23 against Kilkenny in the opening round of the championship round robin.
The lop-sided nature of those scorelines led to a discussion on the The Sunday Game last night about what the GAA can do to help the development of hurling in weaker counties, with the likes of Laois and Westmeath expected to experience more difficult outings in the coming weeks.
Sunday Game host Des Cahill put it to Dónal Óg Cusack and Anthony Daly that the current structure might not be beneficial for a team like Westmeath in the long run.
“The margin of victory in those two games, and it’s tough for Westmeath going in against a Galway team that had to prove something to themselves, but conceding 3-37, people are questioning is this valid?” Cahill asked.
“Is it worthwhile? Is it good for Westmeath?”
Donal Óg and Anthony reckon the GAA needs huge, planned investment in the smaller counties if hurling is to thrive. pic.twitter.com/5kpWe0IxFL
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) April 24, 2022
“Well I think if you ask the Westmeath players themselves, they’d prefer to be up playing at the top level and I fully understand that, but when it comes to that question I can’t help being drawn towards… It’s almost a travesty that we can’t spread hurling more on this island,” Cusack said.
“Everybody talks about how they love watching hurling, they think it’s such a unique part of our culture and so on, and I really think it needs investment in the likes of Westmeath, but real investment –money, that dirty word that people don’t want to talk about.
“We’ve seen in Dublin that the GAA specifically – and they were right – they knew it was really important that for the long-term success and health of the GAA, they needed to invest in Dublin. They were absolutely right, it’s the capital of the country.
“But I think it’s as important if you look at the likes of Belfast, for the future of the GAA, that hurling is won in Belfast. And I think to do that it needs money and proper investment.
There’s a lot of talk around the directors of hurling over the last while. It’s not about going out doing ball-alley sessions, for me. It’s about if you are in that position, you’re actually watching where is that money going. Kildare need that money, they’re showing great strides. Kerry, are we just going to abandon (them)?
“I think it need investment. I think you have to admit, say the likes of Kerry, the county board structure has been responsible for hurling there for almost 150 years, yet you see where Kerry hurling is. I think the GAA needs to go on a specific mission with money, take control of it and invest in those counties. The likes of Belfast (Antrim), Kildare, Westmeath, all of those, in the same way that they did to ensure the success of the GAA in Dublin.”
Former Clare and Dublin manager Daly stressed the importance of having competitive teams involved in underage competitions.
“When I went to Dublin in the winter of 2008 to start in 2009, you think about it, the combined Dublin Colleges team had won an All-Ireland colleges (title), Leinsters were being won. Dublin beat Kilkenny in the minor last week, no-one raised an eyebrow,” Daly said.
At one stage in Kerry, they had a combined second-level colleges team competing in the Harty Cup. For a fella going out saying he beat a Flannan’s or a Colman’s or someone in a Harty Cup game and going then playing minor with his county and (moving) up along, he has big expectations. I think that’s crucial.
“A director of hurling, we’ve had two fantastic blokes in Paudie (Butler) and Martin (Fogarty) doing that, but we need a better strategic plan in my opinion to look at the big picture, not just going in for a night doing a session.
“You need a bigger plan to look at getting possibly the two Joe McDonagh counties, could we even have given the two that are there home fixtures against the big four in Leinster?
“Just say it’s on in Mullingar, it’s on in Portlaoise, get on with it and we’ll toss for whether you are at home or away when you meet. It would be a help, because I saw Westmeath giving Galway a bit of a fright down there a few years ago. It would be a small help.”
Originally published at 14.26
The IRFU will eventually ruin all the good work they’ve done over the last few decades. It’s laughable that an organisation that hand picks foreign talent to play in their national team can turn around to a home grown player and tell him he’s illegible because he plays in a different country.
@Chicken George: New Zealand and England both do the same thing. Is it laughable when they do it?
@Conor Paddington: it’s a 24hr + flight from Europe to New Zealand. Their season also runs on a different schedule to Europe. It makes practice sense for them to have that policy.
England have a massive strength in depth compared to Ireland.
Wales have picked non Wales based players and have arguably seen more success on the field than Ireland.
Policy may end up hurting us long term.
@Ted Logan: get over it. The policy won’t be changed and Ryan and zebo both knew the situation before they left.
@Ted Logan: it’s not a coincidence that the top 3 ranked teams in the world have the same policy. Wales is a bad counter example because they are implementing a similar policy this year, similar to Australias. South Africa have done so, too.
NZ’s policy applies to anyone playing abroad, not just in Europe, and it isn’t just about travel time, ir is about playing in the same system. As in Ireland’s case, that means increased player welfare and a cohesive coaching philosophy. It works.
@Jim Demps:
Get over what?
Ryan wasn’t offered an IRFU contract that his form deserved. Policy or no policy I’m sure he’d prefer to be playing in Ireland.
Zebo I think you’ll find is still playing in Ireland. So he is only not getting picked now because his form is bad. That’s the only reason
Beirne – the best Irish second row in the Pro 14 this season is not picked.
Ireland are not in as good shape as some people think they are. I hope we are going to Twickenham in the 17th of March with a chance of a grand slam but, the next two home games will tell a lot to where we really are.
I think we currently have one of the most talented squads of players ever but are we building to a proper World Cup Challenge next year? I am not so sure.
@Ted Logan: podcast Ryan’s interview on off the ball from last week. Other than being well worth a listen, he finally put this to bed. It was not about the central contract, or money. He is coming to the end of his year. First, he wanted to try something new. Second, he wanted to end his 13 years with Munster on his terms, rather than somebody else’s down the line. Anyway, the fact losing his international availability would have made him less likely to leave.
@Ted Logan: you said the policy will end up hurting us when in reality, with such a small player pool, it’s making us the team we are. The only people losing out are fringe players who decided to leave. Zebos form doesn’t warrant an Irish call up. Ryan’s maybe but I’d still pick the 22 year old over him with a view to the World Cup next year.
@Conor Paddington: England wouldn’t pick Armitage when he was the best in the world
@Chicken George: Zebo is hard to read alright :)
@Chicken George: …because they are unable to pay him his market value
@Chicken George: I think I’ll trust the great rugby minds of the likes of Joe Schmidt to get this one right, rather than Mr. Burns.
@Jim Demps: Say the people calling for D. Ryan are the same people who would complain that Schmidt is to conservative even when picking Ja. Ryan. Can’t win sometimes.
@Conor Paddington: yes it is laughable and also hypocritical.
@Chicken George: How did Sexton not get the hump when he went to France? Is it an official rule by the IRFU or is it at their discretion?
@Chicken George: well that’s that settled then… thank you for clearing everything up with your incisive and intelligent response. I can go to bed with a clear head.
A lot of bitter people love being bitter… I hope Zebo has a fantastic two years in Paris, then I hope he comes back to Munster and back into contention for international honours.
@Conor Paddington: He’ll come back the size of a tighthead.
@james: from eating canard la’orange presumably?
@Conor Paddington: This whole situation has become quite boring for me at this stage. Everything that needed to be said has been said from both sides and every commentator on this site. There is no new angle to this story right now.
Like yourself, I wish Zebo the best in France and hope he returns to Irish rugby in two years time.
@EK: It’s like bloody self flagellation at this stage. The same few people in every article making the exact same arguments over and over as if it’s going to change something
@james: Google Paul Alo-Emile to see a fat Zebo
Even if he was staying in Ireland he wouldn’t be making the match day 23. The wider squad maybe but not the 23. Best of luck to him in France. I’d love to see him hit his top form again.
@Jim Demps: why do you think that?
@Anita R: why do I think what? That he wouldn’t make the match day squad? Because he’s not playing well enough. That’s why.
Same outrage with Madigan and Marty Moore and Ireland coped just fine while they regressed, no one player is bigger then the team. And for gods sake it’s only Zebo to not overrated player of all time, I’m struggling to see why Racing even want him.
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: Maybe(just maybe) they know more about rugby than you do??
@tomeenoldstock: that’s a given, still doesn’t mean he ain’t shite
Ah now Simon, you were dropped this year on form….. (allegedly). Nothing to do with you moving away next year…..(allegedly). Schmidt’s reasoning on this is above scrutiny and questioning…..(allegedly).
@MK76: Do you watch the Pro14 or just moan all the time? I wouldn’t pick him on his form now. He’s well down the pecking order on form, and was barely holding on to his place when he was playing well. And if he was playing well I still think the IRFU should play hard ball.
@TheHeathen: Carberry, Ringrose to name a few that are in the squad that have no form. Just pointing out the Zebo decision is nothing to do with form. People that believe this will believe anything.
@Niall Connolly: Young future talent in the squad? Nothing wrong with a bit of learning and integration, as they won’t be starting. No need for Zebo to be in the squad if he isn’t starting and won’t be around for two years. He knew the rules. He’s a big boy now, off to make money and live in France, fair play to him. I think it’s the end of his Ireland career as there are much better young lads waiting for their chance.
@Niall Connolly: we have injuries at centre and this weekend we will line out with two centres with no more than 10 caps between them, yet you think it’s wrong to bring into a 37 man squad a first choice centre who know the systems and game plan? Is Zebo going to cover centre if anything happens to Aki or Farrell?
Or do you suggest he plays 10 if anything happens to sexton.
Or maybe Zebo should be called in to cover furlong?
@Niall Connolly: I will agree that Carbery does not have form or experience as an out half, I believe his game management is not up to standered, place kicking and lack of game time as a 10 leaves us badly exposed if he has to replace Sexton in a tight game, Lenister seem to think this way as well, I have been very impressed with Byrne and as we speak he is a more competent 10 as is Keately. I do not doubt his talent, however he has had little game time and experience as a 10. As a full back he has been excellent, I believe Joe’s thinking is he can cover 10 and 15. However as a 10 to control tight matches he does not impress at present, not because lack of talent but because lack of game time and experience.
@ktsiwot: he finished off the New Zealand game handy enough. He was never not selected behind Byrne and started at 15 because he was more suitable to play there that Byrne.
I think Zebos problem is himself. He does not fit into how Schmidt wants Ireland to play and in my opinion Schmidt thinks Zebo is a bad influence on the squad and I would agree with him. He was only brought back into the Irish set up when we had a lot of injuries
@Michael Wynne: That is complete and utter nonsense from start to finish
@Eddie Hekenui: it isn’t. But Simon Tweeto can now devote his time to what he is good at. Self publicising.
I wonder sometimes has the guy thought out this move at all, he is leaving just before a world cup and by the looks of it really wants to keep playing for his country. Why is he leaving then?
The only way to play for your country while playing abroad is to be absolutely indispensable to the team and sorry Zebo your name isint Furlong or Sexton. This move is something he will really regret in future years I think. Genuienly hope he enjoys his time away all the same.
@Leo Erah: It makes €€ sense to leave now. After the world cup, the Club market will be flooded with ex New Zealand and other world class players looking for a bit of retirement money. He’s can command more money now than after the World Cup (supply and demand). Also there’s no guarantee he’ll be picked for the Irish World Cup squad. Basically you’re asking him to hang around for 20 months on the chance he MIGHT play for Ireland, then be worth less money on the transfer market. He’s a wing too so age won’t be as kind to his performance than if he was a forward.
@Martin Quinn: You keep going on about Zebo as if he’s some kind of traitor and attacking his character. It’s pretty disgusting behaviour from someone who goes on about being a rugby man for all his life and the things you love about the game. The players owe the fans nothing. You only have to spend 5 minutes on here after a game to see the personal abuse these lads get in the wake of a bad performance.
His first and only obligation is to himself and his family. Why would he accept significantly less money to stay in Ireland? You have no idea of the factors that went into his decision. Rugby is a short career and you’ve got to make the most of it. That’ll be particularly relevant for many of the Munster players who’ve had to bury two friends and mentors who left behind young families struggling financially. Throw in the fact they’re coached by two players who were cut down in their prime. And then they’ll have seen a host of young players have to retire unexpectedly in the last couple of years. And then there’s the possibility it may his one chance to fulfill a life long dream.
Jog on his form at the moment he’s already in Paris drinking coffee and they won’t pick him either if he keeps it up
@Scott Crossfield: Or maybe he’s been preoccupied by his mother battling cancer and having an operation in the last few weeks?
Clickbait article… Why are we still talking about this?
@Rudiger McMonihan: six nations back again the weekend with some injuries possibly to come and let’s face SZ is marmite at the moment.
I’d be a lot happier to see Zebo coming on for Kearny then lamour.
In Ireland we don’t want anyone to have their cake and eat it, unless of course you’re in politics or banking.
Laughable situation.
@conex: no sh*t Simon! You follow the cash you suffer the consequences .. get over yourself!
@Marcodub: in what way is he not ‘over himself’? He expressed some sadness but acceptance and recognition of what the situation is; you’re the one who needs to ‘get over yourself’.
Tedious
No the IRFU have to stay strong on this one..a little bit sad for zebo though… and Ireland
Again zebo is been asked the questions by the media and he’s just answering them. It’s the media building this thing up beyond what it needs to be. Zebo was by far the best full back in the country up until the zebre game and even Brian O driscoll and Co even said it. The only thing that annoys me is that schmidt just couldn’t tell the truth about why he left out zebo. Zebo with earls beside him could of done damage to alot of defences in this tournament but it’s not to be for zeebs. Meanwhile I will get behind kearney and hope he proves us all wrong by having a great tournament.
@Anthony O Connell: He has only one 6n try in his entire career. We have better options now.
@Gary: That one try stat is an lazy one that gets trotted out. And always with the “6 Nations” caveat to ignore the fact his try scoring rate is pretty good. Is that all we judge guys on? What about his four assists in last years Six Nations alone? Rob Kearney hasn’t scored a try in years. Should we drop him too?
@Gary: don’t worry about zebo scoring tries. Think about what he could create for stockdale and earls beside him and can pop up at first reciever also. And defence was an issue at the start but with the last 2 seasons has been solid. I dunno how many last gaps tries he has prevented at this stage.
@Martin Quinn: I wasn’t saying we should drop Kearney or saying we should pick Zebo. I’ve made my position very clear on both matters. Kearney has to start and Zebo shouldn’t be considered for selection. I was just pointing out that using tries scored (in the Six Nations) is a stupid and reductive way of judging his contributions to Ireland. The fact they have to add “in the Six Nations” shows they’re cherry picking a stat line.
Simon, Simon. What have you done?
I wonder if murray was to move to france.would he get exiled
@thomas mitchell: No because he’s by far the outstanding player in his position.
IRFU knows the moment they allow squad players be selectable, from abroad, that the provinces will be decimated (and not limited to the historical 1/10th meaning).
IRFU has not got the money of France or English league clubs, they have one card to play, an Irene slot.
Zeebo has made his decision to make some extra bank and I don’t blame him for a minute but he knows the score himself, of making that choice.
@Ían Ó Ceallaigh: predictive text nonsense auto fecking update.
Ireland slot. I’m sure Irene’s slot is lovely too but wouldn’t be using that to keep players
@Ían Ó Ceallaigh: lol
It’s a pity if he never lines out for Ireland again due to BS from the IRFU, he’s a good player on his day.
Zebo is one of the most talented players I have ever seen he is exciting should still be playing international rugby .It is sad to lose him but these guys have a short career so when the chance comes to make the big bucks you cannot blame them good luck to Zebo .
@Martin Quinn: Another disgraceful comment. You’re letting yourself down. I’m guessing as a self confesed bias Leinster fan who feel the same way about Henshaw for abandoning Connacht and the likes of Murphy, Sexton Cullen, Madigan etc
Schmidt doesn’t like him. BO’D rates him as best form Irish full back. Under Schmidt the likes of Campeze and Blanco would never have gotten a jersey and I’d never have fallen in love with the game.
@Ciarán Mac Cormaic: yeah because Larmour is a beacon of defensive brilliance. Zebo is not picked because he is leaving Ireland, it’s that simple
I hope he does well…but throughout his career i never thought he was as good as the hype put on him by munster fans. Defensively always frail. Bad positioning at times. By the time rwc19 comes around he would be very lucky to be making matchday squads. I agree whole heartedly with the irfu policy of not picking foreign based players. And apart from a few exceptions the majority of players do as well. It gives them longevity to their careers. The game management of the players is obviously to their benefit.