Conference tallis::celt

It is with very heavy hands that I write this little report on the game last
Sunday in Cork which I attended. Being a Limerick supporter is a trial and a
tribulation at the worst of times and Sunday happened to confirm my worst
fears that Limerick have not yet got a hurling team to challenge seriously for
hurling honours in Munster. Limerick had previously beaten Cork in the League
SF in March and there were valid expectations in Limerick that it could be our
year. The newspapers thought otherwise with almost unanimous support for a
Cork victory in the final. Cork had beaten Tipperary in the semi final easily
with Limerick eventually overcoming a stout Waterford challenge a few weeks
later. Most of  Limericks players with the exception of goalkeeper Quaid had
not played in a final before. Together with the fact the Cork have not lost a
championship match in Cork since 1921. 

I got down to Cork on the usual hurling train from Limerick. The talk on the
train centred on the hope that it might be Limericks year but there was always
a dread that the Cork Hoodoo would again rise to extinguish any hopes that the
Limerick team may have. Got into the ground around 1:00 P.M to see the end of
an U-16 match involving Tipp and Cork. Tipp won easily. After that it was the
turn of the minors of Tipp and Waterford. Being for the underdog I was
cheering for Waterford as it seems both sets of senior supporters were doing.
Waterford upto Sunday had only ever won 2 minor hurling championships, the
last being back in 1948. It started badly for the boys in white (Waterford)
with them going in at half time 5 points down. Tipp were cruising. 

The second half was an exciting affair without the hurling being ever very
good. Waterford came back into the game with an early goal which perked up the
crowd no end. It was Waterford for most of the rest of the half but I am
always got the sneaking feeling that the sheer weight of tradition would mean
once Tipperary went a few points down that they would come back and score a
soft goal to win the game. Then horror of horrors, once Waterford went 2
points up, Tipp went down and scored the goal that could have broken their
hearts and ours too. I was kicking myself that I was right about my prediction
but I didn't expect the response that came from the Waterford lads, who went
straight down the field and stuck in a goal to go back up by a point. At this
stage there was 5 minutes left and it was anyones game. Tipperary went back
down soon after and scored another simple goal, adding a point soon after. Was
this the killer blow with time running out. Waterford became desperate. What
was to be done? The ball floated into the Tipp penalty area, it was half
cleared and the Waterford corner forward who contributed 3-6 on the day
grabbed it! Even though I was on the other side of the field I could see the
ball sailing into the net through at least 8 players. Waterford got the draw
they richly deserved. The cheer created by that goal was the loudest most of
the Limerick supporters cheered that day!! This fact says a lot about
Limericks performance in the final itself! Tipp 3-10 Waterford 4-7. 

Something that has baffled me in the matches I have seen over the last few
years has been when the national anthem is being played the supporters start
cheering and waving flags before our national song has been fully played out.
Both sets of supporters started cheering at least 15 seconds before the song
ended on Sunday. It was initiated on the Cork side of the terrace and Limerick
not to be bettered started too. It is a habit I would like stopped as they are
belittling to our national song. Would any other country allow it to occur at
during the playing of their national song. 

The senior game was a mismatch, not for the first time in a Munster final of
recent vintage. The game hinged on a few incidents. One was where a Limerick
forward was straight through mid ways through the first half and all he had to
do was direct the shot away from Cunningham. He didn't. Cunningham saved it
and cleared it down the field. From that clearance Cork scored their only
goal. The ball broke so quickly that the ref wasn't up with play. The Cork
forward got the ball, lost his hurley and then fouled the ball by changing
hands with the ball before slotting the ball past Quaid in the goal. From
being only possibly 1 point down to being 7 is a large deficit early in the
game. Limerick never really recovered from that. I didn't get excited once
during the whole game as a consequence! Cork were much faster to the ball
especially their half forwards, Egan and O'Sullivan, who took a lot of clean
possession and scored easy points. On the other hand Limerick forwards seems
to possess two left hands as they seemed unable to gain clean ball at any
stage in the game. 

The game was basically over at half time with Limerick 10 points down.
Limerick didn't seem to have the hurlers to claw the lead back. How right I
was! in the second half Cork kept popping over the points, for every one
Limerick had to work hard to get Cork were scoring with two pucks of the ball
- Cunningham, Forward player, over the bar. Cork were only really in second
gear. Limerick lost mid-field and the half-back lines, pivotal, as that was
where Cunningham was putting the puck-outs most of the time. The gloss on the
scoreboard came near the end with 3 goals from a team that had already lost in
the their hearts and souls. None of the goals came from really good play. One
was from a free the two others came out of really nothing with the ball
dropping in and being pulled on. It gave the score the air of respectability.
Something Limerick really never had during the game. Limericks Captain who
started at Full Forward ended at Half Back and our Centre Back ended up in the
forwards. Did we pick our team properly? Cork 1-22 Limerick 3-11. 

About the only thing I got from the game was a sunburnt face and the feeling
that it was another wasted day. However come next year I will probably be down
there again to cheer them on, if and when they get a hurling team for real.
However on the day they were well and truly beaten by a much faster, leaner,
skilful and better hurling team - Cork. 

                              James.

It is with great pleasure that I hear/saw the Kerry-Cork dominance broken in
Munster for the first time since 1935 when Clare beat a very poor Kerry side
in Limerick yesterday. The score was 2-10 to 0-12. I had tickets for the game
but thought that Kerry were going to squeeze through and didn't bother going
:*(. It proved a close game with Clare only 0-7 to 0-6 up at half-time with
the wind. Two goals in the second half pushed Clare into the lead where they
stayed. The Clare players were possessed and doggedly fought for everything
something that completely unsettled Kerry who were only interested in a 
leisurely game of football. Kerry lacked fire and for once got burnt badly
with their fingers in the match box. This team will be forever remembered in
Kerry as the team that was beaten by Clare in '92. No matter whatever else 
they will do, this tag will stick.

It can only be imagined the some of the celebrations back in Kilrush, Kilkee,
Doonbeg and all centres in between last night as a result. It is only for the
good of football that the open draw is in place in Munster after this result. 

For many many years the "weaker" counties weren't given a chance to improve
with the restrictive setup which lead to a Cork-Kerry final every single year.
Even upto recently a well known Kerry player voiced some very ill-placed
opinions in a national newspaper re:: the fact that they, Kerry were going for
once and for all finish the open draw in Munster by trouncing the "weaker
counties in the years championships". I hope he has a big hat to eat as he
well deserves it. Well done Clare! It gives hope to the smaller teams in the
country that it's possible with the right setup - trainer, money, practice,
players that anything is possible over a period of 2-3 years. 

Leitrim and Kildare are other cases in point where they have tried hard over
the past few years. Leitrim have been very unlucky in Connacht and Kildare get
their chance next weekend against Dublin to prove that there is no such thing
as a "weaker" county anymore. 

Incidentally Clares last championship final victory was back in 1917, 75 years
ago! 

As the commentator put it yesterday, a Clare man "there won't be any cows
milked in Clare for the next week". I well understand the sentiments. 

                         James. 

    Does anyone know anything about Biddy Earley's curse? Clare last won
    the Munster Championship in 1924 or thereabouts. I don't know the hows
    and whys  but it seems that Biddy Earley put a curse on the Clare team
    to the effect that they would not win the Championship again until all
    of the 1924 team were dead. The last member of that team died a week or
    so before this year's Munster Final...

    Speaking as an uneducated " Jackeen", who was Biddy Earley? Any
    relation to our Biddy Mulligan (the pride of the Coombe) ?
    By the way I have been told that the last time Clare were Munster
    Champions was 1917.
      More info on this "oul biddy please.
    
    Tom 

    Talk about a drought indeed.  By the same logic Clare should
    win again in 2067.  Buy your tickets now Kevin!  :v)

    re .4
    
    My mistake, Clare's last Munster championship was in 1917. I'm afraid I
    don't know much more about Biddy Earley other than she is reputed to
    have put a curse on the Clare team.
    
    Jimmy

    Tulla representing Clare won the all Ireland final in 1914, can't
    remember exactly who they played but I think it was a Dublin team.
    In 1932 clare won the Munster final with players like DR. Tommy Daly
    and John Joe Doyle. They went on to win the semi-final beeting Galway.
    My grandfather being a Galway man recons at half time the Clare
    supporters gave the Galway players poteen to drink and hence Clare won
    on the day. But alas, they lost the final and that was their last senion
    All Ireland final to date.
    
    For more information on Clare (Tulla) hurling of old, there was a book
    writen about 5 or 6 years ago by Tim Maloney and Denis Corry (Tulla
    men) which is probably still available from Tulla hurling club. I dont
    have a copy with me, I'm not sure If Biddy Early is mentioned,,,or not..
    All I can remember is that she was, I suppose a witch, who lived in a
    little cottage near a lake in Feakle Co. Clare. There was a mention of
    a green bottle, If I say any more I'd be only half remembering and half
    guessing. For more info on Biddy, Maybe a visit to Leena's Pub in
    Feakle on a Thursday night(music night).
    
    Biddy Early's cottage still stands today, If I remember corectly she
    predicted an armageddon for 1984 so I would not be too worried about
    the rest of her predictions or spells, all Clare needs is a decent team
    for a change.
    
    Tony,

    
    
    Co Clare is now known as "The Home of Football" !!	:-)
    
    
    Sound Ballyvaughan !!
    
    
    
    
    
    keVin

KeVin,

What have you been drinking for the past week. That match is not for another
week or so.

MBr

    
    All Hail MIGHTY CORK!!!!
    
    Winners of the Munster Senior Football Championship!
    
    (For those who may not have seen the score:  Clare 1-10  MIGHTY CORK 2-14)
    
    Once again, the MIGHTY CORK Juggernaut crushes the opposition!
    
    
    It's hard to be humble when you're from such a great place as CORK! ;^>

     
	     Munster Senior Hurling Championship (semi-final):
     		   Cork 0-10	       Clare 2-7
     

     - Underdogs Clare matched Cork throughout, and the sides were 
       level 1-3 to 0-6 at the interval.  Cork did lead 0-4 to 0-1 
       early on but a Jim McInerney goal after 15 minutes was no more 
       than Clare deserved.  The scores were slow to come after the 
       interval and when they did there was never more than a single 
       point between the sides until sub Fergie Touhy scored a goal in 
       the 24th minute.  Cork did respond with another point but that 
       was the final score and it was a confident Clare which went on 
       to create another major upset.
     

    
    
    Clare can enjoy two more days of hope.....!!!!
    
    Munster final Sunday  Tipp V Clare in Limerick.
    
    ..and a good battle in prospect for Croke Park...Dublin V Meath in
    Leinster Football semi-final...
    
    Armagh V Donegal should be close as well...Donegal stole a draw last
    sunday...

    
    
    Clare sent to the cleaners!!!!!!!!....3-27 to 2-12 win for Tipp says
    in all.
    
    Looks like its lining up to be a Tipp Wexford final -) 
                                
    
    

Mick,

Yes Clare were well beaten. It's probably just as well. I mean Clare
winning an All-Ireland is a very dangerous thing.

Last time It happened it caused a world war.

At least next Sunday we shall see a real Provincial Final  - not
like that poor quality Munster stuff.

The Dublin Meath match was a real battle royal. Meath lost it.

Antrim Hurlers won the Ulster title - beating Down. This reversed
last years result.

    
    Re: .13
    
    Mick, No need to get carried away....  beating Kerry and a Clare team
    that just froze on the day is no measurement of Tipp's strength. Galway
    in 4 weeks time will show them a lesson or two.
    
    Galway V Kilkenny for the Final

    I see Tipp have been blessed by an easy run through Munster in my
    absence.  One has to wonder though if they are up to the sterner tests
    that lie ahead.  What do you think Martin?
    
    Dermot

    
    Excellent match on Sunday Kilkenny 2-14  Wexford 1-17 (draw). Kilkenny
    scored the equaliser with last puck of the ball.. and live to fight
    another day...next sunday sees the replay.
    
    Re galway...do they get a bye to play Tipp..or must they play winners
    of the 'B' group..This being Meath it will probably be a tough game for
    the present Galway team -) -) -).
    
    GAA must sort out ticket scene for such matchs..It was chaos before the
    game with only one outlet selling tickets...Also amazing that the
    official  attendenace was just under 38,000...when the stadium was
    full.