Lower Tier Top Tier Hurling Entertainment
Christy Ring Thrillers
Last week in Netwatch Dr Cullen Park Carlow and Antrim served up a real hurling thriller in the Christy Ring cup with the Saffrons prevailing by the minimum thanks to a late goal by talisman Neil McManus and a point by Loughgiel tyro James McNaughten. It was typical of the fare often on offer in the Ring, Meagher and Rackard Cups.
Intense tough hurling, perhaps lacking the polish and intensity of the Liam McCarthy grade, but none of the passion and commitment. A quick survey nationwide would probably elicit the response that many GAA fans only pay scant attention to these games, more’s the pity.
The tie was an early bit of hurling and muscle flexing between two counties that most commentators wager will contest the final. The quality of hurling in these competitions is good and their value is the opportunity they present to each county of hurling at the right grade.
The fact remains that more intercounty players hurl in the three graded competitions than in the Liam McCarthy. There are actually four graded competitions in reality with the Leinster qualifying round serving as a Christy Ring elite with the top team progressing into Leinster proper.
The beauty of these competitions is that the grading tends to be fairly accurate. Teams gave realistic hopes of success and there is no such thing as a sure thing. Last year Antrim were widely tipped to prevail in the Christy Ring but a well organised and tactically astute Meath outfit pipped them after the replayed game in Croke Park.
A final at headquarters, nine goals and thirty eight points in total, extra time. Surely that's a success in anyone's book. Yes there was confusion and consternation the first day when the score was up the left, but forget about that, the outcome the second day settled the matter. This year Carlow will seek to gain revenge on Antrim while Kildare are an interesting dark horse.
The Saffrons face Down in a local derby this weekend minus Neil McManus who is getting married. It will be interesting and no doubt spicy between the Ulster neighbours.
Derry Air for Nicky Rickard?
The Nicky Rackard is a keenly contested competition with Derry widely tipped this season to be thereabouts. The Oakleafers were in the Ring Final two seasons ago, and were within a reasonable shout of making the Leinster qualifying round. This year they have a number of players back on board not least the Slaughtneil hurlers who won the Ulster championship. Having been tested in the rarified heights of the senior championship they would seem to be well placed to make a return to Croker.
Derry of course won the Nicky Rackard back in 2006. Under Colm McGurk they seem to be organised and have the bit between their teeth. Armagh look to be a team placed to upset the bookies there, although Tyrone pushed Derry close in the Ulster Shield and pipped Monaghan last week. Donegal are also a dark horse on their day and defeated Armagh last week. The presence of Leinster’s Longford and Louth means that the Nicky Rackard isn’t a mini Ulster championship. Longford travel to Owenbeg tomorrow, and as a team in development they could trouble Derry if the home team aren’t on song.
Lory Meagher Added Impetus
The Lory Meagher has added interest this year with the very welcome return of Cavan to the ranks of senior hurling after an absence of six years. Last week they lost out to a Liam Watson inspired Warwickshire in a tier that also features Leitrim, Sligo, Lancashire and Fermanagh. It can only be good for the continued renaissance in the Breffni county and we have to welcome and congratulate them. Warwickshire could well be the team to beat there with the Birmingham based exiles powered by the class of former Loughgiel attacker Liam Watson.
Irrespective of the winners, the participants at each tier are county representatives and the passion is up there with any other game. The prize of promotion and a day in Croke Park is worth it.
A Model for Football?
The tiered model is one that the football fraternity have studiously avoided. Call it prevailing mood, optimism, ostrich like behaviour or pure stubbornness. football aficionados do not wish to accept that there are different levels of quality and scale across the country.
They point to the ill-fated Tommy Murphy Cup as an example of how football disdained anything that didn't offer a route to Sam. The reality is that the Super 8 in 2018 May accelerate the desire for tiered competition. Could we see Gaelic football a lesson from their brothers in arms?
All the best to all teams venturing in the second round this weekend from O’Neills, the Choice of Champions.
Christy Ring
Round 2(A) - Cushendall
14:00
Antrim v Down
Round 2(A) - Newbridge
15:00
Kildare v Wicklow
Round 2(B) - Netwatch Cullen Park
15:00
Carlow v Mayo
Round 2(B) - Dr Hyde Park
18:00
Roscommon v London
Nicky Rackard
Round 2(A) - Owenbeg
15:00
Derry v Longford
Round 2(A) - Carrickmore
15:00
Tyrone v Donegal
Round 2(B) - Athletic Grounds
15:00
Armagh v Louth
Lory Meagher
Round 2 - Old Bedians Sports Ground, Manchester
13:30
Lancashire v Fermanagh
Round 2 - Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada
14:00
Leitrim v Cavan
Round 2 - Páirc na hÉireann, Birmingham
14:00
Warwickshire v Sligo