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In many ways the newly minted Joe McDonagh Cup is the hidden jewel in the crown of hurling. Last year demonstrated that the hurling at this level is fiercely competitive and fiercely skillful.
For Antrim, Kerry, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath the competition is tantalisingly close to the Liam McCarthy with a preliminary All Ireland quarter final at stake for the finalists and promotion for the winners guaranteed if a Leinster county or Antrim.
The teams compete for a place in the final in Croke Park in late June and the ultimate goal of 2020 promotion to the Liam McCarthy Cup. The final precedes the 2020 Leinster Final.
To promote the lower tier competitions the GPA have taken to a roadshow to add their visibility to the McDonagh, Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cups. The standard in each is rising but it is the Joe McDonagh that provides the hope and desire for the second tier teams. With an intense series of games the quality is there for supporters to see.
The GPA this week took the cup to Joe McDonagh’s home club of Ballinderreen to pay homage and add to the public visibility in the media.
Paul Flynn CEO of the GPA said: ’We are delighted to be working with the teams competing in the Joe McDonagh cup to promote this exciting competition. To have the cup back in Joe’s home club is really special and we look forward to the kick off of the competition this summer.”
So how do the runners and riders shape up?
Antrim
Longing for a place at the top table, The Saffrons are in a Catch 22 situation, they need the games to reach the heights and to stay at the level they want they need the games. League plans were perhaps hampered by the absence of the Ruairi Óg contingent chasing All Ireland success, they have taken in a team training event in Portugal. Still featuring the leadership of Neil McManus (last year’s Joe McDonagh top scorer) accompanied by fellow Dall stars like Eoin Campbell, Antrim also have exciting younger players of the caliber of James McNaughton who led the line in the league and Dunloy’s emerging crop including the explosive Keelan Molloy. If they can build momentum Antrim are capable of anything. With development underway in the for of the Gaelfast project, the county would dearly love a return to the top table.
Kerry
Key man is Shane Conway Fitzgibbon winner with UCC but then Kerry have been making their own strides in recent years on the hurling field. They will badly miss States-bound Fionan Mackessy, Niall O’Mahony and Eric Leen. Last year they won 3 games out of five. Three wins in this year’s format could be enough for a final slot and a chance at Liam McCarthy and promotion. Kerry will always be synonymous with the bigger ball, but the hurling fraternity are passionate and pushing forward. Still hampered by the fact they don’t get automatic promotion to Munster, that won’t stop the drive and ambition.
Offaly
The Faithful county will be looking for an early bounce back to the Leinster group stage after making the drop for this season. It could be a lot easier said than done as with its reduction to five teams the Joe McDonagh is less forgiving and more competitive in its second year. There’s a lot of backward looking among Offaly hurling people, and it may be that the time is now for the wheels to turn on their comeback trail. Can it start in the Joe McDonagh?
Laois
Eddie Brennan is no stranger to the All-Ireland stage but he admitted to RTE on having to adjust slightly to the demands on the second tier. “Success will be measured in progression too, in that the players are improving and getting better, but our ambition is to make the McDonagh final." Brennan has flagged how different the culture is in Kilkenny but also the commitment and hard work he’s getting back from the Laois players. The O’Moore men had a decent league campaign, staying in Division 1B and losing out to eventual winners Limerick in the League quarters. Tipped as likely Joe McDonagh winners in many quarters.
Westmeath
Coming into the Championship with real progress under the belt Joe Quaid will be pleased with his winter campaign. Keogh cup captured, six wins and unbeaten in the league with the prize a place in Division 1B for the 2020 league. It really is a massive boost for the Lake county but not unsurprising as Westmeath have consistently been making progress in recent campaigns and they have reliable performers in the form of Tommy and Killian Doyle, Niall Michell and Darragh Clinton. On a roll and definitely not to be underestimated based on their year to date. Will be thereabouts if the upwards trajectory is sustained.