Ireland-Hurling: Diarmuid O'Sullivan on Helmets and Pay for Play

Sadly Cork hurling star Diarmuid O'Sullivan is about to retire from the game. Unfortunately for him new Cork hurling manager Denis Walsh had plans which did not include the Cloyne man. The Rock realised that the writing was on the wall and walked. Increasingly he appears to have become disillusioned with the GAA.

From 2010 it will be mandatory for all hurlers to wear a helmet. O'Sullivan strongly disagrees with this rule and announced in a Sunday Independent interview that he plans to retire from the game completely, on the basis that players should have freedom of choice. He is strongly supported in this opinion by Irish Examiner columnist onside johnny.
With all due respect to both, players safety MUST come first. Hurlers must put aside selfishness on this matter. Avoidance of serious injury is of paramount importance . Sportsmen as bread winners have responsibilities to their families. Injuries can put them out of work and result in heavy loss of income. I strongly support the new GAA rule.

The Rock argues in favour of match fees for players. Undoubtedly many players are feeling the brunt of the recession and as amateurs invest huge amounts of time and energy into preparation for intercounty matches. Realistically they are entitled to very generous expenes. A fee is Pay for Play and would herald the end of the GAA as an amateur organisation. Onside johnny in the Irish Examiner strongly supports the concept. He argues that each player should get €10,000 per championship match and slightly less for league matches. He argues for an extra €50K per man for players reaching quarter-finals and so on.
The Rock and journalists such as onside johnny have not teased out fully the implications of such a proposal.
Many games do not generate sufficient income to pay such sums. Yesterdays Leinster Hurling Final between Kilkenny and Dublin would not have provided the wherewithal to pay the €10,000 per player fee. Presumably 10 other panel members on each side would demand the same pay out. Also Croke Park - in common with all major sports stadia on match days- eats up gate receipts. Stadia do not run themselves.

The proposal to pay almost €10,000 to each player for each league match is crazy.
Presumably onside johnny is aware of the poor attendances for Cork's league matches at Pairc UI Chaoimh. This is replicated througout the country. Diarmaid O'Sullivan will now play Rugby for Highfield. Will he now secure a match fee of €10,000 per game?

Thousands of volunteers drive the GAA. They get no financial reward. Many will walk away.
I suspect that people such as Dessie Farrell of the GPA are endeavouring to drive the GAA toward professionalism. Their real agenda is to create a professional elite. If so they are heading for disaster. As the recession bites attendances are dropping and supporters are increasingly unhappy with ticket prices. There is downward pressure on prices.

Quite frankly the GAA would not survive as a professional organization. The GPA needs to thread carefully.

Video of Leinster tries against Munster in Heineken Cup semi-final at Croke Park Dublin-2/5/09

Ireland: Heineken Cup Semi-final- Reasons why Leinster defeated Munster on a score of 25 to 6 at Croke Park

Odds on favourites Munster suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Leinster in the Heineken Cup semi-final played at Croke Park. Few pundits or Munster supporters gave Leinster any chance. However the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

The post mortems have already begun. A multiplicity of reasons can be put forward to explain the defeat of the champions:

The overconfidence which pervaded the province translated itself to the players. In addition the media built up Munster as probably the world’s greatest club side. Much of the talk concerned Munster's likely opponents in the final. Even the best professionals can succumb to such pressure. This blunted the edge required in the field of battle. Munster lacked the hunger of heretofore.

In contrast Leinster was roundly criticized as weak spirited and lacking in the bottle required to topple the champions. The savage criticism meted out to Leinster fuelled an insatiable desire to topple Munster. The Leinster players were hungry for success.

The selection of eight Munster players for the Lions tour of South Africa undoubtedly weakened their focus on this game albeit subconsciously. This is undoubtedly borne out by the fact that Paul O’Connell and Ronan O’Gara did not play to their own usual high standards. In addition Paul O’Connell may have lost focus- having been chosen as Lions captain.
The injury to Tomas O’Leary may have affected those chosen for the Lions tour.

Leinster "out-munstered" Munster in the physical battles. Indeed it is safe to say that 14 Leinster players bested their immediate opponents. The physical power of the Leinster pack overwhelmed Munster. Players such as Shane Jennings, Leo Cullen, Jamie Heaslip and Stan Wright were a revelation. Jennings and Cullen have benefited from their stay at Leicester. However it was the signing of Australian Rocky Elsom which was the icing on the cake. Elsom oozes power and class. This is enhanced by a huge work rate. The man is a colossus. Over the last two years Leinster coach Michael Cheika has gradually assembled a powerful pack to complement the class of backs such as Darcy, O’Driscoll and Fitzgerald. Yesterday Cheika got team selection correct.

Errors by Munster players resulted in two tries for Leinster. A missed tackle by Paul Warwick led to a Leinster try by Luke Fitzgerald whilst a misplaced pass from Ronan O’Gara gave the ball to O’Driscoll who duly scored. The loss of Rua Tipoki has severely weakened the Munster back division.

In addition players such as John Hayes, Alan Quinlan and David Wallace are undoubtedly approaching the end of their careers as age begins to catch up with them.

Also Leinster played close to the edge-the mark of a good team.

Good luck to Leinster in the final. Hopefully Leinster can keep the Heineken Cup in Ireland. However Leicester will be formidable opponents. Munster will be back.

Rugby Union: Video Highlights Ireland V France-7/2/09

Superlative display by Kilkenny puts Waterford to the sword

This was arguably the greatest display ever by any Kilkenny hurling team in an All Ireland Senior Hurling final. The crushing of Waterford by 3-30 to 1-13 at Croke Park was accomplished by team work of the highest order. Kilkenny manager Brian Cody has honed the players skills to new levels. Their speed of striking, hooking, blocking, hunting in packs and execution of scores has reached a new level of competency. No team in Ireland could have withstood the Cats onslaught. Inded it is doubtful if a rest of Ireland team would stand a chance against the Black and Amber. This Kilkenny team is a hurling machine and is undoubtedly the most skilful ever to grace the hallowed turf of Croke Park. There were no weaknesses evident. The three in a row has been achieved. Cody will now go in search of the four in a row.

What of Waterford?
Quite simply the team froze on the big occasion. The excessive levels of hype and expectation in Waterford in the wake of the defeat of Tipperary in the semi-final certainly affected the team. Try as he could Davy Fitzgerald could not insulate the team. This was reminiscent of Limerick in 2007. Fitzgerald and the backroom team did everything possible to prepare the team for the final.
Interestingly Nicky Brennan president of the GAA made reference to the fact that President McAleese had noticed a degree of nervousness among Waterford players.

In addition several players have a high degree of mileage on the clock. This has begun to take its toll. Players such as Dan Shanahan and Seamus Prendergast appear to be burnt out and probably need a long rest. It is noticeable that both players have failed to rediscover their form in the wake of injury.

Major problems in defence have continued to dog the team. Efforts to protect the full backline place too much pressure on the players further out field. Kilkenny ruthlessly exploited Waterford's defensive frailties. It is highly unlikely that Waterford can win an All Ireland Senior Hurling title with such defensive weaknesses. However there is the nucleus of a good team with players such as John Mullane , Eoin Kelly , Michael Walsh and Stephen Molumphy still in their prime.

Waterford needs to play more ground hurling. Ground hurling can upset the rythm of teams such as Kilkenny. Players need to to strike the ball much quicker. Too much ball watching is also a weakness in defence. Defenders need to improve under the dropping ball. Overhead striking must be improved.

It is quite possible that players such as Tony Browne and Paul Flynn will retire. So it is now time for the rebuilding process to commence. Davy Fitzgerald and his backroom team must remain in place. The county hurling championships may hopefully throw up some new talent. The search should not be confined to senior clubs only but should extend to intermediate and junior also.

The National Hurling League campaign can be used for experimentation. It is best to risk relegation in an effort to unearth new talent.

Undoubtedly the players feel badly bruised. However time is is a great healer. Come January they will be champing at the bit to set the record straight.

Davy Fitzgerald should ignore sniping from critics such as Tony Considine. Incidentally Tony Considine failed dismally as manager of Clare hurlers.

Waterford is a great hurling county. Waterford supporters are resilient and will continue to support the team. Waterford will rise phoenix like from the ashes of defeat. To hell with the critics. We will drive on until we win the elusive All Ireland Senior Hurling title. Indeed this defeat will only increase the determination to bring this about. This is our burning ambition.

This team has won three Munster senior hurling championships and a National Hurling League title. We are justifiably proud of the players.

Finally thanks to Davy Fitzgerald, the selectors , backroom team and players for for all their hard work.

Waterford edges out Tipperary in titanic struggle at Croke Park on a score of 1-20 to 1-18

Today Waterford triumphed over Tipperary to secure a place in the All Ireland Senior Hurling Final against Kilkenny- for the first time since 1963. This was a game brimful of skilful hurling and intense excitement. The result could have gone either way.

Waterford started off like a hurricane and had six points on the scoreboard within nine minutes with John Mullane , Eoin Kelly,Eoin McGrath and Stephen Molumphy notching scores. Waterford moved the ball crisply and used the wings to great effect.
Low ball to the forwards was paying dividends. Ken McGrath was playing a blinder at centre back. Incidentally it was noticeable that when Tipperary switched Seamus Callinan onto Ken McGrath later in the game he troubled the Waterford centre back.
The concession of needless frees by Waterford brought Tipperary back into the game. Six of Tipperary’s scores in the first half came from frees as Eoin Kelly punished Waterford indiscretions. In addition the delivery of low ball to the Waterford forwards had dropped off. The half-time score was Waterford 0-10 Tipperary 0-10. Waterford had played most of the hurling but had little to show for it.

It appeared as if Tipperary had more in the tank. Eight minutes into the second half Tipperary hit the front for the first time with a point by Conor O’Mahony . The game see sawed. Half way through the second half Tipperary led by 0-16 to 0-14. Jack Kennedy replaced Seamus Prendergast and proceeded to have a blinder for Waterford.
In the 56th minute Eoin Kelly scored a goal for Waterford. From the puck out by Brendan Cummins Seamus Callinan scored a goal for Tipperary to keep the Premier county in front. With 8 minutes remaining the sides were level 1-17 to 1-17. With seven minutes remaining Waterford hit the front and ran out lucky if deserving winners on a score of 1-20 to 1-18. Indeed Tipperary missed several clear-cut chances in the last eight minutes.
Liam Sheedy has no need to be downhearted. He has already moulded a fine young team. Nevertheless inexperience in the last 10 minutes cost Tipperary the game.

Notwithstanding the fact that Waterford played with no mean skill and verve today Kilkenny will enter the final as the hottest of favourites. This Kilkenny team is a hurling machine. There is no major weakness in the Cats outfit. In addition the desire to win three in a row will drive the Black and Amber to new heights.

So Waterford enters the final as a rank outsider. Today the Waterford defence was tighter than in previous games. But it still is not tight enough to blunt the Kilkenny attack. There is still some looseness in defence and a tendency to concede needless frees. There is an inclination to ball watch.
Defence is a 70 minutes job and demands total concentration. In the last 10 minutes of today’s game several Tipperary forwards were left loose and could have made better use of scoring opportunities. Man marking must be total against Kilkenny forwards. Clinton Hennessy had an outstanding game in goal. Indeed all defenders played their hearts out.
Aidan Kearney will have benefited from today’s game.
The Waterford half back line blunted the Tipperary attack.
The Kilkenny forward line against Cork consisted of E Brennan, M Comerford, E Larkin, R Power, H Shefflin and A Fogarty. Each and every one of these players is a match winner in his own right. These forwards must be put under relentless pressure and allowed no space. They are not averse to using their physical power through the legitimate use of the shoulder to soften up defences. The Kilkenny attack must be smothered and allowed little room.
This is no easy task. Many would argue that it is well nigh impossible

Jamie Nagle is developing rapidly into a fine centre field player whilst Brick Walsh is returning to form. Nevertheless it will be necessary to deprive the Kilkenny centre field of good clean ball. Indeed Kilkenny centre field players have a tendency to crop up all over the field and will notch scores from any loose ball around the middle of the field or closer in for that matter. So Jamie Nagle and Brick Walsh will have their work cut out to even gain parity here.

The forward line performed well today with Eoin Kelly, Eoin McGrath, John Mullane and Stephen Molumphy playing particularly well. Dan Shanahan did much good off the ball work and was a handful for the Tipperary defence even if he is not yet back to full form.
Seamus Prendergast tried very hard. Jack Kennedy when introduced plucked some great balls out of the sky and had a blinder.
The Waterford forwards as a unit worked hard and harried the defenders clearing the ball.

In the final low ball to the forwards is a sine qua non. Use of the wings and diagonal ball can open up the Kilkenny defence. Bunching will suit Kilkenny backs who are powerful in the tackle. There must be no shooting from impossible positions. Ground hurling would also reap dividends. Goalkeepers dread the ground shot especially one from the vicinity of the square. It is essential that a Waterford player is available to take a pass from the player who is being tackled.
In essence Waterford must play at a far greater level of intensity against Kilkenny mindful of the fact that Kilkenny is a far more experienced team than Tipperary.
Kilkenny are the warmest of favourites with Waterford as rank outsiders.

National Hurling League: Waterford V Kilkenny –Sending off spoils game

Kilkenny defeated Waterford by 0-25 to 0-14 in this National Hurling League game played at Nowlan Park today.

This match was competitive for the first 30 minutes. Unfortunately it was spoilt by the sending off of Waterford's Michael Brick Walsh. Referee Michael Haverty administered yellow cards liberally throughout the game. This was a clean game. The referee is the real story. Admittedly he is applying the rules as he sees fit. However in my view he was too fussy.

Croke Park authorities are out of touch with reality. Hurling is a physical and skilful game. It is a game for men. It is not soccer. Once the game is played in a clean and sporting manner the role of the referee should be minimal. Croke Park is a determined to ape the idiocy prevailing in soccer. Increasingly players are exasperated with much of this yellow card nonsense emanating from GAA headquarters.

The sending off of Michael Walsh in the 35th minute of the first half for a second yellow card effectively finished this game as a spectacle. In my view it was a harsh decision. The referee should have given him a final warning.

In the first half Kilkenny appeared sharper. They were quicker to the ball. The Waterford forward line was poor. However this is partly explained by the fact that high balls were raining in from outfield. In addition the forwards were largely static and failed to move off the ball sufficiently. The experiment of playing Declan Prendergast in the forward line is a failure. It must be discontinued.

The second half was one-way traffic. Kilkenny looked exceptionally sharp. However Brian Cody would have welcomed a stronger test again a 15 man Waterford team.

The problems in the Waterford full back line have not been ironed out. Neither Richie Foley or Kevin Moran is a full back. It is time for a radical reorganisation of the defense. Ken McGrath should play at full-back and Michael Brick Walsh should play at centre back. This would provide a strong central spine. The defence should be built around this. Some will argue that this is robbing Peter to pay Paul. However I see no alternative.
The forwards must move off the ball. Also low ball should come in to the forward line. Shooting from hopeless positions must be abandoned. It is time for more ground hurling.
The National Hurling League should be used for more experimentation. It is important to unearth more talent.

As of now Tipperary must be favoured to win the Munster Senior Hurling Championship.

Wales outfox Ireland to win the Triple Crown

In windy conditions at Croke Park today Wales deservedly defeated Ireland by 16-12 to win the Triple Crown. Most of the positive rugby was played by Wales. Ireland dominated the first twenty minutes of the first half. However as this half progressed Wales came into the game more and more and could quite possibly have scored two tries. In fairness a tackle by Mike Phillips denied Ireland’s Shane Horgan an almost certain try.

The Irish strategy of breaking up the flow of the play and slowing down the game was coming apart as half time approached. Ireland made little effort to play creative rugby. Ronan O’Gara rarely passed the ball preferring instead to resort to the boot. This reflected Eddie O’Sullivan’s thinking that it was best to ensure that Wales would not play free flowing rugby Wales would have been on level terms at half time were it not for the idiocy of Mike Phillips who used the knee on Marcus Horan. The penalty awarded to Wales under the Irish posts was reversed and Phillips received the yellow card.

In the second half Wales weathered the loss of Phillips. The Welsh forwards kept possession of the ball and ran the clock down until Phillips returned. Wales controlled the ball for most of the second half and went through the phases. The Welsh front five was more than a match for Ireland. A fine try by Shane Williams was the decisive score. Welsh indiscipline could have been costly. Martyn Williams was sin binned for a trip. Warren Gatland will undoubtedly administer a tongue lashing to Phillips and Martyn Williams. In the last five minutes the Welsh forwards retained complete possession of the ball and snuffed out all possibility of a late Irish try.
For Wales Alun Wyn Jones , Shane Williams, Ryan Jones and Gavin Henson starred. For Ireland Rob Kearney, Eoin Reddan, Paul O’Connell and Shane Horgan were best.

It is time for Eddie O’Sullivan to jettison the negative approach. Ireland had sufficient class players to defeat Wales today. The conservative and spoiling approach is unworthy of skilful players and cost Ireland the game. Spoiling tactics have their place in any game but creativity is a sine qua non. The ham string injury to Brian O’Driscoll rules him out for the game against England at Twickenham. Hopefully Geordan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey will return. It is time for Eddie O’Sullivan to take risks.

Scores
Ireland: Pens: O'Gara 4

Wales: Try: S.Williams
Con: S.Jones
Pens: S.Jones 2

England defeats France in Paris and opens up Six Nations Championship

In a power packed performance England defeated France by 24 points to 13. The French persisted in running the ball from their own line and yielding up possession.
The French scrum was -at times -pulverised by the English. England’s number eight Nick Easter was man of the match whilst the half-back duo of Wilkinson and Wigglesworth also played starring roles.

Wales hammered Italy by 47-8 at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. Italian errors contributed partly to their downfall. Lee Byrne and Shane Williams were the Welsh stars. Each scored two tries. Tom Shanklin scored the remaining Welsh try. Undoubtedly Warren Gatland will take comfort from the Welsh performance. Nevertheless grave doubts remain about this Welsh team.

At Croke Park Ireland hammered a very poor Scottish team by 34-13. Geordan Murphy-who had been dropped from the panel by Eddie O’Sullivan -certainly answered the coach in no uncertain terms with a stunning performance. Assuming that Girvan Dempsey is fit for the Welsh game O’Sullivan will face a major selection quandary when it comes to choosing a full back. Full back is certainly Geordan Murphy’s best position. Brian O’Driscoll has begun to rediscover his old form whilst Andrew Trimble had his best ever performance for Ireland. Tommy Bowe certainly answered his critics with a fine performance. He scored two tries. His first try was of exceptional quality. Rob Kearney justified his selection and scored a try. The Irish back row was effective as a unit and also individually.
Nevertheless there are some problems in the line out which must be ironed out before Ireland take on Wales in two weeks time. Also Bernard Jackman will come under pressure to hold his place. Paul O’Connell is likely to return to strengthen the line out.

Eddie O’Sullivan partly by accident and partly by design has managed to field a powerful team. With the addition of Paul O’Connell the team is more than a match for a suspect Welsh team. Ireland is capable of defeating Wales comprehensively. The Irish scrum is far superior to that of Wales. Ireland can starve high scoring Shane Williams of the ball.

However Ireland must play England at Twickenham on Saturday March 15th.
England is probably a greater threat to Ireland than Wales.