Win 2. Tickets. to the. Hurling. Final. Issue 17 24h Aug 2009

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1 Issue 17 24h Aug 2009 Where to now for Limerick Win 2 Tickets to the Hurling Final Bord Gais Energy Man of the Match Clare's Darach Horan is surrounded by children after the U-21 All Ireland Semi-finalc Clare and Galway Photo: Ray McManus/ SPORTSFILE

2 EDITOR S COMMENT ISSUE 17 Aug 24th Dear Hurling Fans, With just 2 weeks to go to the All Ireland Final it was a relatively quiet weekend on the hurling field apart from the U-21 All Ireland Semi-finals. An outstanding 4-7 from Galway s Joe Canning was not enough to save Galway against Clare. Clonlara s Darach Honan s Shevlin-like display justifiably earned him his man of the match award. In this week s issue Henry Martin takes a look at Limerick in the aftermath of Sunday s collapse. Our Limericks competition for Etihad Airways 2 All Ireland tickets is in its final few days. you have until Friday the 28th at pm to post your entries. In next week s issue we look forward to the All Ireland Final Until then Best wishes from the team at Hurling World. Joe Canning reacts after missing a scoring chance for Galway early in the Bord Gais Energy GAA All-Ireland U21 Hurling Championship Semi-Final, Galway v Clare at Semple Stadium. His score of 4-7 was not enough to save the Tribesmen. Photo : Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

3 FEATURE Limerick Hurling ISSUE 17 Aug 24th Limerick: Not claiming their Inheritance? Words: Henry Martin Photos: Sportsfile Of the many great sporting legacies inherited in this county from previous generations, there is no doubt but that Limerick hurling ranks among them. The rare successes have been cherished, heartbreaking defeats have led to tears, but the passionate supporters who craved success have always lived in hope. The reaction to last Sundays defeat has been one of devastation. It ranks as most harrowing defeat ever in recent Limerick hurling history. The long border between Limerick and Tipperary runs south from the river Shannon to the Galtee Mountains and that natural rivalry has always ensured that of all opponents, Tipperary have traditionally brought the best out in Limerick. That all changed at Croke Park. For once against Tipperary, Limerick seemed to lack belief once they went behind, and as every attempt for a point sailed wide. The frees slotted so confidently by Gavin O Mahoney in Thurles against Dublin drifted wide in Croke Park. Tipperary were allowed to score six goals without The Limerick players take the field in the All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final, Tipperary v Limerick, Croke Park, Dublin. Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE ever really earning any of them.there is a case to be made that Limerick aren t as bad as they looked, and that Tipperary aren t as good as they looked, but the bottom line is that Limerick were beaten by twenty four points in an All Ireland Semi Final at Croke Park. That is a bitter pill to swallow and the record books will carry this result forever more. There has been much criticism in the media of the sweeper system utilised, but that criticism has been overstated. The whole purpose of an extra man in defence was to smother the Tipperary forward line but the system wasn t as culpable as the players application to it. The sweeper system was used against Tipperary in the third game of the trilogy in 2007 and was widely acclaimed at the time as being one of the reasons why Limerick won that match. It was up to our players to dictate who our sweeper was, and who their spare man was. Sometimes it develops into a battle of wits, but that s a battle that has to be won. The Limerick players didn t force that issue enough especially on opposition puck outs. There were times when

4 FEATURE Limerick Hurling ISSUE 17 Aug 24th Mark Foley subsequently dropped it from his hand. The tactics cannot be blamed for the absence of the Limerick physicality seen in previous clashes between the sides. Limerick have traditionally given their all on championship day and sometimes without carrying any notable form. It would be recognised that Limerick have conceded ground to other Limerick supporters, from Patrickswell, make their way to the game in the All Ireland Semi-final between Tipperary and Limerick, Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE despite Limerick having an extra man in defence, Tipperary forwards found themselves in open space. That was down to carelessness more so than any system. The Limerick tactics on the day cannot be blamed for Noel McGrath and Seamus Callinan waiting alone at the edge of the small square for a Lar Corbett pass for the second goal. We had possession of the ball for the first goal, when Seamus Hickey was dispossessed, and instead of playing safe at full back, Stephen Lucey got a rush of blood to the head. For the third goal Brian Murray hit a puckout straight at Lar Corbett, and Top: Mark Foley is about to drop the ball in to the path of Pat Kerwick for the third goal Above: Stephen Lucey seems in control of the situation but misses the ball. Eoin Kelly scores Tipperary s first goal.

5 FEATURE Limerick Hurling ISSUE 17 Aug 24th Limerick manager Justin McCarthy with selectors Brian Ryan and Liam Garvey during the final moments of the All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final, Tipperary v Limerick, Croke Park, Dublin. Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE counties in terms of having highly skilful hurlers, but the secret in these games has always been their greater desire and passion. Perhaps Limericks ability to rise to the occasion on championship day has clouded the need to come up to the mark hurling wise. There are only so many times a team can go to the well and depend on passion and pride to bail them out. We need to come up to the mark in terms of our hurling, and allow our inherent passion to give us an edge over other counties. Somehow that fell flat after the concession of the three goals on Sunday, and the team lost confidence in their own ability to fight back. By the 56th minute Tipperary led by 3-14 to 2-5. On another day it might at least have been say 2-14 to 2-8. Limerick could not have been ruled out by any means at that stage of the game. This result is unquestionably a wake up call, and perhaps may bring greater long-term benefit than a respectable result. We are facing into an abyss that Cork faced in 1996, and that Clare faced in The current panel will need to respond in terms of diet, gymwork, overall fitness and improved hurling technique. Much of this comes from within the individuals themselves. We have to get our house in order in terms of producing quality hurlers from an early age. Kilkenny are the benchmark, and every county needs to analyse what they are doing from an early age, right up to adult level. The ideal scenario is to have enough quality hurlers in a county that no player can take his position on the team for granted. In a panel of thirty, all it takes is one player to slacken in his professionalism either on or off the field, and all other players have a lead to follow. If there is greater competition for places every individual member of the panel knows that he is dispensable. Suitable past players have a role to play, as in Kilkenny, by giving up a couple of hours for four Saturdays a year, to work with underage development squads. At county board level we need to get an awful lot right particularly in relation to underage. In short underage hurling has been neglected financially in Limerick. The Limerick underage players were forced to sell lines to raise money to buy approximately 2000 worth of gear this year, while the 2008 balance sheet at convention shows that the County Senior Board officers were paid a total of 82,299 in expenses. Many grassroots members have been outraged at this. An underage liaison

6 FEATURE Limerick Hurling ISSUE 17 Aug 24th Lar Corbett shoots to score his side's fifth goal despite the attention of Damien Reale in the All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final. Photo: Ray Ryan / SPORTSFILE The face says it all: A Limerick supporter during the final minutes of the All Ireland Semi-final against Tipperary officer requested a quantity of sliotars recently for the Tony Forrestal under-14 team, only to be left waiting, and then receive the wrong sized sliotars days later. Expenditure on the county teams in 2008 was 1,050,710, yet the underage teams aren t being properly catered for. The buck has to stop somewhere and in an era where Munster rugby are catering for underage players, Limerick have to make a greater effort than other counties. The 24- point hammering in Croke Park gives real scope to cut back on a lot of the frills associated with the senior squad in terms of weekends away etc. with the money invested in underage. The pain of defeat has hurt a lot of genuine hurling people throughout the county. Limerick hurling is a legacy, something that s very close to an awful lot of peoples hearts. We cannot allow it to die.

7 COMPETITION TIME IN ASSOCIATION WITH ETIHAD ISSUE 16 Aug 17th See the Liam McCarthy Cup raised in 2009 with ETIHAD Win 2 tickets to this year s All Ireland Hurling Final at To win check out the details on the forum on the Hurling World Website in association with ETIHAD

8 COMPETITION TIME IN ASSOCIATION WITH ETIHAD ISSUE 17 Aug 24th Just 5 days left to win 2 All Ireland Hurling Tickets! Probably the best Kilkenny team in years, They ve All-Irelands comin out of their ears. 3 in a row is the score, They look for one more, To leave the Premier in tears. There was a young lad from Tipp Who wanted the Liam Mac in his grip So he kidnapped Henry Sheff And bribed the poor ref Now he's filling the great cup for a sip. Here are a sample of the Limericks in the Etihad competition already posted on our websites to win 2 All Ireland Tickets. You have until Friday the 28th at 12.00pm to add yours. Ger and Cyril will ask on the telly Do Tipp have enough fire in their belly To neuter the cats and avoid their traps Or will Liam remain in Kilkenny Brian Coady is the main man and the boss And he won't be happy with a loss So for him to smile It better not go down to the wire And Kilkenny will get the Celtic cross There once was a team called Tipperary Fierce lairy and hairy and scary But they pulled out all the stops And caught the Cats on the hop And brought Liam back down to Tipperary! Tipperary feel they are ready All year they ve hurled fairly steady But it s The Cats they now face Not that slow Munster pace And they won t be able to handle Fast Eddie

9 OFF THE BALL ISSUE 17 Aug 24th Oxford s Éire Óg Launch New History The Oxford branch of the GAA - the Éire Óg Club - was founded 50 years ago in To celebrate the people who nurtured the games in The City of Dreaming Spires a new book Éire Óg 50 years of Gaelic Games in Oxford was launched recently. With over 200 profiles the book give a historical, geographical and social background on many of the counties where the Éire Óg members originated. The book was produced by Henry Wymbs and Máire McSorley. In addition to the book a beautiful video was shown to the 450 guests at the night of the launch. The video in now available to view on the Internet on

10 OFF THE BALL ISSUE 17 Aug 24th Milwaukee Hurlers Bet on Five Card Studs! Come One, Come All... MHC Hurler's Ball Friday September 11th. MHC member or not, all are cordially invited to this year's MHC Hurler's Ball. The details: When: Friday, September 11th, 6 PM - 12 AM Where: The (new) Crowne Plaza Hotel, 13th and College Ave (6401 S. 13th St.) Dress: Come as you are comfortable, from tuxes The FIVE CARD STUDS play at the Milwaukee Hurlers ball on Friday 11th September in the Crowne Plaza Hotel. and cocktail dresses to jeans. Having you there is most important. Cost: $35 includes a delicious buffet dinner, soda, Guinness and Smithwicks, and as if that was not enough, music and dancing with the FIVE CARD STUDS. There will also be a raffle and silent auction. For anyone interested, there is a block of rooms set aside for us at the reduced cost of $109. As mentioned above, they just gutted and remodeled this hotel and it is gorgeous! We have traditionally had a running slide show recapping the year, and that alone is worth the low price of admission.reservations for this most wonderful evening must be made by August 30th. Vets of the club can attest to what a great time the ball is. Come out and see what your fellow hurlers look like when they are showered and in nice clothes! Full details on

11 OFF THE BALL Galway Star coaches Moytura ISSUE 17 Aug 24th Photo: Adrian Hession Pictured after a recent coaching session with Galway and Craughwell star Niall healy the Moytura Hurling Club U-12 side: Back Row: AP Barrett (Coach), Liam Lyons (Coach), Evan Summerville, Micheal Varley, Robert O'Haire, Joey O'Connor, Dara Deane, Jim Deane (Club Secretary), Tomas Fahey, Adam Keady, Niall Healy (Coach). Front Row: James Minihan, Oran O'Malley, Sean Walsh, John Heraty, Eoin Gilraine, Dara Sweeney, Evan Heraty, Ernan Flannery & Colm O'Malley.

12 OFF THE BALL ISSUE 17 Aug 24th McNamee Awards 16 August 2009; 2008 McNamee Award winners. Back row: Gerry Thomand, from Loughinisland GAC, Down, who received his award for Best GAA History Publication, Fergal McCormack, from St. Peter's GAA Club, Warrenpoint, Co. Down, who received his award for Best Modern Technology Innovation, Cónan Mac Oscair, from Belgium GFC, Brussels, Belgium, who received his award for Best Website Jackie Cahill, who received the National Media Award, Sportsfile photographer Oliver McVeigh, from Donaghmore, Co. Tyrone, who received his award for Best Photograph, Anthony Henneghan, from The Western People, who received the Best Provincial Media Award. Front row, from left, Michéal MacDonnacha, from Seo Spórt an Domhnaigh, Radió na Gaeltachta, who received the Irish Language Award, Wexford GAA County Board PRO Mary Foley with received her award for Best County Programme, for the Wexford Senior Hurling County Final, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Criostóir Ó Cuana, Sportsfile photographer Ray McManus, Hall of Fame recipient, Ard Stiúrthoir Paraic Duffy, and Kevin Casey, from WLR FM, Waterford, who received his award for Best Local Radio Programme for 2008 Hurling in Review. Croke Park, Dublin. Photo: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

13 HURLING ROUND-UP ISSUE 17 Aug 24th Westport Hurl their Way to the Top Westport: Mayo U-13A Hurling Champions 2009 Kitty Morley presents the Howard Morley Perpetual Trophy to Wesport U-13A captain Eanna Varley. Westport 1-5 Ballyhaunis 0-4 Underage hurling in Westport is back on the radar again after years in the wilderness, with this four point win over Ballyhaunis in a gripping and tight U-13A county final in Ballyvary. It has been over a decade since Westport have overcome the East Mayo stronghold in underage hurling, but with this current group of spirited and skilful young hurlers, the future looks bright for the the Covie stickwielders. Read the full report on Right Back Row: Stephen Gallagher (mentor), Andrew Grealis, Henry Newham, Shane Geraghty, James Moran, Barry McNamara, Sean Brogan, Jack Carroll, Jack Byrne, Albert Gallagher (mentor), Ronan Geragthy, Sean Mulchrone (mentor), Luke Mulchrone. Front Row: Oran Brennan, Fergal Sammon, Paul Lambert, Jack O'Donnell, Cillian Kilkelly, Eanna Varley, Ronan Higgins, Conor McHale, Niall McManamon, Keih Hastings. Howard Morley RIP after whom the U-13 Trophy is named is pictured here in the back row - last on right beside Clare star Jamsie O - Connor in Jamsie was a guest coach with the Mayo U14 panel on the day). Howard's son Kevin is pictured on the front row on the very left hand side. Mayo U-14 Developement squad 2005.

14 HURLING ROUND-UP Antrim Hurling Championship ISSUE 17 Aug 24th Dunloy Book Semi-final Spot Dunloy 2-10 Ballycastle 0-1 Dunloy qualified for a semi-final meeting with Glenariffe when they beat Ballycastle by 2-10 to 0-13 in Thursday evening s re-arranged Antrim Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final at Fr Healey Park, Loughgiel. The Cuchullains ability to take their chances was the decisive factor in a match in which Ballycastle had the lion s share of possession. For long periods of the game the Castle created scoring chances but tossed them away, while Dunloy weathered the storm and took the majority of chances that came their way. Ballycastle got away to a promising start when Peter Dallat and Chrissy Boyle pointed to put them two clear but their chances were dealt a bad blow when right-half-back Mickey Dallat diverted the ball into his own net. In truth there was little the luckless Dallat could do about it for had he failed to make contact with Sean Dowd s low cross it would have reached full forward Paddy Doherty who was free on the edge of the square. Dunloy began to get on top at this stage and with Quinn deadly accurate from frees and goalkeeper Gareth Magee also adding one from a long range free they went on to lead by 1-7 to 0-7 at the break. The opening eight minutes of the second-half saw Ballycastle lay siege to the Dunloy goal but as condition deteriorated they failed to raise a flag and Dunloy broke away to score two quick points to put his side five clear. It was thirteen minutes before Ballycastle broke their second-half deadlock with a point from play by Kevin Barry McShane and in their best spell of the game they added further points from Malachy Dallas and Chrissy Boyle to cut their arrears to just two. However Dunloy again showed their ability to grab vital scores and Darren Quinn stretched the lead to five again with an excellent goal from a narrow angle in the forty-seventh minute. Dunloy's Darren Quinn hand-passes the ball away as he breaks away from the challenge of Ballycastle's Davey Donnelly during Thursday evening's Antrim Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final in Loughgiel. Photo: John McIlwaine Chrissy Boyle (2) and Cozy Dallas sent over points to close the gap to two again but as they pushed hard for that winning goal Dunloy broke away again and Darren Quinn sent over the insurance point to set up a unique semi-final pairing against Glenariffe on Sunday week.

15 HURLING ROUND-UP U-21 All Ireland Semi-finals ISSUE 17 Aug 24th Honan Magic sends Clare into U-21 Final Joe Canning may have bagged a tally of 4-7, but Clare dug deep to claim a famous two-point extratime win over Galway before 5,741 at Semple Stadium this on Saturday. Read the full report at Ger Cunningham, Sport Sponsorship Manager, Bord Gáis Energy, makes a presentation to the winner Colin Stankard, Clarinbridge, Co Galway, after the Bord Gáis Energy Crossbar Challenge at half-time in the Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 All-Ireland Championship Semi Final between Clare and Galway. Semple Stadium, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Photo: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE Clare's Cormac O'Donovan celebrates victory after the Bord Gais Energy GAA All-Ireland U21 Hurling Championship Semi-Final over Galway in Semple Stadium. Photo: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

16 HURLING ROUND-UP U-21 All Ireland Semi-finals ISSUE 17 Aug 24th Richie helps Kilkenny cruise into final Richie Hogan, Kilkenny, receives the Bord Gais Energy Man of the Match award from Irene Gowing, Sponsorship manager, Bord Gais Energy. for his display in the Bord Gais Energy GAA All-Ireland U21 Hurling Championship Semi-Final, Kilkenny v Antrim, Pairc Tailteann, Navan, Co. Meath. Photo: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE Richie Hogan bagged 14 points as Terence McNaughton and Dominic McKinley s involvement as the Antrim management came to an end at Navan this afternoon. Read the full report on Colin Fennelly, Kilkenny, in action against Paddy Doherty and Conor McKinley, Antrim. in the Bord Gais Energy GAA All-Ireland U21 Hurling Championship Semi-Final, Kilkenny v Antrim, at Pairc Tailteann, Navan, Co. Meath. Photo: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE

17 Its a funny old game! ISSUE 17 Aug 24th Who will need the lifeboat on Sunday week?