Leinster Club Hurling Championship

[faithfulfanatic]

Maybe I'm not with it but I can't see the big deal with the plan for the day? Surely KK have something similar planned like after county finals etc, you're not gonna plan it and get it sorted at half time if you're winning. Don't see how KK would use it or pin it to the dressing room wall? Silly talk! Regarding Kiely all this talk of him I'm or out, he's important but they have huge back up and if he's not fit then shouldn't be playing if his thumb is broken, he's no benefit to the team if he's in bother like that, no doubt plenty lads able to do a better job fit than kiely if he's 50 50. I get his importance but still! Remember seeing Niall Mcnamee playing with a broken hand/thumb a few years back against Kildare in tullamore wrapped like a mummy and not able to do anything and a pile of fit forwards on the sideline. Silly stuff.

Did you not see the difference he made in the 15 minutes last Sunday?

[Gobbler]

Just looking at the Na Fianna agenda for the day, it looks like a fun family, inclusive day all round - it really is what a club is all about. Success is great, but bringing people together is hugely important too - be that the nursery, watching a rugby match in the club house, or the parade to the club final.
Interesting that their U21 hurlers are in the E final - that is their 2nd team, which just shows the size and strength of these clubs. I doubt there has ever been a club in Offaly with 2 U21 teams in either football or hurling. I believe they run their underage very well, with football and hurling equally promoted with the same group of kids. I could be wrong, but I think they mix every session with half football, half hurling and encourage everyone to try both. I am sure that stops at a certain age group, as kids get older, but a lot of lessons could be learned by Offaly clubs in that regard.

Its an incredibly well ran club. The dual aspect fades out around 18 years of age where its too difficult to do both to the standard s that are expected by a club like na fianna. both codes are driven equally and the club is very proud of been a dual club along with a very strong ladies section and handball.

Huge club. Very well run. I know some Dubs from other clubs who say the focus in Na Fianna really shifted to hurling development. Huge money and resources there.

Remember playing them in football challenge game up there a long time ago and they had super facilities and hosted us really well with a serious feed in their clubhouse. That was a long time ago (Jayo and the armagh boys playing) so I can only imagine how amazing their set up is now.

The scheduling of the game at that time is unacceptable and really does not consider players (particulary those not within 10 minutes of croke park) and families with kids.

Very hard for travelling supporters with young families.

[private joker]

The timing of the game is terrible. Very unfair on all those involved

[Bord na Mona man]

Lol their is an irony in a Dublin club making provision to watch an Irish rugby friendly on the same day they are competing in a Leinster final. Ross O Carroll Kelly wouldn’t write it, it’d be too on the nose.

They'd have less D4 spanners in Na Fianna than some Southside clubs like Kilmacud Crokes, but undoubtedly they've made big gains in the middle classes, like most big clubs in Dublin are seeing.

Aside from the planned homecoming celebrations later, they aren't planning to go in early to lend their support to Cuala in the football curtain raiser.

[private joker]

Anything to get a crowd in. If it was soccer they advertise that. They won't be too bothered with cuala and cuala won't be too bothered with na fianna. Clubs are so big that they are basically multiple clubs in one.

[frankthetank]

Na Fianna 4/6
Kilcormac/Killoughey 6/4
Draw 8/1

Courtesy of PP

Kilcormac/Killoughey have drifted slightly in the betting and the odds on the draw has tightened very marginally.

Na Fianna 4/6
Kilcormac/Killoughey 13/8
Draw 15/2

Courtesy of PP

[pigeon house biffo]

This could be over by half time

[private joker]

Na fianna very slick

[pigeon house biffo]

11 na fianna scores from play, they have the gears to move up through if needed

The physical difference between both teams is stark, na fianna are blowing lads out of it

KK swiping at a lot of ball with one hand on the hurl

C Mitchell poor so far

[private joker]

Physically bigger and very skillful. Kk battling as hard as they can

[pigeon house biffo]

Final scoreline slightly generous to KK

An indicator of the work that needs to be done now by this young group

For better or worse, talent only takes you so far in modern day gaelic games

Always contend that if you’re fit enough to come on, you’re fit enough to start

Is C Mitchell carrying an injury

[Géill Slí]

One word: physicality

[pigeon house biffo]

Aye

Sadly no way around it

Lads will have to live and breathe protein creatine and gym for the foreseeable

Its just the way it is

[old yellar]

11 na fianna scores from play, they have the gears to move up through if needed

The physical difference between both teams is stark, na fianna are blowing lads out of it

KK swiping at a lot of ball with one hand on the hurl

C Mitchell poor so far

As a neutral I thought Mitchell was v busy. Got 3 points from play and fouled for a free or 2. Others didn't hit the heights for kk I thought. Best team won and yes physical differences there but na Fianna looked v sharp too hurling wise.

[pigeon house biffo]

Overall whats the state of the nation

Sometimes wonder are people very hard on offaly club teams

KK ballinagar competing in leinster finals

Tullamore not a million miles off a very good cuala team

Clonbullogue came up short against a team who are probably operating at a level below themselves

Can’t be all bad surely