The intrigue is who join them in 2nd and 3rd Dublin best placed imo Kilkenny should still quality
Kilkenny are the interesting ones here, they had the eventual winners on the rack in semi finals for the last 2 years but never looked the best team in the country and now look a pale imitation impossible to write off, but i am writing them off they finish matches weakly and have no bench Huw Lawlor a bit loss
Munster Limerick will beat Waterford handsomely with the Deise out and key men likely to miss the game Waterford have been very good in all 3 matches to date and need a different format to flourish matches against the Leinster Counties would be a delight
Key match is Tipp v Clare Tipp cannot rely on Cork to beat Clare in the last match as they have injuries and may rotate Tipp themselves face Limerick last and cant expect anything from that but a draw at least against Clare keeps destiny in their own hands(almost)
No real incentive to win Munster, try telling that to Cork and Limerick loser plays Offaly who surely would struggle against either Cork have won tight encounters in the Pairc in recent years, and lost heavily at the Gaelic Grounds, another close encounter awaits in theory Limerick have more up their sleeve when it comes to latter stages of the Championship and that could prove crucial once the Munster Final is done and dusted
Dublin v Galway hard to call, Dublin consistent but need to show it in Croke Park will they get the crowd they deserve?
Clare await the loser and if the real Clare turned up they would give either a shake can't possibly be as bad as against Cork or Limerick in the group stages
As a sidenote, Offaly and Kildare have been a breath of fresh air in the Leinster group stages
well well wellNo real incentive to win Munster, try telling that to Cork and Limerickloser plays Offaly who surely would struggle against eitherCork have won tight encounters in the Pairc in recent years, and lost heavily at the Gaelic Grounds, anoth
Offaly v Cork Doubts about Tommy O'Connell(broken thumb) and Tim O'Mahony(dead leg) Darragh FitzGibbon will be closer to a comeback Any other doubts and Ben O'Connor is unlikely to risk anyone but wont want to dilute the team too much Damien Cahalane is benefitting from not picking up cards and less fear of being called ashore. I cant see anything other than a comfortable Cork victory after a steadyish start.
Dublin v Clare Clare are a conundrum, won when they had to v Tipp, awful v Cork when they didnt A top u20 side with players now fully focussed on helping the seniors. Dublin were awful last Saturday night and not convinced Croke Park suits them 46000 turned up, looked less to me, and i was there Will the Dubs supporters turn up next time in Thurles, will Clare bring a crowd? Dublin picked up a lot of injuries and they badly need a bounce. But on their day they are good I would back Clare as i think they will be primed for this. And if they win, they might give Limerick a rattle but i doubt it
Cork v Galway will be intriguing Galway were excellent v Dublin, were value for more than the 3 or 4 points they led by at half time, a good bounce off the bench But Dublin were afraid of them, Cork will be a tougher test. A very even game and Galway could be value especially if Cork's injuries dont heal Cork would benefit from a dry day, this summer is up and down
plenty still to play for and the 2 horse race the hype merchants predicted could be a mirage
Offaly v CorkDoubts about Tommy O'Connell(broken thumb) and Tim O'Mahony(dead leg)Darragh FitzGibbon will be closer to a comebackAny other doubts and Ben O'Connor is unlikely to risk anyone but wont want to dilute the team too muchDamien Cahalane is