The View – By Noel Dundon

The View – Munster magic tops Galway’s Croker choker as Tipp prepare for Offaly

By Noel Dundon

You’d have to hand it to them – Limerick, that is.

Five-in-a-row Munster senior hurling titles is no mean feat, especially when you consider that so many other counties in the province are also on top of their game right now. Including Clare.

One would have to suggest that were this Limerick side not as potent, Clare, Tipperary, Cork and Waterford would probably have more Munster titles to their roll of honour, because all three counties have had pretty significant battles with them, without ever actually managing to turn them over in deciders.

It’s a bit like the Premier League where Manchester City are concerned. Liverpool finished second to them on a few occasions and even amassed a record number of points in the process. But, despite the magnificence, City still won out due to their relentless pursuit of silverware, their depth of talent and their brilliance. Many would argue that City’s vast riches and resources have effectively bought their success, but there’s a lot more to it than that. And, the suggestion that Limerick similarly have JP McManus bankrolling their success is an unfair shot too. For one thing, John Kiely just cannot go out and buy which ever player he wants – he has to work with who is available in his county and he is just so fortunate to have a very brilliant group of players to choose from right now.

Admittedly, thanks to the resources available, John Kiely and his backroom team have created the kind of environment which allows players to thrive. However, players in Clare, Tipperary, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Wexford, Kilkenny, Waterford or in a football sense, Kerry, Armagh, Tyrone, Donegal, Sligo, Mayo or Roscommon could hardly claim that their respective County Boards do not strive to look after them as best as possible. Of course everybody wants more, and maybe Limerick and the Dublin footballers get more. But, success does tend to open doors to resources whereas lack of success will see a lot of those doors remaining shut.

From a Clare perspective, they need to remember than Liverpool eventually got there and won the Premier League. And, if they can bounce back and not repeat the failures of last year once they entered the All-Ireland race, Clare can have a very significant role to play yet in the destination of the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

Admittedly, getting the blood up and going again will be as difficult for Brian Lohan as it will be for Henry Shefflin, considering that Galway managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the Leinster Final at Croke Park. Talk about a steal –it was almost as dramatic as Tipperary’s All-Ireland minor hurling victory last year when Paddy McCormack bagged the dramatic winner. It was a brilliant finish to the game which came to life in the second half, but despite Eoin Cody’s comments in his acceptance speech about listening to all the talk about there being no hurling outside of Munster, even the biased of Cats would have to admit that the Munster Final was streets ahead in terms of quality.

That’s not to say that a Leinster side cannot go on and win the ultimate crown, though Limerick would appear to be odds-on favourite to do so, especially now considering the break they will have before their All-Ireland semi-final. Anything can happen in a game of hurling and considering that the margins are so fine, on any given day, most of these teams can beat each other, even if Limerick would appear to have the edge in terms of winning big games.

Tipperary travel to Tullamore on Saturday for their qualifier clash with Offaly. The fixture was known two weeks ago, but tickets only because available very recently. Why, one wonders? It is an advantage to have it televised on GAAGO.ie  and with Offaly turning up in large numbers these days to see fifteen green, white and gold jerseys hanging on a washing line, you can be sure O’Connor Park will be maxed out – mostly with the Faithful followers. So, Tipp will likely have to give best in the stands, but they cannot afford to do so on the field of play.

Liam Cahill will be emphasising the need to go after Offaly from the very start and try to put this game beyond them as early as possible. Allow them space to breathe and the Premier oxygen might well be sucked out of the lungs by the vocal natives in the stands. Tipp are a good stretch ahead of Offaly right now – of that there is no doubt – but they must not take anything for granted and will have to be ruthless and put them to the sword as soon as possible.

Tipp will have changes in the line-up with Gearoid O’Connor and Brian McGrath ruled out and Cathal Barrett, Niall O’Meara and possibly Jason Forde all available for selection again. The panel have had time to regroup after the disappointment of the final provincial round robin horror show against Waterford and those who make the journey north across the border will expect to see an energised, much improved and focused side as they embark upon the All-Ireland journey – victory will see them face off against Galway a week later.

Offaly in the past, have often been on our radar at this stage of the championship, though we have rarely met them later on. They have enjoyed relative success at underage in recent times, getting to minor and U20 All-Ireland Finals, but ultimately losing both. There is a bit of momentum there at present with a lot of fine work being done, but they still have a journey to go. Were they to scalp Tipp on Saturday, it would be a major upset for the visitors, but a major step forward for the hosts.

Rud Eile

Limerick full forward Seamus Flanagan appeared to be wearing an earring on Sunday during the Munster senior hurling final. On safety grounds, should this be permitted?  The Camogie Association forbids the wearing of earrings, nose rings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, watches and any kind of jewellery for the obvious reasons – safety. You can probably throw in all sorts of piercings nowadays as well from eyebrows, to belly buttons, tongues, nipples and much more. The Ladies Gaelic Football Association adds in the probation on wearing of hair slides too. All bans are on the grounds of personal safety and the safety of other participants. It makes perfect sense.

But, there does not appear to be any such clause in the GAA’s Official Guide, unless it comes in under some obscure match-day directive. So, should the GAA also insert such a clause into the Official Guide at the next Congress? Surely, it make sense? But, who would enforce it?  The referee?  Club or county officials? They’d have quite a task considering some of the places that piercings have appeared in recent years. Now there’s a thought for the rest of the week.