Munster domination of hurling set to continue says All-Ireland winner
The province has provided the last eight All-Ireland champions and while much of that was driven by a Limerick team for the ages, Clare and Tipperary have now won the last two titles with both this year's final and last year's all-Munster affairs.
Kilkenny were the last Leinster county to win an All-Ireland in 2015 and their failure to bridge that gap this year means that they have now entered their longest ever stretch without a title.
Galway, who have competed in Leinster since 2009, won their only All-Ireland in the last 37 years in 2017. No other Leinster county has even reached a final since Offaly back in 2000.
'It's a little bit worrying,' says former Wexford star O'Gorman. 'In our time, we didn't really worry about too many in Munster. Because we thought Kilkenny, they were the best team in it, if we could beat Kilkenny, you could beat anyone. That's what we were thinking back in our day.
'Now, if you beat Kilkenny, you say, 'Hold on, this is only going to get harder'. Because when you look at Munster hurling for the last number of years, it's been so strong, so tough, even Kilkenny are finding it difficult to beat them. Wexford and Faythe Harriers legend Larry O'Gorman at Croke Park for the launch of the 2025 Beko Club Champion, an initiative to reward and celebrate local Leinster GAA club heroes who go above and beyond to help their local community and club. For more information visit leinstergaa.ie/beko-club-champion/. (Image: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile)
'Kilkenny don't find anyone in Leinster difficult to beat but now when they go to Munster, they're the only team in Leinster that can upset a Munster team. But of late, Kilkenny find that hard to do now because of the way the likes of Limerick and the Corks and the Tipperarys have rebounded. Kilkenny were the hurling craft boys of the game. Then they came up again, physicality, strength, and good hurling as well.
'Limerick did produce some top-class hurlers. It's hard to break them big teams down. And at the moment, Munster hurling has jumped so high. We're looking up at them, unfortunately. Where before, we were looking level-eyed with them. And if it keeps going like that, Munster hurling could dominate for the next number of years.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Two of Ger Brennan's former Dublin teammates reportedly set to join his backroom staff
There have been a couple of inter-county appointments over the past week DUBS STEP Two of Ger Brennan's former Dublin teammates reportedly set to join his backroom staff GER Brennan is reportedly keen to add two former inter-county teammates to his backroom team. He officially replaced Dessie Farrell last week when he was unveiled as Dublin's new manager. 4 Brennan was appointed on a three-year term 4 Dean Rock overtook his dad Barney to become his county's all-time record scorer Advertisement 4 Denis Bastick lifted Sam Maguire on five occasions with the Dubs 4 Brennan won All-Irelands with both men in his playing days In an interview with DubsTV last Friday, the St Vincents clubman outlined that he already had a few people in mind to comprise his backroom team. He stated: "There'll be a nice blend of continuity from Dessie Farrell's set-up. Advertisement "And then I'll integrate a couple of guys I would have played with myself over the years and they're very much looking forward to getting involved." Now, the Irish Examiner and the Irish Independent have reported that Dean Rock and Denis Bastick are the two atop his wish-list. The latter retired from the inter-county scene in 2018 whilst the former was a contributor up until 2023. Gaelic football's managerial merry-go-round is gradually slowing down as the only remaining counties without bosses are Roscommon, Waterford, Antrim and Westmeath. Advertisement This week has seen Andy Moran all but secure the Mayo gig which was swiftly followed by word that Paul Madden will replace Peter Keane in Clare. Lee Keegan has backed Cillian O'Connor to return to the Mayo jersey in 2026 under new boss Moran. But the five-time All-Star dismissed the possibility of ending his own inter-county exile. Keegan has welcomed the appointment of former team-mate Moran, who is set to be ratified as successor to Kevin McStay at the next county board meeting. Inside Sharlene Mawdsley's 'delicious' yet atypical Tenerife holiday with GAA star boyfriend Mikey Breen And he told SunSport: 'It's going to be enticing for other guys to come back who weren't involved this year. Advertisement "For example, Cillian O'Connor has been doing his stuff at club level and he's still in ridiculously good shape. I think he still has quite a bit to offer Mayo." O'Connor, the leading scorer in the history of Championship football, opted out of the Mayo set-up this year. The 33-year-old's future at inter-county level remains uncertain. STILL HAS IT Keegan added: 'Cillian has a lot of miles in his legs but I think there's still plenty more in him. "I'm not saying this will definitely get him back but I'm sure the conversation will be had. Cillian and Andy would be very close from their playing time together as forwards working alongside each other. "I think there'll be a big decision for Cillian to make. He obviously won't want to have any regrets about it and you'd imagine Andy will want him there as well. Advertisement "He'll want him there for his experience but also because he's a scoring forward. He got six points last weekend for Ballintubber against Charlestown. He still has the pedigree to do it. "Andy coming in is not going to turn lads away anyway. He's the type of infectious character who really wants to get to know your personality. "He's really bubbly and he's really positive. It's going to give guys a huge boost now for the club Championship. "They'll be extra determined to perform so that they can be involved under him, so it's great for the group and it's exciting for Mayo."
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Sky expecting to hold off Netflix for exclusive US Open golf coverage
Sky Sports is in advanced talks over signing a new six-year deal for exclusive live rights for the US Open. Sky's current contract expires after next year's Championship at Shinnecock Hills and it is expecting to beat off competition from other broadcasters, including Netflix, to secure an extension. The new deal will cement Sky's position as the home of televised golf in Ireland and the UK, as it currently has the rights for all the men's and women's majors, the Ryder Cup , PGA Tour and DP World Tour. The PGA Tour deal also expires next year, and Sky is expected to seek an extension. Sources involved in the tender process said Netflix also made a credible offer, which reflects its growing interest in securing sports content. READ MORE Another source said Netflix viewed the US Open as fitting its sports model of bidding for stand-alone events it feels will attract new subscribers, rather than attempting to take on traditional broadcast companies in the battle for year-round content from leagues and global tours. It previously collaborated with the US PGA on the documentary Full Swing, which ran for three series. Netflix is becoming a significant player in the battle for sports content and earlier this year secured exclusive US rights for the 2027 and 2031 women's World Cup, while it also has a three-year contract with the NFL to broadcast two matches live on Christmas Day from 2024 to 2026. Netflix increasingly views sports as a key part of its entertainment offering following the huge success of the controversial Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight it broadcast last year, which was watched in 65 million households in the US alone, with 50 million households streaming the other main fight on the card between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano. In January Netflix announced a 10-year deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) worth $5 billion (€4.3 billion) to broadcast the hit wrestling show Raw. Having enjoyed a major hit with Drive to Survive, Netflix is also understood to be bidding for US Formula 1 rights from next year. Sky has the UK F1 rights secured until 2029, and will seek an extension when the tender process takes place. Sky declined to comment. – Guardian
Extra.ie
3 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Ger Brennan set to bring fellow Dublin legend onto new coaching ticket
It's a new era in Dublin football as they announced last week that Ger Brennan will replace Dessie Farrell as Head Coach on a three-year term. Brennan comes to his home county after winning the Leinster Championship with Louth earlier this year. It was the first time Louth had won a provincial title in 68 years. It's now time for Brennan to build his coaching ticket. Upon his arrival, Dublin GAA said that his backroom staff would be announced imminently and, speaking on Dubs TV, Brennan himself said that he had already had some positive conversations. Ger Brennan. Photo: Ray McManus/Sportsfile He also hinted at the possibility of some ex-teammates coming on board. He said that he would 'integrate a couple of guys I would have played with myself over the years. They're very much looking forward to getting involved,' This has led to speculation over who will be joining Brennan in the dug out next year and the Irish Independent are reporting that two former All-Ireland winners are set to join Brennan. The first name reported is Ballymun Kickhams and Dublin legend Dean Rock. The eight-time All-Ireland winner was a staple of the great Dublin sides up until his retirement from intercounty play in 2024. He continues to play for Ballymun, lining out in the Dublin Championship last weekend. He also played alongside Brennan from 2013 until 2015. Dean Rock and Denis Bastick. Pic: INPHO/Tommy Grealy The other name linked to a role in Brennan's coaching ticket is five-time All-Ireland winner Denis Bastick. Bastick was part of the Dublin set-up from 2009 to 2017, winning the All-Ireland alongside Ger Brennan in 2011 and with Rock from 2015 to 2017. All three men played together in the 2013 All-Ireland winning side as well. Excitement is beginning to build around this new Dublin era, and with some of the great minds being linked up, that sense of optimism seems fully merited.
