Episode 7; Geraldine Kinane

On this week's epsode of the Talking Camogie podcast I'm joined by former Tipperary camogie player Geraldine Kinane, to discuss last weekends action in both the Munster chamionship where Tipperary and Waterford battled it out in the Munster final and also the opening fixture in this years All-Ireland championship between Offaly and Dublin. We also look back on the two Under 23 finals. 

I also give the Camogie power rankings for the year so far. And give a quick look ahead to next weekends action, as both the Junior All-irekand and the Intermediate All-Ireland get underway and Grouo 2 of the Senior championship continues.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

And you're very welcome back to the Talking Comoge podcast. And this week I'm joined by a former Tipperary player. She won All Ireland, one league league, one month of championships. She won two country titles and two months of club with her club Jumman Inch. She won the GA President's Award in January 2026 for her exceptional contribution to GAA. And she's also a former winner of the Camoge Association PRO of the year and probably the greatest PRO in the country today, Geraldine Cannan. Geraldine, you're very welcome to the podcast.

SPEAKER_01 0:29

Thanks, John. Delighted to be on.

SPEAKER_00 0:32

So those of you big weekend in Camoge there with the first round of the first game of the All Ireland Championship, and we also had the Munster final there. You're of course your own to County Tipperary getting the victory coming through against Waterford. Must be good celebrations on there now for the last couple of days.

SPEAKER_01 0:47

Yeah, look, it was a fantastic win for Tip. And you know, it's so hard to win anything, I suppose, and Camogey when you have the likes of Cork and Galway there the whole time, playing at such a high level, and even Kilkenny there. So to win a Monster title, I'm thinking back, I think since 2010, that's 16 years, we've won three Monster titles and one National League. So four titles is great, but in 16 years it's a long time as well. So that group, you know, in particular, you know, some of them, I think like Zeroshin Howard might be playing eight or nine years. She'd have picked up her second Monster title now and uh and a league title. So it's great, you know, and rightly so. I'm sure they celebrated for a day or two. And it's great because there's a bit of a gap before not much of a gap, but at least there's a few weeks onto the All-Irland series. Some years it was going straight from Munster into the All-Irland series, like we've seen the other group has already started. But for Tip and Warford, they have a couple of weeks because they're meeting again, which I suppose is an unusual scenario as well. So, but yeah, uh, from a tip point of view, you'd have to be very happy with the win and uh we're picking up some silverware.

SPEAKER_00 1:48

And obviously, the All-Inland Championship, if you said group two started at the weekend, awfully had a victory over Wexford. I suppose there's a bit of a surprise result in many ways, where Wexford having won the Leinster Championship and maybe in a big bit of form, and awfully only just come up from intermediate. So this is a bit of a surprise result in many ways.

SPEAKER_01 2:06

Yeah, look, I suppose the Wexford beaten winning the Leinster final was probably a big surprise as well. And and I suppose it was hard for them maybe to turn around and go straight into All Iron Series to pick themselves up, like you know, well, I suppose maybe bring themselves down more so and refocus for the All-Irland series, and maybe Offley were there waiting in the long grass. But um, you know, Offley obviously on the back of winning intermediate All Ireland last year, they were going to give this a real rattle. And I think I suppose in from the point of view of the Camoge Association, they'll probably feel that that this new structure for the All Irel has worked already when you have such even games like Wexford and Offley there playing such a competitive game, an exciting game. And uh, you know, well, it was nothing in on you, a point in it in the end and a late goal by Murray T and to see to see the victory for Offaly. We know Maraid well here in Tipperary. She plays her Camogi of Money Gaal, a fantastic Camogey player, and I was no surprised to hear that uh she came up trumps for them.

SPEAKER_00 3:00

Yeah, so great result for them, ball. Anyway, just a quick joke of what's coming up on this week's pod. We'll go back at last weekend's fixtures in full. We'll also give our power rankings from 15 to 1 based on the year so far, and we'll look ahead to next weekend's action in the championship. I'll just give you a quick look of our social media channels. We're on Instagram, you can find us at Talk and Comoge Podcast and on X at Talk and Comoge Pod. And you can email the show at talk and comoge podcast at gmail.com and you can find us on listen to us on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts, among many others. But so look, we jump into it and we start with the Monster Final, obviously Saturday. Like the maybe the quality of times wasn't the best, but it was still a good, hard fought battle, I thought, like, intense, really tense. Like, and the cutters thought went either way in at the end, like you know, it was only three points in it, like it was tip for tap, really, for especially the first half. It just the lead, I think, was it four or five times they changed hands like so really as you'd expect a spot between these two teams now at this age.

SPEAKER_01 4:04

Yeah, I suppose they know each other so well, there's never much between them. You know, there's I suppose key players on both sides, and you know, maybe the home advantage in the end helped for Tipperary having it in FBD Center Stadium, having the big tip crowd come in especially late in the game. But I suppose the crucial score was Quiva Statem's goal after on the 41st minute. Even McGrath had a goal chance in the first opening few minutes, which Rihanna Regan put off a great save. But I suppose Quiva's goal, a brilliantly taken goal, she had the tightest of angles to work for, to work with, I think was crucial. And give just give Tip, I suppose, that bit of breeding space, and I suppose they could, you know, I suppose give them a bit of confidence in the second half. And I thought they were able to control the second half. I know Waterford, you know, at the same time, Waterford were never out of sight. I think we went four points up a few times, but they they reeled us back in but back down to three the whole time. But I don't think it ever went to less than three points in that second half once Queeville had gotten the goal. And then they obviously Waterford went search of went search of goals there in the end, especially in additional time, and Laura Lennon had to put off some great saves. And we saw the likes of Eamon McGrath and Grace O'Brien back in the backs helping Tipperary. So, you know, and I think I think Tip's bench as well stood to them as well. They had great options coming off the bench, and you know, you'd have to admire the management team, James Hefferin. They weren't afraid to make the changes. Look in hindsight, Waterford might feel maybe they they uh went for goals maybe in the end there where they could have tapped over a few points, maybe, but you know, that's that's that's all hindsight, and they will look at some what missed chances that they had as well. But I thought I thought overall, you know, I thought the I th I did think tip were were marginally the better of the two sides, and um it's tough on Waterford, you know, having lost the league final this year and and you know, to lose out and win the monster title as well. But you know, by by no means are they gone. They they have a bit they'll have a big say in this all-armed championship, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 5:54

Yeah, as you said, like and they have a bit of a gap now, both teams. I suppose I think it's three weeks before look to meet again actually in the first round of the championship. So I suppose how much of that effect of that game have an effect on both teams going into that game, or will it have really any effect like or we'll just be forgotten about and go again then in three weeks' time? Like Warfare will have home advantage in that one. So that'll probably be a bit of a bonus for them in that going into that game.

SPEAKER_01 6:18

Yeah, look, I suppose I suppose both managements will hope they won't have any effect. They'll be telling the girls draw a line under the sand now and and move on. That's in the past, and it's all about the all-iron championship. But you'd have to think that Tipperary it would give a boost of confidence. I think the win alone, and you know, the celebrations, even in the dress room afters, to just you know, bind that group even closer together and and the management team, and I think it gives them confidence to drive on that they can compete with the best teams in Ireland, you know. So, and yeah, at the same time, you know, they had Casey Hennessy coming on there, they had Sarah Corkin coming back from injury, all coming on off the bench. So I think competition for places will be will be tough as well. And I think that's what that's the making of any squad. Once you have competition for places, everyone has to be pushing hard and train hard in training, and that will be that'll be the making of tip. So I think the win will stand to tip and it'll do them no harm at all because, like you said, they have a few days to to to enjoy themselves, but they'll be right back at training there tonight, and uh they'll have put in a good three weeks of training before the Waterford game. The Waterford, I suppose they'll say, you know, they won't need any more motivation, they'll be out for revenge, and I'm sure they look back on the game, the management, look at tactics, maybe things that didn't work out, what things that didn't go right for them, areas for improvement. So they'll certainly say, look, you know, it's in the past now. If we can beat Tip at home in Waterford, you know, that's nearly more important than the Munster Championship. Maybe, you know, I think Waterford were absolutely flying in the league. They were the best team in the league until I suppose they got beaten by Galway in the league final. So look, they obviously target the league at the start of the year to go all out and win that. And, you know, I'm sure maybe after the league, just trying to manage the training, and it's very hard to stay going at that pace for the whole year. So maybe, you know, obviously they'd love to have win won uh the Munster Championship, but maybe they can say, right, that's our lull for the year, we'll pick it up now again and drive on for the All-Irland series. Tip, I suppose, had a lot of injuries for the league, they were down a lot of key players, and a new management team came in. But I suppose that kind of worked in their favour when it came to the Munster Championship because you know, girls that were like Zakreen Blair looked really fresh and hungry for it. They had Karen Kennedy, who didn't play all the league games, was fresh. They had people pushing for places, they had Sierra Corkin coming back into it the last day, Casey Hennessy coming back in. So it kind of maybe having an only very average league for a tip meant that they could hit the ground running for the Munster Championship and they look to continue that momentum now into the All-Irland series. While it was kind of the opposite for Waterford, they probably hit the ground running for the league, missed out on the league final, and then maybe have a had a bit of a lull there. They struggled against Clare in the first round of the Munster Championship, got over them an extra time. Obviously, the big win against Kerry, and then probably probably didn't play to their full potential against Tip the last day. So look, they'll be looking to regroup now. Maybe they'll take a few days' break and then get going again and training, and obviously they'll drive on for the All-Iran series then.

SPEAKER_00 9:21

And yeah, look as you said, Waterford. Now I suppose that's two defeats in finals this year. Like, look, they've been a few years now, they've been knocking on the door, but they just can't seem to get over the line. Like so, will another defeat? It's probably will not be confidence a bit like so, and it'll probably affect them a little bit, I suppose, going in. So is it something that's there? Maybe they just whatever it is, they can't just seem to get over the line in finals, and it just maybe they're missing that little bit of squad depth, maybe, or something. Because uh like you see the top teams they all have squad depth, and maybe they're just big lacking that little bit there at times, and that maybe is a problem for them.

SPEAKER_01 9:55

Yeah, look, you know, it's certainly they probably don't they definitely wouldn't have the depth. Uh, like you said, that the likes that we've seen Cork there winning the under-23 All Ireland, we've seen Galby win the under-23 all Ireland last year. Warford certainly don't have that depth, and and very few teams probably do have that depth, and that obviously does affect them maybe when it comes to finals. Look, they're still reaching these finals, they're in a lot better place than a lot of counties. Tip would have loved to have reached an all-iron final in the last couple of years. Warford have done that, so they've they know they can get over, you know, semi-finals and get to finals, and you know, it's just about getting over the line in finals now. I suppose any of the finals they've played in, they probably have nearly been the underdogs in, like, because you know, they're still relatively new up and coming side, and they're competing with like so of Cork's and Galways and Kenny's are there for years, and you know, Tip have been knocking on the door for years. And you know, I mean the same can be said about Tip, who's struggling to get past the all-iron semi-finals. And um, you know, I think I think Waterford's day will come. I think in in Beck Carton and Lorraine Bray, they're you know, some of the best players in the country. They've a lot of mileage maybe done, a lot of a lot of uh camoe done the last couple of years. So I think it's all about balancing the trading load now coming into the championship because there's three games in a row. I know for Tipperary, we have three games in a row against Waterford, Cork, and Galway. Like it doesn't come any tougher than Dash. And I know you're guaranteed an all-iron quarter final, but you don't want to be going to an all-all-iron quarter final against maybe like a flying Offaly or Klikkeny on the other side, having lost three games. So it's it's going to be a tricky one for all the counties, I think, to manage the structure of the championship this year. I think it's going to be great entertainment and brilliant for the viewers and for the supporters to watch. But uh for the management teams to get it right, that you know, you pick yourself up. Like usually, I mean, if you take the last couple of years, Tip would have really got themselves up for the real big games, maybe against the top teams, and then maybe they'd known they'd had, you know, probably would have the upper hand against the Derries or the Limericks that they would have played in the past, and they mightn't have to go all out 100%. But I mean, you have to go all out 100% against Warford, Cork, and Galway in a couple of weeks' time, or they'll be left behind, and you could get a right hiding, and nobody wants that. So it's going to be tough to manage. And certainly, like you said, Joe, the the squad depth is really going to come into it, and that's where you know it's that's where the top teams could be separated on.

SPEAKER_00 12:15

Yeah, you mentioned it there, like on Tipperary. Look, if you struggle, they got to semi-finals a lot. I think it was seven over the last eight years, and they've lost them all. But just they seem to be this year now in particular, they seem to be getting better as the year has gone on. As you make sure looked at it, obviously at injuries in the league, they're getting key players back now at the right time. Like, and I was very impressed with how they played on Saturday, like with the way they moved the ball through the middle of the field and then got great ball into the forward line, you know. And look, you obviously when you get the ball in there, like Emer McGrath and Creva stake for them. If you get the bright ball into them, look, they're going to win it and they're going to cause problems for any defence, like and like also have great squad depth like there. You know, you have players that cross the bench like Jim Kelly, you'll see it's come on. Now, I don't know if you can get a point, but every other time she comes on, she also seems to get a point or two, like you know. So and you have like like you have mentioned Sarah Corkman coming back from injury, you know, and just pivot that, and it's gonna be key for them. I think I think it's the best squad depth they have down the last two years. So I think they should be very confident now going into the All Ireland Championship, maybe finally getting over that duck of the All-Irel semi-final.

SPEAKER_01 13:16

Well, certainly I think they have more scoring options this year. I mean, if you look, Imer McGrath is back after being out last year, injured Quiva Stackelem as probably one of the best miners in the country last year, uh, an excellent player. You know what? The two of them alone have added brilliantly into the forwards. Uh, more scoring opportunities. We've seen Karen Kennedy then and Kate Ralph in the middle of the field. I know they didn't score the last day because they, you know, they had their hands full keeping tabs on Orle Hickey and Lorraine Bray. But against Cork and against Limerick, both midfielders scored. And then we had Kareem Blair and Quiva McCarthy on the wings. Two girls, I suppose, have played further up the field for their clubs and are well used to coming forward and scoring. And you know, they're two engines as well. So they've come forward and scored in most of the games this year as well. Kareen got two points the last day, Quiva got one. So I think for a tip point of view, they just seem to have more scoring options this year. You mean Grace O'Brien will always chip in with a few points, same with Emir Heffernan, Roisin and Claude are always good for scores as well. So suddenly, you know, you seem to have a lot more scoring options, which is probably something that they fell short on the last couple of years, just not scoring enough against opposition. So that's certainly a plus for Tip, and that's what's looking good for them this year. Look, you know, I suppose the last couple of years, you know, I suppose even Bill Melanie bought them on a level for a couple of years, Dennis Kelly came in and bought him on another level. And I suppose James Heffern has come in and he's looking to try and bring them on another level. And you know, you all like the girls will know themselves, maybe they have to train harder, work harder, put in a bigger commitment because you know it wasn't good enough last year, and you can't go back and do the same thing. I mean, we can all see the standards improving every year. Galway just raising the standards again, Cork as well. So every every team has to up their train and up their work, and yeah, you you know, a tip look to be in a good place, but um it's a long way to go, I suppose, this year this year, yes.

SPEAKER_00 15:04

And like yeah, the game on Saturday, there's some key split moments. Like Waterford had a couple of goal chances in the second half, but Laura Lennon goes, put off two great saves, I thought, like, you know, which ended up being key then in the end. Like, so can you have moments of that good goalkeeper as well? Like, you know, it's gonna be key for them going forward. Like, and I thought just on Waterford, I thought actually Yami Flynn had a great game there. She scored four points for Blade, you know. So I think for Waterford, I suppose seeing that likes of her, maybe coming in and getting being able to get a few points is a good for them as well. Like, you know, so they're not totally reliant on the likes of Bet maybe and Leave Rockett just forgetting all their scores. Like, so maybe having a spread of scores which should be helpful for them going forward as well.

SPEAKER_01 15:41

Yeah, I actually thought at the start of the game, Tip had the win, but I thought Waterford's forwards looked much more dangerous, maybe in the opening quarter. Like you said, I think Abby Flynn had the first two scores of the game. Beck Cairn was looking dangerous, and you know what? They just their their passing and their attack and play looked really good. And I was worried at halftime because I knew they'd have the wind in the second half, and the wind was quite strong in down on pitch level. I was worried that Warford could kick on, but they never really seemed to kick on in the second half. They just seemed to couldn't be to find another gear, and it was Tip probably who played better then against the wind in that second half and you know got the crucial scores. I think Crevus Dayton got one-one very in in quick succession, so which obviously was the difference there. But uh yeah, Waterford, look, you know, an excellent side. We've seen I think Maggie Maggie Costell came on as well. Roshan Corbin came on and got a point. I think she missed one as well. But like, you know what, they had they they have plenty of options too. You know, like Beck Harton is a serious, serious player, but she probably to be fair to her a couple of years ago, maybe she could win games on her own. Maybe you know, other teams have you know, they're probably double marking her and cut up to her, and you know, like she's another girl that has serious hurl and done. So she needs other players to come into it more, and they need likes of Abby Flynn and and is Adimer O'Neill as well, and a couple more players to step up to the mark and get the scores, and and you know, and Eve Rocket obviously excellent on freeze there as well. So, like they have plenty of options, Waterford, and you know, there'll be a serious threat down at Waterford in a couple of weeks' time when Tipped go down there.

SPEAKER_00 17:08

Well, and look, as you said, the championship, you said it's gonna be three tough games for all the teams, like you know, in that group, like so. Really, I suppose it's hard to call who could come over, like because Galway be going into championship as well as favourites, because obviously, look, they're the League of All-Irland champions, and they have such a strong team and squad, like you know. But like I think uh there are any teams capable of beating any other team under daylight. So I think it's you said it's gonna be very entertaining and something to look forward to. I think it's going to be very look forward. Again, I know you can say like maybe you you don't have to get win, because like, but I think the teams will prefer to be into an all-in-a-sem-final and an easier route, then you know, to an all-arn-final, like so. I think they'll be all going for it, like you know, to try to get to an all-arden semi-final straight away instead of maybe going through a quarter final because I just don't know I suppose in the quarterfinal how it could go either, then like you know, on the day.

SPEAKER_01 17:57

Yeah, 100%. Look, ideally, you get to you get to a semi-final, like some years, maybe you know, where whenever the groups were a quarter final might have been no harm because maybe you know you played you had a few matches that were a bit one-sided, and you might need a kind of a good quarterfinal before you faced into a semi-final. But in this occasion for group one, you have three hard, tough games, and I think most most counties and most managers would say we want a bit of a break and let's go straight into a semi-final and we can watch the quarterfinals and and get our homework done. You know, they don't really need an extra game, an extra, especially an extra tough game. So I think, yeah, I think definitely the teams will be looking to get one of the two semi-final spots. I mean, that still, I suppose, allows you to lose one game, but sure, you couldn't you couldn't say one team is is standout and going to beat everyone, and maybe Galway, but like you know, Waterford have always done well against Galway. Tip, you know, are have off, you know, they wouldn't fear playing Galway either. And Cork, you know, have been the I suppose the big rivalries with Galway for the last few years. So Galway couldn't go into any game thinking that you know it's uh a foregone conclusion either. So it's certainly it's gonna be a really exciting championship, it's gonna be three tough games, and um hopefully the counties will be hoping that they don't pick up injuries. You mentioned likes of Gene Kelly, and you know, they're gonna need all these impact subs coming off the bench or players pushing for starting to spots as well because uh you're not gonna go out three weeks in a row with your same 15. So uh yeah, there's a lot to lot to weigh up and a lot to look forward to for this year's All-Irel Championship.

SPEAKER_00 19:35

Yeah, so that was something obviously three weeks' time now, so something to look forward to. Also on Saturday, we had the first game in the All-Ireland Championship, group two between Offley and Wexford and Tullomore. Offley came through when it gets you 210 to 112. And look, the win played a massive part in this game. Like I was watching the back then, and like Offley were ahead of half time by six points, and they played really well in the first half with the win. But Wexford came back at them in the second half, like when they had the win, and like Wexford thing to do that to come back to the second half like they're done in the last final. And Wexford got ahead then by two points, but instead of injury time, Maria Keaton showed what she her class like and got two and buried the ball to the back and net. And look, Offley got a massive win start to start off the championship. And that in this group now, the way it is with two teams coming over down six, you lose the game, like and you're kind of on the back foot from the start, then, like, and you're kind of supposed to stuck behind the eight ball, really. So Wexford now to be disappointed with that now to start, you know, to lose that game, but and it's it's gonna be difficult because it's gonna be no winning games in this group either. You don't think like they're all eight evenly matched teams, like so. But for Wexford now, and you you kind of mentioned that it was at the start. There's only like an eight-day break between it was the length of final and the off-free game. So maybe that had a bit of an effect as well, like you know, just to hide the deck then and trying to get down for the get ready for the off-year game so soon. That probably do you think that might have had it if had a good had a bit of effect on them?

SPEAKER_01 20:57

Yeah, like winning the Leinster final was absolutely massive for Wexford and for that group of players. A bit like Tip as well, just it's so hard to win any silver where they certainly wouldn't have been favourites at the start of the year, you know, people would have predicted Kikenny or Dublin. So for Wexford to win that Leinster final was huge, and obviously, and rightly so, do I'm sure they did a bit of celebration and you know they enjoy themselves. And but and it is hard. I see we I saw with Tip with the under-23s this year, they won the Munster final against Cork, and it can kind of go one or two ways. You can use that momentum and drive into the All Ireland and you know, drive on. But for Tip, they met Dublin in the under-23s waiting in the long grass for them, and they struggled to get up to to to you know to meet the match the intensity of of the week before that they had played against Cork. And it was a bit like that for Wexford, especially coming in against the wind in the first half and just trying to to get up to that intensity that uh the Offley bought, and you know, Offly with the wind behind them. It was you know, Wexford did struggle, you know. And like, you know, when you're when you're wait going into a large championship, that's what you should be focusing on, focusing on the opposition, focusing on the opposition. You know, that's all you should be thinking about and and how you're going to beat them and what you're going to do. And, you know, a training, all this talk would be to it. But like Wexford had that Leinster final and all the talk would have been about, you know, winning that Leinster final and getting over Dublin and this and that. And suddenly they turn around, you know, a couple of days later a trend and start talking about Offaly and beating Offaly and the All-R in series. And it I think that that short gap, you know, we've seen it in across all codes. It certainly didn't help their case. And um, you know, they they made a great comeback in the second half, but uh, you know, Awfully would be delighted with that with that result. And you know, you know, they're not here to make up numbers in this in this senior championship. They're obviously delighted to be back up senior, great win the intermediate all iron last year. And and look, the way it's structured, they have a great chance now. You know, I suppose Kilkenny would be favourites to get out of that group. But you know, there's probably a bit of transition with Kilkenny as well, uh, even though they're after winning another minor All-Irn this year as well. And there always seems to be a confer belt of players if you follow the school's Kamoge as well, coming through Kilkenny. So, but you know, uh I see Marie Teen scoring six points there, a goal from play, and and two from freeze, and one for one point from play as well. So, and they'd a good spread of scores with Fay Mulrooney and Claude Leahy and Grace T and Sarah Harding. So they seem to have a bit of a better spread of scores, maybe, than Wexford, which which was I'm sure crucial as well.

SPEAKER_00 23:32

Yeah, like Wexford, Chloe Cash got nine of their 112, like no, all from freeze. It seemed she seems to be their main scorer, like keeping even in the Leicester final when they were struggling, like she was keeping the minute, like and I know like Kiva Byrne scored two points in the end, like she did in the last final towards the end of the game. When Kiva now she's still on the 23, but when she gets when they get the ball into her and she can win it, she and she gets to this place, she's well able to put the ball over the bar, but just for a long time they don't seem to be able to get the ball in right ball into her, like and there was even in the length of final, go back to the length of final again, and even the off the game, the first half, the reason he did struggle is to get into the game. It seems we they can't seem to put and hold performance in for the whole hour. It seems to be just it's maybe just 20 minutes, maybe to play well for, and maybe that's that could be a problem for them.

SPEAKER_01 24:17

Like, yeah, look, that's that's something I suppose they'll have to rectify for the next day. And like they have plenty of talent in Wexford, they always have, they always have had, and it was probably a bit of blow for them at the weekend as well. They lost the the under-23 to be on Ireland, you know, brilliant for for Antrim, obviously winning it. But what what probably could have been a brilliant weekend for Wexford if they had won that and if the seniors had one, it turned out to be a bit of a disappointing weekend for them. So look, they'd have to regroup and come back. Uh Chloe Cash, as you mentioned, an unbelievable free taker, and uh a really good free taker is crucial in Camoge. Yeah, but there probably is a lot of freeze in Camogie, and you know, um sometimes the stop stop stop start nature of games as well doesn't help teams that they're trying to get into it, and maybe it's stopping and there's freeze and balls out playing, different things like that. So Wetford probably didn't never really got into their rhythm at all. But I certainly agree with you there. Something that certainly is has been maybe a negative of their of their season so far, is they haven't produced it for 60 minutes, and that's something they need to get right if they're going to progress out of this group.

SPEAKER_00 25:17

Like one team for them, in fairness to them, they're a very young team. Like I think there were six of started there against Offlee where then they're gonna have 20 fed in the 1993 game on Sunday. So, like, and there was a couple of maybe subs part of the panel as well in the 1993. So they are a very young team, like, so it's supposed to be the learning curve for them as well, like for going forward, like you know, and it'd be maybe a stand for them in the long run.

SPEAKER_01 25:38

Yeah, and I suppose that's the suppose the hard part for a lot of counties maybe that haven't had success is to keep girls playing and you know, to keep them playing at intercounty level. And and you know, it's the same with with a game across all codes. I mean, every every county, no matter if you're the best in Ireland or or the weakest in Ireland, putting the same, you know, work and put the same training and the same commitment and they're training four or five nights a week and things like that. And if you if you're not successful or you don't see success coming your way, maybe it's hard to keep players playing. And and that's why a lot of times then somebody there's a big turnover in some counties and you're going back to younger players, and then when your players are too young, it's very hard to compete with teams, you know, with the physicality uh of other teams um if you're if you're inexperienced and even just the experience. So I mean it's trying to get that balance right between the younger and the older players. So Joanne Dillon is a player there with a good bit more experience, and you know, she's a key player for Wexford, and you know, playing there alongside some of the younger players will be important for them going forward. Um, but look, certainly it's Offley who who won and who have that momentum now for the rest of the year, and that will bind that group together again. And you can't beat winning, you know, it really is. You know, winning is a habit, and you know, they'll be delighted with that with that start of the championship. And I think your first game in the championship can be so defining for your year as well. So it was a massive win for for Raffaly.

SPEAKER_00 27:00

And look, I suppose now both teams have a couple of week break now before their next six or so. They'll have a bit of time to get ready westward. They'll know what they have to do now to get up maybe to level. But I mean we've gone to Sunday's game in under 23 A final. Look, Cork in the end looked it was an easy win for the night. 2.23 to Githinny's 1-5. I suppose probably a lot of people maybe were expecting a lot closer game, but especially after Gitinny had beaten Cork in the group stage earlier on. But like Cork that's just Cork blew them away, like especially once again. Look, the full forward line, just like they had the week before spold against Liberiri, caused most of the problems. Like, you know, Ava McCall of Amy Shepherd and Arla Callahan, like, you know, they just you get the ball in there. If they get the ball at all, they just cause problems, like, and there's no stopping them, really.

SPEAKER_01 27:44

Just yeah, Clark, this Cork under 23 team, absolutely awesome. You know, they were brilliant against you know, Tip in the group stages. We thought maybe that was a blip for for Tip, and you know, they'd be a stronger team in the semi-final and much more competitive. But you know, once Cork get a run on you, there was absolutely no stopping them. But I certainly thought the final would be closer because Kilkenny had beaten them earlier in the year. But then at the same time, when I when I thought about after it's like you know, Tip and Kilkenny drew it was Tip Galway by a pint. I think the Galway beat Kilkenny. There was nothing between Tip Kilkenny and Galway anyway. I know Tip drew with Dublin, but in general, you know, Kilkenny, Tip, Galway were very close, and then uh Tip had lost to Cork, Galway had lost to Cork, but it wasn't that much in it, and then Kilkenny beck Cork. But like Cork and the All-Iron semi-final, and then the All-Iron final proved that they were you know different gravy and really, really impressive. And maybe it was down to that they use probably more of their senior players than maybe other counties did, and you know, you see like Zora, Cahalan there playing with them, Millie Condon as well. But the forwards are unbelievable. Amy Shepard, you know, a top class miner there the last couple of years and a really exciting player. And you know, you you you'd say if you took that Cork on the 23 team, they would give a lot of senior teams a run for their money. So really impressive. And it was a pitchy, you know, nobody wants a one-sided final, everybody wants a competitor final. And I suppose in terms of the competition, it was just a pity that the final was so one-sided, but you can't take away from Cork, they were absolutely unbelievable. And you know, when they get a run on that, it's just so hard to stop them. We found that with Tip, you know, they're just they've six forwards and they were just running everywhere and creating scores, and the spread of scores they had as well again was just unbelievable.

SPEAKER_00 29:36

Yeah, they were devastating, really, and like well deserved to win that All Ireland this year, I think. So especially they have to lose in the final last year, so they were out to make up for that. And the thing is, like, if a lot of them players I still think are under 23 again next year, so it'll be probably won't be too hard to stop next, easy to stop next year. Also on Sunday, we had the under 23B final just between Wexford and Antrim, and Antrim ended up winning 111 to 1.9. It was a tight game all the way too. But I just watched Antrim, they're probably where the deserved winners like they just seem to have just too much for Wexford on the day. Like, so I think they just deserve to win that one. And like they'll obviously be up to under 23A now next year. So it'll be interesting to see how they go on there at that level then next year. Like, you know, Ava McAllister actually had a great game for them. She's a right, she's a great, had a great underage career as well. Like, you know, she scored one four, like one three for feet, but she had a great game, like in how she and Ellen McIntosh with three points as well. So there's a good win for Antrim there now, and it'd be a great, great boost for Antrim, because I thought they'd actually done all right well in the league, even though they did get relegated from on Able, like the Beck Cork, which is not meet Downing Cork, which is all mean V, and the rank go with close as well. Like so maybe there's a bit of something there for the new future for Antrim, like so, and that would be a great that's a great win for them.

SPEAKER_01 30:50

Like, yeah, it certainly is, and like Antrim is a serious comoge in hurling stronghold. We see with the schools camooge as well, always very competitive. I was up there this year for the first game of the league against Tip, and uh I thought Tip were were quite good that day, but like Antrim had some serious, serious hurlers are really good, and it's great to see him winning uh silverware. It's brilliant for the county, it'll give them a huge boost and uh encourage all the youngers stay playing and stay trying and and and to commission to play with the county. Fantastic victory for them. And you know, and I'm not surprised in one way because like I said, it's it's there's a huge amount of work to be done in Camogee in in Ulster and in Antrim. And um, you know, in Elaine Dows now, they were serious manager, and what a brilliant lead they had, beating Cork. You know, that was that would go down in history to go down to Cork and beat them was was fantastic. And you know, they were very competitive, like you said, against Galway, against Tip as well. So, you know, unfortunately got they got relegated, but I think you know they they certainly did themselves proud in the league. And I think this is you know, whatever happens for the rest of the year, this will be you know, between beating Cork and this all iron success, it'll go down as a very good year for Anton Kromogi, and rightly so.

SPEAKER_00 32:04

And look, obviously, now they have the intermediate championship coming up, so they're out the weekend, I think, against Derry. So, look, to see how we see how they go under it, they'll probably be favourites going into that. Anyway, now we move on to the power rankings, the top 15 in the country based on the year so far, and we go from 15 to 1. At 15, I have Leash there at the moment. Look, they won the Leintster Intermediate Championship, and I thought you know they've come up from junior last year, and they seem to be on a bit of a roll at the moment. So I have them in the number 15 at the moment, and then 14, I have Meat, who were like beaten in Division I or two-way final. Like, so I just have Meat in there in 14th, and then 13th, I have Kerry, the one the Division 2A final. But I and look, I know they were in the Munster for the first time this year as well. And I know they were well beaten by Waterford, but like I still think you know they're trying to make they're not doing too bad, like you know, they're doing well, like they hope they don't have a big pick, but like you know, they're doing all right like for a small pick, like and have a lot of things.

SPEAKER_01 33:02

Yes, they'll be there about again this year in the intermediate championship 100%.

SPEAKER_00 33:06

Yeah, and then 12. I have down beaten in Illuster final by Antrim there recently, and they were relegated from 1B, but only on scoring difference ahead of just below awfully. So, you know, they're they're doing I think they're not they'll they'll be all right now. They're in the intermediate championship as well. And I think look they'll give it a good shot, I think. So and then 11th, I have Limerick. You know, uh I think they're a up-and-coming team. Like, I've been seeing them a few times over the last few years, and some of the games look might have suffered a big beating, but I've been impressed by some of their play, like, you know, at times like you can see maybe what they're trying to achieve, like, and they are doing a bit of work under it as well. So, you know, maybe I don't think they're a million miles off, maybe getting some sort of breakthrough. Like, and I think maybe this year with the championship structure to do it is they'll have a chance maybe of challenging for the top two, like so. And then 10th, I have Offlay, you know. I think after the win over Wexford, like you know, just moved them up to 10. Like, I think I had them in 11 the last time or something, but moved them up one. So I think you know that win over Offley or Wexford, sorry, was like a massive win for them, like you know, and really confidence booster for them. And then the night I have Antrim, you know, Ulster champions, they won look the under 23B as well. Like, so as we've already mentioned, they're kind of under up, like you know. So we hopefully didn't keep keep that momentum going, like just because obviously Camoge needs all the teams to kind of get getting better and challenging. And then in eighth, I have Dublin. You know, I think they've had a bit of an up and down year, like you know, they've had some good results, like, but like the Lancer final, I think they'll be fairly disappointed with that one, you know, after being up, played so well in the first half. I thought they were excellent in the first half, and they seem to be another team that can seem to get 60-minute performance in them, like you know. So hopefully they can build it up. Um like I think Schneid Ghana now returned against in that Lancer final. I know it was only the last few minutes, but if they can get her back fully fit, you know, it'll be a massive boost for them, like you know, because she'd be missing for the last file, like missed the league final as well. So but and then in seventh, I have Wexford, you know, win the Leinster Championship. But maybe it would have been higher if they had beaten off the weekend. But look, just as you said already, they don't seem to get have a 60-minute performance in them so far. So, you know, if they could get that six, you might be up higher, but sixth, then I have Claire. You know, I've been impressed by Clare this year, like with it what with winning Division 1B, and then Waterford in Munster, like they pushed him to the limit. Like, you know, I got only lost by a point or two after extra time, and I thought they were really impressive in that game. Like I'd just like to get your opinion on Claire and how they what do you think of them so far this year?

SPEAKER_01 35:39

Yeah, they were really impressive against Waterford, and like they weren't lucky enough to get over Waterford, and then you know you would have given them a great chance against Kerry then, so they could have very easily been in a Munster final. So like they have some lovely hurlers. And remember last year as well, was it last year against Warford as well in the quarter final? They ran in close as well. So um, you know, it's it's it's it's an interesting list so far because a lot of those teams there around the middle probably could could beat each other on any given day. You know, there's nobody would dominate them, but uh yeah, you'd be clear you'll be could be waiting the long grass this year, could cause an upset this year.

SPEAKER_00 36:17

I would be surprised. I think they're probably the favourite as long as Kikini maybe to get out of that group too at the moment, like you know, and look, top five in fifth to have Kikini, you know. I think they'll probably be disappointed that with how the year has gone so far. Look, maybe not the best league, and then losing to Wexford and Leinster, which would have been I suppose a bit of a surprise at the dawn of the day. But I know they're probably going through a bit of a you know rebuilding phase, so you know, but I don't think they'd be too far off, like you know, as you see there with their minor team, like one class two minors, and they have a good team coming through there with the school system. So, like I know it's give a step up to a senior, but I think two or three years and they will be back. Then look, at the moment, I can afford to have Cork meaning based, you know, because as well, they've had a bit of an up and down year, disappointed league for them, I suppose, and then losing to Tipperary in the Munster quarter final, which they will be disappointed with. And another team maybe going through a bit of a very brilliant phase, lost one or two players maybe from last year's team as well, and a few out injured. So at the moment I have them in fourth. Then in third, I have Waterford, you know, got to a Munster final, league final. And look, and because it was they lost both of them, that's why they're in third at the moment, and then second, I have Tipperary at the moment. Now, this is I did think about first and second, mainly because look, Galway obviously number one, but because they're all Ireland League champions. So that's but I thought they haven't played in a while, like you know, and Tipperary have been, you know, just three big wins there in Munster to get to a Monster final and win the Munster final. So but just Tipperary is still second, like and you have to suppose you have to have Gaway number one because they're just standard bear at the moment, and look, they're league and all Ireland champions for a reason.

SPEAKER_01 37:53

Yeah, 100%. I mean, Gaway are definitely number one, and I I'd be half afraid putting Cork at four. Um, if if they're tuning into this, they could they could use that to come at tip later in the year. But um, you know, I suppose based on you know, maybe their league performance and obviously to beating them in in uh the monster, but like they were a very under strength team even that day. We played them in the Munster preliminary round. I think were they missing maybe seven or eight from the starting team that played in the All-Irland last year, and then Ashley Thompson being injured as well, you know, a used leader. I mean, even if they had one or two, if they had Ashton Thompson and Namio Connor back, I think it would have been a totally different cork team. So it's hard to know. I mean, I I haven't heard that from from the cork camp since, but yeah, I could see them moving up from four very quickly if they get their act together. Um you know, I'm I'm I'm sure even Germany's probably looking at under 23 all Ireland and say maybe it's time to spring a few of these players in as well, because maybe that's what's needed, you know. But yeah, they're they're cork are a serious team, and you know, I mean, they they look like there was a stage last year I thought they were going to win the the senior under 23 and minor all Ireland, you know, I would have put put money on it, and in the end they didn't win any, but it could be a different story this year when when the pressure isn't on, and maybe when people aren't expecting it, or people are talking about transition, that's when they could really come strong. And they've already won the under 23. So look, you know, Waterford, yeah. I couldn't argue, I suppose. While while if I had to to name you to me, Tip or Galway and Corker are always the top two teams for me, but uh if you're this is your power rankings that are going up and down every week, I can I can I would agree with one, two, three, and four there, and five really. It's hard to disagree. You you've done the homework there and you're watching them all very closely, but I suppose there's nothing between you there's probably three three, you know, 15, 14, 13, there's probably nothing between them, and then 12 to even six, there's probably nothing between them, or well, maybe down or and limerick back out a bit. But well, even Limerick, like any day you would be putting money on and on any day Limerick go out and play against Offaly or Rantrum or Dumbledore Claire. I wouldn't be betting for either team to win or lose because there's absolutely nothing between them. And I just as as the podcast has gone on, I was talking a lot about group one and how competitive that is. But the more I think about it, I think all the action could be over in group two. Like, I mean, I don't know how you you would pick who's to come out at, like, you know, even just going by results so far this year in the in the league and in the Leinster Championship, you know. And and that's I really I'm really delighted with the restruction of the championship this year because I think it gives every team a really good chance, you know, a really good chance to be competitive in every game and to really believe that you have an opportunity to go out and win it. I mean, that's what you want. Even if you're not gonna pick up silver, not gonna get to an all-iron final this year, you want to be winning in championship matches. You want to be like we're training for the last six or seven months, you want to have something to show for it, a win in in a championship game, and that's what you want. And just looking at the power rankings and looking at you know, even even the intermediate championship there, it's gonna be really, really competitive again. And yeah, it's it's it's exciting times. And um, look, there's there's Galway are a serious side there at number one, but uh tip war for Cork, you know, to Kenny, they'll all fancy their chances if they ever met, if they meet Galway. There's like Galway, as good as Galway are, they don't go out and really hammer anyone, you know what I mean? Cork when they're on fire, I think sometimes they can actually blow away out of war. They did tip last year in in the championship, but uh Galway are you know are a serious side, but they're they're not they're not always a side that would you know would hammer anybody. So I think it's always close. I think they're so consistent, Galway, throughout the year. They're they're they're very consistent and and and um formidable all year round, you know, and you know they don't really dip and peak. They're just they're like I said, they're very consistent and you know they're big game players in an all-armed final as well, but um, they don't panic. But you know, I think any any like the tip or water for a car, Kenny, any time they play Galway, even clear, they would, you know, they would be good, they would fancy themselves that they can go toe to toe with them and they're always close games. So look, yeah, really interesting power rankings and 15 top sides, and you know what it could all change again in a couple of weeks' time.

SPEAKER_00 42:29

Yeah, no, that they like then top four, like you could really have them any order, and you're probably right, like you know, because there really is, I don't think there's much anything in between them on if both if they're all on it on it under day, like playing each other, they're all going to be tight games, like you know. So, you know, you really could have them in any order, but that's just a lot of people.

SPEAKER_01 42:46

Yeah, like Walter would probably feel like you know what one of those chances that had if had they gone in against Lord as two says Laura Lennon pulled off, and one of them had gone in, you know, Waterford could be Monster champions. They were, I think the Galway finished with the last two or three scores in a row in the league final up until that stage, there was nothing between them. And other manager Michael Boland spoke about leaving uh you know scoring chances behind in the league final and in the monster final. So Waterford very easily could be number one there. If they had you know, maybe taken a few more of those scoring chances, they could they could be league and monster champions at the moment. So, you know, when when they get when they click, they're they're a serious, serious side too, you know.

SPEAKER_00 43:24

Yeah, that's it. Like, yeah, so and even like you look at the other teams there, maybe Clairs and Wexford's your Dublins and your Anchants, like whichever of them does get out of group two, like it'd be great for them like to get to an all-and-a-quarter final, like obviously. And look, they won't be probably favourites going into that quarterfinal, but I'd just be great for them if they could like get into it and whoever they're playing in the quarterfinal, you know, if they could give them a game. And I think they're well capable of their perform as well, like, especially the likes of Claire there. Now, you've seen what Claire can do to show that against Waterford in Monster, like so. I think even the quarterfinals, whoever's in it, I think I think it's going to promise. To be a great Holland Championship this year, like I think there's gonna be some great games in it in the across the group stages and then the knockoff stages. So it's something to really look forward to.

SPEAKER_01 44:08

Yeah, and I think I think it'll be different this year because whoever goes into a quarter final, they're going in as one of the top two teams in that group, you know. So they're after winning a couple of games, they're after doing well in the in the group and finishing either first or second. While other years maybe they might have been third in their group, uh, and to be third, you might have lost maybe more games than you won, you know. So I think you'd be going into a quarter final as either, you know, the group winners or runners up, and after playing a couple of really good games and obviously winning a few games, so they'd be going in, you know, I think psychologically in a much better position, and you know, hurling-wise in a much better position. So I the quarterfinals will I'd imagine will be closer than ever this year.

SPEAKER_00 44:50

And look, that's the power rankings for this week. We'll probably have another one in maybe the second week of the championship when the group when group one starts, you know, and we see where we are then. Like, you know, it could be completely different by then. But anyway, look, we'll have a quick look ahead to next weekend's action. In the All Ireland Senior Championship group two, the four remaining teams start their championships like in Zimmer, Biomet Park, Cresick in Ennis on Sun Saturday, two o'clock. We have Clare versus Dublin. And look, that's obviously a repeat of the 1B final. So look, Dublin may be off for revenge in that one. And even though Clare won that one, look, Dublin had chances as well in that game to win it. And they'd be disappointed with the goals they could see it actually thinking back in that league final. So there's not going to be much in that one, anyway. I don't think either on Saturday.

SPEAKER_01 45:35

Yeah, so it's Dublin probably a bit like Warford, you know, had chances there in the Leinster final and in the league final this year, and and you know, maybe Fulfield they left it behind and just should have won at least one of them out of the two, you know, picked up a bit of silver. So it'll be interesting to see, you know, how they've regrouped since how they're how the focus is. It's never easy going to Claire, and uh, you know, Clare at home will be a tough team to beat. And I think Claire will be buying by their by their performance in the Munster Championship as well against Warford. So certainly that's going to be a tough game to Dublin for Dublin, and and I'd probably fancy Claire in that one.

SPEAKER_00 46:12

So you're going with Claire on that one, then, yeah?

SPEAKER_01 46:14

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 46:14

That's your prediction. Yeah, I think I think I clear will just a home advantage and the confidence they would again for him. As I say, I said that Warford game, I'll just give it to them as well. And then also on Saturday in UPMC, Northern Park, Limerick are the visitors as they take on a home team with Kilkenny. And look, I suppose that one, Kilkenny, even though maybe Half and had the great the years, you still put them favourite going into that one, even against Limerick. Like it was actually a home adventure. But it'd be interesting to see how Limerick actually got on there now in that game. And because as I said already, I've been impressed with them at times, like even in the Munster semi-final there. I know Tip Ray ended up, but was a winner about hands, but Limerick, I didn't think they'd done too bad in the game. Like they did you could see certain parts of their game that if they just keep working on it, you know, they might cause problems for teams like going forward, especially in this group.

SPEAKER_01 47:04

Yeah, I thought they against Tip, I thought they looked really well coached. I thought the hurling was very good. Probably lacked maybe I don't know, maybe a standout marquee forward. But I know Rebecca De Lee had to go off injured early in the game. But I know the way they set up as well. Obviously, they they played with a sweeper, so I mean they're they're five forwards against six Tiberi backs as well. So you know, I just thought they I just kind of at that match, I was like, where are the scores going to come from? You know, that's kind of the way I felt. But um, you know, I think certainly going to Kilkenny and they've a young team as well. I think they're all training together with the under 23s. But you know, they'll give themselves a good chance going to Kilkenny. And Kilkenny, you know, you don't just don't know what you're going to get get with Kilkenny. I thought they were they were impressive against Tip in the league this year. I thought they worked great uh in the first half was was excellent and they got some good scores, but then the second half they let Tip right back into it, and there was nothing in it in the end. And I know the win played a factor, but they look like they haven't really well, we'll see, I suppose, at the weekend have they kicked on since the league? Have they you know you want to be improving? I suppose that's one thing with Tip. They seem to have been improving with every game as the year went on this year, but um, you know, you can't even be hoping they'll they'll have done the same. And um look, they've lost some big player players over the last couple of years, and you know, it takes a while for to to blend in a new squad and some younger players as well. So, but um that'll be an interesting one, it'll be a very interesting one. You'll you might do your power rankings again next week because um there's a lot on on the line there, but I still fancy Tlkenny are at home, and I I I fancy Tilkenny in that one. And you know, we'll I think we'll know after after that game what Tilkenny are at this year, you know, what kind of you know, what kind of um you know, how are they going, uh what kind of uh score in threshold. And you know, if they if they can beat Limerick well that at the weekend there, I think they're gonna be serious contenders this year, but you know, if they only scrape over the line, I I don't think they'll uh I don't think they'll be contenders for the All Ireland.

SPEAKER_00 49:05

Yeah, and look, I I think they will get the job done Saturday, anyway. I just think as I'll home advantage as well. I just think they have two wits for Limerick on the day, but look, you just never know what it was either. But I'm just gonna give it to them. Also on Sunday, just through the fixture or Saturday, the All Ireland Junior Championship gets underway. With well, fixtures are Mayo take on out at 3 30 p.m. And at also at the same time, Monitan played on the goal. Look, the venues haven't been named yet, so I don't know where they're going on. But and then on Sunday, the intermediate championship gets underway. In group one, you have Kerry taking on down at 2 pm, and then at 3.30 you have Derry home to Antrim. While in group two, in Leash Higher or Moore Park, at 3.30 you have Leash take it on Carlow, and then Dunhamore, Ashburn also at 3.30, me taking on Miss Meat. And look, obviously, going some big games there in intermediate championship as well for but all the teams like see, they'll all be looking to get off to a great start like and lay down a marker for the rest of the championship. So it should be some good games there, actually, in that like Leash Carlow, and then you have meat and Miss Meat like as well in group two, we've said and Kerry Down. It'll be interesting to see how Down got on there against Kerry.

SPEAKER_01 50:12

Yeah, like all them teams will be trying to hide their, you know, the first game in the championship to try and get a win, you know, get off to a winning start and build from there. And but you know, it's certainly the teams that are at home would be like, you know, we need to be winning these home games as well. You know, it's hard to call. I mean, Darien Answing should be a cracker, really, and you couldn't see much between Kerry or Down. I I'd fancy, I'd fancy Leisha over over Carlo, and and I think I'd fancy Meade over Westmead as well. But um, you know, they're only marginally, really.

SPEAKER_00 50:41

Whatever happened, it'll be a great weekend of action anyway. So a lot to look forward to. Look, we'll wrap it up there now, anyway, for this week's episode. Just to remind you that we're on Instagram at Talk and Komoge Podcast, and you can find us on X as well at Talk and Comoge Pod. And you can email us at talk and komogepodcast at gmail.com. And you can get listen to us on the likes of Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music, among others. And don't forget to give us a five star review call give us make some nice comments for us anyway. And anyway, look, I was once again, look, Joline, thank you for coming on this week and it was a pleasure having you on. And look, I'll talk to you again at some stage.

SPEAKER_01 51:18

Thanks again, Joe. Talk to you soon.