Episode 14: All-Ireland Quarter Final Review.

This week I'm joined by former Tipperay player Joanne Ryan and former Galway player Susan Earner to look back on the weekeds action in the All-Ireland Quarter Finals, and look ahead to the semi-finals and where all four remaining teams stand now. We also discuss the new format and ways of improving it going forward. And also the latest power rankings are out. To get in contact with the the pod you can email us at talkingcamogiepodcast@gmail.com and you can also follow us on Instagram at talkingcamogiepodcast and also on X at talkingcamogiepod, where you can message us also on either.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

And you're very welcome to this week's episode of the Talk at Komogi podcast. I'm joined this week by former Chippery player and last captain of the Tipperary team that lifted the Duffy Trophy in 2004, Joven Inch Club, Joanne Ryan. Joanne, you're very welcome to the podcast. Thanks, Joe. And I'm also joined by making a second appearance on the pod. Go is Susan Ernert. Susan, you're very welcome back to the pod. Great to have you back on again.

SPEAKER_00 0:26

Yeah, I don't know if my predictions are very good the last time, but we're gonna give it a go again.

SPEAKER_01 0:37

But anyway, look, I thought we start off back look back to the quarterfinals at the weekend, start with the water for Clickinny game. It was a big win for Clickinny in the end. Like they probably deserved it overall. Like they played some good commodity times. And you know, got the job done in extra time, like in so and now we took the same final. So how did you think of the game, like and how it went?

SPEAKER_00 1:01

It was fairly nip and tuck all the way through, and you know, like when you look at the stats, I think they both had 38 shots, you know, and you know, and 119 to 219 then after extra time. It was kind of nip and tuck, and but I think there was a couple of decisive factors, you know, like the loss of the rocket, Alora Bray not coming in for eiling, and then the vibes of Beth Carlton as well. You know, like they were all massive, massive changes, massive losses to Waterford, and even considering that they did well compete at that high level.

SPEAKER_01 1:35

And just you mentioned there, like Beth Carton, she probably were used to seeing her at her very best, but she made she probably didn't have her best game at the weekend. Like she missed the penalty, look, and all that can happen. But second half, she also missed the three that she probably normally get with her eyes closed. Like, and you know, that's at that level, there could be the difference between winning and losing, and that's obviously what happened to Watford at the end.

SPEAKER_00 1:56

I think even Beth, did she have six wives in total in the whole game? And like that's uh that's not look, it's it's everyone's entitled to have enough today, but uh something never expected, you know, at Beth she's a huge player, and her you know, her standards are very high. And uh look, she still contributed with nine points to the game, which is phenomenal as well. So, you know, I suppose she carries them a lot, and uh you know, luckily enough they had other players like Maggie Gossel who who had a goal and Annie Fitzgerald and three points as well. So yeah, I do think though they missed another attack from me rocket there up front.

SPEAKER_02 2:33

Yeah, but again, Susan, maybe you you'd you'd never underestimate Kilkenny. Like they're building there for the last few years, aren't they? They have young players coming through, and I suppose Waterford were after coming off a few hard games up to this. You know, the they they were you could call them a little flat and tired, whereas Kilkenny were they're what Kilkenny have won all their matches up to this and they're they're on a you know win a note and they have some really good young players coming through and they're starting to to show with this, you know. That's why you'd be with all the work would want to be done for the semi-finals for them, like you know, they're they're nearly hiding in the grass this year, the Kilkenny in the long grass.

SPEAKER_00 3:13

Yeah, like they uh they like had more probably chance to experiment, you know, with being in the other group. Maybe not as under pressure, maybe giving extra time and as you said, maybe fresh your legs and pound new players coming through as well, you know.

SPEAKER_02 3:28

Because they've got very consecutive wins, haven't they, in their in their um group two. Yeah. And you know, the bit they were in that winning feeling as well, but parallel to Watford.

SPEAKER_00 3:39

Yeah, they're here and there about the whole time, aren't they?

SPEAKER_01 3:42

And like for go off for though, you know, obviously that's the last the league final and the month of the final this year, and then they lost this and so they haven't been losing by much in the games, they'd have been losing. And it seems to be just it can't seem to go over the line, though, the last few years. Like I get the win, the big win or something, you know. Like they obviously got to the all-in-a-final in 2023, but they lost that one heavily. But they haven't really kicked on maybe as well as people would have thought they were going to uh after that ball. They just seemed to lose out entire matches, and like for me, the problem is, and it happened a lot at the weekend as well. It happened in a couple of games before that hitting a lot of poor wide, they're dropping a lot of balls short, like, and it's something that it eventually cost them at the weekend against Kilkenny. Like, and it's something that maybe they'll have to work on if they are going to kick on maybe going forward. You said it already, Susan. Maybe they need an extra forward in their you know quality as well, like you know, just that can maybe with a game or cause problems that they're in there go forward.

SPEAKER_00 4:38

Yeah, like if you look at Kilkenny, like Joanne said, like they're in like under 16 All-Ireland finals, minor all-irling finals, they have players come and take it fast, and Waterford don't seem to be competing the same on the other side. Like, I'm just looking here at like Waterford's number three had like the most possessions of all the players for water. So when your full back is having the most possessions, that's never a good sign, is it?

SPEAKER_01 5:01

She actually had a great game as well, like back there, but you know, like and also for Kikini, like when you were someone like the quality of it all in coming on, you know, former All-Star and scoring two goals, you know, that's a big fuss to have off the bench. Like, you know, she's still only 29, I think. So, you know, when you have someone like that, Dave come off the bench, you're also gonna be have a chance at getting the victory.

SPEAKER_00 5:21

Uh Waterford as well, only like uh I think they only won six of their poke house cleanly as well. So maybe they might have struggled a little bit in the middle of the field there as well during the match.

SPEAKER_01 5:32

Killy now, I suppose the next challenge for them now is Galway in the semi-final now. Look, that's gonna be another step up for them going into that. Like, and they'll probably have to improve as well going into that, like, because we all know how good Gaway are like defensively as well. Like, you know, like Kikilli got a lot of freezes, so like Waterford gave away a lot of frees, they'll be a scored position, and Galway probably won't be at that level as well, like you know. And so they'll have to up with the game if they are going to get to another in a final.

SPEAKER_00 5:58

Well, Carrie Dolan won't uh he won't put Manny wide on the day. You can only put your house on her at this stage. He's fairly class at the freeze. But I do think Galway could be exposed down down the wings at the minute. I'm not sure if they're totally settled on wing backs at the minute. So it'll be interesting to see, you know, you know, the Sarah Barco. I hope they I hope they bring her out a little bit. I think she caused an awful lot of damage when she came out of the field a bit the last day. She scored three points and then three wide as well. So I think if she was given a bit more freedom, she could cause uh go all the way north of a lot of damage.

SPEAKER_01 6:34

And to Kitty, I thought Laura Murphy in the middle of the field there had a great game at the weekend, like winning ball. She scored four points as well, Joanne. So you know, she's a key player for that, like for going forward. And she'd be massive going into she'll have to have a good game in the semi-final if they are going to cause a bit of an upset against Galwa.

SPEAKER_02 6:51

Yeah, definitely, yeah. Um, but Kilkenny are the type of league players, they like big games, they always excel in big games. So it'll be a good clash for the act between the two, so it's like and they've no better place to play inside the simple uh FBD simple stadium. So everyone loves going down there, so they'll they'll perform on the day, so they will Kilkenny. And again, McGallway will always rise to the occasion when it comes to semi-finals. They always improve every match coming towards this time of the year.

SPEAKER_01 7:22

I think maybe to hidden the fact that they were in group two and they weren't like in group one top four teams. Maybe they've used that as a bit of motivation for them this year, because they'll feel that they belong in the top level of Camoge, like you know, like they're when we win all Ireland as soon as 2022, like so. They'll definitely and they'll also feel that they're one of the top teams in Camogey. So you think they are using that as a bit of motivation this year?

SPEAKER_02 7:45

Yeah, it would, it definitely helps out. Yeah, again, as you said, their their group was an easier group than the other teams. Do you know what I mean? And that's why they were probably more sharper there against Waterford. They were able to overcome them. But um yeah, Kilkenny would they they'll come out and they'll be on top and they'll be ready for the game. That's the thought they are down there in Kilkenny. They're always ready for big deals like that on big occasions. They're big occasion uh teams, always were down through the years, same as the Horriers as well.

SPEAKER_01 8:14

Uh and look Sunday than Tipperary wouldn't get clear 320 to 313. And of course, Tipperary were always in control of the game. Uh Claire got a couple of their poses and able to put a bit of shine on the score line to get it back to seven high. But Tipperary were always in control, like they got off the great start break into seven points to no score lead. Like him, then they got a hole just after half time through Roshi Howard and kind of just what wrote Jenny from there, like, but it was a good probably the best performance of the year because they struggled a bit in the group stage, like losing all three games.

SPEAKER_03 8:46

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 8:47

I feel they're coming at the right time, aren't they? Tip. They're coming at the right time. Do you know what's what's happened up to now is water under the bridge. You just get on and go with it. Look, they're they're they're at what they wanted to be at at the start of the year. They're in an all-irling semi-final. So they're they're like if you look at the scores across the tip team there in that clear match. What do we had?

SPEAKER_01 9:08

There was ten different scores, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 9:11

I think there was ten different players on Tiberian scored in that match. And not only the players that were playing, the subs that came in as well, they really uh excelled. Eva Dwyer there from Twirls Stars when she came in there, she had a fine game. She's uh chopped it on the bit there for the last few matches, but she's uh she'd be delighted with that run now. And who else came in? We ha I know Quiva Maher, she went off there with a bad injury, but they've got a woman. Yeah, exactly. No better woman to bring in than Claude Kirk. She's she's um ooled of experience and she really slotted in well there as well. And again, that'll stand to her that match. Again, with the the rest of the players as well, for them going forward. It's good experience to get the big stadium, they'll be ready for you know the semi-final against Cork.

SPEAKER_01 9:57

And like Carrie Kelly to come back there, she should be back for the semi-final from talking to James Heffin and after that. She with she'll gone off injured in the water game and miss hasn't been vaccinated, but she could have been ready to go, I think, again they badly need it. But she'd be a massive asset definitely come back because her work rate goes through up and down the field. Like, I mean, it was really and caused and she creates a lot of chances that she can get goals away, there's goals in her. So she's a big player, she can come back like and be a big admission for team.

SPEAKER_02 10:24

And then so you have Quiva State and she's on fire. What she got player of the match and she got one four. She got one three from plea and a pint from a free. She's on fire at the moment. I know she was out, she sat her lead insert there, she was out for I think was it the bones of maybe five weeks. But sometimes in a player like that, the rest does them really well. She's she's gone and go now, and she's gone and go for the next match. You know, she's all set.

SPEAKER_01 10:48

Susan, just to clear that game, they'll be probably disappointed because they had a lot of chances that they missed, especially in the first half of three in particular, like getting they were very easy scorable threes at all, but they're just they weren't getting them and could have kept them in the game at times, like you know, especially with the way they came back at the end, like we didn't look closer to coming towards the end. And I think they'll be disappointed with that. Like I know Russian baby, like she'd had a good deal up to the end, but she was seemed, I don't know, those nerves or whatever it was, but she missed a couple of simple threes, like getting they'd be disappointed from that aspect.

SPEAKER_00 11:19

No, I I just I wonder, like, I just felt like Claire really started sluggish. Did the did the big did the big day get to them that like Tip would have had more experience going to Crow Park, you know, like it's like they didn't start to play for 15-20 minutes and the game was nearly over at that stage, you know. And as you say, they missed so many chances. So many chances. I don't know how many wides did they have, something like 15 wides or something massive, like and if they had converted even half of them, you know. Um and then yeah, rotten reggley normally she would probably be on the scoreboard, but she scored an absolute crack and point from the sideline. And look, she has huge potential going forward. They'll be disappointed with the scoreline. If I was the goalie contemporary, I'd be probably very disappointed to concede those two threes. You know, like they're kind of things that shouldn't should shouldn't be happening, I suppose. But look, player have come a long way. I think that group stage there did help them, it gave them confidence, they got wins under the belt, and I think it'll bring players back again next year. But they do have a big team to work on, I suppose.

SPEAKER_02 12:21

To be fair, to the player manager, he's he's after he's made huge strides with that team, hasn't he? This year they won Division I B league winners, and that's that's a big achievement for them. And definitely going forward, that clear team, they're young, and you know, they're very young. Uh that match will stand to them going forward now. You know, big game in Crow Park, and it could give them experience going forward next year and things like that.

SPEAKER_01 12:43

So one thing Claire might look back on like on Yol Auckland. She didn't start the game, she came on at half time. She scored one three there when she came on and she caused unrelievable damage there when she came on, and she was winning ball setting up score, she winning a lot of frees. I don't know if she was injured, maybe that she can't start, but if she was fit or that, you wonder why she didn't start because when she did come on, she caused all sorts of problems. She would like Braid Ellison's a great fullback, but she really struggled under there in the second half. And you'd have to wonder then why she didn't start, maybe.

SPEAKER_02 13:09

Yeah, I still sorry, Susan.

unknown 13:12

No.

SPEAKER_00 13:15

No, you go on, it's sorry, don't you?

SPEAKER_02 13:17

No, you work away.

SPEAKER_00 13:17

You're probably not no, I sometimes it's strange how dynamics and players I know, like sometimes you might not be performing a training and then come out and make an impact or a statement, you know. Sometimes things like that motivates players more so to come on the field and make a statement. And you know, like there's more motivation for them to play better. So yeah, I don't know. I don't know what what the decision was, why she didn't start, whether she had a niggle or or what.

SPEAKER_02 13:43

Yeah, something like you're right, Susan, as you said, mightn't have been performing on top of the training sure. That's and things like that, you know. But when she did come on, she she she did cause damage, didn't she? In fairness.

SPEAKER_01 13:55

I know Tipperary Cork in the semifinal. Like Tipperary, as it's seven out the last eight semi-finals they've lost. So, you know, that's obviously something that they're gonna have to try to get over, I suppose, this year. And that it's gonna be obviously difficult to get. We all know how good Cork are. But John, do you think that's something maybe mental with the temporary team now at this stage when it comes to a semi-final? Or is it just I know they're up against quality proposition every year, like when they are going in, so it's not like you know, so that's hard as from that perspective. But what is something there just that they need just to get over it, and if the Cal get the win, it's what they need to get one and windy Ireland or what do you think?

SPEAKER_02 14:30

Well, yeah, it would be a little factor in that now, to be fair, but um like there's new, there's all kind of a new new management in this, you know. That this they'll just count at us getting into the semi-fine, they won't even look back or dwell on the last few years. And you know, they they're after getting a good win against Clare to reach this semi. And you know, when you're preparing for a semi, you don't talk about the past, you just have to kick on and go for you know for the semi-final against Cork. And like you just remember too that Tip have beaten Cork already this year. They bet them very well there in that monster championship, if you can remember. And like Tip they played Waterford, Cork, and Gol in the championship this year, and they had all their matches were hard, close, tough matches, do you know what I mean? And they've all them under the belt. And you know, going forward to the semi-final here now, they've looked, they've nothing to lose. If you're not in, you can't win. They'll throw everything at Cork, to throw the kitchen sink at them, and that's the only way, you know, to do it and have that kind of an attitude. They uh James Effelum won't have any thinking about last year or a few years, he'd be just going forward and uh picking up from the player game. And as we said, sure, we have with Karn back again for uh this match and Quivis Daylem, she's on fire as well, she'll be back as well. And with the introduction of all those subs in the last match, you know, the like Zoe Devoire, like she's a fine player there. They've lots of talent on the subs, and they got to they got a great game there last weekend, and they're got that that experience has standard and Lucy Purcell came in there as well, didn't she? And Neve Tracy and Emma Kerrick came on as well.

SPEAKER_00 16:04

You know, I think Nima Moran's fairly firing well on the freeze as well.

SPEAKER_02 16:08

I think she is indeed, yeah. She's she's she's razor sharp at the moment. Claude Court there, she's like she's a fine player. Like she's I I don't think Cleveland Mark should be back, won't you?

SPEAKER_01 16:19

As she's a bad enough injury and I think yeah, they weren't sure. I was chatted to James Heflin after the game, and they weren't sure at the time, but he said that look serious like in well for a while all right. So look, she will be a big loss, but they do seem to have depth in the squad though this year that to come in anyway and replace her if needed anyway, like we've seen with Cloder coming on and playing so well there. So they're not too bad in that situation. But Susan, I'll just get your opinion actually. Like last time we chatted on this was before the group stage started. Like, um just get your opinion maybe on how Gaway have gone so far in the championship. Like I know they lost the first time out to Cork, and maybe people weren't expecting that. Maybe the gap they weren't expecting, but they came back and got a good win over then Waterford, and then they had a very they were very impressive against the period last time out and kind of blew them away. So where do you think Gaway are now? It seemed to be just but boiling up nicely though, uh coming in coming into a semi-final now.

SPEAKER_00 17:12

Yeah, I was I was uh very shocked to be honest with the Cork result because I was really I was uh I suppose when Tip had beat Cork in the Monster, we kind of thought that Cork were in a bit of trouble. And then I suppose we kind of we didn't think that Cork would have gathered themselves as well as they did against Galway, and they really blew them out of the out of the field, that's it. And so look, uh look, Galway, I suppose they're going well, they're happy now with their latest few wins, they're growing momentum, just at the right time, they're starting to, you know, they're coming into the vital party championship. If players coming back there now, I see Ellis Riley started the last day, you know, like she's worth a couple of points in every match. Anya cane gave was was back on playing as well. I think they're starting to clear off a couple of injuries and things. So yeah, no, look, I do think that it is going in the right direction for them, but they do have a tough, tough test ahead of them. Like I'm a goal woman, I'll always have confidence in them. I I I do worry a little bit about maybe the half back line a little bit at the minute. Is it a little bit inexperienced? But look, there's a lot of good players back there at the same time with rotine black, Derby Higgins, they're healing the goals. You know, they have they have a strong enough backline there. Look, it's they're they're growing, and because they were in the top four there, they played all the toughest teams in the championship, they had good days and bad days, and that's kind of probably helped them grow as such. And you know, it's good, it was a good probably thing that they got a kick against Cork because the worst thing that could happen is they go into a semi-final, you know, cocky and arrogance. So yeah, no, I think they are going in the right direction, and I think they are progressing. I'd say Kochala's fairly happy with the way they're going at the minute.

SPEAKER_02 19:01

They had Eamer or and Susan, they they brought in Queva Kelly there as well. She had a fine game, hadn't she? She's very young.

SPEAKER_00 19:07

I uh I actually can't wait to see her in full. I can't wait to see her. I think she's lively, she's able to pour from any angle. She's she's probably a little bit light, you know. Like I'd say, you know, she's tad a little tad a bit light, but she's she's fast and she's very skillful. I can't wait to see her in a couple of years. Um yeah.

SPEAKER_01 19:28

She looks fair, very talented young player. Like also again there Sunday, we had the relegation playoff final was on to Dublin and Wexford, and Dublin came through with a 17 points to one 10 score. So Wexford now relegated to intermediate for next year. And look, after winning Lansford championship this year, as well as and the form of the short community championship, it's a bit of a surprise, maybe to see Wexford getting relegated, and the huge blow to Wexford Camogie, really. Like, you know, considering like I know 2012, like winning all Ireland and all that now, they're just just can't happen for the winning championship at all this year. They've lost every game played in the championship in the group, they'd learned that. So and and like they didn't do it by much in a lot of games, but they'd be very disappointed with that now, so they won't go back to intermediate.

SPEAKER_02 20:09

Yeah, they will indeed. It's a big blow, as they said, for the county, but you know, go back down intermediate. It's not, you know, that it's not that easy to get back up, you know, but that's that's just the way it goes. They didn't have a good run of this year. And I suppose teams and players go like that. That's how counties go. You you have them good for a few years and then they'll die. You know, when you have a good team together, they don't come around the whole time, you know, that kind of a way.

SPEAKER_00 20:32

And I wonder, like, you know, at Wexford, uh, I I just know like sometimes when you're at the top level and you're not going well and you're losing matches, then you start to lose players because the confidence gets lost in the camp. So maybe if Wexford gets back down intermediate, it might get a renewed interest from all the players in the county. You know, I'm sure there's players out there that are not playing, you know, they might gain a bit of confidence. Like, look at Offley two years ago when in the All-Ireland Intermediate, and then they came back to senior there and won two matches a day, which is a huge, huge thing for them because you know, in previous years before that, I don't know if they like they've been close, very, very close in all of their and very competitive, but I don't think they won any like round games, and for them to get two two wins this year in championship was phenomenal for them. So maybe Witksburg can turn it around, you know. But as you said, Joanne, it is very hard to get out of there, it's not easy, you know. But you have Mead there coming strong as well.

SPEAKER_02 21:26

Actually, if you look at it, remember the Mead footballers there a few years ago, they came up from Intermediate and they won the senior All Ireland the year after. Joe depends on the hunger and the things like that. Yeah, came from intermediate and went straight up to senior and they won the senior all Ireland. They were knocking around there for a few years. But you know, it can be done, like if what um the as you said, you're dead right, Susan. When you're when you're losing, you kind of lose the the commitment then of the players and things like that. But anyway, sure. It's another year now ahead of them next year.

SPEAKER_01 22:00

And just go through the other result, the intermediate quarterfinals were on at the weekend as well. Leash bet down 114 to 3-6 and Meat had a 15 points to 12 win over Derry. And in the semi-final out, the draw was Antrim would play Meat and Kerry take on Leash, but would be on the 18th of July. So look, David, two big games like Leash coming off from Junior last year. They've a hundred percent record actually in the championship so far. Like so they've been going well like after coming up from Junior. And like Antrim, they've come in as well 100% record after in group one. So the Carey finished second in group one. So there should be two interesting games. Like you've said their meat. They've been thereabouts for a few years now, but they have seen just get the breakthrough. And the same with Carrie, they've been knocking on the door like so. Lost last year's finals to offly. So they'll be hoping out the experience that they got for maybe last year will push them on and get over the line midstar.

SPEAKER_02 22:47

Yeah, exactly. And they'll they'll be two cracking matches now, to be fair, because the likes of Meat there, you know, Meat and Antrim, they're you know, they're they're very not too far away from senior standard, like you know, they'll they'll get and Leash are on a high there from last year winning. They won the All Arnold last year, didn't they?

SPEAKER_03 23:04

Yeah, the junior, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 23:06

Yeah. They're fine players coming through. And you know, when you get into that winning feeling, it's a great thing going into you know semi-finals and they'll give it all. And Shaloka Kerry as well, they've come on left and bounds as well. So that that'll be um uh a cracker of a match, we'll say the leash curry match. And the same with Meat and Antrim. I don't know, you you'd be I'd be thinking maybe Meat might overcome Antrim, but again, Meat are a very strong team if they you know they're they were up senior there a few years ago and they've they've plenty of experience, but yeah, they'll be two interesting matches and good tough matches as well. Plenty of skill there for some of those players.

SPEAKER_01 23:43

Actually, like they're slighted this year. Like I know they're relegated out of Division 18 of the league, but they were lucky to be able to relegate and they did be caught down in clock in that, and they also won the United 23 Beagle Ireland this year. So like they have a lot of good youngsters in their team, like so they're going really well. Like, and it seems to be on the way up, like so. Um hopefully and look, it'd be great for Kamoge to see the likes of Antrim maybe coming up and getting like that and being a strong team and maybe challenging uh, even if they could drop senior and do well at senior level, like so. It'd be great for because that's the one thing Kamoge probably needs is more teams maybe challenging at the top level.

SPEAKER_00 24:17

Exactly. Yeah, not that long ago when Antrim were, I suppose, up there competing and competing well, like you know, Roshi McCormick she wasn't lost up in senior sta status there at all, like you know, and and the players around her. But yeah, it's it's good to see teams like Need and Kerry and that and the intermediate. I wonder what's people's thoughts and if you know, like is it working, you know, the under 23 championship and uh and the new intermediate. You know, do you miss the second teams, the the second Gala teams, the second Tipperary teams, or do you think it's fair the way it is now?

SPEAKER_02 24:51

Yeah, I I don't think it's fair, I suppose. Like you've a lot of players there now that are aren't playing county during the summer, like do you know what I mean? Like tip of a lot of maybe players that if they'd be thereabout senior, like if they played a few more junior intermediate championships, they they'd improve and come on. Do you know there's lots of players there from all the different clubs around, you know, Dehara and Tomivara and all those. Again, look, but then you have to look at it on the other hand, it brings on the weaker counties, the likes of Leash and Kerry and uh we'll say Meat and you know, Wicklow and all those type of teams, they're getting a better chance at the championship. But I feel there's a lot of players left behind. What do you think, Susan?

SPEAKER_00 25:36

That there mightn't be really I look at my own county and I I definitely think like there's a huge cohort. There's a lot of teams in Galway, huge cohort of people over 23 that could be on an intermediate team, yeah. But look, I do understand, I I know they're trying to, I suppose, make Mogey you know favourable for most counties and for more teams to get the spotlight and things like that. It's it's a hard one. It's a hard one.

SPEAKER_02 26:03

Because when when Tip were winning All Irelands years ago, do you know they had good junior intermediate teams that were winning junior all Irelands and intermediate Irelands, you know, you can pick the players off them. Whereas it's I feel it's very important to have as many players playing the comogi during the year, you know, because players go into form and go out of form. You could have a player that's really in top form and intermediate, and they might get a call up there in June or July during the senior championship, and things like that. Look, there's two there's fore and against that. I suppose the the other teams are the weaker teams are really um excelling from this and getting probably the proper line like that they deserve too. Like they're getting to the big games, the All Ireland semis and the All-Ireland finals, and big days in Crow Park. Like that's that's good for the likes of leash and you know the the other teams coming through. I get what I'm saying.

SPEAKER_01 26:51

And also just uh relegation playoff in intermediate was at the weekend as well. West Beach 116, Carl 2-9. So that's Carl down to junior for next year. And also the Premier Junior, the last set of group games were on at the weekend. Armad had an 8.21 to 1-6 win over Wicklaw, Killair 210 to Roman Twins, which was a winner-take-all game. Like Killer ended up getting the final semi-final spot. So and Calvin had a 4-10 to 4-6 win over Ross Common, which gave them a 100% record after the group stage. And the semi-finals of that are also on the weekend of the 18th of July. Calvin take on Killair and Armad take on Ross Common. So, like Armad, they were they lost the final as a junior last year. So, look, they'd be and they've been they're a good team. They won the league, I think, Division Three League this year. So, and look, they've been knocking it another team that'll be knocking on the door of the Wild League years. And Calvin, they weren't they're back into Kamoki this year now, and they've won every game so far in the group stage, like better on in the championship. But now they've been playing Killer, who just scraped in with that one point went over to Ron and last day. That's common as well. So it's not much when they played in the league as well. Like there wasn't that much in between them two them teams. So they should be interested in semi-finals as well, though, like Kevin, Kalair, and Maras Common.

SPEAKER_00 28:03

Seems to be a lot of development there in Kalair at the minute. A lot of a lot of work being put in there. And then Roscommon, like they don't have a lot of clubs. So I wonder, will they be limited, you know, with with players and things? So yeah, I know, very good matches coming up there as well. Armah, I'm sure they'll be tough. You know, like they're almost uh a tough squad to to come up against very physical groups, my experience anyway.

SPEAKER_02 28:29

Yeah, exactly. Yeah, good solid games, things like that. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 28:33

I've just actually while I just get your opinion. I was briefly spoke about with like the new format in this senior this year, like with the way the groups are, like with four in group one from last first semifinals, and then the six in group two. There's been a bit of a mixed reaction from it from different people. Like a lot of people saying it's a bit unfair on some of the teams in group two that maybe the likes of Australia Limerick, the boat won two games in the their group at their out. While Tipperary in the group lost maybe three games, all their games, and but this team's got two to a quarter final. Like but then there are other people saying it's made like and it has made the championship more competitive, though. Like, because up in recent years there have been some teams like maybe suffering heavy beatings, like you know, and from that perspective, it's definitely worked, and it's given the likes of maybe Austria that chance to win games though as well and improve your winning games, yeah, it gives you the more confidence then as well. Like so from that perspective, I think it has worked well. But just like to get your opinion on that new format and whether you think it's working or whether or that.

SPEAKER_02 29:29

Yeah, well, I suppose Tip Rary can't really fall to the owner without that format, we'd be gone. Like, do you know what I mean? So we we got another chance there in the quarter, which but then you can see from the offly in Limerick, as they said they're after oh, did they win two matches?

SPEAKER_03 29:45

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 29:46

They won two matches, you know, and Tip, on the other hand, then had one match. But from a tip's perspective, this year, you know, it kind of we were lucky with the way way the way we were what group we were in. But I'd say they'll have to tidy it up a bit better now for next year, because it's it it is a little unfair from my thinking, anyhow. I don't know what do you think.

SPEAKER_00 30:08

What's your insight show why Kikenny wasn't in the other group? What what happened there?

SPEAKER_01 30:13

Well, they're just the first group that just had the four semi-finalists from last year in that group, and that's how that that's the way that worked out, and they had now they like and then they had the rest of the teams in that. Now I have just because they get accounts, you know. I don't know, I just had to get your opinion on it. But for next year, like have this two groups of five, but have kicked have the same four teams that were in group one, but because kicking finished top of group two, let them up to group one and then five teams in group two. And well, maybe have the same format where just top four teams then in group one will come out and top two in group two. I don't think I think that's all right to then, but only four teams come up, then the bottom team in group, so then there'd be a bit of jeopardy in group one, like and you wouldn't have the situation where a team comes out having lost all the games because they wouldn't get out then, and maybe the team that finished bottom in group one the following year, then they'd end up back in group two. While whoever finished top of group two then would end up in group one then that following year, just to have it a bit, you know, just give them something and give 12 group two teams a chance to play group one teams every second year, maybe something you know, just to because the more games you play against the top teams as well, I think you might suffer one or two beatings, heavy beatings at a long way, but you know, it'll help you bring you on as well, like because might actually you learn more sometimes from losing games than you would from winning games a lot, you know, the whole time. But I just think maybe something like that, like no, because and then the jeopardy would be there in group one as well, like where you have to at least win one game anyway, you know, to get out of the group. Where if it's four out of five come over, like you know, so you won't have that situation of losing where temporarily lose all three games and go through. So I think it might just make it a little bit more interesting as well, group one as well.

SPEAKER_00 31:46

Like but even fair welfare, you know, like when there's a group of six, you have five matches, and all of those matches are fairly well congested together, you know, and you're you're training twice a week, your match, you know, your match days, you know, there's it's a lot of pressure on on girls to be competing at a high level, you know, for maybe five weeks or six weeks there, one week after the for after the next, and uh then the other side was only only had three matches, you know what I mean? And that and and and look and they're fresh, probably fresher then, and you know, they'd more time to train together and work on things, whereas you know the the other group were under more pressure in the matches and things and didn't have time to work on their flaws like you know, that kind of way.

SPEAKER_02 32:33

Yeah, I agree with you, Susan, yeah, definitely.

SPEAKER_00 32:36

Yeah, maybe two groups of five, yeah. But then like look at Tipperary, I know they got bet in all the three games, but playing the best teams did stand to them, you know. It did them and it did bring them on.

SPEAKER_02 32:49

Definitely, yeah. There's no use playing a game and getting, you know, winning by cricket score. That's not going to stand to any team. Like they have had three hard matches now under their belt, haven't they? Against good top teams. So they'll stand to that'll stand to tip now going through to the semi there now. And they've already beaten Cork this year, so they'll have that in their heads, you know.

SPEAKER_00 33:09

So hopefully they've seen each other now.

SPEAKER_02 33:13

Yeah. And again, like what'll help tip, hopefully, if we can get the crowds and supporters out. That's that's a big boost to players on the field as well. You know, home venue to try and promote it to get as many people as they can to the match, uh especially knowing all the county the the Herman County teams now are um you know, the miners are gone and the seniors in the football. So hopefully they'll get a good crowd now at the match. It helps true. You saw John Kiley there at the match at the weekend, I'm sure you saw him. Just see him during on the crowd. Things like that. Everything will help. You all those little things help to get over the line.

SPEAKER_00 33:46

Yeah, and more promo the promotion is very important now from the Kmoggy Association. You know, like little snippets, little interviews with key players. Um, you know, it's so much they can be doing there to get the game going.

SPEAKER_02 34:00

Everybody loves uh simple stadium anyhow, so you know, you'll there'll be a big crowd of that that game now, with all the four teams there. There's been no excuse now for the two people to come out and shout for the girls.

SPEAKER_01 34:12

I just I suppose look, same finals on the four teams, they're in there like Galway, Cork, Kirkin, and Tegrari. Look, Kikini or Galway Cork, you know, getting the last two or the finals. I suppose they are the best two teams in the country, like at the moment. Like there was maybe question marks coming about Cork and where they were, maybe, you know, after losing a few players from last year's panel and all that. But look, they've come into the championship, maybe the next bad at the start of the year, but they come into the championship and look, they have really been at their back to the rest, like you know, those Amy Oconnor being back in there and look, Ashley Thompson returned the last day. So look, they're still very, very good team. Like, and do you still expect that Cork can go away all-and-final, or do you think Tip Rail Killy may be one of them, or maybe what and maybe could cause an upset there and get you to an all-and-a-final? But what way are we thinking there though at that at this stage? Three weeks out.

SPEAKER_02 35:01

Well, I've I've I'd be I'm I have a feeling in my head that Tip will overcome Cork. They have it, you know, they've they've already bet them this year. They bet them well that match that Monster final or the Monster Championship match. And they're gonna have the home crowd, which is gonna be a help. And again, we have players back with Carmen. She we she'll be on fire now that day as well. She'll be fresh and she's after getting come come back from her injury, she'd be right. And Queen stated him, she's like she's a threat to the court backline as well. Like we're every bit as good as them. If we can just get it into our heads and uh get out there and give it everything, you never know what way the uh the scores will go. And I'm hoping Tip will win anyway. I have uh good confidence in especially with you know James Heffer there. He's he he's been around there, he's watched games, he's watched them for the last few years, and uh Clalty there, he's doing a great job. And he'll he'll have all them bought out to their best uh for the semi-finals. So hopefully fingers crossed. And the other game, Galway. It wouldn't surprise me if Kilkenny bet Galway. As I said, if Kilkenny are hiding in that long grass, and they're they fine young players coming through. You see the subs that come on there the last day, they were really fast little um zippy players, and they're they're strong as well, their physical team, Kilkenny. And again, they'll bring a crowd with them as well. But then Galway, it'll be a good game, but I I I'm hoping tape and Kilkenny anyway. I don't know what you think.

SPEAKER_01 36:29

I don't think Clutan will agree with that one loud ball.

SPEAKER_00 36:33

Well I'm gonna stay loyal anyway, but I do I do think I do think uh if you asked me about Vini last year, I would have been like very, very, very confident. But I do think they have made huge strides. I think the youth coming up with help and I think the win and bows that they have now is a huge, huge factor going through, and like they have players, like as you said earlier, Isa Prinegas is fine, Katie Nolan's flying, Laura Murphy, Sarah Barco, like they're all huge threats now up front. They're and they're they're zippy and fast, and you know, like they'll be busy, they'll be very, very busy, and that's very hard to control. Um, but um um I do still think that Galways experience will help them pull through in the end. We'll see, Joanne. I was wrong the last time we'll have a chat off.

SPEAKER_01 37:23

But like just looking back at the weekend, I suppose if it proved one thing, the two quarterfinals proved that there's the top five, like you know, the four semi-finals and Watford, there's a bit of a gap then between them and the rest of the team, still like in comoge, like and you can see that maybe the weekend, like when Sean with Tipperary beating clear like that the way they did. But like the top five, there's not much between the top five anyway. I don't think so. I think any team the four of them teams at the five Warford, they're capable of beating each other on any given day if they bring the ray game. So I think one thing we would be at two good semifinals anyway, hopefully, and it'd be good for the sport team as well if we can get the two good semi-final. There should be close games as well. So, and there could go either way, like you know.

SPEAKER_00 38:04

And so, and I don't say as you say have we any referee, any referees decided yet?

SPEAKER_01 38:11

Oh, I don't not yet. No, that's not yet.

SPEAKER_00 38:13

I just hope I just hope I think when people and if it's on the telly and everything, and I just think that the comoge has grown huge, like you know, and there's huge support in it now, and people are finally seeing the dedication and skill and strength of women, and I just hope that the play is just let go and you know, like they are gym and all this crap, and it should be just you know, like let the let them play, and if it's a foul, it's a foul. But I just for the sake of comoge, I just hope that it's they allow free-flowing games, good-to-watch games that bring people back, you know, and make people realise that comoge has improved vastly over the last 10 years, you know.

SPEAKER_01 38:53

I just now I go through the latest power rankings. That's been a few weeks since I went through them, but go from 28 to 1. In 28, unchanged are Donegal, 27th, Wicklow, down one, up one, down one as well, Lout in 26th, up to Mayo, who were out in the junior All Ireland final at the weekend, and they play Mona and who were at 24th, who are unchanged. Tyrone in 23rd, down one, Killiar 22nd up one, into the then 21st first common down two, Armat 20th unchanged, Kavan in 19th, up two, 18th, Carlo unchanged, Westmeat also unchanged in 17th, Derry unchanged in 16th, Down unchanged in 15th, Me unchanged in 14th, Leash also unchanged in 13th, Kerry in 12th unchangeable, Wetford 11th, Offley 10th, and Limerick 9th, all unchangeable. Same way Dublin and Antrim, Dublin 8th, Antrim 7th, and Claire in 6th, unchanged, and then fifth down two, have Walford now this time, down two, fourth up one is Tipperary, third Kilkenny up one, and look second and first. Like I was actually going to go join first. Well, I said I go with go with second and Cork first still, but unchanged, just because Cork have a hundred percent record still in the championship at the moment, and neither of them said like I do again. So I had the last time I had Cork that saved Gawa second, Cork first, so I didn't change it around this time. But look, I said there's not much between Cork Gaway and Cork, though. Very tight there now, anyway. But that's the power, that's the latest power ranking for this week, anyway. And just there's one fixture actually, just coming up this again. That's just only the one fixture in Komoki this weekend is the All Ireland junior final between Mayo and Monet, and it's on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Glen Ambros, Pierce Park, Longford. It should be a good game, but there was not much in between them in the group stage. Like Mayo came late, we run late actually in the group stage. And like so that so that should be a good game. And whoever it'd be a big win for whoever for either county it's it could get like win in all Ireland, like so it would be a big boost for Kmogi in the county as well. But and it should be supposed to be their game in the group stage was very close as well. I think I think Mayo but money in the last in the last group game, but there wasn't much in it, so probably it should be another 30 games as well.

SPEAKER_00 41:08

Uh Mayo now, you see, would be playing a lot of their club matches in Galway. So, you know, then they'll be getting great exposure there, you know, because there's very little clubs in Mayo. So I do think that like you know, Westport and Nabridoga and all them teams in Westport are coming or in Mayo are coming into Galway to play matches now, which is probably improving the county system. Uh I was actually chatting with Mayo Girl there at the uh kind of took foda last night, and they uh they were saying they're kind of overrun with training, you know, they're expected that club training and county training, and you know, because of the small number of clubs and and things, but um it's it is great to see their name, the name there because like I would never have associated Mayo with Kamobi ever.

SPEAKER_02 41:50

They drumming inch comobi colours and I was just going on that like for that junior all Ireland, I just think they they should have played maybe I know the format is different, junior junior intermediate. Remember years ago you'd have the junior, the intermediate, and the senior all Ireland and the one day in Crow Park. Yeah. You know, especially with Mayo and Monahan, like they'd bring huge crowd, you know, their own follow-on, they'd be separate teams. But look, that's that's that's the way it is now. And you know, it's a big thing for players to get to Crow Park, you know, it's the highlight of the year, isn't it?

SPEAKER_03 42:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 42:24

Playing the big stadium. It's a pity that they can't play it in Crow Park. But anyway, that's that's over an I reach anyway.

SPEAKER_01 42:30

I'll just get it. I think that's the only game on to again, so I just a quick prediction from the two of you familiar for that game. I know it's gonna be hard on the call. Like we had one is obviously no one really see much of either team this year because there wouldn't have been many games uh live or show and so, but just if you get a quick prediction on it from just see who you think might win the game.

SPEAKER_00 42:47

I support West Anglo Mayo. Yeah, it's funny. They went away. They went to week.

SPEAKER_02 42:53

Well, I I've my I put my money on Mayo as well because like I've I was involved there with the juniors a few or Tip Juniors a few years ago, and we played them like they're they're no shoveovers, like you know, and they're not they're knocking around for a few years, and I'm sure they've put the thing together, and you know, they I've a feeling they'll overcome Manahan. That's that's my my prediction.

SPEAKER_01 43:14

Anyway, look, we'll leave it at that for this week. Just before I go, I'd like to remind everyone of our social media channels. We're on Instagram at talking comoge podcast. We're also on X at Talk and Comoge Pod. And if you want to get in contact with the show via email, you can email us at talk and komogeepodcast at gmail.com. If there's anything you'd like us to discuss on future episodes, or if there's anything you'd like to talk, maybe may talk about what we mentioned in this week's episode, maybe about the All-Ireland Championship, and maybe how ways are better and a different next year. But for now, anyway, look, we leave it after that week. Uh Susan John, it's been an absolute pleasure having you on the chat. And she and thanks a million for coming on this week.

SPEAKER_03 43:51

Thanks for having me on. Thanks, Joe.

SPEAKER_01 43:53

We'll be back again next week, and I'm hoping to have a very special guest when we chat talks with her at the moment. She's a former four time All Ireland winner now. That's all I say for now. But so hopefully you'll have her on just to talk about her career and all that. And so we'll see. I'm hoping to have her on sometime either this week, next week, or the week after. So hopefully now, anyway, we'll have her on in the next couple of weeks. So but for now, anyway, we leave it at that. Anyway, so goodbye for now for now. Lovely.

SPEAKER_02 44:15

Okay, thanks.

SPEAKER_03 44:18

Bye bye.