Episode 17: All-Ireland Intermediate and Premier Junior semifinals review

In the second episode out this week I'm joined by forner Offaly player Elaine Dermody as we look back at last weekeds's action in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland semifinals in both Intermediate and Premier Junior championships and also take a look ahead to the All-Ireland finals in both grades. Elaine also gives a quick prediction ahead of both Senior semifinals at the weekend. To listen to a full preview you can listen to our All-Ireland semifinal preview episode which was out Wednesday. ELaine also gives her opinion on Offaly's year and she tells us if she has any interest in the vacant Offaly managerial job.

You can follow the pod on Instagram at talkingcamogiepodcast also we are on X at talkingcamogiepod. And you can contact us via email at talkingcamogiepodcast@gmail.com. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:00

And you're very welcome to the second episode of the Talk and Comoke podcast this week. I'm joined on the pod once again by Elaine Darmidi. Elaine, you're very welcome back to the pod. Pleasure to have you back on.

SPEAKER_02 0:11

Great, thanks, Joe. Yeah, yeah, we're enjoying the good weather and it's getting to the on Ireland season now. So yeah.

SPEAKER_03 0:16

So here and then this episode, we're going to look back last weekend's action in the premier junior and intermediate semi-finals. And obviously, look, we had wins for our man cavern in the junior, and there is still being the final and in the intermediate leash, and Ancham can chew as well. So look, suppose we look back on maybe the junior first, like the time of the game of the weekend in terms of scores, anyway, was our man Roscommon, like Armaged coming through 4.19 to 2.19. And look, Armand will be delighted with that, like you know, back to Crow Park again for second year in a row in the junior finals. Like they went 12 points up at one stage in the second half. Like Roscomman got about three points, but they managed to get another goal there near the end and held out like so. You know, it was seemed like it was a good game. Like, you know, there was some great hacking moments actually in the game as well. Like, and our mad just got through in the end, like you know, like Rachel Trader and Shane Quinn and Karina Dylott had great games like in that game for them.

SPEAKER_02 1:13

Yeah, like 4.19 is a great score to put up. I think they got 413 from play. I mean, in any camoe or hurling game, that's that's very impressive. Now, I suppose on the other side of it, then you know, the conceded 2.19 as well. But you know what, Ross Common, Ross Common, no, no pushovers never were, and I suppose semi-finals are just really about getting through, but certainly from a scoring perspective, an attacking perspective, a nice spread of scores, Rachel Trainer. Yeah, 2-8, you know, hitting the freeze as well. So you need that consistency in in you know, in your in your free taker, and Sinead Quinn, I mean, one five from play as well. I mean, that's that's that's a very good contribution as well in an Ireland semi-final.

SPEAKER_03 1:51

Yeah, Sine Quinn, she had a great game, and it wasn't just for scoring, but her all-around play winning ball and distributing all and all that. She had a great game in there full forward for her math.

SPEAKER_02 2:02

Yeah, and it's it's look at it's forwards weather, isn't it? I mean, the ball is absolutely flying around the place, it's quite difficult for defenders, I suppose. And you know, that it probably is really, you know, back backs generally would want, you know, slow, wet maybe conditions sometimes to slow the thing down, but it really is forwards weather. And look, our married will be hurting from last year, Joe. I mean, it's never easy to make it back to the final because you know, you you lose a final and then there's an expectation you're nearly the favourite cent for the following year. That in itself can be hard, and it's it's good for them that they're they've got a chance to go back, leash were that bit better than them last year, you know, and in my opinion, and you know, it gives them a chance now to get back there again this year. I think they met these two met, I think, in 2020 or one of those years as well in the non-irland final. So for them, it's it's it's great to be back there by hook by crook. You just want to get back there and give yourself a chance to redeem yourself, I suppose, on an island final day, you know.

SPEAKER_03 3:00

The win of the game, I suppose, like came just after half spying. Like Armara went in, I think well to 12 up at the break, but the first eight minutes of the second half, like I think they outscored Roscoma 2-4 to not score, like like right, even though Ross Common did make a bit of a comeback, but just let himself too much to do at that stage.

SPEAKER_02 3:17

Yeah, like I think there were I think it was 315 to 13 points after 40 minutes or something like that, you know, and you'd say the game was over. Yeah, look, Roscommon did outscore them, but I suppose that can sometimes happen, you know, with the you know, when when maybe it's one team maybe thinks that the game is done, and the other team, I suppose, are maybe just trying for a bit of maybe respectability. So, yeah, it it can happen that way. And semi-finals are horrible games, they're really just about getting the result, and they got the result, they held out, you know, with the with the word about our team, and uh, you know, maybe if they had shut up shop a little bit earlier, maybe tighten it up a little bit, they might have won by more, but look, they got the job done.

SPEAKER_03 3:54

So that's the main thing. And like obviously most common here now that comes to an end, but I thought looking back to the game, I conceded four goals, and there were probably all four goals to concede. Like a couple of them were from long-range balls, came in and you know, dropped dropped in over the keeper. There's another one kind of they could see the turn just going after half time. It was a bit of a soft goal to concede as well. Like, so they'd be looking back, and look, they were obviously the difference in the end. Like, so they look back that now that with regret, I suppose, and that the goals the soft goals are conceded.

SPEAKER_02 4:24

Yeah, like when you concede four, I suppose, and and it's by six points. You know, it is it is always difficult, and some of them were a little bit on the on the soft side. But again, I suppose from Ross Common's perspective, you know, decent year, got to an All Ireland semi-final, may eventually, you know, Armara may potentially go on to win it, and and in that case, then Roscommon will be you'll be looking at them for next year. But yeah, I suppose that the this the mistakes they probably will regret for the for the winter months, I'm afraid, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 4:54

Of course, that's how it goes though, isn't it? That's the way that's the thing they'll remember most, though, in the mistakes and all that. And like so, like, and in the other semi-final, it was a Kavan like the first year back come on because they weren't they're on last year, but they came through against Kalair, like, and I suppose the second half they only can see the two points, like that's obviously we're the one in the game. Like, they were it was nip and hook first half. They got Cavan got off to a great start, like, and I think they were like one, three or they were all up and but Kalair came back at them and went in level or ahead of halftime, but then just in the second half, Calvin Kylie took over, like I said, and only conceded two points, like, and that was the winning of the game for them. Like, obviously, they thought they actually had a great hit. There's some good performances around them, like Alana Tierney and Rosie Claw McKeever, the centre back and fullback had a great game in the dialogue. And you know, they're actually winged forward like Rossian O'Keefe and Ema Brady, I thought were too third for them in 10 and 11. And Darry like Kaladek, she was in start made start corner forward, but she was more like out around midfield, but she got through a lot of work like and won a lot of ball back for them and broke down a lot of collar attacks like in the game.

SPEAKER_02 6:04

Yeah, I suppose this this one was a much more uh I suppose low-scoring kind of contest. And as you've you've summed it up perfectly there, yeah. Cavern flew out of the blocks one-three to no score after nine minutes, and then went in two points down at half time. So, but obviously at half time they spoke about different things and they restricted you know Kildare to to I think it was a point or two points in in the second half. And it is a remarkable story for them. I mean, I I I read somewhere, and I think it was Shalise Fitzsimons was saying that in January they didn't even know if they'd have a team, you know, and here they are now going to Crowe Park, you know. So it just goes to show that kind of if you can get a good group together that's really, really tight, and obviously they they've probably been fairly lucky in terms of injuries and that kind of thing as well, when when when panel numbers are tight. And look at it's it's great for it's great for them. I mean, look at Kildare, I suppose, would have offered them a powerhouse in times gone past, but Kevin really do seem to be on the up, you know, and I know they've already beaten our man in the round robin series as well. So, you know, there's there's great work going in there. There's obviously a very, very talented group coming through there together.

SPEAKER_03 7:05

Well, and like Kevin, yeah, as I said, maybe they're back now differently, but you do have action in an All-Irel winner in their squad, like Rose Rosie McKeever there, she was put back at the beginning. She won a football all Ireland in comedian back in 2013. So you know, she has experience of winning all Ireland anyway. So she looked at what she'd be looked up to uh that'll help anyone going into the final. But yeah, I thought actually for Kevin Lee Keene in midfield. She scored the crucial goal in the second half. Like she went in thought forward, and she was in front forward at that stage. She made a great catch from a long volume and buried the balls back then. Like that was the crucial score, like because she had a good game with all for Kevin. Like you said, they do seem to be they're going well there now. They said maybe drone have the biggest squad, but they're finally there now. They'd have fancy a chance of going into the going into the final light.

SPEAKER_02 7:50

Well, they'd have to, I suppose. Look, it's always harder to beat a team a second time, but at the same time, they know that they can beat her, man. They beat them quite comprehensively, you know, in the group's Hist, you know, 313. I have it here to 110. So, you know, there's nothing shy about that in terms of in terms of the score line. So they will fancy their chances. And it seems like it was much more of a a battle, a bit more of a grind, you know, the Cavan Kildare game, probably more typical of what you would expect in a semi-final. You know, so much on the line, maybe you know, scores at a premium, every score earned, every every score hard earned, I suppose. Maybe not the the highest scoring event, but again, just really about getting the result. And in Emar Brady there in Roshino Kifia, they've they've two two right flyers, as you said, in in the forward line, Avery assisted. I think Neve Keenan got one-one with Joy D inside. So, you know, attacking threats. So it's it's look at it. Sounds obvious, but whichever forward line clicks probably in Crow Park is going to be the one that's going to come, the team's going to come out and talk, you know.

SPEAKER_03 8:46

And like obviously for Killaire, they'll be massively disappointed, like, especially with the way the second half went, especially after getting themselves back into the game in the first half, you know, after the fourth start. But they just never got going in the second half, really. And look, a lot of obviously is down to Calvin, but look, they look back with away a lot of regret, I suppose, that they didn't just come get in goal in the second half. Because I thought they did do well in the first half, like, especially the two sisters in there, Ifa and Rebecca McDermott. You know, they played really well, and you know, they had they scored like six points between them, like so, but just couldn't get gold in the second half at all.

SPEAKER_02 9:19

No, they didn't. It's a hard it's a difficult one that you only score a point or two points in such you know positive weather conditions and all the rest. So look at they will have they will have regrets as well. I mean, Club Komogie in Kalera has always been, you know, fairly strong and that kind of thing. So you just wonder, you know, are they make are they maximizing, I suppose, all of their resources? I'm sure, I'm sure they probably are, but they'd be disappointed. Again, look at it's a tough division, Joe. Like we meet we spend a lot of time talking about senior and senior and this kind of, and obviously that's a tough division. But the Premier Junior and Intermediate, they are tough battlegrounds. That's really what they are. And there's so many teams, I would say, in any given year that can fluctuate up and down, and very little kind of between them as well. So, look, Kalair, go at it again next year. That's all that's all you can do, but they'll be disappointed. They yeah, they will be disappointed for sure.

SPEAKER_03 10:07

I think you're right. They're they are like the intermediate and the premier junior, they're very tough. There's not a between the teams, like all the teams are fairly even, like we've seen that in the fourth semi-final there at the weekend, like you know, and like you obviously had experience for both and you've won both and like in your parking lot often, but and you you probably remember they're probably still even tough back then, like you know. But look, as you said, it's gonna be a good final, like you know, Calvin and Lancho, like also teams, like they'll be looking to get up to prep it's really like Armat, they won the league, Division III League earlier on of the year, like the Barrett's common actually in the final of that as well. Like, I think it was a bit more comfort from that game, but look, they'd be coming in like they're probably gonna have been favorites to win the win the competition at the start of the year coming in. But look, Calvin really have been excellent, like, and they'd be I don't know if people were expecting it maybe too, but like I said, it should be a close game anyway, but it does come around in a few weeks.

SPEAKER_02 11:00

Yeah, it's like I was saying earlier, I suppose when you're when you've got to the final the following year and you're the beaten finalists, you nearly automatically install nearly as as favourites, you know, and that has its own pressure as well because it's a division you just want to you just want to get out of, you know, and it's so so difficult. You know, it really is. As you say, there's so many teams so close together, a couple of injuries, a couple of weird results, maybe it's ending off in a match, and suddenly you're completely on the back foot. So I mean, I don't know. I mean, I don't know, I don't know the round robin game. I didn't see any any any footage from the the Kavan Armagh game, but looking at the scoreline 313 to 110, like I said earlier, it's a it is fairly convincing. And I know the Armag manager has been talking up Kavan and saying, you know, they're going as favourites and they're going as strong favourites. I don't think it's as clear-cut as that. You know, I think Armagh having lost the final last year, I think I think it's a bit closer than he's trying to say. But look, I understand why he's trying to try to say that, you know, trying to try to play it down. But um it's it's yeah, you can make an argument for both teams, really. You know, you really can.

SPEAKER_03 11:57

And look, the intermediate semi-finals, like Antrim had a 3-10 to 12-5 victory over many a lot of low-score game, I suppose. But look, Antrim was touched goals well for a long time, but actually just had a little bit too much. The likes of Ava McAllister, you know, 2-2 and Lucia McNaughton. Shana Hegerty actually went back, had a great game, I thought. And the midfield like of Amy Boyle and Lucia McNaughton actually dominated in there, like you know, but for me, even though she only got a goal like in the game, though, Cleona Griffith in the full forward, I thought she was excellent. Like she got the goal near the end that kind of put the game to bed, but just her all-round play, like winning ball, and she was setting up like she her and Ava McAllister linked up very well in the full-forward line. And I think overall, Amantra probably did deserve to go through.

SPEAKER_02 12:42

Yeah, I suppose for Antrim, you know, it's again, it's the same thing, isn't it? You know, you you've come down out of senior over the last, you know, been there for a few years. You've come down, you're probably installed as one of the favourites to go back up. And again, just about getting the job done. And you know, me, they're a tough team. They're they're you know, they're quite, you know, I I would describe them fairly similar to Kerry. They're tough, they're physical, you know, they're extremely athletic. Um, and and you know, they they they don't give you a minute's peace, I suppose. And I mean that in a positive in a positive sense. So again, for Antrim, they're back in the final. I thought Quiva McNaughton actually was very good as well in the defence. And again, look, 3.10, 3-7 from play, 3 points from freeze, you know, it's not not a bad return, but they're probably going to need to just up the points tally a little bit if if possible. I I do think that Antrim, the the the group that they were in, I think, in the intermediate round robin, I think was slightly more challenging than the leash group, just potentially, you know. You had a lot of you had a lot of local local battles there with Down and Derry as well, you know, and you last year's beaten finalists carry in it as well. So I think that group was fairly, fairly just slightly more challenging, I I would have thought, than the than the leash group. But so that probably has boarded them well for for the knockout stages as well, you know, set them up well.

SPEAKER_03 14:00

David's a point to two, like, but they only had three different scores like in the game, like you know, and if you're gonna win an All-Ineland semi-final, you kind of have to get more from other players as well. Like, you can't just be relying on just three different scores. Like If you know got seven of them, Emma Regan, she played well at four points, and Abby Donnelly were a point. Like, you need more than that, though. Like, you know, you need a bit more spread of scores than that, don't you? I do.

SPEAKER_02 14:23

Like Antrim, I think seven different scorers, you know, mead six points from play. Again, Joe, like six points from play uh in February, maybe in the league, might be considered a half decent return. At this time of the year, there it has to be a little bit more, you know. It really does. And you know, obviously, credit to the Antrim defence as much as well. I mean, you know, uh the pressure that they they will put on the shots, but I think 12 points, six from from from play, it's going to be difficult to get into an All-Ireland final with that return, you know.

SPEAKER_03 14:51

And like Antrim, like obviously they were up senior not that long ago, they come back, but they've had a good year overall. Like, I know they're relegated from the league, Division Monet, but like the bet Clark in that, like, so that's not they went that was in Cork, like so. That's not bad at all. Like, and running 23s one day under 23 be all Ireland, like so. They obviously have a lot of young, talented players coming through, like so. If they could go on now and win this, it's really a great boost for them, back up senior. And there's a bright future there in Antrim. Like, obviously, they've had great history there back in years ago winning a lot. They've got a lot of senior All-Irlers, but like they'd be looking to get back to the top and maybe challenge it again if they can. Seem to have a lot, and said, do have the youngsters there coming through at the moment.

SPEAKER_02 15:30

Yeah, look, Shrantro, we we all know Antrimbo, Kamowie and Hurlingwise. I mean, the passion that they have up there, the pride that they have in wearing their jersey. I mean, it's it really is probably. I mean, every county has that pride, but I I certainly think sometimes some of the the Ulster counties do seem to have, you know, just that little bit, you know, they would really, really drive for the jersey. And yeah, all the markers point to towards um towards a positive future for Antrim, you know, and they they you know, if they do get back up senior, I think, I think straight away you would say that they will be in on a par with maybe the you know, maybe the Offalys, the, the, the Dublins, the the Clares, you know, that they wouldn't be totally out of their depth or anything like that, you know, and maybe Limerick even more so than Claire. But you know, so I I I think they have a great chance in the on Ireland, to be honest.

SPEAKER_03 16:16

They really do. And also on Saturday, like the other interesting final Leash 117, Carrie 27. And look, Leach, they're a bit like your own thing, which you got self-end offly back at the time, you know, they lost in he lost junior final in 08, they lost the junior final a couple of years ago. They came back a year later, won the junior. Then your first year up intermediate, you ended up winning intermediate. Like, and they've done the same thing when they got to the final. I thought, you know, it's they really are flying at the moment, and like they were very impressive against Kerling at the weekend. Like again, look, they got off to a bit of a slow stuff they got off to a slow start as well. I thought the Casino actually goes in the first minute of the first half, and then about 25 seconds, I think 30 seconds in the second half. But they came back strong both times and were excellent. Like, and they really were like defensively, they were brilliant. Like, Clotter Tiden was brilliant at centre back, like a match back, you know. And you know, just the Brian Delaney actually had a good game, and Amy Codley are actually you know main three table, but like they were it's been a brilliant year for them as well, like you know, and I know from speaking to Amy actually a couple of times, they said before the quarterfinal, actually in particular, she said, you know, it's kind of bonus territory for them at that stage, like but now they've gone on and they're into the final, like which they should be their third or final in a row. So you know they're well used to now at this stage, but they like.

SPEAKER_02 17:33

Absolutely. I mean, sometimes when you come up from a division below, you just have a freedom, you know. You you you just say, let's go out and see what happens. That was certainly our our case, anyway. You know, when we we made the journey through the grades, you just kind of go out, you know, you're not sure initially at first what the gap in the grade is going to be. And clearly leash have adapted to the to the gap very, very, very, very quickly. Um, like Kerry last year lost the All Ireland final, and so they are they are a serious team in their own right. But Leash, yeah, it's it's it looked to be honest, it's great to see them, they see them at this stage. You know, Club Komoge again, so strong in Leash. You know, Camarath were in the intermediate Club All Ireland there last last year. You know, it's really, really strong. And I think they they maybe they've had maybe a little bit of of bad luck. Sometimes, you know, a team can make a breakthrough, you know, maybe maybe like ourselves years ago, and it could have easily been leashed as well, because we would have been very, very close with them in terms of our results and our trajectory all the way up along. So it is great to see them there. Look, obviously, as you said, third year in a row in Crow Park, so that's not going to hold any major fear for them or any any you know, any part of the unknown, they're well used to the to the day, the timing, the surroundings, the atmosphere, all that kind of stuff. Clona Tynan was absolutely heroic, yeah, in in that game. And you know, if she's going to be marking directly marking up on Roshi and McCormick in the final, that'll be you know, that'll be an interesting battle as well. So Amy steady enough on the on the freeze, which was good to see six points from freeze and a 45 as well. 117 again, nice score. Again, I think it was eight different scores from Leash, which again not relying on one or two, but everyone chipping in with their own point, maybe two points here, two point there, that kind of thing. It all helps.

SPEAKER_03 19:16

Look, obviously, Kerry being majorly disappointed. Like, they would have been aiming to get back to Club Park again after last year's disappointment against Off League. But look, as you said, like they scored, they only scored seven points, like in I think what was it? There was three from play, like and said, like said with me, like that's not going to win you too many games in a semi-final. Like, you know, you have to you have to do better than that. Like they had four different scores, you know, but Patrice Steegan that got five of their scores. Like, you know, you do have to do better than that if you are going to be final and win and try to win it on Ireland.

SPEAKER_02 19:48

You do, yeah. And I mean, look, she's out around the middle of the field there, Patrice, and she's just a wonderful player. You you would watch her all day, you know. She she's such a beautiful skill and lovely strike her the ball. But yeah, Jackie Horgan as well, I think, chipped in maybe a point or two as well, but they do need a a greater spread. And again, I know like we sound like I'm repeating myself now again, but you know what, 2-7 is not going to is not going to win yet semi-final. Um certainly not at this time of the year, anyway, you know.

SPEAKER_03 20:13

And yeah, like for Carey, you wonder if this their season can they go any higher. Because like obviously, they don't probably have the biggest pick of players. I think is it just 68 players playing down there or something like you know? It's not it's very hard when you're going to have a massive pick, like you're really picking the foot from the same players, maybe, you know. So, and that's not helping them really. But you look to have some good players, they do have some good players. Like, I see I remember seeing them even Clamoris there a few years ago in the Munster Championship, they played Money Gaulle there in Money Gaulle, and they were brilliant on the daylight, but it's just they don't seem to be able to get over the line. Like, and you just wonder have they reached their feeling, maybe as a team.

SPEAKER_02 20:54

Yeah, yeah. I mean, really, they're uh they're they're they're you know, someone should do a a research project on Kerry Komoge because to to be it to be competing at the level that they're competing with such low numbers, and I think maybe two, two clubs, three clubs max, you know, is is actually an achievement in itself. And to be competitive and to be reaching all Ireland last year as well, you just do wonder. I mean, look it, they're gonna be disappointed because next year you're still gonna have one of Leash or Antrim in intermediate, you're gonna have Wexford coming down into it as well. You know, it doesn't get any easier, you know. It really, really doesn't for them. And you know, getting to the All Ireland last year, it's it's a tough, tough bill. Again, it's it's it's a bit like the Armaging. There is a certain element of pressure and expectation that Welsh will just get back there again next year and put it right. And it doesn't, it doesn't work out like that all the time. So I think they're absolutely a credit to themselves in terms of what they've achieved with such such small resources. I mean, you know, with the likes of Leash and a few other counties might think, God, we're we're playing off limited resources, but Kerri are a totally different, a totally different level, and they're an absolute credit to themselves. You look good to Get to senior is going to be a massive challenge for Kerry. It really, really is. And I know it will still be their aim, but you know, it is. And they probably just need that influx. I mean, Patrice's has been such a stalwart for them and will continue to be, I'm sure, but they just need maybe someone else to come in there and just maybe really top class, one or two extra players just give her a bit of a dig out, you know.

SPEAKER_03 22:22

And look looking ahead to two weeks for this Leash Antrim in the final. It promises to be a I think a very good game. Both teams have won every game they've played so far in the championship. So like it's more definitely miss one of confidence. Like in look, Antrim will probably start as favourites, you know, because I think you know, as you said to yourself, they're probably in a stronger group and they just seem to be in a stronger position. But like Leash will definitely put it up to them. Like there's no doubt about that. Like, and I think Leash will be coming full of confidence, and they won't, as we said earlier, they won't fear playing in Crow Park anyway. That's for definitely.

SPEAKER_02 22:52

No, and Leash, look at I'd say Leash are just dying to get to senior. You know, they really are. They've come, you know, they it have been various forms of the championship over the last 20 years, you know, junior, senior, then they'll be junior intermediate senior. And you know, I'd say it's always been an ambition for Leash to get to that level because you know they've they've always had quite strong players, and as I said, the club scene is quite strong. Where I think, yeah, Antrim will probably start as favourites, which in itself is you know a little bit of expectation. But as I said in relation to Kerry, I mean, whichever team loses this final is really in a bear pit again next year in intermediate, you know, with Wexford coming down. So it doesn't get any, you know, you'd say, Oh, well, you know, if you're leash, you'd say, Right, well sure, if we lose, Antrim are gone, at least they're gone. But you've got Wexford coming down, and you still have your you know, your Kerries, your mead are going to be there, maybe down, you know, as well. So it it it there's a lot riding on it as such, but you'd probably make Antrim slight favourites, just that they probably are maybe just that more mature kind of team. And but having said that, I mean, Leash pulled off the result. Like, I mean, I don't know if anyone really saw that level of of a result coming against Kerry, and they clearly played exceptionally well. So, and again, they won't fear Crow Park won't be any you know big deal to them now at this stage, third year in a row. So, and you know, there was a big crowd there from Leash on on last you know in Tolamore for the semi-final, and they will travel in numbers again, they're really behind this team and and see if they can make it two wins in a row.

SPEAKER_03 24:19

Uh for Leash and said going for a two-row in all early, like it would be great achievement for like as we said already, you know how that's like as well. Like, so like when you done that that time, when you came up intermediate, like I know as as I said, Amy Connor speaking to her for Leash coming into the year that just wanted their aim at the start of the year was just to stay intermediate. Like, and when you came up that time with Osley, what was your aim at the start of the year? Was it something similar, or did you have the goal to maybe go on to win the all Ireland that yeah, the first intermediate?

SPEAKER_02 24:48

I suppose we probably yeah, we probably we probably did say, listen, we would have played a lot of the intermediate teams maybe in challenge games and things like that. So I suppose our aim was probably to, you know, we we didn't say it as such, but I suppose it was always there in the back of your mind. Well, geez, you know, if if we get a run here, you know, we could we could we could do well, and we'd have played a lot of those teams in the league and stuff like that. So you'd have a fair barometer of where you were. We also lost the All Ireland in 2008, and Claire went straight to senior. They didn't actually play a year in intermediate. I think they had a choice or something, and they went straight to senior, you know. And look, they performed fairly well, you know. So we kind of said, right, well, we were fairly close to Claire in the junior All Ireland, they're now playing at senior, and they're not getting, you know, hockey. So there's a middle division there that we're going into now. So, you know, maybe we're gonna be maybe we're gonna be competitive, you know. I think with Leash, they probably didn't know. Of course, for any team coming up, I suppose it always has to be an ambition first to stay up. But I think coming off the back with the camera skirls, coming off the back of that all-areland victory, you get that momentum and you get that thirst for it, and it's all positively and it's all you lose the sense of any kind of fear or worry about it, you know, because you feel like you can take anyone on, really. So, no, I I would have said for us, we probably without maybe saying it, we definitely would have thought we can give this a real a real rattle, you know, because we would have been playing some of those teams in both the league and in challenge games, and we knew we were there thereabouts, you know.

SPEAKER_03 26:14

And you mentioned it there, like Feliche, like with Camaro's within the intervention, like there's a winning used to win and out this age, like at the winning last year. So when you're winning stuff, it's an awful lot easier, like, doesn't it? Like, oh, there's no doubt about it. Like, and you're probably feel like you're invincible, really, it's that stage, like you know, so that will be something that they can really take and bring behind them, like, and it because they've not it will be a tough challenge, like against it is a very good answer team. Like, there's no doubt about that. There's a young and a bit of experience in there as well. Like, so but like I don't they've not feel like good in there. I don't think they will feel good in there, like they'll they will really give it everything. Like, I think.

SPEAKER_02 26:49

I think so too. You're right, they've absolutely nothing to lose. They're not going to be the favourites, they've overachieved for the year. The danger is that you have a situation where you know, similar to this year, maybe in the hurling on Ireland, that you know, you you have you have a team coming in there and they've had a great result in the semi-final, and then maybe you know, the the the gap is just that little bit big when you when you get to the final. I don't think it's going to be the case at least because I think they're on the crest of a wave, there's positivity, they know how to win. They're a dangerous team for Antrum. They really, really are. They're a dangerous team. And you know, it's gonna be it's gonna be, I think it'll be a good final. Now it could be proved totally wrong, but I think it'll be a tight enough final. And you know, when it's when it's dangling in front of you, Joe, senior Komobi, for for a team like Leash, like ourselves, who had never been there. I've never been there. I suppose you have maybe this fairy tale of what senior is going to be like. And Antrim probably know that it can be a tough place to be as well. But when you've never been there, you have this. I want to play senior, I want to play senior. That's all I want to do. I want to be up there, even if we get beaten or whatever, you know, it'd be a tough maybe year or two if we could stay. That's all, but that's that's the place you want to be, you know. And and I think you know what you I think that'll drive leash on. I think they'll just see this carrot of we can play senior commodity. That's certainly what what we saw anyway. Just want to play senior, just want to get up there with the best teams and see you know, see if can we compete.

SPEAKER_03 28:10

Yeah, just go back to the uh junior final, like it just briefly, uh Armah Kevin, like as you said, Arma they're in the situation leash were in last year, one in when they've had Lee Shikan final. So look, they have the hurts from that last year, like and as you said, we should keep going back to it. I know with your with your own self-inophone, which he had the exact same situation as well in 2009. Like, that's obviously a massive, I suppose, motivational factor for you. Because you're going back, as you said, it has to be a motivational factor for a team going in like because you don't you don't want to go up to Club Park two years in a row and end up coming out defeated again, like so you know that will that's gonna be massive for them at Stanford. I say that's people look, that's obviously something that they would have had there all year, like, you know, and they really are gonna they're not gonna, as I said, they're not gonna want to end up coming out going home on Sunday with another defeat behind them.

SPEAKER_02 29:01

No, and I suppose it's really how they how they approach it. I mean, there's hurt, I suppose, and then there's you know, a little bit of fear can creep into it as well. So what you don't want is I suppose them going up saying, Oh, I I couldn't handle another, you know, defeat or whatever. I mean, I remember one of our selectors stuck pictures on the wall of the previous year, the end of the previous the final previous year, and we were all in tears and we were all sitting on the pitch and we were crying and we were being consoled by people. And she put those up on the wall, Catherine Byrne, our selector, and you could like she put them on and you could barely look at them. You know, you saw them and you could you just turned your head away because you said, Right, I am not looking at that, I am not being in that place again, you know. And it was more than it kind of took away any little element of fear of oh what if it goes wrong or whatever, and it was just like, no, sorry, this can't happen again, you know. So I think it's very much how how you approach it, and how you know, if they if they go out with filled with with hurt and desire and all that, I think, you know, you know, our will probably, you know, that that's a hard thing to stop. But if they go out with kind of a a fear or a trepidation or nervous or you know, holding back or playing within themselves, then I think that's when they're on a that's when playing in in the On Ireland the previous year can be a real noose around your neck, you know. So it depends how they depends how they approach it, I think, you know.

SPEAKER_03 30:20

I think that'll be it, yeah. And look, promise is only between two very good games, and hopefully that's not we get anyway. But look we'll finish up now soon, but just before you go, so I get a quick prediction off here for this weekend's game, maybe in the two senior semi-finals. And I've got we had an episode out which is released Wednesday, previewing the semi-finals. So if you want to listen back to that, it's there on our channel. You can find it on the other. Like Garwick and Kinney and Tipperary Court, like should be two good games as well. Like, you know, Garwick and Kinney, you know, like Kilkenny coming into the game, it's probably if nothing to lose, like, and if they they can kind of just go for it, like, you know, because Gaul will definitely be probably heavy favourites going to that, like late Raina League and all Ireland champions, like you know. So for Kilkenny, it's kind of a shot your nut on maybe, really, you know. So but just that game will go.

SPEAKER_02 31:07

I think look, it's a great chance for Kilkenny to see where they are, I suppose, against the cream and the crop, the All Ireland champions, see where they're at. There, as we as we we spoke a bit there off air a little bit about Kilkenny, like they are they are coming. You know, maybe they're another year or two wait, there's talent coming there, they are going to be uh forced to reckon with. And I know that they were, you know, I won't say insulted is probably the wrong word, but to be in that kind of second group, I think, you know, they they kind of they kind of wanted, I suppose they would say, uh, we don't want that to happen again, you know, so we're gonna lay down a marker. And I think they did that all during the championship. It's a it's a it is a bit of a free shot for them. They're Kilkenny. I mean, I think they'd be quite competitive for a long time, but you would expect that Gaway will eventually just grind them down, know how to win, get the job done. I think they're I think Gaway kind of they went through kind of the group games, just kind of doing enough to make sure that they would, you know, get get to the semi-final and whatever. And I think now is when they'll be coming into their into their prime. But I I I I think Gaway will win, but I I think Kilkenny will gonna make them work for it, to be honest. Yeah, I think they will.

SPEAKER_03 32:10

And like then the second game is Tipperary and Cork, and it'll be the I think it's yeah, the fourth meeting of these two teams this year, like, and it's it's even fair like a win each and a draw, like, and there hasn't been much in any of the games like so. And look I mean well, Cork might probably start his favourite as well for this one, but I think Tipperary, like I look, I follow Tipperary a lot over the last few years from covering them for the in the Guardian, but on their day, like when they're all performed, they are a really, really good team, like uh they just seem to have I don't know if it's a fear or panic set in when we're gonna come to be games like in semi-final, like a play and they like the cart or to go and you know, and they just don't seem to they're in the games, but they just miss a lot of chances, like a drop to short or wide, and you know, that's something they can't afford to do this weekend against Corn, because like we seem from Cork like they really have hit the ground running in the championship, and um and there was question marks about them, like you know, and like they've got players back now as well, like like Ashley Thompson's back now as well. So Tibreria are gonna have to be at their very best, like, and they're probably gonna have to put in a full 60-minute performance, like you know, and all their key players are gonna have to stand up and count, like you know, if they are gonna have a chance of getting through against Cork.

SPEAKER_02 33:20

Yeah, I think you fit the nail right on the head there with that, with that, with that, that point that Tibrary are gonna need leaders on on you know in the next in the semi-final. They're gonna need leaders to stand up to, you know, if the game is tight or at crucial times, you know, maybe if if kick if Cork score two or three points in a row, someone at the other end of the field that has to win a dirty ball and just break break the tide and that kind of thing. And I think that's where Tip seemed to fall down a little bit in that if a team gets a bit of a run on them, they're they're not able to maybe stop the momentum in time. It doesn't mean that they won't come back, but I don't think they'll be able to stop in time. I mean, again, I saw them against Clare and Crow Park, and you know, they were very, very impressive. But again, Clare caused them problems with their physicality towards the end of the game. And you'd say that's one thing that Cork have loads of as well. You know, they have strong players, physical players in their forward line, and I think they're gonna you know, they're gonna prove it a difficult challenge for Tipperary. It's Tipperary are a bit of a an enigma. Yeah, you look at their their team and you look at their players and you say, you know, there's a really, really good team there. They just need to, I think, uh get over a semi-final and get a win kind of when it matters against a Cork or a Galway, you know, just for their own belief and confidence to say, you know, yes, we are here, we are good enough. Because until they do that, I think they'll always have that little bit of doubt in their mind. I think that Cork would probably come true. Again, they're they're coming, they're coming right at the right time. Loads of leaders on the team, loads of players who know how to win. And again, look, they last year on Ireland last year. So they're they don't care how they get back to the Iron final. If there's if the score is three points to one, they'll be happy. You know, semi-finals are just about getting the job done. And I would expect you know, I would select Cork just just to come out. But if Tipperary plays to the potential Joe, I really think they could give Cork a serious, scare, serious uh scare, you know.

SPEAKER_03 35:14

I like Tipperary like games in Turless, so like that could be big plus to them, like you know, especially if they can get a good good temporary crowd in there, like you know, that could be key for them, like you know. But and then as I said, somebody said was mentioned on their podcast that came out Wednesday, the preview, you know, the fact that maybe temporary and playing semi-final in Lorna Park, you know, because they've obviously suffered quite defeat there, you know, that could be be overhook for them. But anyway, but look, and just before we do finish up, and we spoke about Osley, it was a few times this year and he's been on, but just get your overall thought on how Osley's year went as a whole, like you know, obviously the first year backup senior, like it wasn't overall it wasn't a bad year, like you know, maybe the league they're competitive stead up in the league, Leinster maybe didn't go well, you know, against Dublin, but probably win them the championship then as well. Like, you know, and they were maybe lucky enough to get you to a knockout stage in maybe in the previous year, they probably would have got you to a knockout stage like so you know just get your opinion there on how the year went for them overall.

SPEAKER_02 36:09

Look, and it's all about results at the end of the day. Awfully stayed up, and I think that would have been their their goal at the beginning of the year. I thought it was a good year for them to stay up in the league. Yeah, I mean, look, the game against Toblin, but to be quite honest with you, you know, when it when it mattered then, you know, really and I don't mean that the Leinster Championship doesn't matter, but like the All-Inland Championship is the bread and butter. Like that's that's that's I suppose, you know, you know, in two years' time no one will know who won the Leinster Championship. You know what I mean? So unfortunately, that's just the the way the provincials are. I think they'll be very, very happy. Look, obviously, Jack has stepped down as manager, so you know, for the future, we'll have to wait and see what's what that's going to hold in terms of a management team going in there. I think they can be uh they can be happy with how it went. They were impressive. Look, they've there's lots to work on, but I think that year now up senior, it will hopefully just a climate ties, I suppose is probably the word you know that we that we use. There's a couple of players coming through underage as well, even though we haven't been competing huge yet underage, there's still a couple of quality players that are going to come through maybe to be eligible next year as well. So overall, I think they'd be they'll be very happy. I thought I thought that they did uh they they did well, to be honest, Joe, because it's again that that kind of bottom tier in senior is really, really cutthroat. And even just to not be, I mean, in the relegation final, I mean that means if they didn't finish in the bottom two in senior, and I tell you, they would have taken that at the beginning of the year.

SPEAKER_03 37:33

Yeah, I think it's been brilliant achievement. Like, you know, we said the year behind and now, like, you know, they're sick. Do we have sick? That was the key, like, get another year of the senior and you're playing the teams at that level, like you know, because you're only going to get better by playing them teams and competing, like, but there you mention it, like obviously Jack stepped away. Will we see are you putting your own power for the off the job now going forward? Yeah, you're mad.

SPEAKER_02 37:54

No, not that desperate, I don't think. No, no, I'm okay now. Thanks, thanks anyway. Joe, I enjoyed doing the podcast too much now.

SPEAKER_03 38:04

No, no, no, no. I won't see you and they won't see you on the side next year. No, you won't step in one. Definitely pulling yourself out.

SPEAKER_02 38:13

No, I know. Look, credit to them, they did they did very well, I think. As as supporters, we'd have been we'd have been very happy with their year, and and credit to the players because they they produced when they needed it, you know. It's great.

SPEAKER_03 38:24

And look, leave it at that anyway. Well, just after that, coming up, I I was at the two games in Tolamore on Saturday, and I got chatting to Kevin Rosie Kloma Kiva and Nietzsche VMy Collier after the game, and them interviews will be coming up just after this, so stay tuned in for that to just talk about the win and looking forward to the final in a few weeks. But anyway, listen, before we go, also just remind you of our social media, but we're on Instagram at Talk and Comogey Podcast. We're on X for Talking Comogey Pod. You can email us at talkingcomogepodcast at gmail.com if there's anything you want to get in touch with about, or if there's anything you want to discuss in future episodes, maybe. But listen anyway. Elena look, it's been thanks again for coming on. It's been a pleasure having you on again. And look, we chat again at some stage in the future, anyway, I'm sure.

SPEAKER_02 39:05

Lovely. Thanks a million, Joe.

SPEAKER_03 39:07

That's great. Look forward to you again, anyway, in the two senior semifinals, anyway. So we leave it at that now for this week, and we'll be back again next week previewing both or reviewing the two semi-finals in the senior.

SPEAKER_01 39:20

I don't I don't think I can believe it, to be honest. Like, it's just unbelievable. And the sports we have today, like every time we got a score, there was such a roar from the crowd, and I think that really got us over the line, and we're just absolutely trying to like it's unbelievable too bad to go back for a turn time in a row.

SPEAKER_03 39:35

And look, it's obviously up to full stomach of each map, like to see the nearly goal. Every time we run the back and we can put them up to about 10 to the minute.

SPEAKER_01 39:47

Yeah, definitely been saying all the year like there's nothing in this in this group, and when a hundred times covered and go and have so many times to live and then look like you know, carpet matches, teams get carpet matches, and you know, the better teams come out better than the dynamics and stick gold and then keep happy the bummer and you know the goal of the common event thing.

SPEAKER_03 40:04

Last time it's broke, you know, before the common final and go on a terrible further.

SPEAKER_01 40:17

Look, I can't explain like you know it's it's unbelievable. And we just took a game by game, and I think it's better enough when you do that, you know, when I'm not looking ahead, like you just take it together by the name whatever comes comes in and take an inner money then don't come in and just not even over the line.

SPEAKER_03 40:31

Another thing after crop mark enough for another line final you don't like anybody else. You won't be changed by the enemy wanting to game.

SPEAKER_01 40:41

No, definitely not we've we've got a bit of uh experience there later in Croc and it's great to handle, you know, it's um as it's it's an intermediate modern final and so it's gonna be different different stories than last year, and like we're just gonna have to finish that challenge, and you know, definitely the experience will help it at another level again, so we're gonna have to step up to that.

SPEAKER_03 41:04

But we must be delaying with that now, get a final.

SPEAKER_00 41:07

Yes, yes, there's a line and then we have amazing and then sometimes I think you have to back into an attempt and make another one.

SPEAKER_03 41:24

And then we can see the like two points for you must be.

SPEAKER_00 41:34

And I think that's what happened. We didn't think we did anything that's easy.