Munster
Scarcely had the dust settled on the 2012 inter-county championships when the draws for the 2013 equivalent took place.
Cody’s men up their game
October 3, 2012 By 1 Comment
Brian Cody
Firstly Lar na Pairce warmly congratulates Brian Cody and Kilkenny on winning last Sunday’s All Ireland Hurling Final replay.
This latest triumph gives the Cats their 34th title and puts them four ahead of Cork on the roll of honour.
Donegal worthy champions
September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Pic: RTÉ
by Lar na Pairce
All Ireland football final
Mayo challenge blunted in 10 minutes
Well following two years of recriminations followed by adulation, Donegal were crowned 2012 All Ireland Football champions with a four-point defeat of Mayo last Sunday. [Read more...]
Galway must go for the jugular
September 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Galway and Kilkenny must do battle again for the Liam McCarthy. Pic: GAA
by Lar na Pairce
All Ireland Hurling Final
Once again Lar na Pairce, despite the overwhelming views of most other commentators was spot on in last week’s analysis which suggested that Galway had all the necessary attributes to win the All Ireland.
Galway have what it takes
September 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Joe Canning. Pic: gaa.ie
by Lar na Pairce
THE big question on everyone’s lips this weekend is whether Kilkenny can win their 34th title or can Galway repeat their Leinster final heroics and capture their fifth All Ireland crown.
Since their defeat in the Leinster final, Kilkenny have recorded victories over Limerick and Tipperary and are now unbackable favourites to collect their ninth title under Brian Cody.
The basics still apply
August 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Pic: RTE screengrab
by Lar na Pairce
Cork v Donegal
Now that the dust has settled on Cork’s semi final defeat to Donegal it is time to take a dispassionate look at the teams performance and why again when confronted with a “ blanket defence” the 2010 All Ireland champions again resorted to lateral passing and failed to deliver the quick ball that is essential to overcome massed ranks of defenders.
Tipp pay price for crazy tactics
August 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Past glory: Nicky English lifts the McCarthy Cup.
by Lár na Pairce
Outrage and disgust at Tipp’s inane antics
AND so following months of rigorous training, strict diets, gym sessions, recovery session and a myriad of other commitments, just two teams remain in the hunt for the All Ireland Senior Hurling title.
Last Sunday Kilkenny blew Tipp away with as clinical a second half performance as has ever been witnessed at headquarters.
However in analysing the game it has to be said that Tipperary adopted crazy tactics commencing with the late arrival for the second half of Lar Corbett and continuing with the aforementioned Corbett following Tommy Walsh around the field in an attempt to escape the clutches of Jackie Tyrell.
These shenanigans totally disoriented the Tipp attack and their second half tally of just five points is ample testimony to this nonsensical approach.
Cork have the talent to beat Donegal
August 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Pic: screengrab from RTE
by Lár na Pairce
We begin this week’s column with a spot of self-congratulations as it was here last week that we informed readers that Seamus McAneany’s time as Meath manager was drawing to a close.
Sure enough, Banty announced his departure during the week, following a tempestuous time in charge. [Read more...]
Cork to face Kildare in quarter-finals
July 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Pic: screen grab from RTE
by Lár na Pairce
BUT for the failure of Meath to overcome a hitherto lack lustre Laois outfit, this column would have had a 100 per cent success rate last weekend as Cork and Kilkenny obliged in the hurling quarter- finals while Donegal, Kerry and Down also came up trumps in the final round of football qualifiers. [Read more...]
Kerry reborn as serious contenders
Paul Galvin was Man of the Match against Tyrone.
by Lár na Pairce
When the final whistle sounded in sun drenched Killarney last Saturday, Kerry had re-launched themselves as serious contenders for this years All-Ireland SFC title.
The manner of their 10 points defeat of Tyrone was so impressive that the remaining teams must not have slept too soundly on Saturday night. [Read more...]