Hurling is not in crisis.
At least according to the SportsJOE readers it isn’t.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Cork hurling, after another disappointing day for Rebels fans as the county side were hammered by Tipperary in Thurles in the Munster championship opener.
FT and Tipperary beat Cork by nine in an awful start to the MSHC. Is hurling in crisis? pic.twitter.com/IAzHfDXrpG
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) May 22, 2016
We had been told before the game that Cork was going for a new physical style to their hurling, but once again, the men in red failed when the occasion demanded it most.
Fans watching were left hugely disappointed by the manner of Cork’s collapse.
@SportsJOEdotie Hurling? No. Cork hurling? Yes
— David Kent (@KentoCCFC) May 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/DBrow_10/status/734423531900014592
Id make them Cork boys run te fuck home, 5 of their forwards didnt get off the bus, id make them sprint back
— raymond nolan (@raynolan1976) May 22, 2016
Tipperary and Cork both deployed sweepers, much to the disappointment of Michael Duignan, who felt that the idea of playing an extra man in defence, was killing hurling.
The Offaly man admitted that he may be old fashioned, but that the idea of trying to clog up the central channel, in order to prevent goals, and choke attacks, has left him dismayed.
Michael Duignan says the sweeper system is "destroying the game". Agree?
Or is he old fashioned?— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) May 22, 2016
Our reader’s response was mixed.
4 out of 5 Munster teams now playing with a sweeper Cla, Wat, Lim & Crk. Worst Munster Championship ever in progress.
— thebiggertheycome (@tbiggertycome) May 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/bosdublin/status/734411410642509825
it's lazy tactics. There are better ways to crack teams which are on paper better than you. 1/2
— Páraic Finnerty (@Paraic_F) May 22, 2016
makes it more boring yes, but its all about winning isnt it?
— Kevin Murphy (@kevinmurphy56) May 22, 2016
it's certainly making it harder to watch, definately not a fan
— John Minnock (@minno101) May 22, 2016
I think so
— noel cahill (@ncahill1) May 22, 2016
The game comes less than 24 hours after Dublin hammered Wexford in Croke Park in the Leinster hurling championship encounter on Saturday.
FT and Dublin move through to the next round as Wexford disposed of with minimum fuss pic.twitter.com/wTZmGe4h17
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) May 21, 2016
Hurling may not be in crisis, but fans agreed that what they had witnessed over the last two days was not entertainment, for anyone.
Today was the first goalless #Tipp #Cork SHC match in 116 years. #gaa
— HurlingFacts (@HurlingFacts) May 22, 2016
Tipp and Dublin through to semi finals but neither got the stern test they could have done with…. Wexford and Cork were a no show ……
— Liam Sheedy (@LiamLsheedy) May 22, 2016
That was one of the worst matches I've seen in a long time. Cork were dreadful, Tipp not much better, work to do for both teams #TIPPvCORK
— Peter Walsh (@breathnach22) May 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/SuibhneGeilt1/status/734424236266258432
Elsewhere today Offaly edged Kerry in the Leinster championship round robin series, while Westmeath proved too good for Carlow in Dr Cullen Park.
FULL TIMES @gaaleinster SHC Round-Robin@Offaly_GAA 3-19, @Kerry_Official 0-20. @westmeath_gaa 0-22, @Carlow_GAA 2-15. #leinster16
— Leinster GAA (@gaaleinster) May 22, 2016
The quarter-final draw now looks like this.
In the @gaaleinster SHC Q/Finals, @Offaly_GAA will play @CLGLaois & @westmeath_gaa will play @Galway_GAA . #leinster16
— Leinster GAA (@gaaleinster) May 22, 2016
