Plenty to talk about from this weekend’s GAA action across hurling and football. What was your big talking point?
By Darragh O’Flynn
Is Michael Murphy right?
Before a ball was thrown in at Killarney, Donegal legend Michael Murphy claimed that Kerry weren’t in the top three contenders for the All-Ireland this season.
The GAAGO pundit must have had a crystal ball as Jack O’Connor’s side were blitzed by Mayo as handed the Kingdom their first home defeat since 1995.
O’Connor admitted after the game that he “hung their full-back line out to dry,” but how have Kerry gone from being a defensive kingpin under Paddy Tally to so fragile at the back?
One reason could be the departure of midfield general David Moran, who allowed the forward line to press as he would lord the air if kickouts went long.
So is Murphy right? Only time will tell as the champions should have enough to reach the All-Ireland quarter-final series without any major danger of being eliminated.
After that, things will get interesting.
Is it time for a hurling championship restructure?
After Wexford suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Westmeath, they now face the possibility of playing Joe McDonagh Cup hurling next season.
However, with the recent struggles of inter-county neighbours Waterford in the Munster championship, some are wondering why there isn’t a relegation play-off to determine the faith of counties.
Would this question be asked if one of the traditional counties were not in relegation trouble?
Possibly not, and it also doesn’t help that the Munster championship is a closed door for the inter-county elite.
In time, we may have an entire inter-county competition with no Munster/Leinster divide and, from Wexford’s perspective, it couldn’t come soon enough.
Are Limerick Tailteann Cup contenders?
Limerick’s status as live contenders for the Tailteann Cup was confirmed this weekend when they produced a sharp and energetic display to make short work of Carlow.
With turmoil earlier in the season leading to Ray Dempsey’s departure, things are looking up for the Treaty County.
Could the footballers win more silverware over the hurlers in 2023?
Are Tipp back?
Liam Cahill will be delighted with the performance of his Premier men as they finally put together a 70-minute game against John Kiely’s Limerick.
The question on many people’s lips after the game was, are Tipp back?
Well, based on the Munster championship campaign so far, the answer seems to be yes.
Undefeated so far and with strugglers Waterford left to play, Cahill’s side looks set to make a drastic turnaround from last season from being bottom of the pile to top dogs in Munster.
Can they add silverware to the table is the next question?
