Miscellaneous
We’ve gone from too many stops to too many scores - it’s hard it seems to keep hurling folk happy these days. So what is it we actually want asks Vincent Hogan on this week’s Throw-In as he joins Will Slattery and Michael Verney to look back on all the weekend hurling league action. “I think the biggest issue with hurling right now,” says Hogan. “And it really struck me on Saturday with the atmosphere in Corrigan Park with 500 people in it, it gave hurling an edge that we've missed. It's a soulless game without a crowd; it's a soulless game in an empty stadium and I think there's a lot of forwards that are maybe secretly enjoying the fact there's no crowds there.” It’s not a defenders game anymore is a common refrain and Limerick’s 53 shots at goal – 33 points and 20 wides – in their eight point win over Cork has John Kiely’s men looking ominous for the Championship. Elsewhere, Galway are the panel’s tip to rival Limerick, but it is the rise of less-heralded counties such as Antrim and Offaly that are also gaining the plaudits. Offaly chairman, Michael Duignan, joins Will and Michael to discuss why he thinks the county is on an upward curve in hurling and football once again and he talks about the influence and lift that Shane Lowry’s involvement has given them. For more from the Throw-In podcast go to: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In podcast is in association with Allianz.ie.