The Throw-in

Tomás Ó'Sé doesn't rate Kerry for this year's All Ireland - and says he's not trying to underplay his county's chances either. He joined Will Slattery, Michael Verney and Donnchadh Boyle on this week's Throw-In to discuss Kerry's weaknesses and why Donegal are now the main team standing in the way of Dublin's drive-for-five. The Dubs' facile win over Meath showed up how farcical the Leinster Championship has become and the panel also discussed whether Dublin's superior funding has as much to do with their domination. Plus, there's a look at at Donegal's strengths for the Championship, a look ahead to round 3 of the qualifiers, and our weekly look at the Rising Stars. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Bord Gáis Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cauldron of Parnell Park was the place to be at the weekend as the Dublin hurlers finally got the big victory that counted and put Galway out of the Championship who must be feeling punch-drunk after results went against them. Brendan Cummins joined Colm Keys, Conor McKeon, Will Slattery and Michael Verney to look back on all the weekend hurling action that also saw Wexford and Kilkenny draw, while in Munster, Tipperary's momentum shows no sign of slowing down. "The Tipperary machine is really purring and their confidence is on a high," says Cummins. Meanwhile, in football, Roscommon captured a second Connacht title over Galway in three years, but what about manager Anthony Cunningham and his incredible record in both codes at county and club level? Former Kilkenny All-Star, Elaine Aylward, also looks back on the opening games of the Camogie Championship while Will and Michael give their verdicts on the Rising Stars from the weekend. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent

It was a performance that put Galway hurlers back in the frame for the All Ireland and this week’s Throw-In celebrates not just the Galway players who stood up in the absence of Joe Canning, but the quality of the Leinster Hurling Championship this year. “I didn’t see this win coming to be honest,” says John Mullane who joined Will Slattery, Michael Verney and John Brennan on the show. “It was the perfect way for it to unfold for them and they’re in a fantastic position to kick on now.” There’s also twelve different permutations possible from the final action in Leinster next weekend with Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny and Wexford all in with a shout. Never mind Munster says Mullane, Leinster hurling should also be deserving of praise. In the football, Peter Canavan joined the panel to look back on Donegal’s defeat of Tyrone and Canavan reckons Mickey Harte faces a dilemma: does he go back to the tried and trusted for Tyrone or continue with their new style of play? Elsewhere, it was business as usual for the

The Leinster football semi-final double-header is on in Croke Park this weekend and with crowds of less than 35,000 expected for the clashes of Dublin v Kildare and Meath v Laois, does the game need re-structuring and if so, how? Vincent Hogan and Frank Roche joined Will Slattery to discuss the thorny issue and possible solutions, whether a tiered structure would work and why, with Dublin's odds 1/80 against Kildare, people are choosing to stay away. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Bord Gáis Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brendan Cummins joins Will Slattery, Frank Roche and Vincent Hogan for this week's Throw-In and both ends of the hurling spectrum dominate this week's discussion. From Tipp's dominance to Waterford's demise, it's a tale of two counties so far in the hurling championship and Cummins reckons Liam Sheedy's perfectionist playbook means Tipp won't be complacent or resting on their laurels. "Tipperary are a momentum team and they have it now. The lads are making hay knowing they're nearing the end of their careers and they have a dream coaching team looking after them." Meanwhile, the panel addresses the toxic atmosphere in the Waterford set-up and wonders if there's any way back for Paraic Fanning’s management? Plus, there's a preview of the Munster football final and a nod to the weekend's Rising Stars. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is in association with Bord Gáis Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the fourth year in row Mayo will have to go through the back door in search of All Ireland glory but let's not forget about Roscommon's exploits in reaching another Connacht final either. Peter Canavan and Martin Breheny join Will Slattery and Michael Verney for this week's episode of the Throw-In and who says hurling should dominate the headlines when there’s still plenty of drama and excitement left in Gaelic football? Mayo's old failings are the focus for much of this week's debate, as is the question of whether a second ref is needed and just why are shoulder challenges being unfairly outlawed? In hurling, as Davy Fitz gets sent to the stands, his Wexford players rally back and Galway's chances in Leinster are starting to look precarious with visits to Kilkenny and Dublin still to come. Plus, the panel give their latest verdicts on the Rising Stars to watch out for based on stand-out performances over the weekend. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the

Cork turned the tables on Limerick with a performance that no one was expecting but the Throw-In team have been tipping Cork’s potential since earlier in the year and it finally paid off this weekend. John Mullane joined Will Slattery, Michael Verney and Conor McKeon to discuss another cracking of series of games from the hurling championship and Mullane says Cork are as good as anyone. “If they turn up and perform they’re as good as anything in the country. But they have to kick on now and be consistent. You don’t know what they’re going to bring to the table. Do the supporters know? What type of performance will it be against Clare? They’re well capable though of pushing on and winning the All Ireland.” Tipperary’s ruthlessness against Waterford also has to have them as contenders this year while Dublin and Wexford will be waiting anxiously for the games still to come after their tension-filled draw in Parnell Park. In football, Armagh finally overcame Down while Cavan’s scalp over Monaghan was the

The faith Liam Sheedy showed in his Tipp players was repaid in buckets with their impressive seven point win over Cork on Sunday and Brendan Cummins joined Will Slattery, Michael Verney and Donnchadh Boyle on this week’s Throw-In podcast to discuss their chances for the 2019 Championship. “The intensity is what impressed most,” said Cummins. “We spoke about how fast Cork were but it’s very hard to show your speed when you don’t have the ball. Tipp knew if they brought the aggression they’d have enough to beat Cork. We’ll find out more about them now against Waterford.” What now for Cork, whom many tipped for an All-Ireland, especially the panel on the Throw-In? After questions being raised about Kilkenny during the week, Brian Cody’s men also answered any doubters with their win over the improving Dubs whose season is now on the line against Wexford. In football, the Leinster Championship began with nervy wins for Meath and Kildare while in Ulster, Tyrone got their summer underway with a six point vict

The 2019 Hurling Championship starts with a bang this weekend and with so many contenders in the mix in both the Leinster and Munster Championships, the winners of this year's Liam MacCarthy is anyone's guess. This weekend, will Kilkenny's season be on the line against Dublin and will the question marks over Tipperary be shown up against Cork? Can anyone stop Limerick? And what about Galway and Clare? On this week's show, Will Slattery, Michael Verney and Vincent Hogan preview the likely winners and loser in Leinster, Munster and the All Ireland, as well as looking at some of hurling's Rising Stars to look out for. Don't miss the best analysis and interviews on the Throw-In throughout the summer. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is sponsored by Bord Gáis Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2019 Football Championship is upon us and all focus is on the Dubs as they attempt an historic 5-in-a-row. But who can stop them and will the be surprises in store in the provinces and Super 8s? Joining Will Slattery and Michael Verney are INM's Conor McKeon and Colm Keys as they go through the contenders for this year's Sam Maguire, give their predictions for the Championship and highlight the some of the Rising Stars likely to make an impression over the summer of 2019. For more from the Throw-In, visit the show page at: https://www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-throw-in/ The Throw-In is sponsored by Bord Gáis Energy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's certainly not an All-Ireland, but for Mayo, their first League title since 2001, meant the world to them after ten lost finals since 01. Will Slattery, Michael Verney and Colm Keys look back on Mayo's magnificent win over Kerry and ask if the summer will finally be theirs as well? In the hurling League final, Limerick scored a clinical and comfortable victory over Waterford and John Mullane says they laid down a marker for the Championship and haven't even reached their peak yet. Plus, in the camogie final, Ursula Jacob joined the panel to look back on how Galway stopped Kilkenny's four-in-a-row League bid with a nail-biting two point win. 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. For more on Allianz Leagues Updates, Podcasts and Competitions please visit the official sponsor page at www.allianz.ie/allianz-leagues See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Brolly and Jamesie O'Connor joined Will Slattery, Michael Verney and Donnchadh Boyle for a special Live Throw-In League Finals preview from the Croke Park Hotel. Not just focused with on the pitch matters, the panel also dealt with sports psychology, how some players didn't quite take to it in Joe and Jamesie's time and the best player management techniques. You don't want to miss Joe Brolly's Jim Gavin impression and stories from after the 2018 All Ireland final, plus the panel discussion on a county's GAA DNA. 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. For more on Allianz Leagues Updates, Podcasts and Competitions visit the official sponsor page at www.allianz.ie/allianz-leagues See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Limerick's aura of invincibility has continued into this year's League campaign and John Mullane joins Will Slattery, Michael Verney and Frank Roche on this week's Throw-In to assess his own county's chances against them in the final. "It’s the acid test for Waterford," he says. "They have to really up their performance to challenge this Limerick team and use the same template as Dublin by clogging up the middle third. Croke Park suits both teams but you'd have to side with the form team, Limerick." Tomás Ó'Sé also joined the panel to discuss the football final match-up of Kerry v Mayo with Kerry the slight favourites he reckons. "Mayo have no fear of playing Kerry and will raise their game. It will be a bonus to either team to win it. This Kerry team are playing without fear. They have an opportunity to outfight, outrun Mayo and do to them what they did to Kerry in Tralee." Plus, the panel also discussed the fall and fall of Cork football who now head into Division 3 just ten years on from All Irela

For the first time in the Jim Gavin era, Dublin are not going to be competing in a League final, but, after defeat to Tyrone, are we reading too much into the Dubs’ defeat? Vincent Hogan, Conor McKeon and Ciaran Whelan joined Will Slattery on this week’s Throw-In to look back on all the weekend Allianz League action with Whelan pointing to the forward line as his main source of concern for Dublin. Kerry’s rise, Tyrone’s turn-around and Mayo’s potential are all pointing to what could be a very exciting football Championship. And let’s not forget Corofin retaining the All Ireland Club title in style as well. The greatest club side ever perhaps? In hurling, Tipp’s inconsistency reared its head again, but Dublin’s win in Semple Stadium augurs well for their summer and the incredible work done under Mattie Kenny. Plus, putting up thirty-one points against Clare, Waterford are into a League semi-final against Galway and are quietly going about their business, putting up massive scores along the way. For more

Whilst the hurling quarter final line-ups have finally been decided, it’s the other end of the League that’s been getting most attention. Offaly’s defeat to Carlow sees them slipping down to Division 2 and it could be a long way back for the once formidable county. On this week’s Throw-In, Will Slattery was joined by Brendan Cummins, Conor McKeon and John Brennan, as well as former Wexford camogie star, Ursula Jacob, to look back on all the weekend League hurling and camogie action. Wexford’s defeat of Kilkenny shows them facing up to the Cats and showing no fear which Cummins believes will have a bearing later in the summer. Meanwhile, Tipp’s victory over Cork had the Premier county back to their swaggering best, but finding consistency is now the key, especially as they face Dublin next weekend. Plus, in camogie, Kilkenny continue their push for four Leagues in-a-row after beating the reigning All Ireland champions Cork and will face Galway in the final. For more from the Throw-In podcast go to: www.i

Joe Brolly joins the Throw-In for a bonus episode this week in which he describes the nihilism of Gaelic football by certain counties and which is even seeping into underage schools' teams. Pointing the finger at Fermanagh and Galway in particular, he says, "Every time Galway or Fermanagh win a game it’s a dagger through the heart of Gaelic football." With schools' teams now even pulling 15 players behind the ball, Brolly castigates those who espouse such philosophies in Gaelic football. "There’s a whole breed of coaches who don’t care about the game. It’s nihilism, nothingness, pointless and people should be saying it’s not acceptable because in the end nobody is going to be watching the game." It’s not all doom and gloom however and the rise of Sean O’Shea and David Clifford into a resurgent Kerry gives hope for the future. 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. For more on Allianz Leagues Updates, P

The postponement of games in yesterday's Division 1A hurling is going to cause headaches, consternation and a potential fixture pile-up that John Mullane believes is going to affect club players the most. John joined Will Slattery, Michael Verney, Roy Curtis and Tomás Ó'Sé on this week's show and voiced his anger at the problems that could be caused. "With no gap week in the schedule it means the clubs are going to be affected and club players going into the unknown again. It's totally unfair on them and this could be the tipping point where the club scene erupts." In the football there's further headaches for James Horan's Mayo and Tomás Ó'Sé believes their old failings are still there. "What it boils down to is simple things that seem to go wrong for them constantly. They are not clinical enough, plus they don’t have a player to attack, run, take teams on and cause fear in the opposition." And what about Kerry’s impressive start under Peter Keane? With a strong youthful core coming through, Roy Curt

When is a home venue also a neutral venue? That's the square peg in a round hole that the GAA have managed to do and it's drawn a lot of criticism, including from Peter Canavan on this week's Throw-In. "Dublin are getting away with it and it shouldn’t be the case," he told Will Slattery, Michael Verney and Donnchadh Boyle. "If, for example, Dublin were to play Tyrone in Clones as a neutral venue it changes things completely." On the pitch, Mayo were given a reality check by the Dubs, which is no bad thing for them and for Tipperary, losing another close game, this time to Kilkenny, means confidence is draining fast, says Brendan Cummins. "Once again we lost the arm wrestle. Tipp at the moment need a win from somewhere to build confidence and head into Munster with confidence under their belt." Plus, the panel give their verdicts on the Performance of the Week, including an eye-catching fisted goal from Tipperary's Aisling McCarthy. For more from the Throw-In podcast go to: www.independent.ie/podcasts/

Limerick are "the top one", Is Cody's Kilkenny empire crumbling, what Davy Fitz has done for Wexford Limerick's comprehensive defeat of Kilkenny was the big talking point from the weekend’s Allianz Hurling League action with former Galway boss Cyril Farrell believing that the reigning All-Ireland champions are definitely the team to beat. Their place among hurling's top three has been questioned by some in recent weeks but Irish Independent columnist Farrell rates them as "the top one" after dismantling Brian Cody's Cats by nine points in Nowlan Park on Sunday. Martin Breheny of the Irish Independent and Franke Roche of the Herald also joined Michael Verney on this week's show with Roche lauding the extraordinary exploits of Treaty attacker Aaron Gillane. Breheny also feels that those claiming Cody's empire is crumbling are wide of the mark given the players they are without while the panel also discuss what Davy Fitzgerald has done for Wexford, and for hurling in general. Also up for discussion this w

Kerry’s defeat of Dublin in Tralee on Saturday night was the biggest talking point from the weekend’s Allianz Football League action, but for Tomás Ó’Sé, there’s still an Achilles heel in the Kingdom that needs to be addressed. “It’s a great positive start from Kerry,” he told this week’s Throw-In podcast. “They’ve a young team and beating Dublin will mean more to Kerry and yet, despite cleaning out Dublin in the first half, they were still only two points up and Dublin coasted in for two goals.” John Brennan of the Sunday World also joined Will Slattery and Michael Verney on the show and he questioned Jim Gavin’s obvious prioritising of the Championship. “Realistically it comes down to two matches for Dublin this year: the All Ireland semi-final and final. Jim Gavin knows the age clock is ticking on this Dublin team and he’s gambling that he can get everything right for those games.” Also up for discussion this week: Mayo’s revival continues, Cork’s decline seems terminal, and Tipperary’s defeat of Don