Then encountered the hurling team in Amsterdam across the way from where I played padel (google it for those not in the know, seriously) and the local AFL team trained, but wasn't keen for broken fingers while I had a livelihood as a writer. 

12 minutes ago, Skuit said:

Slightly off topic, but I fondly recall landing in Dublin in 2003 en route to Wexford amid a serious hurling final, where a bloke by the name of Carey dominated. Fell in love with the game on the spot - and brought some hurls (the Wexford term) and a slither home - believing that hurling was somehow more closely related to AFL than Gaelic footy . . .

Would have been DJ Carey from Kilkenny, I would guess

1 hour ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Would have been DJ Carey from Kilkenny, I would guess

Indeed. As far as I know one of the greatest to play the sport, mirroring W, Carey in the AFL. 

If I was an AFL recruiter I would be looking to hurling as well as Gaelic football. There's something about the sport which translates in my mind. A variety of skills, fearlessness, 360 vision, running power, and catching. I tried joining a hurling team in Australia, but outside of a brief stint in Bondi there wasn't much on offer. 

Edited August 3, 20214 yr by Skuit

Are you from Ireland @Pennant St Dee? 

7 hours ago, Skuit said:

If I was an AFL recruiter I would be looking to hurling as well as Gaelic football. There's something about the sport which translates in my mind. A variety of skills, fearlessness, 360 vision, running power, and catching. I tried joining a hurling team in Australia, but outside of a brief stint in Bondi there wasn't much on offer. 

Setanta O h'Ailpin was an inter-county hurler with Cork. Very good hurler he won all ireland titles at underage. Can't recall if he won a senior medal. I don't think any other Irish recruit to the AFL was a hurler

A lot of hurling clubs sprung up in australia around 2008 with the exodus of Irish as a result of the recession. There are 5 hurling clubs in Melbourne now. The Galeic football standard was very good here at the time (a lot of excellent gaelic footballers came over) but hurling not so much. The Gaelic AustralAsian games were held here in Melbourne 2 years ago. Witnessed a game between WA and Victoria which was of a similar standard to senior club games back home. It was an excellent game. 

Club details are in the below link. There might be a team close to you that you can get along to watch

https://www.australasiangaelicgames.com/our-clubs/

15 hours ago, Skuit said:

Are you from Ireland @Pennant St Dee? 

I am originally, immigrated with my parents in 1980 when I was 8. I also lived there for a period in the 90s

7 hours ago, BDA said:

Setanta O h'Ailpin was an inter-county hurler with Cork. Very good hurler he won all ireland titles at underage. Can't recall if he won a senior medal. I don't think any other Irish recruit to the AFL was a hurler

A lot of hurling clubs sprung up in australia around 2008 with the exodus of Irish as a result of the recession. There are 5 hurling clubs in Melbourne now. The Galeic football standard was very good here at the time (a lot of excellent gaelic footballers came over) but hurling not so much. The Gaelic AustralAsian games were held here in Melbourne 2 years ago. Witnessed a game between WA and Victoria which was of a similar standard to senior club games back home. It was an excellent game. 

Club details are in the below link. There might be a team close to you that you can get along to watch

https://www.australasiangaelicgames.com/our-clubs/

In most counties (except Kilkenny where it’s Hurling only) you would alternate between Football and Hurling each week 

3 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

In most counties (except Kilkenny where it’s Hurling only) you would alternate between Football and Hurling each week 

True. Most club players would play both. And soccer in the winter.

No more dual players at inter-county level anymore though. Too much of a time commitment plus management teams want them to commit to one or the other.

Just caught up with the game against Donegal - disconcerting seeing the opposition in the green and gold after binging so much Olympics!

Another solid win for Dublin. Magee with the body on the line as always. In fact, all round one of the most physical games I've seen, plus a lot of 'chat' between the players. Thought this was one of the best games by McEvoy I've seen, or at least the most obviously influential. She really brings others along with her and sets things up well. Plus a classy finisher. I also like the way Rowe plays - wouldn't mind seeing her weaving through traffic with the Sherrin.

I'm sure the team would have liked to do it a bit more comfortably but after a slow start they had fairly good control and kept the scoreboard ticking over well. I do like how the relatively small margin between a point and a goal means a consistent string of points is a valid way to build a score and a goal doesn't end it all. Or maybe I'm just frustrated from watching too much of the other round ball of late!

Interesting post-match interviews with the coaches, with their comments about the lack of continuity in the game due to so many whistles for contact stuff. Seems like there's a desire for the whistle to be put away somewhat for a more free-flowing game. Although the Donegal coach also wanted more fouls called in his players' favour, so he kind of contradicted himself. In my biased and inexpert opinion, I felt the Dublin players walked the line well enough!

Good to see our Dublin trio reunited for a semi-final win! Goldie in her natural game was great to witness (a bit rusty perhaps but definitely that same dynamic movement we see in Aussie rules). Lots of AFLW representation in this game, with the Kelly sisters from the Eagles and Rowe from the Pies for Mayo as well.

Another composed performance from Dublin. Some classy precision kicking going forward and for goal saw them again build up a nice lead to then control the game. Mayo seemed put off by Dublin's physicality and got too caught up in that rather than playing their own game, in my humble opinion! A bit of carnage all round. McEvoy looked proppy at the end and Magee with that blood rule, though of course that couldn't keep her from returning late in the game.

Onwards to the final in a couple of weeks. Following this has been a nice lockdown distraction!

https://twitter.com/MelbourneAFLW/status/1448552247621677058/photo/1

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1027279/dee-s-day-lauren-magee?videoId=1027279&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1635114842001

I assume both Goldie and Lauren are double vaccinated and yet they still have to put up with this despite there being 1000+ cases a day.  Go figure.

Hang in there ladies and welcome back!  And thanks for going through all this, I feel for you.