You’ve often heard the saying, ‘Beware the ides of March’.
Well, the ides of March have certainly been affecting the farming community and food producers.
Whether it’s food, fertiliser, or silage, availability has been a big issue. Combine that with the total price collapse of our main produce – milk. And all its related products like butter, cheese, yogurt.
Yet there has been no support from the Government. Instead, Simon Harris is more interested in talking about a national savings scheme. Talk about out of touch?
There’s been no back-up for farmers from the IFA or the main agencies.
Those with their big jobs and big cars didn’t take any cut.
When the hauliers threatened the Government with a few trucks, the Government quickly backed down.
Maybe it’s time to park a few slurry trucks around Leinster House and send a message.
Anyway, seeing as it’s Easter weekend, I’m a big believer in surviving.
From left, Adam English, Barry Nash and Mike Casey of Limerick in action against Brian Hayes, left and Alan Walsh of Cork during last month’s game at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick
When it comes to the Division One hurling league final at the Gaelic Grounds tomorrow, one thing is for sure, the shadowboxing is over. The sidesteppers are no longer involved.
Tipperary, the All-Ireland champions, didn’t exactly put their best foot forward. They took a hammering from Limerick and seemed happy enough just to avoid relegation.
I had a delegation from Tipperary down during the week looking at cattle, and they felt their county wouldn’t win the All-Ireland.
But let’s focus on who is there. With a full house expected, I’m expecting a tremendous day for hurling.
I got a huge reaction from last week’s article. Many were on to me around my comments on Cork versus Offaly to say that when a player pulls on a county jersey, he wants to do his best.
So it shouldn’t be about taking it easy on the scoreboard from a Cork point of view. Which is fair comment.
John Kiely’s Limerick, like his counterpart Ben O’Connor, have managed their campaigns well
Cork and Limerick both have managed their league campaigns well. Once again, we have the two big guns in action. I’m looking forward to a tremendous match of hurling, the way it should be played.
Under Ben O’Connor, Cork have tried their best to eradicate any scars from last year’s All-Ireland final defeat. They will put their best foot forward for this one. They not only have a very strong first team but a bench as well.
The one fly in the ointment is the Cork defence. Or so various supporters tell me. I don’t believe that.
This bunch of players are strong, fit, and well able for the task, even with Aaron Gillane and Shane O’Brien such a powerful and direct duo for Limerick.
Tommy O’Connell is turning into a top class player in midfield and they have a host of stars in attack. They are frighteningly strong up front.
Aaron Gillane of Limerick and Ger Millerick of Cork tussle during last month’s clash
Brian Hayes and Alan Connolly carry such a goal threat and then there is the likes of Barry Walsh continuing his good form with the Cork under-20s.
It’s going to be a mighty task for Limerick — who will meet it head on. They’ve come in for a lot of analysis, particularly the second-half performance against Galway. Huge questions have been asked.
Whether they are on the wane or still at the level, we’ll have to see. To me, it was a panic situation, that second half against Galway. They had a real collapse only for two easy goals to help get them over the line.
Cork boss Ben O’Connor wants fireworks – and so do hurling fans of all persuasions
But that second half should focus minds.
I get the feeling that Cork will look to attack a Limerick defence that they believe isn’t impregnable. I’m not so sure. I’m looking forward to that Cork full-forward line going to war with the Limerick full-back line — in Hayes and Connolly, they have strong men, great ball handlers, who have loads of pace.
And I see fireworks too. Ben O’Connor wants that. Once it’s within the rules, that’s what we want. So it’s going to be fast and physical.
Cork will bring 20,000 but the home venue will suit Limerick. And I think they will just shade it. They need to put down a marker before going to Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the first round of the Munster championship.
Dublin must throw caution to the wind, but Clare can still edge it
There have been a few critics of the Division 1B final, saying it’s low stakes with both Clare and Dublin promoted, but I’m a great believer in the league finals. Now the group stage was a bit predictable, that it always looked like it was going to be those two.
But it has certainly served a purpose for both counties.
Clare manager Brian Lohan played the whole thing down but has used it to introduce a few young players. Then you have the likes of Tony Kelly and Shane O’Donnell – these are the top hurlers in the country. And they have another top hurler in Mark Rodgers.
Kelly got the goal that beat Dublin in the opening game but Dublin need to come with the same level of spirit and aggression. Travel with no inhibitions and throw caution to the wind. Clare will riddle them if they are let, if Dublin set up conservatively.
Donal Burke and Brian Hayes, they would fit into any team in the country. One of their most dangerous players is John Hetherton. An old style target man and a goal-scoring machine.
They should be coming to hit Clare hard and drive them back to Ennis.
If they’re going to make any impression in Leinster, they have to show what they are made of. Wouldn’t it be some result for Dublin to come and rattle them?
But I still fancy Clare to edge it again. They have the experience and the Gaelic Grounds is almost a home venue.
John Conlon should get an award for bravery after coming back from that bad hand injury. Kelly is one of the best hurlers I’ve ever seen.
And Peter Duggan is one of the best full-forwards who has ever played for Clare. He has a hand like a JCB. Plus, he’s a lovely striker of a deadball.
And I have to give credit to the Limerick county board. I don’t pull my punches, even when it comes to my own county, but the secretary Mike O’Riordan rang and said that there’s two tickets here. So I must be back as flavour of the month!
Here’s to what should be a great day’s hurling.
