Several GAA takeaways from the weekend of note.
One key question - can you take spring momentum into the summer?
Wexford senior hurlers head the table on points difference after Davy Fizgeralds side inflicted a 4 point defeat on his native county and ended the banners unbeaten run this season.
It looked ominous for the model county when Lee Chin didnt reappear in the second half due to a quad injury but his replacement 19 year old Rory O Connor from the St Martins club landed 4 points from play as Loch Gorman emerged 20 points to 1-13 winners.
So a name for the future on Slaneyside and you'd wonder if this run will embolden the Model county morale to push them to a place not visited since '96?
Only a single point seperated ancient rivals Tipp and Kilkenny in Nowlan Park with the Cats securing back to back wins in the league. A personal tally of 2-9 from Tipps Michael Breen wasn't enough for the Premier as TJ Reid fired 13 points at the other end.
Another reminder that the Ballyhale Shamrocks clubman is some yoke and takes some watching!
Goals from Walter Walsh and Luke Scanlon for the Noresiders made it tight going into the final stretch but Richie Leahy bagged the winning score for the black and amber. Tipp Boss Michael Ryan's looking at the bigger picture but both managers will be looking to tighten up at the back and no doubt the Tipp boss will be studying Luke Scanlons goal with his defence in their post game review.
Luke Scanlon buries the net for the second goal for Kilkenny in a matter of minutes! pic.twitter.com/xSAMOHnkeq
— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 25, 2018
A good hurling battle looms in Salthill.
Division 1B rivals Galway and Limerick have set up a promotion decider at Pearse Stadium.
The All-Ireland senior hurling champions beat Dublin by 1-20 to 1-14 while Limerick had an easy 3-21 to 13 point win over Antrim and galway yet to hit full gear according to Michael Donoghue. Still they'll be happy at the way they are motoring.
What about the 1 -3 from Eamonn Brannigan in Austin Stack Park?
A wondergoal by the St Michaels clubman was key as Galway beat Kerry 1-14 to 14 points in Tralee leaving the westerners unbeaten so far in the Allianz League and joint top of the table with Dublin.
Savour this.
Eamonn Brannigan fires the ball into the net for Galway! pic.twitter.com/7Yse1LXKKW
— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 25, 2018
No doubt we will hear more about gumshields this week.
Kildare centre half back Eoin Doyle was dismissed by referee David Gough for not wearing a gumshield as the lillies went down by 2 points to Donegal in Ballyshannon.
Having lost teeth playing football, to me Gumshields are essential for safety of all. Senseless from Eoin Doyle if didn't comply post warning #AllianzLeagues
— Sean Cavanagh (@SeanCavanagh14) February 25, 2018
Declan Bonners side bagged their first win of the campaign emerging 1-15 to 3-7 winners.
Oh and no betting companies can get involved in any aspect of GAA after 2018. Congress. Makes sense. It's hard enough monitor how deep the betting problem here is.
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