On last nights Off the Ball, the current hurler of the year Richie Hogan spoke in the aftermath of Kilkenny's All Ireland semi final win over Waterford. The Danesford hurler also added that he "hates" the championship structure.
All Ireland winners Eoin Kelly and Jamesie O'Connor spoke to Joe Molly on the show last night to look back at the semi final and react to Hogan's comments.
"Hurlers want to play hurling" according to Kelly and he claims that hurlers would love to play in a packed Croke Park on a more regular basis throughout the summer. The former Tipperary star said it "was good to hear" Hogan's comments as players love to play but he added the system has helped Kilkenny in recent years.
"I think his comments are valid", Jamesie O'Connor told Off the Ball, adding that he only played Wexford once in his Championship career despite the small numbers of elite hurling counties. O Connor added that the GAA has a "training culture" compared to most sports that have a "playing culture".
The former Clare All Ireland winner added that some players in both codes from less successful counties hope to reach the provincial finals as it may be the pinnacle of their summer. For players in certain counties a provincial medal can still be very "precious"
Kelly said that the elite players need to be "exposed" to the public and that the 41,000 attendance for Sunday's semi final between Kilkenny and Waterford was disappointing. They players can only get the praise they deserve by playing more games at a higher level.
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