Sonia is still a star
Something is rotten in the sporting state if even the non contact
sports become bruising battling encounters. Having resigned
ourselves to the endless escapades of the Meath maulers now we
have to witness Ireland's premier world class athlete being
pushed, shoved and then verbally abused.
Whose heart didn't go out to Sonia O'Sullivan whose battle to
regain world class form has been conducted in a very public
spotlight? No other Irish sports star has ever come under such
media scrutiny. Her progress in the World Athletic Championships
in Athens has been hesitant but it did seem that she had medal
chances in the 1500 metres.
Much has been said about the barging episode started by Swiss
athlete Anita Weyermann. However, of all the athletes in the
field Sonia had the most to lose, and it seems no coincidence
that she endured barging in not only the final but also the
heats. Weyermann took the bronze and should have been
disqualified, but none of this would have helped Sonia. All we
can say is good luck in the 5000 metres today.
Meath 1-12
Kildare 1-10
For a long time I have laboured under the illusion that Gaelic
Football was a sport that all the family could enjoy. After last
weekend's bruising Leinster Senior Football semi-final clash
between Meath and Kildare it became clear that this was a game
for consenting adults only.
You can blame it on the bad weather, bad rules and possibly a bad
referee who saw fit to punish the occasional misdemeanour with a
sending off while being oblivious to the range of other
infringements clearly visible to those watching either in the
stadium or on TV.
Meath were the victors but at what cost. They will probably be
without three players for Saturday week's Leinster Final and have
now swung probably all the neutrals support onto the side of
Offaly.
On the television it was clear that this was something more than
competitive jostling as players elbowed, shoved and punched each
other on the field. And that was just the off the ball incidents.
Kildare though never really came into this second replay looking
like winners. Their short passing game came unstuck once too
often and the room allowed to Meath players like Tommy Dowd was
bound to end with scores for Meath. The final result then was
Fair Play 0 - Meath 3
Mayo 0-11
Sligo 1-7
Either Offaly or Meath will take on Connacht champions Mayo in
the semi-finals. On the form shown in last weekend's provincial
final neither Leinster team have much to fear. Much of the match
was lacklustre and it wasn't until the final five minutes that
the much fancied Sligo suddenly realised that they had a fight on
their hands. They rallied and scored a goal and a point in quick
succession only to have the referee blow the final whistle at
just 20 seconds past the 70 minute mark, leaving many shocked as
it seemed there would be more extra time to be played.
Celtic 1
Hibernian 2
As a long time Celtic watcher I am well used to being heart
broken by dismal performances where precious opportunities for
success are squandered recklessly. The six goals scored against
Inter Cabletel in the EUFA Cup seemed to offer so much promise
for the Scottish premiership campaign. It seems fundamentally
wrong that your title hopes are shattered on the first day of the
season, but the clear line of reasoning from last weekend's
result is that if Celtic can't beat Hibernian how are they going
to have the remotest chance of stopping Rangers?
BY NEIL FORDE
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