No ceasefires in Casement Park
Limerick 1-12 Galway 1-9
It's odd seeing the National Hurling League Final being played at
this time of year. After another successful hurling season of
high drama, second chances and ``back-door finalists'' the league
final in October will take some getting used to. However, 21,000
turned up to witness the game between Galway and Limerick, which
saw the Treaty men capture their eleventh crown. A lively
Limerick performance was epitomised by their excellent defence
and experimental team. Galway, the defending champions, gave a
poor performance.
Also taking place around this fair isle were numerous county and
inter-provincial club encounters. The liveliest of these affairs
had to be the Ulster Hurling Club Final between Dunloy (Antrim)
and Lavey (Derry) at Casement Park, Belfast. In what was an
exciting game, five players were sent to the line in added time.
Then, in scenes more reminiscent of a Millwall game, the crowd,
many of them the worse for drink, invaded the pitch at the end,
with the poor referee being escorted from the ground. It is not
often that the supporters of the winning team attack the referee,
but then maybe those involved in these disgraceful scenes arer
not the kind of supporters that Dunloy wants.
A full investigation is now under way, with the possibility of
Dunloy being stripped of their title. It may well happen because
there was a strong feeling of embarrassment and anger among GAA
fans as the scenes were broadcast repeatedly on BBC and UTV this
week.
Lost among the mayhem was the fact that a Derry team put up such
a strong challenge for the Ulster title.
Bhoys march on
In the world of soccer Celtic beat Kilmarnock 4-0 and stretched
their unbeaten run to ten games with their fifth consecutive
league victory. The rejuvenation continues. A brace of goals from
the Swede Larson and one each from Morton Wieghorst and Simon
Donnelly saw the Celts safely through. The Celtic style under
Jansen - stylish passing and movement - has now become his
trademark. He described his team's performance thus: ``There is
tactical discipline, but at the same time there is room for
individuals to express themselves as they did.'' Who needs Paulo
Di Canio? Way to go, Wim!
Elsewhere, Hibs really should have beaten the `Huns'. Being 3-1
up, a thunderous free-kick shot from the English clown Gascoigne
brought Rangers back in to it. Hibs lost concentration and were
beaten by goals from Albertz and Negri.
In the Brandywell reigning League of Ireland Champions Derry City
belatedly kicked off their season when they beat previously
unbeaten Bohs 1-0 in a timid affair compared to last year's
``antics'' during the corresponding fixture. Shelbourne went top of
the table by beating Cork City 3-1 and Sligo Rovers are hot on
their trail after beating Drogheda United 4-2.
In the Six-County Orange league, the beleaguered Cliftonville
continued their recent good form by beating East Belfast outfit
Glentoran 2-0. Maybe a league title challenge from North Belfast?
Go on the reds!
By Ciaran Heaphey
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