Big guns fall
A full programme of GAA last weekend as the National
Football Leagues and Hurling club championship kicked
off again around the country.
All eyes were on a packed Parnell Park for the game
between Dublin under new manager Tommy Carr and
Monaghan. The result was a totally outclassed Dubs
team. Monaghan showed class and hunger on the field as
they smashed home their first goal in the eighth
minute. A mini fightback was mustered after Monaghan
scored all of their 2-12 total, with the Dubs scoring
five points without reply, but it was too late to save
the day for the Metropolitans. Even Tommy Carr was
admitting it was Division Three football for the first
time ever for Dublin, with not a hope of making the
league play-offs. A lot of work to be done yet.
In Section C the All-Ireland Champions Kerry, without
star forward Maurice Fitzgerald, didn't fare much
better, going down to a superior Tyrone side at
Killarney. Kerry are now near the bottom of the section
and also don't look like qualifying for the play-offs.
In the same section Sligo and Offaly played out a draw,
giving top of the table Offaly the prospect of a
quarter final place, with Tyrone a point behind.
Former Down star Liam Austin was also experiencing his
competitive baptism of fire as manager of Ulster
Champions Cavan with a nine-point win over Wexford in
the same section. There was defeat for Meath at the
hands of Armagh in Section B and Derry's three-point
win over Longford leaves them mid table, poised to
clinch a quarter final place. Last year's runners-up
Cork remain top of Section D after disposing of
Roscommon, while Mayo are top of Section A.
It was a case of even stephens in the All-Ireland
Hurling Club Championship resumed with the competition
reaching the semi-final stages. Munster's Clarecastle
took on Leinster's Birr at Semple Stadium. An
injury-time point from a free gave Clarecastle another
chance at glory and get the draw.
Connacht representatives Sarfields and Ulster champs
Dunloy failed to make it to Croke Park on St Patrick's
Day at the first attempt. Leading by four points
towards the end, the Galway side came back to take the
lead, lose it in the dying minutes to secure the draw.
When the Reds go marching in...
Cliftonville moved closer to the Six-County Irish
League title after smashing home five of the best
against Ballymena Utd at Solitude. Dubliner Barry
O'Connor hit a hat trick. The super Reds are now six
points clear of the rest. Glentoran in second place
also had a five goal win over Coleraine.
In the Fourth Round of the Scottish Cup Motherwell gave
Rangers a fright, drawing 2-2. Irish striker Owen Coyle
put the Motherwell lads ahead before Negri equalised
for Rangers. In the replayed games on Tuesday night
Rangers won the replay at Ibrox. Fellow league chasers
Hearts went through with a 3-0 win over Albion.
Hopes of the treble are still alive as Celtic moved
into the last eight of the Scottish Cup at the expense
of Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park. Stephane Mahe
opened Celtic's scoring in the 50th minute, with recent
Norwegian Harald Brattbakk adding the second 17 minutes
later. An earlier Wieghorst goal in the 28th was ruled
offside. Dunfermline substitute Dave Binham claim one
for the Pars in the 81st.
BY CIARAN HEAPHEY
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