Put the Champers on ice
Celebrations are on hold for another week as another cock-up by
the men in green and white gave Celtic fans more grey hairs.
Dunfermline gave Rangers a lifeline after their home defeat at
the hands of St Johnstone.
Celtic on the other hand were within ten minutes of winning the
title until one Craig Faulconbridge put the celebrations on hold
for another day. Hopefully. Celtic goalscorer Simon Donnelly
admitted the Dunfermline goal, which came unexpectantly, had
``knocked the stuffing'' out the Bhoys. Celtic continued to press
forward but the winning goal was just not forthcoming. With one
game left at home to St Johnstone, and Rangers away to Dundee Utd
and Celtic two points clear, it should be some night in the
Eastend of Glasgow next Saturday night.
In the National League St Patrick's Athletic leap frogged over
Shelbourne to steal the title on Friday night, their third this
decade. They secured their triumph with a win over already
relegated Kilkenny City. Shels were favourites for the title and
even the trophy was at their match in Dundalk, as were the TV
cameras. Dundalk however spoilt the party by beating Shels 2-1.
St Pats had to make do with being presented with the `reserve
trophy' (a trophy given to the FAI after a game with the League
of Wales). I'm sure they weren't too bothered in Inchicore
though, where I understand the celebration continued well into
Saturday morning in the Dublin suburb.
Hurling League semis
Waterford claimed a place in the National Hurling League final
for the first time in over 30 years at Thurles with a fine win
over Limerick. Waterford were in control for most of the match
despite a rattle in the second half from Limerick's Gary Kirby,
who rifled home a 35-yard free to give Limerick some hope. Four
minutes later Limerick cut the lead to one point and Waterford
looked in trouble. Waterford however rode the storm and are now
into their first major final since 1963.
The Rebel County look to be back to winning ways after their
demolition job on Clare, also at Semple Stadium. A bad perfomance
from the Banner county did not contribute to what was not the
most riveting of afternoon's hurling.
The championship kicked off in Leinster with the usual fall guys
going out at the first hurdle in the preliminery round. Wexford
beat Longford by 2-13 to 1-16 while Westmeath desposed of Carlow
1-18 to 2-5.
Comiserations to Dubliner Ken Doherty after losing 18 frames to
12 to Scot John Higgins in England. Ken was as usual gracious in
defeat.
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