Waterford blow Monaghan away
It was hard to believe they could do it again but on Sunday the
women of Monaghan and Waterford served up another classic in the
replay of the All-Ireland Women's Football Final.
The strong wind helped Waterford to a six-point lead in the first
half, but it also threatened to spoil the game. Certainly, that
first half was anything but a classic, with its rhythm
interrupted constantly by mistakes and frees.
Gaelic footballers at any level hate playing when there is a
strong wind. Almost any other conditions are preferable in a
sport which is affected by wind like no other. Certainly
Monaghan's goalkeeper, Brenda McAnespie will curse the gale that
blew down towards her Hill 16 goal in that first half. A long
wind-assisted drive dropped just under the bar and over her head
to give Waterford the boost they needed when they were struggling
to take advantage of the wind.
McAnespie had no such excuse in the second half when player of
the match Julie Torpey lobbed the ball over her head for a goal
which put Waterford ten points ahead. Then began a brave Monaghan
fightback with an immediate goal. Two more goals saw them draw
within a point with ten minutes left but they weren't able to
bridge the gap despite almost constant pressure.
With Waterford players dropping with cramp all over the pitch and
with the match clock stopping every time, over eleven minutes of
injury time was played. It is worth noting that if there hadn't
been a scoreboard clock, the referee would not have added on so
much time, but it was entirely fair to do so. It won't be long
before it is introduced to big matches in the men's game.
Langan's anguish
David Langan was on RTÉ last Saturday night, back in Ireland to
visit family in Ringsend, Dublin. Davy was one of the Irish
players that were there pre-Charlton, pre-Euro `88 etc. He spoke
of his agony at injuries that ended his career and his heartache
at being left out of the Euro `88 squad by Charlton.
Although the FAI has established a benevolent fund and the sports
paper the Title has been one of the few journals to highlight
Davy's case, one outstanding omission has Testimonial for Davy.
When one thinks of the money earned by the overpaid `brat-pack'
players of today and looks at the situation Davy Langan finds
himself in it makes you think more should be done for players in
his position.
One man who knows how Davy feels is Martin McGuinness, who broke
his leg in a charity game in Derry. Poor Martin will now never
reach the dizzy heights of an interntional football career which
he had held as a fall back in case a Ministerial brief continues
to prove illusive.
On a happier note, last word and fair play to the lads from Naomh
Pádraig Celtic Supporters Club, Dublin, who showed what is is to
be a real football fan.
Title journalist David Kelly accompanied the lads on their weekly
trip to Paradise by boat and bus, travelling at all hours of the
morning and night to follow the Celts through bad times and good,
a trip known to all Celtic fans throughout the 32 Counties.
To quote one of the lads: ``And these so-called United and
Liverpool fans, they make me sick. The only games they ever see
are the ones on Sky Sports and they just sit in a nice warm pub
with their jerseys on or else at home while they're having their
dinner. It makes me laugh. And they think they're real football
fans. Give us a break.''
BY BRIAN CAMPBELL & CIARAN HEAPHEY
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