Kildare topple the Kingdom
Kildare's years of frustration on the football field finally came
to an end as the Lilywhites made it to their first All-Ireland
final in over 60 years. While some commentators and the football
purists found the game poor I found it the thrilling and
exciting.
Kildare, with their star player Niall Buckley missing from the
starting line-up, played a hand-passing game and gave the
champions a run for their money in all departments. Kerry, on the
other hand, did not play to their usual standard, with a number
of their star players particularly disappointing.
Kildare's defence put in a credible performance against a Kerry
attack that failed to ignite. The midfield however could be
called a draw, with no clear cut domination by either of the two
sides. the normally lethal Maurice Fitzgerald, last year's star
forward in the championship, failed to impress, with even his
free taking below par and off-target.
Kildare and Galway meet in the All-Ireland final and it makes a
welcome change from the usual top sides to see two counties that
been starved of success for so long making it into the big time.
On the Saturday the ongoing Clare/Offaly hurling saga was
resolved in Semple Stadium, Thurles. Offaly seized the moment
from the Banner and like a good wine are getting better as time
goes on. The Offaly lads played the better hurling, passing and
working the ball around the pitch. They put in an excellent
performance, much to the torment of Clare, who showed signs of
fatigue after their marathon journey to this stage of the
championship. So, like last year's final, two teams from the same
province meet in the decider, this time an all Leinster affair
with Offaly taking on Kilkenny.
Jordan triumphs
After its 126-race career a dream came true for Eddie Jordan's
motor racing team. Jordan Grand Prix became the 25th team to win
a Grand prix in the FIA World Championship when they won in
Belgium last Sunday at the Spa Francochamps track. Damon Hill led
team mate Ralf Schumacher across the line as Jordan's team had a
very satisfying one-two in a race notable for a spectacular crash
on the first lap.
Celtic play to open
The less said about Celtic's recent form and performances in and
out of Europe the better, so we'll turn to the musical play that
is about to open in Dublin on the history of the Glasgow club.
The Celtic Story opens in Ireland on 6 September, after playing
to packed houses in Glasgow. These are the only performances
outside of Glasgow. The play was commissioned by the club for its
centenary in 1988, and is being re-staged and up-dated, the money
being put up by former Celtic Director Brian Dempsey.
Written by Dave Maclean and David Anderson the play promises to
feature "the triumphs, the tragedies, the goals, the dramas, the
history, the players, the fans... they are all here. Sometimes
hilarious, sometimes thrilling, sometimes sad, but always Celtic.
"The proceeds from the first night of the performance are being
donated to the Scottish-Irish Omagh fund.
The Celtic Story opens in Dublin's Gaiety Theatre on South King
Street on 8 September and plays through to 26 September. Bookings
can be made on (01) 677 1717.
BY CIARAN HEAPHEY
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)