Cool Cats destroy Offaly
By Dan O'Neill
It was a weekend of minor surprises but no shocks on the GAA fields.
Kilkenny retained their Leinster Hurling title, as I predicted. What I
didn't predict was how easy they would do so, running out ten point winners
in the end. In Ulster my tip for the Football Championship, Tyrone, were
also well beaten by an unfancied Down side at Casement Park - another upset
despite the Mourne men's undoubted championship pedigree. There were,
however, easy wins for Galway and Antrim in the Connacht and Ulster hurling
deciders on Saturday as expected.
I was lucky enough to catch the Leinster hurling final on the box after
returning from the Down v Tyrone game. Kilkenny gave an exhibition of
fantastic hurling and D.J. Carey once again showed that he is the finest
hurler in the country, scoring two first-half goals. Young Henry Shefflin
could be the man to take over DJ's crown in future years. He destroyed the
Offaly defence in another excellent performance, scoring 1-6.
other Kilkenny youngster, Eamonn Kennedy, caught the eye at centre half
back.
This Kilkenny side now must now be favourites for the Liam McCarthy Cup
after putting five goals past the All-Ireland champions. But I wouldn't
rule out Offaly just yet. Neither will Cats' boss Brian Cody after the
events of last summer. This Offaly team have always come good when they
needed to and still have a lot to play for thanks to the ``back door
system''.
As expected, Galway comfortably retained their Connacht title at Hyde Park
but not before giving manager Mattie Murphy some injury worries. Eugene
Cloonan was unable to resume for the second half because of an ankle injury
and worse was still to follow as Nigel Shaughnessey had to retire with a
neck injury in the final minutes.
It was good though to see Joe Rabbitte back in action. He won some
excellent ball but at times he lost possession after fetching well.
Undoubtedly, his presence alone is important for this Galway side and I
have no doubt he will be firing on all cylinders for Galway's next game.
For three quarters of the Ulster hurling final at Casement Park a major
upset seemed to be on the cards as Derry, led by Geoffrey McGonigle, looked
like making the breakthrough against the Glensmen. However a great goal by
Gregory O'Kane and a penalty miss by McGonigle caused Derry heads to drop.
Antrim's winning margin of 2-19 to 1-9 did flatter them and they have much
sterner tests ahead in the coming weeks. The draw for the hurling
championship quarter-finals has thrown them a repeat of last year's game
against Offaly while Galway will face Clare in the other game.
In the semi-finals, Munster champions Cork will face the winners of the
Antrim/Offaly clash, while the impressive Kilkenny will entertain Clare or
Galway.
Such is the high standard of hurling at the minute that five of the six
remaining teams have realistic chances of winning the title. Antrim are the
obvious outsiders and should find the quality of Offaly too much.
I'm still going for Clare to win the championship, but they face a
difficult tie and look likely to be without the inspirational Jamesie
O'Connor and Ollie Baker for their quarter-final game.
Meanwhile, in the football championship, Pete McGrath's Down yet again
defied the odds with a win over a fancied Tyrone. The Mourne men struggled
against Antrim in the last round and had since lost James McCartan to
injury. Tyrone had looked like All-Ireland material after their impressive
win over Fermanagh but it wasn't to be for Danny Ball's side.
Two second-half goals from Ciaran McCabe set up a five point win for Down,
who now meet Armagh in the Ulster decider.
The Orchard county will be slight favourites for the title after their fine
win over champions Derry last weekend, but never rule out Pete McGrath and
Down!
This Sunday's fixtures
Munster SFC Final
Cork v Kerry (Pairc Uí Chaoimh, 2.40pm)
Cork manager Larry Tompkins has a strong panel to pick from with midfielder
Liam Honohan the only injury worry. Michael O'Sullivan should partner
Nicholas Murphy in the middle in his absence.
Apart from long term injury to Noel Kennelly, Kerry have a clean bill of
health and confidence is high in the camp after their fine performance in
their semi-final win over Clare.
I have a feeling though that this is Cork's year and the Rebel county
should end Kerry's dominance in Munster in recent years.
Connacht SFC Final
Galway v Mayo (Tuam, 4.20pm)
Mayo's prodigal son Kieran McDonald is in line for a starting place in
Sunday's final after an extended break from the county panel due to work
commitments.
Galway look likely to start the game with 14 of the side which lined out
against Kildare in last year's All-Ireland final. The only change will see
John Donnellan, who scored seven points, six from play, against Sligo,
replacing Shay Walsh in attack.
Although Mayo did impress in their defeat of a highly fancied Roscommon
side, the Tribesmen should have too much firepower for John Maughen's side.
Leinster SFC Semi-Final
Dublin v Laois (Croke Park, 3.30pm)
Laois will have full panel to choose from for next Sunday's replay, unlike
Dublin, who will be without defender Paul Curran. Shane Ryan and Johnny
McGee are vying for Curran's place.
The big question is has this young Laois side blown their chance of
reaching the Leinster decider? Fate is not always kind to the underdogs in
replays but I fancy Laois to be an exception to that rule. They looked a
lot stronger than Dublin in many areas in the drawn game and they get the
nod.
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