Celtic's woes continue
by Dan O'Neill
Celtic's season began last August with the unfurling of the championship
flag at Parkhead after a League and League Cup double in Wim Jansen's first
and only year in charge. Old Firm rivals Rangers had been denied an
historic ten-in-a-row championship run, and indeed, finished the season
without any silverware. The contrast with the climax of this year's
campaign could not be more startling. Saturday's cup final defeat at the
hands of Rangers meant the Bhoys ended the term without any success, while
their rivals completed a domestic treble. Worse still, the league title was
won at Parkhead in that now infamous 2 May game.
The big question now is where do Celtic go from here? The time has come for
the management at the club to start taking action to catch up with Rangers.
Alan MacDonald and Dermot Desmond have been very impressive with their
words and many fans believe they will take the club in the right direction.
But talking is no longer good enough and action should be taken. MacDonald
has to appoint a new technical director as soon as possible. Kenny Dalglish
has all the right credentials to do the job and I think he should get it.
The squad also needs strengthening. There will probably be about a half
dozen players leaving Parkhead this summer. Phil O'Donnell and Simon
Donnelly are already on their way out and Alan Stubbs and Enrico Annoni
look certain to follow. I also believe they should try to keep the services
of Lubomir Moravcik, who is likely to leave if his compatriot Jo Venglos
goes. He has been inspirational for Celtic when fully fit this year and is
essential for next year's assault on the championship.
GAA results.
There were no real surprises in last weekend's games but there was a scare
for Wexford, who struggled to overcome the Dubs in the Leinster Hurling
championship. Despite a spirited second-half comeback, Michael O'Grady's
side fell just short of earning a deserved replay, losing by 1-13 to 1-12.
They will rue their 17 wides and the two or three goal opportunities they
missed. Wexford though, will need to improve before they take on Offaly in
the semis.
In Munster, Waterford also progressed by the narrowest of margins against
Limerick. For a long time in the game it looked like being an easy day out
for last year's All-Ireland semi-finalists who raced to an eight point lead
after only 20 minutes. But Limerick fought back strongly and gave Waterford
the fright of their lives before going down 1.16-1.15. Waterford were saved
by their brilliant defence with Sean Callahane and Brian Greene
outstanding, but tougher tests lie ahead with a semi-final tie against the
fancied Cork.
In the Connacht football championship, New York gave Mayo a tougher test
than expected.
It was the same old story for the All-Ireland finalists of 1996/97, who
shot 15 wides, many from easy positions. Their 12-point margin of victory
flattered them.
Mayo manager John Maughan was not a happy man and his side has plenty of
work to do before they meet Roscommon, who defeated Leitrim on Sunday. I do
fancy this Roscommon side to cause a few surprises this year. Gay Sheerin
continues to extract every ounce of good from this revitalised side and
they have a potentially dazzling forward line and the likes of Connolly,
Dolan, Dowd and an in form Derek Duggan will cause problems for any side in
the country. Bring on Mayo!
Fermanagh opened the Ulster Football championship with an impressive win
over Monaghan. In his first senior championship game, Tom Brewster played
like a seasoned campaigner scoring 0-6 and was man of the match. Tyrone now
lie in wait in the quarter-finals. Despite Sunday's win, it will be hard to
see the Erne men progress further in this year's championship.
Meanwhile, Westmeath's resurgence continued with a solid victory over
midland neighbours Longford in the Leinster football championship. The Lake
county followed up their historic U-21 All-Ireland title triumph and will
have raised few eyebrows in Leinster. Their full-forward line of Martin
Flanagan, Des Dolan and Gerard Hevlin scored 3-11 between them, which is
good going for any side.
This weekend's fixtures
Clare vs Tipperary (Pairc Ui Chaoimh)
There are some mouth-watering games this weekend, most notably the clash of
Tipperary and Clare in the Munster hurling championship.
Here we have two potential candidates for All-Ireland glory in September.
Nicky English's impressive and improving side look in fine fettle after a
terrific league campaign and an easy win over Kerry in the championship.
The big question though is how much Ger Loughnane's side, the team of the
decade, have left in the tank. I think there is plenty left in this Clare
side and fancy them to come through this game, after which they will be
hard to stop.
Donegal vs Armagh (Ballybofey)
A solid and cohesive league run has led to much talk of this being Armagh's
year in the Ulster football championship.
Hopes are high that injured star forward Diarmud Marsden may yet still
play in this game but Armagh have other attacking options in Oisin
McConville and Kieran McGeeney.
Donegal though will hope to erase the memories of last years last gasp
final defeat at the hands of Derry and with the like of Jimmy McGuinness,
Brian Devenney and Tony Boyle in the side they are well and capable of
doing just that.
Meath vs Wicklow (Croke Park)
Wicklow will have four players missing for the game. Stephen Byrne got a
six month suspension as a result of the well-documented incident at the NFL
game against Westmeath. His brother Keith has withdrawn from the panel in
sympathy with his brother. Wicklow boss, Neil Rennick, will also have to do
without the services of Brendan Brady and Brendan O'Hannaigh through
injury.
Meath though, despite their long-term injuries, have a full squad to pick
from. The Royal county will be very keen to regain their Leinster crown and
should progress this weekend.
Dublin vs Louth (Croke Park)
Louth have run Offaly, Meath and Dublin close in recent years and will be
tough opposition for Tommy Carr's side. But they will need Stefan White in
top form if they are to cause an upset.
A lot is expected of Dublin this year after an impressive league run, but
their league final defeat showed up some weaknesses in their game. However,
they should be too strong for this Louth side.
London vs Galway (Ruislip)
The Michael Donnellan fiasco will have upset the All-Ireland champions'
preparations for this Connacht football championship tie. They are still
hot favourites to overcome London easily in this game but the exiles are
understood to have been greatly encouraged by an impressive challenge game
against Cork recently.
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