Gusserane had nothing left in the tank for Rhode tie

GUSSERANE HAD a disappointing end to an amazing year when they were comprehensively beaten by an impressive Rhode team last Sunday at O’Kennedy Park, New Ross. The exertions and emotions of the past few weeks, which included a Senior win, a Junior hurling draw and replay, certainly took their toll on the Ross District side.

They also have some players still involved in the Wexford People Minor football Premier final and the Under-21 championship.

For the last few months they have played a game every weekend as they challenged for titles in both codes, but on Sunday there was nothing left in the tank.

The old arguments will come out that you can’t play both games, even though generations have done so and the world hasn’t come to an end yet.

And from talking to some of the Gusserane players, the momentum gained from winning in both codes was crucial to their success this year.

This defeat will be quickly forgotten as they can now enjoy the mantle of Wexford Senior football champions.

In spite of the demands on the players, I very much doubt they would have beaten Rhode if they were playing only football for the year, as their Offaly opponents are a very polished outfit.

One learned Gusserane former player reckons they will challenge strongly for a Leinster title, and who could argue after the trouncing they dished out?

He also feels they could give many of the weaker inter-county teams a decent game.

They certainly are a talented team; five McNamees ended up playing at some stage along with two defenders with a famous footballing name called Darby.

Maybe fate would have one of them moving up to corner-forward in the last few minutes of the Leinster final and scoring the winning goal.

The AIB Club championships will have a lot of twists and drama before any champions are crowned, and it is one of the best competitions in the G.A.A.

This year alone in Leinster football, St. Columba’s from Longford won their first title in 66 years, Gusserane claimed their first in 41 years, and the Colm O’Rourke-trained Simonstown in Meath won their first-ever Senior title.

Castleknock in Dublin also have an opportunity to complete a meteoric rise from nowhere to become Dublin champions.

The Ciarán Kilkenny and Kevin McManamon-inspired outfit were only formed in 1998 and will strive to become Dublin champions this Saturday against 27 times winners St. Vincent’s.

In their short lifespan they have risen to Senior in both hurling and football, and amazingly manager Lar Norton also found time to coach their Under-14 team to Féile success earlier this year.

That’s only a small taste of the romance of what the club championships will bring over the next few weeks.

The big news in boxing last week was that Katie Taylor is the latest to join the exodus from the South Circular Road to the paid ranks of the professional game.

Ireland’s most decorated and talented boxer has had a horrible twelve months in and out of the ring and sought a new challenge for her undoubted skills.

She did the right thing by moving and no doubt she will have a few big pay days, which she deserves as much as any other boxer, but I wonder how long the professional career will last?

There doesn’t seem to be much appetite for women’s professional boxing, but maybe this is Barry Hearn’s way of trying to create an interest.

How many people could name a current female pro boxer in any weight? Laila Ali hasn’t fought since 2007 so she does not count.

It would be easier to get someone to name a female UFC fighter, so there are interesting times ahead for the Bray pugilist.