MOOREFIELD REFUSE TO LIE DOWN
EVERGREEN attacker Ronan Sweeney hit out at the timing of the AIB Leinster club football final after powering Kildare champions Moorefield to a remarkable second title. The 37-year-old Kildare selector fired 1-1, including a crucial stoppage-time goal that helped the Newbridge outfit come from six points down to beat St Loman’s of Westmeath by one. Sweeney described it as an ‘incredible’ win but criticised officials for staging the game — which was delayed by a week because of snow in Portlaoise — in such poor conditions in mid-December. ‘The Leinster Club Championship is by far the best competition in Gaelic Games, I think, I’ve always thought it,’ said Sweeney. ‘It probably doesn’t get enough recognition around the country. Even being played at this time of year, it’s a grand day today but last week was a bloody joke. It should be played in
better conditions for people to watch the best players playing because there’s nothing like the club to get the spirits going.’ Sweeney is now gearing up for a February 17 last-four clash with either Corofin or London’s Fulham Irish. ‘We’ve such an opportunity now to go on and do something special,’ he added. ‘I never thought we’d get back to another All-Ireland semifinal, not in my time anyway. I think we let ourselves down in 2007, in the All-Ireland semifinal. We’re actually capable of winning this thing.’