Replay points to another thrilling battle for Sam
MAYO and Dublin renew hostilities in the All Ireland replay at 5pm on Saturday in Croke Park.
The post game consensus from most commentators the last day was that Mayo had missed their chance and that Dublin would not be as bad again in the replay. The common mantra that underdogs only get one opportunity was discussed ad nauseum for the last week or so but I’m not altogether convinced that this old adage applies to this Mayo squad.
In their attempts to land Gaelic footballs greatest prize, this group has been both through the mill and around the block more times than they care to remember. I sensed from their attitude the last day that they’ve now begun to realise what it takes to win an All Ireland. Their collective defensive shutout of Dublin’s marquee forwards did not just happen by chance.
This was a detailed planned tactical project which completely stifled the hithertofore free scoring Dublin attack. Whether this was brought about by Stephen Rochford, Tony McEntee or the players themselves is open to debate but Mayo were completely different animals last week.
Jim Gavin and his backroom team will obviously have their charges better prepared in how to deal with that physical onslaught on Saturday but I can still see Mayo enjoying an advantage in this area.
Irrespective of whether you agree with the legalities or otherwise of Lee Keegan’s approach, he now appears to have Diarmuid Connolly’s number. If he can continue to nullify the St Vincents clubman’s influence and someone else gets tighter to Ciaran Kilkenny then I think the 55 year wait may just come to an end.
The drawn match was by no means a fantastic game of football but the absorbing nature of the battle meant it was hugely entertaining contest. More of the same please on Saturday.
St Josephs returned to the senior ranks of Louth championship football for the first time since 2007 when they overcame Mattock Rangers in last weekend Intermediate final in Dowdallshill. As they’ve so often done in the recent past, it was goals which brought the Dromiskin men success.
Green flags at crucial junctures of the game from Jack Mulligan and my nephew Conal swung proceedings in Joes favour but they were still made sweat towards the finish as they just about hung on to survive Collon’s late rally.
The Senior decider takes place in Drogheda on Sunday with last years runners up Sean O Mahonys bidding for their first senior title and St Marys hoping to bridge a gap of 21 years since their last Joe Ward.
Ardee were quite impressive in their victory over championship favourites Dreadnots but then again so too were O Mahonys as they efficiently disposed of the challenge from Gaels.
With holders St Patricks bowing out early in the group stages, this has been the most open senior football championship competition in years.
At the outset of the 2016 season very few observers would have predicted St Kevins and St Josephs landing championship silverware. But against the odds the Christy Bellew and Seamus Flood trophies now nestle warmly by the firesides for the winter in the parishes of Philipstown and Darver respectively.
Although O Mahonys are the bookies favourites I think this one is too close to call but don’t be surprised if another Saint is in possession of silverware come 5.30 on Sunday evening.
On the eve of the 41st Ryder Cup the original ‘King of Golf’ Arnold Palmer passed away at the age of 87. He ranks as one of the most important figures in the history of golf, his fame stretching way beyond his seven major triumphs and 90 plus tournament wins.
During his heyday of the 1950s and 1960s he was widely accredited with making the previously elite sport of golf appealing to the masses with his good looks and aggressive no nonsense approach. He pioneered the involvement of sportstars in charity work and he also revolutionised the whole area of sports marketing, paving the way for future athletes to make millions from endorsements.
A measure of his huge earning power is the fact that some five decades after his last Major win in 1964, Arnie was still ranked among the highest earners in golf. His two projects here in Ireland are Tralee Golf Club (his first course design in Europe) and both courses at the K Club.
He once played in County Louth golf club in Baltray in a charity match with Lee Trevino, Des Smyth and the late Christy O Connor senior. A photo hangs proudly in The 19th watering hole in Baltray to commemorate that famous 1987 fourball.
Fresh from his weekend $11.5million FedEx Cup win in Atlanta, Rory McIlroy will travel to Minneapolis full of confidence to join up with his European team mates for Friday’s Ryder Cup start in Hazeltine.
McIlroy is the only Irish player on the team although hero of the 2006 win at the aforementioned K Club Darren Clarke is team captain while Dubliner Padraig Harrington again takes up a vice captains role.
There is also a rumour that recently retired Irish rugby legend Paul O Connell is one of Europe’s key motivational speakers alongside Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and former great Kenny Dalglish.
As always it promises to be compulsive viewing and I just hope I can squeeze some of the TV coverage into the hugely busy weekend ahead.
The weekend begins early for Dundalk as they take on Maccabi Tel Aviv in Europa League action on Thursday night in Tallaght and then face Derry at home in the FAI on Sunday.
They enjoyed mixed fortunes last week in the league managing only a draw with Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday but returning to form on Friday with an excellent display against Derry.
Crucially though title rivals Cork City failed to close the gap with a similar return of four points from their two outings.
The rearranged fixture which sees both clubs meeting at Oriel on 11th October will be pivotal.
While all the recent talk has been about their Co Louth neighbours, Drogheda have quietly gone about their business in securing a promotion playoff spot.
A run of seven league wins in their last nine outings however was brought to a sudden end on Friday night with a disappointing 1-0 away defeat to Cabinteely.
Pete Mahon’s men still need one more win to confirm that end of season play-off spot.