Weaker counties are just cannon-fodder for big boys

BEFORE the 2016 candle is even blown out, Louth’s 2017 season officially begins in Crossmaglen next weekend with an O Fiaich Cup game against Tyrone.

I have very fond memories of the former Cardinal’s tournament as it was in this competition that I made my debut, way back in 1985 against Derry.

Crossmaglen was a completely different place back then and I still have vivid memories of the game being held up for some minutes as a British Army helicopter hovered menacingly overhead. There’ll be no such worries for any debutants on Sunday but Tyrone, with Mickey Harte entering his 15th season as senior manager, will provide a stern test for Colin Kelly’s charges.

While last season’s promotion back to Division 3 was very encouraging, it will require another huge effort from the management and players just to maintain that status in 2017.

Although the bookies have us as strong favourites to make an immediate return to the bottom tier, I hope we can consolidate our position.

Next year marks the 60th anniversary of Louth’s historic 1957 triumph and in my opinion we’re further away now than we ever were of repeating that feat.

I remember quite well the 30th anniversary of the ‘57 win back in 1987 when Mickey Whelan was Louth boss. Although I was one of the younger members of the panel I recall a reasonable level of expectation within the squad of achieving success.

Maybe we were a bit naïve but there was real belief that we could do something. But the years rolled by very quickly and 30 years has now become 60 in what seems like only the blink of an eye.

The current All Ireland format is doing very little to help the situation. And we’re by no means the only county who are floating aimlessly in murky championship waters at the moment.

Up to 20 counties have little or no prospects of provincial success in 2017, never mind All Ireland success, yet they are all currently preparing diligently for that first round championship match next May or June. Who are we trying to cod here? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Very soon the day will come when players say enough is enough. Maybe to some extent that day has already arrived. More and more players in weaker counties are making lifestyle choices. These are smart, well-educated kids. They can cut through the bullshit very easily and see the situation for what it is. If there are zero prospects for success and nothing realistic to aim for then they’re not going to stick around for very long to act as cannon fodder for the big boys.

The introduction of a two tier All Ireland series with equal status which allows for promotion and relegation is, in my opinion, the only way forward. This format would afford Louth and counties like us the opportunity to compete against teams of a similar level with the realistic chance of development and success.

And while I’m banging the drum, what is happening with the county grounds in Drogheda? It’s like the Fourth Secret of Fatima. Please someone tell us what’s going on!

Chance

DUNDALK travel to Tel Aviv on Thurday for their final Europa League Group D game with Maccabi. As we mentioned last week Stephen Kenny’s side have a reasonable chance of progression albeit that their destiny is out of their own hands.

While Dundalk need to get something out of the game in Israel, a lot will depend on how serious the already qualified Zenit take the match in Holland.

Last Saturday Zenit played out a 0-0 draw in their final game before the winter break in Russia. Will they already be on their holidays and switched off by the time Thursday’s game comes around or will they be professional in their approach? It’s times like this you wish you had more Russian cousins!

Comeback

AFTER a lay-off of more than 16 months Tiger Woods made his long awaited comeback to competitive golf at the elite 18-man Hero World Challenge event in the Bahamas.

With rounds of 73, 65, 70 and 76 the former world number-one finished in 15th place, fourteen shots behind eventual winner Hideki Matsuyama from Japan.

Apart from the ongoing injuries, inconsistency remains his greatest challenge. He made 24 birdies for the week, the most of any competitor, but his final round 76 was the worst 18 holes shot in the tournament.

Time is also catching up on Tiger. In the Bahamas he was the oldest competitor in the field and will turn 41 later this month (we actually share the same birthday on December 30).

Over the last 20 years only three golfers over the age of 40 have won Majors, Vijay Singh being the most recent, winning the USPGA in 2004. Tiger won the last of his 14 Majors in 2008 at the age of 32. Although he may continue to be the sport’s biggest draw he is highly unlikely to add to his Majors tally, never mind catching Jack Niklaus’ record of 18.

Placed

2016 Grand National runner up Last Samurai finished 3rd in the Beechers Chase in Aintree on Saturday adding another €25 to our charity total. This week we go for a €20 win on Ivan Grozny in Saturday’s International Hurdle at Cheltenham.