7 August 1997 Edition
Sportsview: Sonia is still a star
Something is rotten in the sporting state if even the non contact sports become bruising battling encounters. Having resigned ourselves to the endless escapades of the Meath maulers now we have to witness Ireland's premier world class athlete being pushed, shoved and then verbally abused.
Whose heart didn't go out to Sonia O'Sullivan whose battle to regain world class form has been conducted in a very public spotlight? No other Irish sports star has ever come under such media scrutiny. Her progress in the World Athletic Championships in Athens has been hesitant but it did seem that she had medal chances in the 1500 metres.
Much has been said about the barging episode started by Swiss athlete Anita Weyermann. However, of all the athletes in the field Sonia had the most to lose, and it seems no coincidence that she endured barging in not only the final but also the heats. Weyermann took the bronze and should have been disqualified, but none of this would have helped Sonia. All we can say is good luck in the 5000 metres today.
Meath 1-12
Kildare 1-10
For a long time I have laboured under the illusion that Gaelic Football was a sport that all the family could enjoy. After last weekend's bruising Leinster Senior Football semi-final clash between Meath and Kildare it became clear that this was a game for consenting adults only.
You can blame it on the bad weather, bad rules and possibly a bad referee who saw fit to punish the occasional misdemeanour with a sending off while being oblivious to the range of other infringements clearly visible to those watching either in the stadium or on TV.
Meath were the victors but at what cost. They will probably be without three players for Saturday week's Leinster Final and have now swung probably all the neutrals support onto the side of Offaly.
On the television it was clear that this was something more than competitive jostling as players elbowed, shoved and punched each other on the field. And that was just the off the ball incidents.
Kildare though never really came into this second replay looking like winners. Their short passing game came unstuck once too often and the room allowed to Meath players like Tommy Dowd was bound to end with scores for Meath. The final result then was Fair Play 0 - Meath 3
Mayo 0-11
Sligo 1-7
Either Offaly or Meath will take on Connacht champions Mayo in the semi-finals. On the form shown in last weekend's provincial final neither Leinster team have much to fear. Much of the match was lacklustre and it wasn't until the final five minutes that the much fancied Sligo suddenly realised that they had a fight on their hands. They rallied and scored a goal and a point in quick succession only to have the referee blow the final whistle at just 20 seconds past the 70 minute mark, leaving many shocked as it seemed there would be more extra time to be played.
Celtic 1
Hibernian 2
As a long time Celtic watcher I am well used to being heart broken by dismal performances where precious opportunities for success are squandered recklessly. The six goals scored against Inter Cabletel in the EUFA Cup seemed to offer so much promise for the Scottish premiership campaign. It seems fundamentally wrong that your title hopes are shattered on the first day of the season, but the clear line of reasoning from last weekend's result is that if Celtic can't beat Hibernian how are they going to have the remotest chance of stopping Rangers?
BY NEIL FORDE
Whose heart didn't go out to Sonia O'Sullivan whose battle to regain world class form has been conducted in a very public spotlight? No other Irish sports star has ever come under such media scrutiny. Her progress in the World Athletic Championships in Athens has been hesitant but it did seem that she had medal chances in the 1500 metres.
Much has been said about the barging episode started by Swiss athlete Anita Weyermann. However, of all the athletes in the field Sonia had the most to lose, and it seems no coincidence that she endured barging in not only the final but also the heats. Weyermann took the bronze and should have been disqualified, but none of this would have helped Sonia. All we can say is good luck in the 5000 metres today.
Meath 1-12
Kildare 1-10
For a long time I have laboured under the illusion that Gaelic Football was a sport that all the family could enjoy. After last weekend's bruising Leinster Senior Football semi-final clash between Meath and Kildare it became clear that this was a game for consenting adults only.
You can blame it on the bad weather, bad rules and possibly a bad referee who saw fit to punish the occasional misdemeanour with a sending off while being oblivious to the range of other infringements clearly visible to those watching either in the stadium or on TV.
Meath were the victors but at what cost. They will probably be without three players for Saturday week's Leinster Final and have now swung probably all the neutrals support onto the side of Offaly.
On the television it was clear that this was something more than competitive jostling as players elbowed, shoved and punched each other on the field. And that was just the off the ball incidents.
Kildare though never really came into this second replay looking like winners. Their short passing game came unstuck once too often and the room allowed to Meath players like Tommy Dowd was bound to end with scores for Meath. The final result then was Fair Play 0 - Meath 3
Mayo 0-11
Sligo 1-7
Either Offaly or Meath will take on Connacht champions Mayo in the semi-finals. On the form shown in last weekend's provincial final neither Leinster team have much to fear. Much of the match was lacklustre and it wasn't until the final five minutes that the much fancied Sligo suddenly realised that they had a fight on their hands. They rallied and scored a goal and a point in quick succession only to have the referee blow the final whistle at just 20 seconds past the 70 minute mark, leaving many shocked as it seemed there would be more extra time to be played.
Celtic 1
Hibernian 2
As a long time Celtic watcher I am well used to being heart broken by dismal performances where precious opportunities for success are squandered recklessly. The six goals scored against Inter Cabletel in the EUFA Cup seemed to offer so much promise for the Scottish premiership campaign. It seems fundamentally wrong that your title hopes are shattered on the first day of the season, but the clear line of reasoning from last weekend's result is that if Celtic can't beat Hibernian how are they going to have the remotest chance of stopping Rangers?
BY NEIL FORDE