25 June 1998 Edition
Sportsview: Blu flu in Croker, flowers in Lyons
Like two weeks ago the view from the Hill was far from pretty, in fact it was pure depressing. A Dublin team in disarray, dysfunctional and more akin to headless chickens than a football team. Not to take away from Kildare's victory, but the Dubs didn't play and the one point winning margin should have been a lot more.
Wides were a frequent feature of the game from both sides. Kildare finally showed they have finally broken the mould, and the mistakes and second-class status that has dogged them in recent years have been banished.
Meath, however, will be a different option, and we'll see how good this Kildare side are then. As for Dublin, who knows what's in store for this ramshackle team, and I for one am not the better for watching one of their worst performances in years. Their display was compounded by some outrageous refereeing decisions and losing two players in the second half (one solely because of the referee).
The only highlight on Hill 16 was the burning of a Union Jack by some fans, only to be met by a heavy response from the Gardaí, who are well used to defending British interests. As for the future of Dublin football, who knows?
Donegal are back in the Ulster Football Final after disposing of reigning champions Cavan at Clones. Donegal were also on the wrong end of a refereeing decision when they had Martin Coll sent off after a high tackle - but this time the referee was absolutely right. It didn't upset the Donegal men as they won 15 points to 13.
Donegal are now looking good for the Ulster title and maybe a repeat of their 1992 All-Ireland win, though a lively Armagh will have something to say about it when they meet them this Sunday.
Antrim ran amok on the poor old exiles of London, trouncing them in a replay at Casement Park 6-28 to 1-7.
In the Munster Hurling championship all-Ireland holders Clare saw off the challenge from Cork in fine style at Semple Stadium. Clare looked strong and confident and the old hunger is back. They'll be hard to beat.
World Cup
The least said about our side Jamaica the better. A 5-0 trouncing at the hands of Argentina for the Reggae Boyz and they will shortly be making the trip home.
Meanwhile, on Sunday night the eagerly awaited ideologically-influenced battle between the USA and Iran took place. Before the game flowers and handshakes were exchanged between these greatest of rivals, and I have to admit I found the whole affair very moving and touching. In the stands there was a different story as rival Iranian fans vied passionately for exiled Iranian leader Maryam Rajavi and Iranian President Khatami.
Iran won the footballing encounter sending the USA home early, and gaining one of the country's most valuable and sweetest victories in international football. They scored a goal in each half to sink the imperialist Satanic war dog Yanks. The spiritual guide of the Islamic Repunlic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei afterwards read out a statement on national television: ``The players gave a very good impression of the Iranian people who know how to fight on every front... Once again the oppressor has tasted the bitter gall of defeat.'' Nice one.
England's fans, after last week's trouble in Marseilles, seem to have gone on something of a charm offensive. That was until the Romanians whipped their arses. Quote of the week goes to Kevin Keegan, who quipped on 85 minutes, just before Romania won it: ``There is only one team going to win this and it is England...We can win this but we need the ball.''
BY CIARAN HEAPHEY
Wides were a frequent feature of the game from both sides. Kildare finally showed they have finally broken the mould, and the mistakes and second-class status that has dogged them in recent years have been banished.
Meath, however, will be a different option, and we'll see how good this Kildare side are then. As for Dublin, who knows what's in store for this ramshackle team, and I for one am not the better for watching one of their worst performances in years. Their display was compounded by some outrageous refereeing decisions and losing two players in the second half (one solely because of the referee).
The only highlight on Hill 16 was the burning of a Union Jack by some fans, only to be met by a heavy response from the Gardaí, who are well used to defending British interests. As for the future of Dublin football, who knows?
Donegal are back in the Ulster Football Final after disposing of reigning champions Cavan at Clones. Donegal were also on the wrong end of a refereeing decision when they had Martin Coll sent off after a high tackle - but this time the referee was absolutely right. It didn't upset the Donegal men as they won 15 points to 13.
Donegal are now looking good for the Ulster title and maybe a repeat of their 1992 All-Ireland win, though a lively Armagh will have something to say about it when they meet them this Sunday.
Antrim ran amok on the poor old exiles of London, trouncing them in a replay at Casement Park 6-28 to 1-7.
In the Munster Hurling championship all-Ireland holders Clare saw off the challenge from Cork in fine style at Semple Stadium. Clare looked strong and confident and the old hunger is back. They'll be hard to beat.
World Cup
The least said about our side Jamaica the better. A 5-0 trouncing at the hands of Argentina for the Reggae Boyz and they will shortly be making the trip home.
Meanwhile, on Sunday night the eagerly awaited ideologically-influenced battle between the USA and Iran took place. Before the game flowers and handshakes were exchanged between these greatest of rivals, and I have to admit I found the whole affair very moving and touching. In the stands there was a different story as rival Iranian fans vied passionately for exiled Iranian leader Maryam Rajavi and Iranian President Khatami.
Iran won the footballing encounter sending the USA home early, and gaining one of the country's most valuable and sweetest victories in international football. They scored a goal in each half to sink the imperialist Satanic war dog Yanks. The spiritual guide of the Islamic Repunlic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei afterwards read out a statement on national television: ``The players gave a very good impression of the Iranian people who know how to fight on every front... Once again the oppressor has tasted the bitter gall of defeat.'' Nice one.
England's fans, after last week's trouble in Marseilles, seem to have gone on something of a charm offensive. That was until the Romanians whipped their arses. Quote of the week goes to Kevin Keegan, who quipped on 85 minutes, just before Romania won it: ``There is only one team going to win this and it is England...We can win this but we need the ball.''
BY CIARAN HEAPHEY