19 February 1998 Edition
Sportsview: Big guns fall
A full programme of GAA last weekend as the National Football Leagues and Hurling club championship kicked off again around the country.
All eyes were on a packed Parnell Park for the game between Dublin under new manager Tommy Carr and Monaghan. The result was a totally outclassed Dubs team. Monaghan showed class and hunger on the field as they smashed home their first goal in the eighth minute. A mini fightback was mustered after Monaghan scored all of their 2-12 total, with the Dubs scoring five points without reply, but it was too late to save the day for the Metropolitans. Even Tommy Carr was admitting it was Division Three football for the first time ever for Dublin, with not a hope of making the league play-offs. A lot of work to be done yet.
In Section C the All-Ireland Champions Kerry, without star forward Maurice Fitzgerald, didn't fare much better, going down to a superior Tyrone side at Killarney. Kerry are now near the bottom of the section and also don't look like qualifying for the play-offs. In the same section Sligo and Offaly played out a draw, giving top of the table Offaly the prospect of a quarter final place, with Tyrone a point behind.
Former Down star Liam Austin was also experiencing his competitive baptism of fire as manager of Ulster Champions Cavan with a nine-point win over Wexford in the same section. There was defeat for Meath at the hands of Armagh in Section B and Derry's three-point win over Longford leaves them mid table, poised to clinch a quarter final place. Last year's runners-up Cork remain top of Section D after disposing of Roscommon, while Mayo are top of Section A.
It was a case of even stephens in the All-Ireland Hurling Club Championship resumed with the competition reaching the semi-final stages. Munster's Clarecastle took on Leinster's Birr at Semple Stadium. An injury-time point from a free gave Clarecastle another chance at glory and get the draw.
Connacht representatives Sarfields and Ulster champs Dunloy failed to make it to Croke Park on St Patrick's Day at the first attempt. Leading by four points towards the end, the Galway side came back to take the lead, lose it in the dying minutes to secure the draw.
When the Reds go marching in...
Cliftonville moved closer to the Six-County Irish League title after smashing home five of the best against Ballymena Utd at Solitude. Dubliner Barry O'Connor hit a hat trick. The super Reds are now six points clear of the rest. Glentoran in second place also had a five goal win over Coleraine.
In the Fourth Round of the Scottish Cup Motherwell gave Rangers a fright, drawing 2-2. Irish striker Owen Coyle put the Motherwell lads ahead before Negri equalised for Rangers. In the replayed games on Tuesday night Rangers won the replay at Ibrox. Fellow league chasers Hearts went through with a 3-0 win over Albion.
Hopes of the treble are still alive as Celtic moved into the last eight of the Scottish Cup at the expense of Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park. Stephane Mahe opened Celtic's scoring in the 50th minute, with recent Norwegian Harald Brattbakk adding the second 17 minutes later. An earlier Wieghorst goal in the 28th was ruled offside. Dunfermline substitute Dave Binham claim one for the Pars in the 81st.
BY CIARAN HEAPHEY
All eyes were on a packed Parnell Park for the game between Dublin under new manager Tommy Carr and Monaghan. The result was a totally outclassed Dubs team. Monaghan showed class and hunger on the field as they smashed home their first goal in the eighth minute. A mini fightback was mustered after Monaghan scored all of their 2-12 total, with the Dubs scoring five points without reply, but it was too late to save the day for the Metropolitans. Even Tommy Carr was admitting it was Division Three football for the first time ever for Dublin, with not a hope of making the league play-offs. A lot of work to be done yet.
In Section C the All-Ireland Champions Kerry, without star forward Maurice Fitzgerald, didn't fare much better, going down to a superior Tyrone side at Killarney. Kerry are now near the bottom of the section and also don't look like qualifying for the play-offs. In the same section Sligo and Offaly played out a draw, giving top of the table Offaly the prospect of a quarter final place, with Tyrone a point behind.
Former Down star Liam Austin was also experiencing his competitive baptism of fire as manager of Ulster Champions Cavan with a nine-point win over Wexford in the same section. There was defeat for Meath at the hands of Armagh in Section B and Derry's three-point win over Longford leaves them mid table, poised to clinch a quarter final place. Last year's runners-up Cork remain top of Section D after disposing of Roscommon, while Mayo are top of Section A.
It was a case of even stephens in the All-Ireland Hurling Club Championship resumed with the competition reaching the semi-final stages. Munster's Clarecastle took on Leinster's Birr at Semple Stadium. An injury-time point from a free gave Clarecastle another chance at glory and get the draw.
Connacht representatives Sarfields and Ulster champs Dunloy failed to make it to Croke Park on St Patrick's Day at the first attempt. Leading by four points towards the end, the Galway side came back to take the lead, lose it in the dying minutes to secure the draw.
When the Reds go marching in...
Cliftonville moved closer to the Six-County Irish League title after smashing home five of the best against Ballymena Utd at Solitude. Dubliner Barry O'Connor hit a hat trick. The super Reds are now six points clear of the rest. Glentoran in second place also had a five goal win over Coleraine.
In the Fourth Round of the Scottish Cup Motherwell gave Rangers a fright, drawing 2-2. Irish striker Owen Coyle put the Motherwell lads ahead before Negri equalised for Rangers. In the replayed games on Tuesday night Rangers won the replay at Ibrox. Fellow league chasers Hearts went through with a 3-0 win over Albion.
Hopes of the treble are still alive as Celtic moved into the last eight of the Scottish Cup at the expense of Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park. Stephane Mahe opened Celtic's scoring in the 50th minute, with recent Norwegian Harald Brattbakk adding the second 17 minutes later. An earlier Wieghorst goal in the 28th was ruled offside. Dunfermline substitute Dave Binham claim one for the Pars in the 81st.
BY CIARAN HEAPHEY