1 July 1999 Edition
Sportsview: Champions rattled by slick Sligo
By Dan O'Neill
There might not have been many GAA fixtures over the weekend, but the games on show produced some of the most exciting action to date in the football championship. After easy wins for all the favourites last week, it was good to see the minnows rattle the big guns this time round. All-Ireland champions Galway and National League finalists Dublin were lucky to stay in the hunt after being held to draws by Sligo and Laois.
It is often said that retaining the Sam Maguire is much harder than winning it the first time round and no side has been able to achieve that feat this decade. I'm sure Galway will agree with these sentiments after their narrow escape at Markievicz Park on Sunday.
It took a last-minute point by Padraig Joyce to save Galway's crown and earn John O'Mahoney's men a second chance on Sunday week.
To be honest, it was no more than the Tribesmen deserved, as they forced Sligo to struggle for long periods and it was a bad error by Galway netminder Martin McNamara early in the second half that sparked a Sligo revival. But I don't think there would have been anybody outside Galway who didn't feel for Sligo as Mickey Moran's side put up a brave display with Eamonn O'Hara, Paul Taylor and Nigel Clancy in excellent form.
Unfortunately, fate is not usually kind to the underdogs in replays as Tipperary and Cavan have discovered in recent weeks and one wonders whether Sligo have thrown away their only chance of dethroning Galway. It should be another keenly contested affair.
There was also an exciting climax at Croke Park as Dublin somehow came back from the brink of defeat to earn another crack at Tom Cribbin's Laois despite playing appallingly. Of course this is not a new phenomenon, as Dublin sides have always proved very difficult to put away in the championship.
Nonetheless, Laois must be kicking themselves as they had a complete grip on this match and after a fine second-half performance went four points clear with only a minute left in the match when Hughie Emerson kicked his second point of the game.
The Dubs' new full-forward Ian Robertson, however, drove home a low ball for a last-minute goal and in injury time he got on the end of a long Dublin move to fist home an equaliser - breathtaking stuff!
Tommy Carr will be a worried man going into the replay. Man for man, Laois looked the stronger side and Dublin's usually reliable old guard were found wanting. Paul Curran looked out of place at centre half back and was exposed on many occasions before going off with a broken collar bone. Ciaran Whelan and Dessie Farrell also had a game they will want to forget, while Whelan's midfield partner Brian Stynes was substituted, a rare happening.
Laois, however, were very impressive, especially the experienced Maher in midfield. Lawlor and Emerson in attack also had very good games. I believe that all this Laois side need is the belief in themselves to finish the Dubs off in the replay. Dublin may have got out of jail but their reprieve may be short lived.
In Ulster, Tyrone had an easier than expected win over Fermanagh to book a semi-final place against Down. Fermanagh's impressive victory over Monaghan in the last round was quickly forgotten as Tyrone dominated the game from start to finish, running out ten point winners.
I backed Tyrone for Ulster at the start of the championship and after Sunday's game I'm sticking with them. Their manager Danny Ball must take a lot of credit for this performance as he clearly spotted the shortcomings in this Fermanagh side after their last game. Knowing that the Erne men were the taller more physical side, Tyrone concentrated on breaking ball and made sure Paul Brewster, Fermanagh's outstanding midfielder, was double marked. The result was that Tyrone won most of the possession and with Mattie McGleenan and Peter Canavan on form in attack, Tyrone were never going to lose this one.
Despite an overemphasis sometimes on the short passing game, this was a good performance by Tyrone and they should be confidant of beating the Mourne men in their next outing.
Connacht SHC Final
Galway v Roscommon
Despite last year's credible showing in the Connacht final against Galway (in which they scored 3-13) and their impressive showing in Division Two of the League this year, Roscommon are no closer to making the breakthrough against the Tribesmen.
Galway had a very impressive League run and morale has lifted further in the camp with the return of Joe Cooney, Justin Campbell and Joe Rabbitte to the squad. Mattie Murphy's side to win easily.
Munster SHC Final.
Cork v Clare
This game has been eagerly anticipated since Clare's outstanding display against Tipperary and Cork's trouncing of Waterford.
Jimmy Barry Murphy was heavily criticised for fielding six debutants in their last game but he was rewarded as the Cork youngsters were on great form against the Decies and they will not be overawed by Clare.
The Banner county are everyone's favourites for All-Ireland glory in September and with the likes of Ollie Baker, Colin Lynch and Alan Murkham in their side and their infamous fighting spirit, it's easy to see why. They should have enough to get by Cork, but they will have to be at their best.
Ulster SFC Semi-Final
Derry v Armagh
The Orchard county were very impressive in their victory over Donegal in the last round after a replay. Andrew McCann and Kieran McGeeney look solid in defence while John McEntee, Oisin McConville and Diarmud Marsden will unnerve the Derry defence.
A fortnight ago nobody would have bet against Armagh winning this one but the Oak Leafers raised a few eyebrows after their demolition of Cavan, also in a replay.
With Henry Downey as strong as ever at centre half back and Tohill inspirational in midfield, Derry should progress if Seamus Downey and Joe Brolly take their chances.
Leinster SFC Semi-Final
Meath v Offaly
After a dismal 1998, Offaly were back with a bang with an impressive win over reigning Leinster champions Kildare in the opening round of the championship.
They will hope to avenge last year's trouncing at the hands of Meath and have the talent in Claffy, Malone and Brady in attack to do so.
Meath are yet to be tested after Wicklow's poor showing in the last round, but this side is full of experience and have some of the best players in the country in Trevor Giles, Tommy Dowd and Graham Geraghty. Meath to win.
There might not have been many GAA fixtures over the weekend, but the games on show produced some of the most exciting action to date in the football championship. After easy wins for all the favourites last week, it was good to see the minnows rattle the big guns this time round. All-Ireland champions Galway and National League finalists Dublin were lucky to stay in the hunt after being held to draws by Sligo and Laois.
It is often said that retaining the Sam Maguire is much harder than winning it the first time round and no side has been able to achieve that feat this decade. I'm sure Galway will agree with these sentiments after their narrow escape at Markievicz Park on Sunday.
It took a last-minute point by Padraig Joyce to save Galway's crown and earn John O'Mahoney's men a second chance on Sunday week.
To be honest, it was no more than the Tribesmen deserved, as they forced Sligo to struggle for long periods and it was a bad error by Galway netminder Martin McNamara early in the second half that sparked a Sligo revival. But I don't think there would have been anybody outside Galway who didn't feel for Sligo as Mickey Moran's side put up a brave display with Eamonn O'Hara, Paul Taylor and Nigel Clancy in excellent form.
Unfortunately, fate is not usually kind to the underdogs in replays as Tipperary and Cavan have discovered in recent weeks and one wonders whether Sligo have thrown away their only chance of dethroning Galway. It should be another keenly contested affair.
There was also an exciting climax at Croke Park as Dublin somehow came back from the brink of defeat to earn another crack at Tom Cribbin's Laois despite playing appallingly. Of course this is not a new phenomenon, as Dublin sides have always proved very difficult to put away in the championship.
Nonetheless, Laois must be kicking themselves as they had a complete grip on this match and after a fine second-half performance went four points clear with only a minute left in the match when Hughie Emerson kicked his second point of the game.
The Dubs' new full-forward Ian Robertson, however, drove home a low ball for a last-minute goal and in injury time he got on the end of a long Dublin move to fist home an equaliser - breathtaking stuff!
Tommy Carr will be a worried man going into the replay. Man for man, Laois looked the stronger side and Dublin's usually reliable old guard were found wanting. Paul Curran looked out of place at centre half back and was exposed on many occasions before going off with a broken collar bone. Ciaran Whelan and Dessie Farrell also had a game they will want to forget, while Whelan's midfield partner Brian Stynes was substituted, a rare happening.
Laois, however, were very impressive, especially the experienced Maher in midfield. Lawlor and Emerson in attack also had very good games. I believe that all this Laois side need is the belief in themselves to finish the Dubs off in the replay. Dublin may have got out of jail but their reprieve may be short lived.
In Ulster, Tyrone had an easier than expected win over Fermanagh to book a semi-final place against Down. Fermanagh's impressive victory over Monaghan in the last round was quickly forgotten as Tyrone dominated the game from start to finish, running out ten point winners.
I backed Tyrone for Ulster at the start of the championship and after Sunday's game I'm sticking with them. Their manager Danny Ball must take a lot of credit for this performance as he clearly spotted the shortcomings in this Fermanagh side after their last game. Knowing that the Erne men were the taller more physical side, Tyrone concentrated on breaking ball and made sure Paul Brewster, Fermanagh's outstanding midfielder, was double marked. The result was that Tyrone won most of the possession and with Mattie McGleenan and Peter Canavan on form in attack, Tyrone were never going to lose this one.
Despite an overemphasis sometimes on the short passing game, this was a good performance by Tyrone and they should be confidant of beating the Mourne men in their next outing.
This weekend's fixtures.
Connacht SHC Final
Galway v Roscommon
Despite last year's credible showing in the Connacht final against Galway (in which they scored 3-13) and their impressive showing in Division Two of the League this year, Roscommon are no closer to making the breakthrough against the Tribesmen.
Galway had a very impressive League run and morale has lifted further in the camp with the return of Joe Cooney, Justin Campbell and Joe Rabbitte to the squad. Mattie Murphy's side to win easily.
Munster SHC Final.
Cork v Clare
This game has been eagerly anticipated since Clare's outstanding display against Tipperary and Cork's trouncing of Waterford.
Jimmy Barry Murphy was heavily criticised for fielding six debutants in their last game but he was rewarded as the Cork youngsters were on great form against the Decies and they will not be overawed by Clare.
The Banner county are everyone's favourites for All-Ireland glory in September and with the likes of Ollie Baker, Colin Lynch and Alan Murkham in their side and their infamous fighting spirit, it's easy to see why. They should have enough to get by Cork, but they will have to be at their best.
Ulster SFC Semi-Final
Derry v Armagh
The Orchard county were very impressive in their victory over Donegal in the last round after a replay. Andrew McCann and Kieran McGeeney look solid in defence while John McEntee, Oisin McConville and Diarmud Marsden will unnerve the Derry defence.
A fortnight ago nobody would have bet against Armagh winning this one but the Oak Leafers raised a few eyebrows after their demolition of Cavan, also in a replay.
With Henry Downey as strong as ever at centre half back and Tohill inspirational in midfield, Derry should progress if Seamus Downey and Joe Brolly take their chances.
Leinster SFC Semi-Final
Meath v Offaly
After a dismal 1998, Offaly were back with a bang with an impressive win over reigning Leinster champions Kildare in the opening round of the championship.
They will hope to avenge last year's trouncing at the hands of Meath and have the talent in Claffy, Malone and Brady in attack to do so.
Meath are yet to be tested after Wicklow's poor showing in the last round, but this side is full of experience and have some of the best players in the country in Trevor Giles, Tommy Dowd and Graham Geraghty. Meath to win.