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8 July 1999 Edition

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Sportsview: Chockablock Supersports Sunday

BY PADDY SWAINE

     
During the tennis, constant updates were needed from the other major events, Druid's Glen, Luttrellstown, Drumcree.
Days like last Sunday are a rare occurrence. A day when even the clinically sports addicted like myself have to raise the white flag and say, in the immortal words of Roberto Duran ``No Mas''. No matter how hard you tried, you just couldn't possibly get to see everything.

The day began with my own match, with a throw-in at the criminally early time of 11am. This was a particularly bad morning to have an early match due to a family wedding on Saturday. During the warm-up before the game I was regretting Saturday. Two minutes into the game I caught my first ball, shortly followed by my first thump, and was then really regretting Saturday. Thankfully, the game passed off with all vital signs and reputations still intact.

Next on the agenda was the women's final at Wimbledon. The match itself was an interesting affair with American Lindsay Davenport outgunning Steffi Graf in straight sets. Davenport has been the most low key of women's champions. Due mainly to the massive marketing of the ``Spice Girls'' of the Tennis Circuit whose high media profiles hardly reflects their actual rankings. Davenport is currently the world number one but her win was somewhat overshadowed by the fact that Steffi Graf announced her retirement immediately after the match.

During the tennis, constant updates were needed from the other major events, Druid's Glen, Luttrellstown, Drumcree.

Next up in Wimbledon was of course the men's final between Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, but unfortunately, more pressing matters were about to get under way in Croke Park. Meath and Offaly were about to commence hostilities in the Leinster Football Semi-final. The tennis took the back seat as Sean Boylan's and Tommy Lyons' men went about their business in true championship fashion. In the early exchanges it seemed as if Offaly were physically `putting it up' to Meath, but as the game unfolded the Royal County, led by their `rock solid' full back line, tightened their grip on the match and eventually ran out very convincing winners. The manner by which Meath coped with a good Offaly side must cause great concern to supporters of both Laois and `The Dubs'.

The next major event of the day was of course the Munster Hurling Final, But before we could settle down to the clash in Semple Stadium, updates were needed from Druid's Glen, Tuam, Armagh, Wimbledon and more importantly Drumcree, which seemed to have an cautious albeit welcome peace.

And so to Thurles for the eagerly awaited clash between Clare and Cork. Clare, the champions, although without Jamsie O'Connor, would still have been favourites to retain their Munster Title. However, Jimmy Barry Murphy's `young rebels' took the game to the `Banner Men' from the outset. The majority of this Cork team are in their early twenties and have had great underage successes and they showed no sign of wilting in the face of the Clare challenge. Brian Corcoran, (who at 26 was the `elder statesman' of the team) was a colossus at centre-half back; in midfield Mickey O'Connell faced the combative Colin Lynch and performed brilliantly, scoring five points and getting through a mountain of work. After leading at half-time, Cork survived a spirited Clare comeback led by Ollie Baker before pulling away in the closing stages to take their first provincial title since 1992. There is more to come from this Cork side. Although they had a high number of wides, their forwards were always moving well and creating chances, their full-back line stuck to their task and their half-back line provided a platform to launch their attacks. As for Clare, the loss of Ollie Baker was a crippling blow and in my opinion the turning point of the match. At the time Baker was injured, Clare had clawed themselves back into the game and were dominating throughout the field. This Clare team are still serious contenders to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup this year and Ger Loughnane seems to thrive on adversity (real or imagined), so don't write them off just yet.

News had filtered through that Sampras had once again triumphed at Wimbledon, Eamonn Darcy was going well at Druid's Glen and Galway were pulling away from Sligo in Tuam. Still no result from the Gaelic Grounds in Armagh but time was ticking on and much more important matters had to be attended to. My club were fixed in the Junior B Football Championship at 6.30pm.

This was more like it. It's one thing watching highly skilled and trained inter-county hurlers and footballers clashing on television, but this was the real thing. So after the traditional shouts, roars and `one bite of the cherry' speeches the lads took the field and most of them (who are old enough to know better) proceeded to hurl themselves about the place in a manner which is neither advisable nor healthy for men of their age (and size). The half-time whistle sounded and we weren't looking in great shape. Drastic measures were needed so cometh the hour cometh the man - a rousing speech from our newly elected Sinn Féin councillor, followed by the great man himself togging off to be sprung `to do a job' in the second half. Alas the months of legwork covering the highways and byways up to the election seemed to have been undone in the last few weeks of celebrations and chicken and chip dinners. The result sadly went against us but the post-mortem in the bar produced the conclusion that it was without a doubt a `heroic failure' and we could (and would) claim a moral victory.

Back to the Club in time to see the end of the mixed doubles final from Wimbledon.

Still no result from Armagh v Derry, so with great anticipation the familiar theme tune to the Sunday Game was heard emanating from the Television in the Corner. This game turned out to be the best of the day. Derry were highly fancied after their destruction of Cavan and Armagh is a team which always promises so much but somehow manages to disappoint its loyal following. As it turned out, this time Armagh didn't disappoint, coming from a point down in the last minute to win by the slimmest of margins with their most gifted footballer Diarmuid Marsden racing through to seal the match at the finish. A great win for the Armagh boys who now face the winners of next week's Down v Tyrone match.

The day was now drawing to a close and we were consoling ourselves that we'll hardly be so busy next week. There's only the Ulster and Connaught Hurling Finals on Saturday. Sunday has Offaly and Kilkenny in the Leinster Hurling Final, Tyrone against Derry in the Ulster Championship, and then there's the Grand Prix... Aagh!!!

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland