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Cork,
Kildare, Tyrone and Kerry to progress
30 July 2010
The abundance of championship football (and hurling) in recent
weeks has produced every type of result possible and has induced
the full range of emotions of all those involved. Heartbreak,
elation, surprise, amazement, pride, anger, humour - we've had
them all.
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Of
course the league matters
23 April 2010
Down had assured their promotion with one round still to go in NFL
Division 2. James McCartan and his entire team will be extremely
pleased with this and their unbeaten run in the league campaign
will have instilled a great confidence and self-belief in what is
a fairly young team. |
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Referees,
Rules and Regulations
In the likely event that I may drift into a griping and complaining
mode before the end of this column I will get all the pleasantries
and compliments out of the way early. |
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Getting
Ready for St Patrick's Day
The winter month are time again for all the admin staff of our 2,500
clubs to sharpen their pencils and prepare all the relevant reports
and edit the rousing addresses for the AGMs and conventions. |
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GPA
Christmas Box arrives early
Kerry's return to the top of the Gaelic football standings and Kilkenny's
continuing monopolisation of hurling would lead many onlookers to
conclude that 2009 was a year that offered little in the way of
change or progression. And at first glance it is easy to see why
people would come to this conclusion. |
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We
don't hibernate anymore
Now that a lot of the silverware is polished and shelved for another
few months and a lot of mothers and wives are getting back to normal
wash-loads, it would appear from a distance that the GAA was going
into sleep mode. |
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The
Kingdom, the Lee and the whistle
While commentating on a professional fight the legendary George
Foreman once remarked 'The referee is going to be the most important
person in the ring tonight besides the fighters'. |
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Management
is the fast track to stress
Don't let the outward demeanour of Mickey Harte, Conor Counihan,
Brian Cody or Micko himself fool you into thinking that these men
have found some way of suppressing the stress and anxiety that we
know accompanies top tier management. |
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If
the attitude is right
"We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were
only joy in the world." This famous quotation from a renowned
American writer may ring hollow in the ears of the Antrim, Wicklow
and Longford footballers at this present moment in time but it is
one that should be quoted to them as often as possible in the coming
weeks and months. |
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Talk
of Kerry demise is premature
The marvellous arena of Pairc Ui Chaoimh played host to the battling
gladiators of Cork and Kerry as they went head-to-head again in
the Saturday evening sunshine and responded to the majestic setting
and baying crowds by producing another epic encounter |
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League
finals disappoint
Now that the first of our major competitions is over we should be
able to reflect on the recent finals and form some sort of prediction
based on the performances. Unfortunately, this would not be a great
decision for any punter to make for were he to do so he could soon
find himself running out of cash |
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Time
for league reflection
Now that the league tables have been sorted for the 2009 season
it is time to reflect on performances past and assess how prepared
these teams will be come championship time. |
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GAA
and the recession
The euphoria generated these past few weeks by the football and
hurling leagues will surely help us cope with this extended winter
we seem to be having and the debate whipped up by the introduction
of these new rules will keep us busy when the quality of the football
fails to stimulate us. |
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An
Cumann Luthchleas Gael - Alive and Well
I think all the superlatives (and perhaps some expletives!) have
been used in summing up the events when Dublin and Tyrone opened
the 2009 National Football League season and the GAA threw us a
party at headquarters. |
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The
First Week of January
Thanks to the ’closed season’ of November and December
never before have we seen the month of January take on such importance
for clubs and especially county teams. |
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2008
- Not a Bad Year after All
With November now behind us we are half way through the "closed
season" yet up and down the country we still see the floodlights
of many GAA pitches illuminating the countryside and notifying
us that some teams are still involved in competition.
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Tyrone
are worthy winners
Thank God I got it wrong! My mid season hunch that Kerry would
probably be All-Ireland champions for 2008 was proven wrong. While
the fact that they have shown themselves to be the second best
team in the country may ease my embarrassment somewhat, it will
be of scant consolation to them.
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The
Rovers Return
While watching a club game recently I overheard a few wags discuss
the hammering an awesome Kilkenny unit handed out to an out-of
sorts Waterford team just a few hours previous. "Aye,"
reflects one of Tyrone’s eternal optimists, "and our
boys could get the same in a couple of weeks if they are not careful!
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Time
to take control
What excitement the hunt for ‘Sam’ and ‘Liam’
has blessed us with in these last couple of weeks. Passionate, exhilarating,
skillful and plenty of surprises thrown in as well. |
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The
Highs and Lows of Championship
At last we are now getting to the cutting edge of the championship
and we can now begin to determine the teams that will be real contenders
for the Sam Maguire cup. |
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Promoting
the GAA abroad
Following the successful awarding of the player grant scheme it
is pleasing to see that the GAA is to receive further financial
assistance from the government as announced recently by Foreign
Affairs Minister, Michael Martin |
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Let’s
get the families back
Championship fever has once again gripped the thousands of GAA supporters
throughout the country and for some the hunt for last years flags
and scarves has started while parents are under pressure to provide
that new county strip. |
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Derry
and Monaghan on form
With more than half the league fixtures now having been played we
can now see the big boys jostling for position and begin to get
an overall picture of the teams that are likely to be contesting
honours at the end of the season. |
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The
Power of Player Unity
Thankfully the Cork players versus the County Board confrontation
has finally reached a compromise. Kieran Mulvey’s arbitration
decision has been accepted by both parties and the three main recommendations
arising from this have been implemented. |
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Player
Welfare, Stephen O'Neill and Rock
Amidst all the talk of player grants, managers’ expenses, Croke
Park availability, etc. it is heartening to take a look at the Special
Congress held in Croke Park in mid-January and realise that player
and club welfare is still high on the list of priorities for Cumann
Luthchleas Gael. |
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Some
Things Never Change
January 2008. Here we are - the New Year at last! The excesses of
Christmas and the festive season well and truly behind us and before
us the blank canvas that is 2008.
Just what that canvas will portray for us at the end of the year
no-one knows, but if we were able to complete that canvas now it
would be filled with all the beautiful colours of joy, love and
success. |
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County
players are not the enemy
Without a doubt the GPA strike is the most emotive issue to hit
the GAA since Rule 42. I’m sure that may followers up until
recently perceived the idea of players withdrawing the services
as pie in the sky. The result of the postal ballot on strike action
left everyone crystal clear on how serious the players feel on this
issue. |
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Alternative
All Stars
It’s that time of the year again. The All Star selection never
fails to stir debate among supporters. My alternative All Stars
for 2007 will feature those players that did not make the first
15 in the GAA All Stars selection. |
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Kerry
are my choice
The football showpiece of the year has thrown up a unique pairing.
The 2007 all Munster All-Ireland final promises to be an action
packed occasion and not one for the faint hearted. |
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The
quest for Liam
With the build up to the All-Ireland hurling final well and truly
underway the excitement and hysteria will reach even higher levels
in Kilkenny and Limerick as the big day approached |
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Three
major retirements
July 2007 will be forever remembered by GAA folk throughout the
Yeats County and indeed further afield as the time Sligo finally
stepped out of the shadows. Thirty two years of trying appeared
to be wiped out in an instant. |
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Visiting
the provinces
With July upon us the quest for the Sam Maguire intensifies. Provincial
honours are up for grabs but is it a benefit or a hindrance to carry
the tag of Provincial Champions into the Quarter Finals? In recent
years the eventual All Ireland winners fell at this stage, only
to bounce back with a sting in their tail. Despite the fact that
many are questioning the merits of a provincial title it will not
detract from the colour and atmosphere at these games. |
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A
crumbling empire?
The most important aspect that came out of Congress in April this
year was not any of the decisions taken by the policy makers of
the GAA but the comments made by Peter Quinn prior to the gathering
in Kilkenny. It was no co-incidence that Quinn’s opinions were
made known days before Congress. |
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You
can't Cross the Armagh club
All-Ireland titles are not meant to come easily but for Crossmaglen
Rangers this appears to be the case. Whenever they came out of Ulster,
an air of predictability surrounded them, suggesting their retention
of the Andy Merrigan cup was imminent. |
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Remembering
where we came from
With the month of March upon us the GAA supporter has much to look
forward to in the weeks ahead. Granted, what happens in March may
not prove to be as hectic or as historic as the events that unfolded
in February. We have experienced enough ground breaking developments
in those few weeks to do us for quite some time. With the first
floodlit GAA match in Croke Park followed by the first rugby international
at the same venue, an avalanche of media coverage fell upon the
GAA. Both occasions lived up to all expectations. |
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The
pre-season club meeting
For the vast majority of club players throughout the country, the
beginning of February usually signifies the starting point of a
new season. The first night back normally takes the form of a meeting
with players and management in the parish hall or club pavilion.
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Playing
with fire
With 2007 upon us the football fanatics up here in Tyrone will
not be sad to see the back of 2006. It will not go down as one
of the county's most memorable years. It all began with a barrage
of negative publicity (the league game against Dublin in the Battle
of Omagh) and concluded in a similar fashion with the media outburst
surrounding the treatment of injured players Brian McGuigan and
Conor Gormley.
The
furore over the physicality hides our skill deficit
“Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound
up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard for all rules
and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence; in other words it
is war minus the shooting” - George Orwell
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There
is only one Micko
Long live the king - long live Micko. To those that dared to suggest
that Mayo's victory over Laois would be the final chapter in the
Mick O'Dwyer story – how foolish you are! Not only has Micko
returned with a bang but his timing was surreal. |
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Kerry
by a whisker
Ten years ago Mayo entered the All-Ireland final in a very positive
frame of mind. Back then they had quality players and were more
than capable of beating a young Meath side. 2006 is no different
- Mayo will be preparing for this final knowing that if they play
to full potential then a first All-Ireland title in 51 years will
be theirs. But the big question remains – can Mayo produce
it on the big day? |
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Ulster
takes a breather
Twelve months is a long time in sport. This time last year Ulster
was perceived as the dominant force in the world of gaelic football. |
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A
new face in the top three?
As the race for the title of the All-Ireland football champions
begins to gain pace, the time is just right to take a progress check
on the main contenders. In recent years when referring to the main
contender's people spoke of the 'Big 3' - Tyrone, Armagh and Kerry |
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Change
is needed
Rarely does the Ulster championship pass without throwing up a major
surprise along the way. So far 2006 has continued the trend with
the defeat of the All-Ireland champions in the first round. But
was this result such a shock? Under Paddy Crozier we saw a reformed
Derry team. |
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An
eventful month
If January and February were eventful months in the GAA calendar,
then March didn't disappoint either. Not only did March throw up
plenty of action on the field of play but it also provided much
scope for debate as well. |
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A
Tale of two teams and one city - Liverpool
Congratulations to DCU and Waterford IT on the achievement of winning
the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups respectively. After all the controversy
surrounding DCU concerning the eligibility of a number of their
star players, they still retained their focus to win the much coveted
Sigerson. |
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Punishments
need to be in line with actions
Tyrone V Dublin on the 5th February was to be the glamour tie of
Round One Ð Leinster champions v All Ireland champions. It certainly
made the headlines all right but for all the wrong reasons. |
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Progressiveness
shouldn't end with Croke Park
The sight last month of FAI's John Delaney, GAA's Sean Kelly and
the IRFU's Philip Browne coming together to announce that the GAA
was opening its doors for rugby and soccer internationals in 2007
was truly amazing. |
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A
look back under the sun
The Sunset Grande Hotel, Jamaica – there is no better time
or place to be sitting down and reflecting on a hectic 2005. At
the time of writing the Tyrone squad are currently relaxing here
on this exotic Caribbean island, basking in the glory of All Ireland
success- a just reward for our efforts over a long but successful
championship campaign. |
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The
International Rules Series is worth saving
As 2005 draws to a close, GAA enthusiasts can reflect on what has
been an action packed year. When the debate surrounding on-pitch
tussles and controversial suspensions was exhausted, the Disputes
Resolution Authority became the subject of much comment. |
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The
long and winding road
Sunday 25th September 2005 will live long in the memory of Tyrone
players and supporters alike. To win a second All Ireland in the
space of three years is very special and extremely satisfying. |
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Close
encounters for the third time
After failing to defeat Armagh on two previous occasions this summer,
Tyrone fans travelled to Croke Park in their thousands seeking a
reversal in fortunes. In both the Ulster final and the replay I
felt Tyrone were marginally the better team and played the better
football. It was Armagh however that played the football at the
crucial stages – they finished strongly in both games resulting
in their annexing the Anglo Celt cup. |
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The
Dubs bring the memories back
The feeling of exhilaration I experienced when I ran out onto Croke
Park for my first senior All-Ireland final in 1995 will stay with
me forever. The noise was deafening and the atmosphere electric.
Ten years on and with Croke Park looking even more splendid it was
great to feel the same buzz again when running out to meet the Dubs
in the All-Ireland quarter final. |
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Armagh
deserve great credit
“It goes without saying that the role of the referee is paramount
in deciding the outcome of many important games”. |
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Referees
need more help
For many in this small country the appearance of U2 in Croke Park
will prove to be the highlight of the year. However, the weekend
preceding the sell-out concert will be viewed with much more significance
by those counties still competing in the Bank of Ireland Football
Championship. |
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The
White Heat of championship football
With summer upon us the Bank of Ireland football championship is
certainly beginning to heat up. As I write a number of inter-county
managers will be making plans to manoeuvre their way through the
‘back door' route. Since the inception of the qualifier system
the number of dissenting voices has been on the decline with the
vast majority of players and managers relieved that they will have
a second chance to redeem themselves. |
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Rule
42
It was with great interest that I followed the intriguing debate
on Rule 42 in the weeks preceding Congress. In many ways it was
similar to the furore surrounding the removal of Rule 21 (the ban
on the RUC playing our game) in that the final outcome was close
with the Ulster counties being the chief resistors to change. |
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Marsden
was a class act both on and off the field
This magnificent player probably first came to our attention in
the 1992 Ulster minor semi-final at Casement Park. He played centre
half back on a classy Armagh team that really should have won that
year's All-Ireland final. |
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Rule
changes don't add up
Do we really need to change the rules of gaelic football as well
as hurling? This is the question that many gaels throughout the
country have been asking themselves these past few months. Are our
games really in such dire straits? My own opinion is that the rules
as they stood were not the problem but it was the inconsistency
in implementing them that was giving the cause for concern. |
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A
memorable trip to Hong Kong
What a backdrop against which to pen my first article for Hogan
Stand - seated as I am in the plush surroundings of the Excelsior
Hotel overlooking the Causeway Bay in Hong Kong. With the realisation
that everyone at home has been well updated on our tour, I will
recap on the 2005 All Star trip from a player's perspective. |
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