GAA News in brief
August 10, 2000The recent draw in the Leinster SFC final was the first since Louth and Meath finished on level terms in 1950. Louth went on to win the replay. It is an amazing statistic when viewed against the background of five Munster SFC final draws, seven Connacht and three Ulster final draws in the same period. The recent game was without a goal as was the 1993 final between the same counties.
In a repeat of last year's county final in Sligo, Easkey reversed last Autumn's result by turning the tables on Tourlestrane with a 2-16 to 0-9 victory. The outcome meant that the defending champions had to win their game against Curry on the following weekend. This, they managed to do, but only just, winning by two points, 0-16 to 2-8. Paul Taylor scored 0-10 as Eastern Harps beat Tubbercurry by three points.
There will be new SF champions in Longford this year following the defeat of holders Dromard by Killoe Young Emmets, 2-10 to 1-6, in the quarter-final at Pearse Park. Dromard's victory last year was their first since 1946. Killoe, whose last success was in 1995, will meet Abbeylara in the semi-final, a clash that will have an intriguing aside...Abbeylara are currently managed by former Killoe star Declan Rowley. Fr. Manning Gaels, who won three successive titles, (1996-'98), are also through to the last four following their four point win over Clonguish, 0-18 to 1-11. And Mostrim have emerged from the 'B' section...they will play Granard in the quarter-final with the winners to meet Fr. Manning Gaels in the semi.
Leitrim's record against Galway in Connacht SFC finals continues to make for depressing reading for their supporters...the counties have met in seven finals and Leitrim's only victory came at the first time of asking...in 1927.
The Corofin minor footballers have had their amazing sequence of victories brought to an end by Ballygar. Corofin's last defeat in the Galway MF championship was in 1991 but their quest for a ninth successive title came to an end recently against the unfancied Ballygar boys.
Dublin teams invariably include players with strong 'country' connections and the panel for tomorrow's replay against Kildare will maintain the tradition. Coman Goggins is also eligible to play with Roscommon as both his parents are from the county and on the occasion of the team's first round victory over Wexford, there were three players eligible to play with Connacht teams on the Dublin team when the final whistle went...Goggins, Declan Darcy and Niall O Donoghue who is also a Roscommon man. Add in Dessie Farrell whose father is from Kildare, Jason Sherlock whose roots are in Cork and both Paul Curran and Paddy Christie whose fathers played with Meath, and the 'country' connection is clear.
Ballygunner remain on course to retain the Waterford SH championship following their 4-11 to 2-14 quarter-final victory over Lismore. Many observers felt that Lismore would dethrone the champions but their defence wasn't up to it and Ballygunner scored two goals in the first five minutes. Dave Bennett scored 2-10 for Lismore but it was to no avail. The teams will meet in the finals of the League and Sargent Cup. Mount Sion, who interrupted Ballygunner's run of successes in 1998, are also through to the last four following their easy win over Ballyduff. The winners had none of the three McGrath brothers on duty. De la Salle are also through to the semi-finals following their easy win over Passage. The best individual display of the championship to date was produced by 35-years-old Kieran Delahunty who scored 3-7 in Roanmore's 3-13 to 2-9 play-off victory over Tallow.
How does he find the time? Clare goalie Davy Fitzgerald has to be one of the busiest sportsmen in the country. Much of his time is taken up with training for both the county team and his club Sixmilebridge but he has also been involved with the county's Under-21 team and is coach of the camogie team. He is also a Poc Fada specialist. And in golf, he plays off a handicap of three! Davy recently fulfiled an ambition by taking part in the South of Ireland championship at Lahinch when he recovered from 3 down after 4 holes to go 1 up at the 13th against an experienced Limerick opponent. He eventually lost but there's no doubt that he has a bright future in the game. And still with golf, the FBD All-Ireland GAA Challenge is down to the semi-final stage. Clara of Offaly are Leinster's representatives, Cavan Gaels will fly the Ulster flag and Allen Gaels of Leitrim will do likewise for Connacht.The Munster champions are Boherlahan/Dualla of Tipperary who have 'home' advantage at the Faithlegg Club in Waterford this weekend.
In Meath, Skryne remain on course for a successful defence of their SFC title following last week's five point quarter-final victory over Simonstown Gaels, 2-9 to 0-10. Trevor Giles and John McDermott were in action for the champions while Hank Traynor was in fine form for Simonstown. Last year's runners-up Dunshaughlin are also into the semi-finals following their win over the 1999 Intermediate champions Syddan. The last of the quarter-finals, between neighbours Trim and Summerhill, takes place on Sunday evening.
Leitrim full back John McKeon was hoping to bring a Connacht SFC medal to the family home in Drumreilly but there wasn't much he could do against a rampant Galway team and it's in-form full forward Padraig Joyce. John's sister Mary followed up with a similar disappointing experience in the Ladies Junior final on Sunday last against Galway.
Offaly SF champions Edenderry are out of this year's title race having been beaten by Clara, 3-9 to 2-9, last week. The champions had been held to a draw by Shamrocks a week previous when the return of Peter Brady was not enough to clinch victory. Last year's beaten finalists Rhode, who had previously been beaten by Shannonbridge and held to a draw by Ferbane, got back to winning ways with a comfortable win over Ballycumber.
Cavan SF champions Gowna will put their title on the line against Bailieboro Shamrocks on Sunday. Gowna are managed by Eamon Coleman whose suspension will not expire until ten days after the game. Gowna won the last of their four titles in 1997 while Bailieboro won their fifth title in 1995. The other semi-final sees Cavan Gaels and Kingscourt Stars in opposition.
Leitrim forward Aidan Rooney was probably the longest-serving player in action in the recent Connacht final...he has been on the Leitrim team since 1988 but he still emerged as the game's top scorer with six well-taken points from frees. Aidan, who is an All-Ireland Scor medalist, may hold a record in that he has played for Leitrim under no fewer than EIGHT managers. He started with Declan McCabe and continued with Tony McGowan, Paddy Dolan, PJ Carroll, John O Mahony, Seamus Bonnar, Peter McGinnity and current boss Joe Reynolds! Reynolds was one of the mentors under John O Mahony's management when Leitrim won the Connacht title in 1994.
The Down SF championship has reached the semi-final stage with Leitrim Fontenoys qualifying for the last four thanks to their exciting 1-15 to 1-13 victory over Warrenpoint. Last year's All-Ireland winning minor captain Liam Doyle was in top form for the winners, contributing 0-7 to their total. Their reward is a clash with Ballyholland or Longstone but the other semi-final, between holders Mayobridge and Clonduff is seen as the one most likely to produce the eventual county champions. Veteran Down stars Mickey Linden and Ross Carr will be in opposition. Tweet
