And Then There Were Three
Gaelic footballCork obliterated the much vaunted Meath team in today's All Ireland football semi-final. All the pundits got this wrong. Meath could never match Cork's ariel power, Nicholas Murphy, Derek Kavanagh, Pierce O'Neill and the roving Michael Cussen formed a mid-field diamond that denied Meath any meaningful possession and Cork's full-back line with Canty in a commanding mood snuffed out any threat posed by Meath's Bray, Reilly and O'Rourke. At the other end of the field O'Connor and Goulding had Meath's Fay and McGuinness chasing shadows. This was a serious performance by Cork and underlines the fact that the Munster province is never and easy one to get out of. At the beginning of the championship I tipped Cork to be in the September shake up and after today whoever wins next Sunday's glamour tie between Dubin and Kerry will have their work cut out to deny the eager Rebels from getting their hands on 'Sam'.
Old firm to meet again thirty years on.
In last week's quarter finals Kerry and Dublin were far from impressive in 
overcoming the last of the northern challenge. Monaghan in particular can count themselves unlucky not to have got at least a draw. Kerry's battle hardened troops had to call on all their experience and guile to squeeze through by the minimum margin.
The previous day Dublin's fade out almost cost them against a very much improved Derry team. A purple patch at the beginning of the second half during which they managed to pull six points clear stood to them as Derry rallied towards the end of the game.
Next Sunday's eagerly awaited show-down should be well worth seeing. No doubt Kerry's stay-away fans will be clamouring for tickets.
overcoming the last of the northern challenge. Monaghan in particular can count themselves unlucky not to have got at least a draw. Kerry's battle hardened troops had to call on all their experience and guile to squeeze through by the minimum margin.The previous day Dublin's fade out almost cost them against a very much improved Derry team. A purple patch at the beginning of the second half during which they managed to pull six points clear stood to them as Derry rallied towards the end of the game.
Next Sunday's eagerly awaited show-down should be well worth seeing. No doubt Kerry's stay-away fans will be clamouring for tickets.
Galway 2-14, Kerry 0-17.
In today's minor
semi-final Galway were well worth their three point win over Kerry. Goals win games and Galway got two just before half time. At the beginning of the second half they edged three points clear and try as they might Kerry just could not peg them back. Galway had star performers in Rattigan, Reddington, Conroy and Tomas Walsh while another Walsh, Barry John, was the main stay of the Kerry challenge.Hurling The Scene is Set
The Cats look good for the hurling title but no-one can deny that Limerick will provide stern opposition. Their display against Waterford last Sunday was full of passion and no little skill. Aidan O'Shaughnessy, Stephen Lucey, Brian Begley and the Morans hurled out of their skins. They will not roll over on the first Sunday in September but the Cats can take the cream.