The resurgent men of Meath dumped Tyrone out of this year's title race. They played direct old style football. Meith had the basics right, good fielding and quick deliveries that rendered Tyrone's 'blanket' useless - For most of the game, Tyrone ran like headless chickens. Were it not for one great goal by Sean Cavanagh and one fortuitous one by the lethargic out of shape Mulligan, Tyrone would have suffered a much more embarrassing defeat. Rarely has a two point victory been achieved so comfortably. Meath have improved with every outing. Old masters Fay, Geraghty and Moyles were rock solid and with the young guns Bray, Reilly, O'Rourke, King and Ward, they have blended to create a team with genuine title aspirations. Tyrone were off the pace and looked a shadow of the team that won one in a row twice earlier this decade. It is now time to discard the blanket. A fast, high fielding, accurate team has made the boring tactic obsolete. Mickey Harte not only needs fresh legs, he needs fresh ideas. The red hand will be back, but when?....
As Kerry heap the pain on young Tyrone
Kerry scored an unexpected 2-9 to 1-8 victory over Tyrone in the All Ireland minor football quarter final at Tullamore. Two goals in the first half set them on their way. Great displays from Wayne Guthrie, Johnny Buckley, Barry John Walsh and goalkeeper Tomas Mac an tSaoir gave the Kingdom youngsters a chance to make amends for their dismal showing against Cork in the Munster final.
A bore from start to finish - Rebels dismiss Sligo
Often during this lacklustre encounter, I feel like heeding the Sligo poet WB Yeats who wrote "I will arise and go now". Compelling viewing this was not. How did a team so bereft of basic skills as Sligo are win a provincial title? How bad are the other four teams in Connaught? Cork were woeful. The exceptions were Nicolas Murphy who dominated midfield and Graham Canty who could have played the inept Sligo forwards with his eyes closed. Apart from them not one other Rebel looked an All Ireland champion in the making. Maybe it was that they were never challenged from the moment that Minskella scored their goal in the tenth minute. They did not have to raise their game to run out comfortable winners 1-11 to 0-8. On yesterday's evidence, Meath will be favourites to advance to the final. As for Sligo, well done on winning the Nestor Cup (Connaught title) but there is a gulf between where you are and where you would like to be. This bunch of players seem incapable of negotiating the breach.
Ross lose their gloss
Roscommon's year long love affair with the Tom Markham trophy is over. Laois who are favourites to win this year's title prevailed on a scoreline of 1-13 to 1-11. Did ever a county celebrate a minor title with the relish of the Rossies? Hopefully some of the stars of last year's team will train on to bring senior honours back to the gold and blue.
Salute the redoubtable Micko
The Waterville maestro has done it again. He has helped the garden county to their first ever silverware in the shape of the Tommy Murphy Cup. In a real thriller, they prevailed in extra time over a gallant Antrim outfit on a scoreline of 3-13 to 1-17. A last minute goal by the team's captain Gill saw them lift the trophy. Micko has succeeded in leading Kildare to a Leinster title, Laois to a Leinster title Wicklow to a Tommy Murphy title and of course we should mention the 13 Sam Maguires he won with his native Kerry. Does he deserve a statue in the new Croke Park? Did I hear other managers mentioned in the same breath? 51 years at it and still going strong - there is only one Micko.

Hurling fireworks continue
CATastrophe for Wexford
Kilkenny reached their eighth final in ten years with a facile win over Wexford on a scoreline of 0-23 to 1-10. It may have been too easy for their own good as they have not been tested in this year's championship. Henry Shefflin continues to shine. There seems to be no end to this man's repetoire. He was ably assisted by the outstanding Tom Walsh, centre halfback Hogan and Martin Comerford. For Wexford, Ruth and Lambert tried valiantly to stem the tide.

Dan's the man as the Rebels bite the dust
The Cork - Waterford saga has reached its dramatic conclusion. Once again both teams treated us to a full blooded skillful game. Dan Shannahan was again the main man. His two goals brought his goal tally to eight in four games and proved to be the difference. The final score read 2-17 to 0-20. But there were other stars on the Deise team. The contributions of Carney, McGrath, Molumphy (who was the man of the match), Brown and Kelly were immense. Cork can hold their heads high. The O'Connor brothers, the Murphys, Gardiner and O'Halpin did the colours proud. The future looks bright for Cork. Their minor hurlers put paid to Dublin's chances on a scoreline of 2-10 to 0-13 in a thrilling semi final played on Saturday. Other significant results were Westmeath's Christy Ring Cup triumph over Kildare and Cork's demolition of Waterford in the under 21 Munster hurling final.
Farney and Foylesiders on a mission
Next weekend, Monaghan and Derry take on the might of Kerry and Dublin as they strive to close the front door in this year's All Ireland Senior Football Championship. Could it be that the four provincial finalists will find themselves Dancing at Lunasa or is it asking too much of the minnows? Will the Waterford hurlers recover in time to overcome the Shannonsiders of Limerick and set up a repeat of the Rooney-O final of 1957 with the Cats of Kilkenny? Tune in next week for answers.