Search Results for 'Michael Murphy'

It was not to be once again for Mayo.

Donegal 2-11

During the second half of Mayo’s recent victory over Dublin, I wondered if some of the Mayo boys were tightening up ever so slightly with the winning post in sight. Did they go into their shell when absolutely cruising with a 10 point lead? Was it fatigue? Were they fit enough? I can’t recall any Dublin player requiring treatment for cramp? Or was this simply an example of a smart Mayo side working the system to get to the final? After watching the game later that night it seemed that Dublin simply threw caution to the wind when they realised that they were being absolutely hammered by their opponents. The Monday morning papers were not going to spare them and so they more or less played with a reckless abandon and were lucky with a few breaks around the middle of the field which they were able to capitalise on with scores. But are we sure? And that’s the fundamental question which means that there is still a little question mark over Mayo heading into next weekend’s final.

Sail boats abound on Clew Bay on Thursday evenings. Last week nearly 20 boats raced with three distinct classes divided according to the size and age of the boats.

I am travelling to Dangan twice weekly training the NUIG footballers. The training is going well but unfortunately the results are not matching so far. The senior squad played three league matches against GMIT, Sligo IT, and Athlone IT, and unfortunately lost all three. Both Tomas Tierney and I agreed we would use the league to try to have a look at as many players as possible. This meant a loss of continuity in selection and with it a series of disjointed performances. Those three lost games meant we were drawn into a relegation play off. We lost the first play off game last week against DIT and we have one final game against UL next week.

The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, will be in Balla on Friday September 23, to open Connacht Gold’s refurbished livestock mart. Balla is one of four marts operated by Connacht Gold in Mayo, Sligo, and Leitrim and more than €1.3 million has been spent on upgrading the mart.

Water conservation projects in county Kilkenny have seen a significant reduction in the amount of unaccounted for water in recent years but there remains work to be done.

I was hugely disappointed this week after our Crossmolina boys lost to Castlebar Mitchels in the quarter finals last Sunday. We had prepared exceptionally well, particularly over the last three weeks since the conclusion of the group stages with two good challenge matches and quality training in between. The feeling was that if we could beat Castlebar, we had a right chance of winning the county title. The mood was good coming into the game despite injury to five of our first team squad. There was a quiet air of confidence that we would beat the more fancied Mitchels. There was a big doubt about our county player Peadar Gardiner’s participation right up to the last few minutes, but he had pushed himself right to the limit to be fit to play.

We are down to the last nine in the football championship with all of the main protagonists still standing. Kerry are still my favourites to land Sam this year. They should beat Limerick with scores to spare on Sunday. They definitely appear to be focused and sharp this year. From what I hear they are putting in an extra effort to ensure that one of their favourite sons, the ‘Gooch’ has the opportunity to walk the steps in September. Extra miles on the clock and All-Ireland medals in the back pocket tend to blunt hunger levels, but Kerry look ferociously hungry. A number of their players, namely Declan O’Sullivan, Kieran Donaghy, Darren O’Sullivan, and Donnchadh Walsh, have been particularly outstanding for them. I believe they played a challenge last week against Roscommon in Limerick and, despite pulling off half of their first 15, managed to win by seven points. And the word from that game was that the two best players on show were….. you guessed it…… Tomas O’Se and Paul Galvin.

•Athenry Golf Club: Captain’s Prize, Norman Farrell (6) 97; Michael Crimmins Jnr (13) 99.5; Gross Padraig McInerney (5) 113; Brendan Byrnes (16) 102; Mattie Duane (19) 102.5; Sean Flannery (16) 103. Sunday, Declan Costello (17) 41; Tom Sweeney (18) 41; Gross Blaine Niland (5) 30; Tom Hanley (21) 37; Gerry Doherty (16) 37; Joe Broder (13) 37. Ladies’ 18 hole stableford, Josephine Noone (11) 37; Laura Moran (33) 37; Gross Marie Carr (7) 29; Maureen Lawless (24) 36; Margaret Seery (31) 35; Valerie Greaney (33) 35. •Bearna Golf Club, voted Connacht’s most improved course, is now offering a unique half year membership from July 1 to December 31. For more information contact 091 592677 or email [email protected]