Dublin fight back has made sure no one is getting carried away
Fri, Sep 14, 2012
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.
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Horan expects Mayo injury worries to clear up soon
Fri, Sep 14, 2012
With just over a week to go until the All Ireland final throw in at Croke Park, the excitement around the county is slowly building up by the day. On Wednesday evening Mayo held their press night ahead of the final and James Horan was in confident mood that he will have a fully fit squad come Sunday week. When asked about those who were injured in the semi-final and their outlook, he said: “We’ve a couple of guys still on rehab programmes at the moment and are progressing very well and I’d be very confident in the next couple of days they’ll be raring to go.”
Read more ...Final league picture is a bit clearer now
Fri, Sep 14, 2012
The shake up in the promotion and relegation races took another step towards finality last weekend across the divisions in the Mayo League. In the Super League, Manulla all but made sure that they would be in the Super League next season, by seeing off Fahy Rovers thanks to a Dessie Campbell double. The Manulla veteran’s free kick five minutes from time was enough to seal a come from behind 2-1 win over the Fahy Rovers, who are battling it out at the bottom to avoid the drop with Manulla. Straide and Foxford’s relegation was confirmed with a 5-1 defeat at home to Iorras Aontaithe. In the battle to make the jump into the top division, last weekend saw a number of big moments in the Premier A. Conn Rangers went into the weekend leading the table, but a postponment of their game against Bangor Hibs offered both Ballyheane and Snugboro United a chance to pull ahead of them at the top for now. Ballyheane went to Swinford and Sungboro United to Clew Bay United. In both games the victor came from behind to win, but more importantly in the chase for the top, Sungboro United lost 3-2 after Clew Bay United came from behind twice to take the points. Ballyheane came from one down away to Swinford to run out 3-1 winners and go to the top of the table for now at least.
Conn Rangers will go back to the top if they win in their refixed game with Bangor Hibs, which would put them on 27 points (they are currently on 24 points), with Ballyheane currently on 26 points and Snugbor United on 23 points and all sides will have two games left after this weekend.
Read more ...GAA The hunt for tickets is well under way
Fri, Sep 07, 2012
Once the final whistle blew on Jones Road last Sunday, the attentions of the more than 25,000 Mayo fans who made the trip east turned towards getting their hand on a ticket for the main event in 16 days time.
Read more ...One of those days never to be forgotten
Fri, Sep 07, 2012
Oh what an unforgettable day. It had everything. Great weather, huge numbers of good humoured supporters, great company for my journey up and down and, above all, an excellent game with the best outcome! This was a Gaelic football match that had everything you could hope for at the difficult business end of the season. Here we had a match that had many similarities with what we had witnessed the previous Sunday: brilliant scores, top drawer saves, magnificent fielding, and a dramatic finish. I listened to Eugene Magee being interviewed on Today FM as I travelled to Dublin on Sunday morning. You will be aware that Eugene is heading up the task force known as the ‘Football review committee’ to investigate areas where the game can be improved. He remarked that the “sky was the limit” in terms of the possible changes that could be made. Surely this group will now recognise that there is very little wrong with the game when it is played like it was last Sunday.
Read more ...Mayo footballers reach fifth All-Ireland final since 1996
Fri, Sep 07, 2012
Mayo were 10 points to the good on Sunday early in the second half, leading 0-17 to 0-7, and yet they were reduced to stumbling over the finish line to win by three. Had David Clarke not made a tremendous save in a one-on-one with Bernard Brogan near the finish, which would have levelled the game, it would probably be Dublin who would be facing Donegal in the All-Ireland final.
Read more ...Celtic women ready for sophomore year in national league
Fri, Sep 07, 2012
Castlebar Celtic were the odd side in seven last weekend when the Bus Eireann Women’s National League kicked off for its second ever season. Celtic, who were one of the original six sides in the league last year, had to watch from the wings as their opponents in this years league got the first round under way. On Sunday they will get back to action with a bang when the defending champions Peamount United make their way to Celtic Park for a 2pm kick off. The Dublin side have established as the marquee side in the country over the past few years and also have a lot of experience in UEFA competitions.
Celtic’s assistant manager Jeremy Dee is looking forward to the challenge which he knows will not be easy. “Ah we want to get the easy game out of the way first really. It is going to be a tough year, you can’t look at it any other way. But we are all looking forward to it and ready to go. The difference between us and the likes of Peamount United is that they would have a lot of senior internationals where we have a lot of under age internationals in our team.”
Read more ...Mongan wins Captain’s Prize in Castlebar
Fri, Sep 07, 2012
Balla
Last weekend’s competition sponsored by Fragile, Castlebar was won by Paraic Cuffe on 39pts, with Ray Mannion coming home in second place and Tim Evans in third. The ladies competition was won by Pat Dillon with Carmel Costello second and Breda Cleary third. The Broderick Cup was won by Seamus and Enda Holian, and James and Mary Lavin came second.
Premier A race is where the excitement is
Fri, Sep 07, 2012
With the Super League done and dusted for a while now, the race to make it into the top division next season is where all eyes will be this Sunday. With three games to go Conn Rangers are top on 24 points, with Ballyheane and Snugboro right behind them on 23 points. This weekend Conn Rangers will host Bangor Hibs in Mount Falcon, but in their final two games they will have to face both of the sides right behind them. They will have to travel to Quigley Park to face Ballyheane in their second last game, with Snugboro United coming to their patch on the final day.
Read more ...Connacht look to get first win of the season under their belts
Fri, Sep 07, 2012
Connacht Rugby head to Italy under pressure to gain a victory over RaboDirect Pro 12 newcomers Zebre this evening. After a disappointing 13- 9 opening day defeat to Cardiff Blues on Saturday at the Galway Sportsground, coach Eric Elwood admits Connacht have made it hard for themselves.
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