[caption id="attachment_71072" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Kerry's Brian Maguire chases Kevin McLoughlin of Mayo during the NFL semifinal at Croke Park."]
The opening game of the season was by far the best game of the day as both teams served up a highly entertaining and a very sporting contest played in near perfect conditions at a fast pace. Cavan appeared to have a slight edge for most of the game but two events in the last ten minutes swung the momentum in the Kingdom’s favor. First a powerful run through the middle by Mike Jim Fitzgerald ended with his pile driver being deflected to the net by a Cavan defender. Another mishap for Cavan soon followed as Robbie Moran intercepted a Cavan attack which was returned for a score and the lead for the Kerrymen. Meanwhile both teams exchanged scores in the opening minutes, Paddy Smith opened Cavan’s account while Darren Moore replied for the Kingdom.
The exchanges were fairly even for the opening quarter as both sides were deadlocked on a brace. Then a long ball from Ronan McGinley found Shaun Munnelly bearing down on goal but he was brought to ground as he released his shot. After consultation with the umpires, the referee awarded a penalty to Cavan, which caused considerable agitation for the Kingdom’s mentors. Sean Kelly clinically planted the controversial spot kick in the corner of the net. Cavan were now very much in the driver’s seat as Paul Lambe, Ronan McGinley and Rory O’Connor surged forward setting up chances for “Tomo” and company. However the Breffni men failed to capitalize adequately on their chances, while the Kingdom were much more frugal as infrequent raids led to a brace from the busy Eoin Hogan with the bustling Fitzgerald providing good support. Then just before the interval a long ball from Eoghan Kyne set up Tomo for one of his specials as he split the uprights without inhibition to leave Cavan ahead by 1-4 to 0-4 at the break.
On the resumption the game seesawed back and forth for ten minutes as some mighty aerial tussles unfolded between the big mid fielders O’Connor and Fitzgerald. Then Kerry stepped up their performance as Fitzgerald was making his presence felt to very good effect. Kerry were soon within a point of Cavan as CJ Molloy and Moore linked up for the first while Moran and Fitzgerald combined well for the second score. Cavan responded to the challenge with a very effective counter surge to net three unanswered points in as many minutes to lead by four entering the last quarter. Though Hogan got one back, Cavan seemed poised to make it to the winner’s circle. Then came the game changing deflection to tie the game as this seemed to inspire the Kingdom while deflating the Breffni men. Kerry were now going for the jugular as Molloy looked certain to bury another goal. However though well circled by the Breffni defense, he did manage to fist over a point for the lead. Then Cavan worked the ball to the other end where Connolly was fouled and the resultant free from the corner had the scores level.
Cavan now launched another attack after repelling a Kingdom raid, but the crucial interception by Moran and the critical point basically sealed Cavan’s fate. Substitute Purcell had the last score as Kerry now go through to the next round against Armagh.
Kerry: Niall Moran, Shane Coffey, James Huvane, Darren Courtney, Mike Nestor, Kieran Scannell, Mike Jim Fitzgerald(1-0), Sean Kelly, Eoin Hogan(0-3), Robbie Moran(0-3), Ross Donovan, Darren Moore(0-1), CJ Molloy(0-2). Subs. Dermie Foley, Paul McGill, Sean Purcell(0-1), Shane Clifford, Danny Kennelly.
Cavan: Gavin Joyce, Alan Foley, Ciaran Martin, Paul Lambe(0-1), Ronan McGinley, Eoghan Kyne, Rory O’Connor, Sean Kelly(1-0), Barry McGinn(0-1), Michael Sloan, Shaun Munnelly, Paddy Smith(0-5), JC Connolly(0-1). Man of Match Mike Jim Fitzgerald, Referee Frank Brady.
Armagh make
2nd half theirs
This game lacked the flair and the fluency of the previous one as it was obvious that the winter season had caused a few players to lose a bit of pace as well as accuracy. The first half was the better in terms of competition though the whole game was a rather pedestrian affair. Tyrone appeared to start well as Seamus Skeffington raced through to set up Joe Bell for the opening score. Armagh responded quickly as points from Caolan Short, Gareth Kelly and Richie Morgan soon had them ahead. Tyrone were doing well in the middle of the field as Jason Killeen, Aidan Power and Conor were winning plenty of ball but their forwards were not converting the possession into scores. Power did land a point but a goal effort by Bell was blocked as he hesitated too long. Similarly a good chance by Rory O’Neill was also squandered.
On the Armagh side Kieran McGeeney was slowly finding his rhythm with his trusty left foot and Brian Patton was also beginning to fit nicely into the swing of things. Bell did add another score as a characteristic Seamus Skeffington run supplied the pass. Indeed a real chance for a goal was on the cards but his blazing shot skinned the top of the crossbar. The long awaited short whistle came as Armagh lead by 0-5 to 0-3.
The second half belonged to Armagh as they registered eight points while it was literally pointless for Tyrone, as they failed to score. Armagh adopted their strong running and support game that produced plenty of results the previous year and the scores arrived fluently and frequently. Tyrone, despite being outplayed, outran and outscored battled on, culminating in two fine goal shots from Aidan Power. The post stopped the first while a first class save from the New York keeper Alan Hearty stopped the second. There were goal chances at the other end too, the sort that supposedly could not be missed, but they were badly missed. The second half had little in the way of competitive fare but the goal chances though all missed, did manage to keep the press core minimally engaged.
Armagh: Alan Hearty, Collie Fearon, Patsy Martin, Aidan Morton, Caolan Short, Stuart Stokes, Kevin McGeeney(0-3), PJ Flanagan(0-1), Gary Nugent(0-1), Brian Patton(0-1), Gareth Kelly(0-2), Richie Morgan(0-3), Liam Collins. Subs. Ken Cox(0-1), Chris Morton, Ramie Kane(0-2).
Tyrone: Damien Corrigan, Gerard McCullough, Joe Long, Ciaran Queally, Aidan Power(0-1), Seamus Skeffington, Conor McNabb, Jason Killeen, Michael Gallagher, Conor Skeffington, Adam Fitzgerald, Joe Bell(0-1), Rory O’Neill. Subs. Chris Owens, Anton McConnell. Referee Martin O’Connor. Man of Match, Caolan Short.
Dubs in trouble
It’s a challenge when a team steps up a division and the challenge became all the greater for Dublin as they lost many players from their victorious intermediate squad of the previous year. Indeed they struggled to get the requisite number of players on the field to get the game under way. Naturally they will be hoping that the contingent of summer players will be the infusion that they need to be competitive at senior level.
Meanwhile Cork were never troubled in this game as they had almost the full roster of players, plus substitutes which is almost a luxury for teams at this stage of the season. Soon the scores were flying over with newcomer Eoin McHugh, the Sligo native, looking very impressive coming from defense to get and set up scores. Cork led by 1-10 to 0-1 at the break, the goal coming from Jason Kelly while Declan Reilly got the Dubs. on the score board. The one sided nature of the contest continued though Adam Keaney, Andy Gray and Declan Reilly tried their best but it was a futile exercise as Cork were in a different class.
Cork: Darren Mahoney, Gary Hanley, Paddy Harrington, Derek Courtney, Sean McNamee, Eoin McHugh(0-2), Gary Lowney(0-1), Rory Stafford, Francie Cleary(0-4), Tadgh Foley(0-1), John Power, Peter Hatzer(1-5), Jason Kelly(1-2).
Dublin: Cathal Loughnane, Sean McGrath, Adam Keaney, Fergal Mulvanney, Mark Connolly, Gary Ginley, Andy Gray(0-1), Niall Coughlin, Colin Larkin, Niall Rice, Jimmy Campbell, Declan Reilly. Referee Alan Hearty, Man of Match Peter Hatzer.
Donal O’Brien R.I.P.
Donal O’Brien, a former New York hurler, passed away last week in England while on a visit to see his brother who was ill in a London hospital. He was 73. The late Donal was a native of Knockvilla, Co. Tipperary and he began his hurling career with the local Kickhams club. He came to prominence first in 1957, winning an All-Ireland minor title with Tipperary. A few years later Donal progressed to the senior team and went on to win Munster and All-Ireland titles in 1961 and 1962 as the Tipp goalkeeper. However the following year he lined out against Waterford at Gaelic Park. This was a two-game series, the first ended in a draw but Waterford won the second. Over the next three years, Donal O’Brien lined out as the keeper against the best teams from Ireland, such as Kilkenny, Tipperary, Wexford and Cork in such competitions as the National League, the Cardinal Cushing Games and even a World Cup for hurling. O’Brien was obviously a very versatile hurler as later in his career he lined out in many different positions on some of the greatest teams ever to represent New York. The sixties were the golden era of New York hurling when they were on a par with the best in Ireland. The late Donal played last for New York against the Munster hurling team in 1970 as well as against Cork, the All-Ireland champions. In this game he was a wing forward with Cork eventually winning the two game series by 5-21 to 6-16. This was also the game that had the Clem Foley incident. Concurrent with his New York career, he was a staunch player and dedicated officer with the Tipperary club in New York. Donal O’Brien’s remains are being returned to New York for burial.
