Almost three weeks into the Kingbet blog and still no mention of our native games. One can only assume that since Joe Sheridans’ “try” in last year’s Leinster final coupled with their defeat at the hands of lowly Carlow, Mr.Kingbet like so many Louth fans, is disgruntled at the GAA. The Qualifiers First Round gives Louth a shot at redemption but one I fear they may blow. As every team has played once now is a good time to cast our eyes over how the Championship is going.
Down in Munster it’s as you were as neither Cork nor Kerry have had to get out of second gear. Cork have shown in their two victories, that they have the forwards to do damage but against such poor opponents, it really is hard to judge just how well they are going. Kerry’s biggest worry so far is keeping players free from either suspension and injury. I don’t subscribe to the argument that Kerry have a fundamental discipline problem but the recklessness by some of their players is selfish. This is far from a vintage Kerry side so they can ill afford to lose players of the calibre of Tomas O’ Se. Leaking three goals against Limerick – all be it when the game was over – must be a worry for Jack O’Connor. What of Limerick? They really have regressed in recent times, especially if you remember that it told two Dara O’Se over the crossbar fields to save a Munster championship for Kerry in recent times. John Galvin recently came out and said they’d have more provincial championships if they were in a different province. John wants to try tog out for Fermanagh sometime to see how hard it is to win an Ulster Championship. With all the in-fighting with the hurling team, players were supposed to flood into the football panel. This is seemed to have no impact and with their well publicised hurling problems the GAA seems to be in a bit of difficulty Shannonside. Is the success of Munster rugby finally starting to show or is this a rash reaction to a few barron years? Any team that can put out a full forward line of Ian Ryan, Ger Collins and Seamus O’Carroll should give teams problems, but I don’t foresee much of a run in the qualifiers.
In Leinster, it’s Kildare who are making the early running. While Dublin never looked in any difficulties against Laois, their weaknesses will only be exposed against better teams then Laois. When I seen Laois play Donegal in the last game of the National League, I was impressed with what Justin McNulty is putting together, with MJ Tierney eye catching. Fast forward two months and Tierney isn’t deemed good enough to play against Dublin, a decision questioned by the player himself. One bad performance doesn’t make a team bad but Laois won’t be playing when the kids go back to school this year. Tip them to beat a fancied opponent if they get a favourable home draw in the qualifiers. Dublin’s strength in depth is scary and their bench is the best in the country but that doesn’t mean they have enough good players to win the Championship. Dublin badly need Alan Brogan firing, to aid Bernard as they simply don’t have enough scoring forwards. At this stage though, it’s a mental battle for Dublin to win an All Ireland and that won’t be exposed until later in the year. I liked the look of Kildare and think they’ll beat Dublin and win Leinster (though Dublin will get further via the backdoor). McGeeney has got a Kildare team hungry to play which mixed with their natural footballing ability is a potent mix. Meath’s season looks set to unravel and Louth couldn’t have picked a better time to play them. All is not right in the Meath camp but I’d still have to tip them to beat Louth. Wexford look a team capable of pulling off a shock or two. They took time to replace Mattie Forde and while Ben Brosnan is not in that league just yet, he is handy in his own right.
Over in Connaught, London nearly pulled off the shock of the century before Mayo get their act together although I very much doubt Conor Counihan is losing sleep over Mayo. I think Galway will overcome them in the semi-final but don’t expect Sam to head West anytime soon. This really is as poor a Connaught Championship as there has been and I was terribly disappointed by Leitrim at the weekend. I fancy Roscommon to win back to back Connaught titles. Initially I thought they hadn’t kicked on from last seasons triumph but with Donie Shine up front they’ve a player of real class. I tried very hard to find a club in Australia to take Shine but my failure is Roscommon’s joy as he showed again at the weekend that he is one to watch.
Finally to Ulster where it’s shooting practise for RTE pundits to declare the death of Gaelic Football. An Ulster Championship match turns ugly? Stop the lights! Donegal v Antrim was about as bad a start to a season since Pat Spillane was in short trousers but was it was never really going to be a classic. Antrim have gone backwards while Donegal are still a work in progress. Talk of an Ulster Championship is far fetched and I don’t see much there to worry Tyrone. As I Donegal supporter I take little pride in watching them play right now. Expect them to put together a run in the qualifiers though, much like Down. Armagh were impressive against their near neighbours and could be a real surprise. Jamie Clarke is a superstar and if they can get Ronan Clarke fit they’d have the best full forward line in the country. Against Down their mid-field was simply outstanding and Peter Fitzpatrick and Kallum King are no hackers. Expect them to account for Derry and to play deep into September. Derry beat a Fermanagh B team comfortably but like Cork and Kerry we learnt nothing from this. I seen them play in the McKenna Cup earlier in the year and predicted big things but I’ve revised that sentiment with Paddy Bradleys injury. Nobody will want to meet them in the backdoor but I think they’re a couple of years away from really challenging much the same as Monaghan. They showed great heart in defeat to Tyrone but are not the force of old. Can somebody in Monaghan not get Tommy Freeman a job because with him in the side they’re not far away. Stephen O’Neill gave a display in forward play against Monghan and with him and Brian McGuigan in your side, never rule Tyrone out. However like Kerry this isn’t vintage Tyrone and I’m going to tip Armagh to beat them in an Ulster Final.
So what have we learned? Cork and Kerry haven’t been tested. Dublin still look a wee bit behind and Tyrone are not the force of old. Expect upsets galore in the years championship but I fear football purists may just be turned off. At this stage I’m sticking with Cork but expect Kildare and Armagh to have a serious say on how this summer turns out. At 33/1 Armagh are seriously backable and expect that price to shorten come Monday morning.
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