Divisions in Tipp take centre stage; Divisions in Cork emerge? Kerry the kings; camogie heartache again.
By Noel Dundon
After a week of unbridled joy and celebration following the All-Ireland senior hurling final success, it was back to the club scene at the weekend as the divisional championships took centre stage.
And, top of the list for a visit was the West Tipp final in Golden on Saturday evening with holders Clonoulty Rossmore taking on the newly returned to senior ranks, Cashel King Cormacs. A tight and tense affair, the experience of the Clonoulty Rossmore men and their coolness saw them edge it with Stephen Ferncombe helping himself to a goal in either half in the process. One of the standout performances though was the victors keeper Jason O’Dwyer who made a string of superb saves to deny Cashel green flags – had even one of those gone in, it would have made for a very interesting finale.
So, Clonoulty Rossmore now find themselves in at least a preliminary county quarter final and they can sit back for a few weeks and watch on as others battle it out in the tight window for the divisional championships.
In the mid, Holycross Ballycahill who hit a whopping 0-34, and Moycarkey Borris, enjoyed victories over Drom-Inch and Loughmore Castleiney respectively to set up semi-final games midweek against JK Brackens and Thurles Sarsfields. A few interesting ties there, the pity is that both are on Wednesday evening with no prospects of spectators getting to see the two games – that’s the big disadvantage with these tight windows.
In the North, Kiladangan posted a considerable win over a very disappointing Roscrea, while Toomevara had a goal to spare over Lorrha Dorrha- Darragh McCarthy repeating his All-Ireland final feat with another penalty goal – interestingly Rhys Shelly did likewise by blocking a second penalty in seven days, this time from John McGrath.
Victory also for Kilruane MacDonagh over Nenagh Éire Óg in the North, while in the south Killenaule had too much for St Mary’s and holders Carrick Swans defeated Mullinahone to set up a very tasty decider indeed.
It was great to see such big attendances at the club games – an indication that the county is on a high at the present time and people just want to go see their heroes. Speaking of heroes, a few of the Tipp lads were in ropey enough condition after an intense week of merriment, and who could blame them – it’s not every week you win an All-Ireland title. But their clubs will want them to get back at it now and drive on their divisional and county campaigns – the club players have waited long enough after all.
Camogie Ladies Falter.
It was heartbreak for the Tipperary camogie ladies in UPMC Nowlan Park on Saturday as they failed again to make it to the All-Ireland Final – Galway this time proving their undoing. The girls have not really found a free-flowing rhythm this season and they will be disappointed to have been ousted so convincingly. The players missing for different reasons were costly absentees , but the management team will be hoping that the experience gained by the various newcomers will be important in terms of the overall development of the team, which enjoyed great support in Kilkenny.
All-Ireland Football Final.
Wasn’t it very pleasant to watch a decent game of football in the All-Ireland Final between Kerry and Donegal. The Munster champions – much like ourselves in the hurling code – are very difficult to beat when it gets to that stage and in Jack O’Connor, Kerry have one of the most astute footballing brains in the business. Five All-Ireland titles as Manager – it’s curious that O’Connor is not as revered a figure in Kerry as he ought to be.
Cork’s faux pas was a slap in the face to supporters.
The rumour mill is very much in full flow as part of the fallout from Cork not winning the All-Ireland senior hurling final they were destined to win. Talks of a half time dressingroom bust-up; player dissent, cancelled trains, empty buses and much more, all leave a very sour taste following bitter disappointment. The issues will not have been made any better by cancelling the homecoming either – a major faux pas which denied supporters – young and old -who have shelled out large sums of money following this side this year, the opportunity to meet their heroes. It was not The Rebels finest hour on the field and it certainly has not been off of it either.