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A season of symmetry.
Last week, it was highlighted that there was still the possibility of repeating the 1920s All-Ireland semi-final pairings. The chances? Perhaps one of Cavan and Tipperary winning their provincial finals in 23 and 85 years respectively? Come now.
However, this ridiculous year has returned and, as they did in 1920, Dublin and Cavan will meet in a semi-final. Mayo and Tipperary will meet again in the other, although their 1920 game did not take place until 1922 due to a combination of games being called off at Munster due to the death of Terence McSwiney and the subsequent War of Independence.
When they finally did, Tipperary won to face Dublin in a rematch of “The Great Challenge Match” on Bloody Sunday, where a late goal by Tommy Powell, who played in the game on November 21, 1920, won it for the Premier. County.
Current Dublin manager Dessie Farrell doesn’t need to be reminded of Tipperary’s late goals that ruined Ireland’s final after current senior footballers Colman Kennedy struck in the minor decider of 2011 when he finished off the Young Blues. Will history repeat itself? It already is.
– John Fogarty
Cork with wounds to lick and decisions to make.
The only problem with giving head to youth is, well, giving head to youth.
Ronan McCarthy will counter his own solid autopsy in Sunday’s final loss to Munster with the knowledge that his administration and his group of fresh players are on the right track. But for every great leap forward, there is always a stumble in reverse when the group hasn’t reached the level of consistency that goes hand in hand with experience at the top level.
His frustration will be compounded by missing a crucial experience in the All-Ireland semi-final against a top team at Croke Park, empty or not. You can’t buy the value of it. So will the burning frustration of Sunday’s poor display lead you to agree to a fourth year in charge of county footballers or not?
McCarthy’s three-season stint is over, but it would be unfortunate if he lost himself to the cause when he has momentum and the promise of more. Losing McCarthy could also mean losing Cian O’Neill and, by extension, S&C coach Kevin Smith.
Douglas’s man said he will consult with the board executive and players to help inform the decision to walk or not.
Sunday’s defeat will certainly give the football community food for thought, but is there a chance for better management in 2021 and beyond? Unlikely.
– Tony Leen
The Dublin class extends beyond the white lines.
The way Dublin moved to Meath on Saturday struck the final jarring note in a province where competition has been eradicated, but the Irish champions found the perfect tone with their commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
Their jerseys bore the number 14 on one sleeve, the names of those who died in 1920 included within the lines of both numbers. A commemorative logo adorned the other arm. That discreet and respectful touch was repeated later. Stephen Cluxton laid a wreath on the team’s behalf after his defeat at Meath and manager Dessie Farrell spoke eloquently of the events of a century ago and how they resonate to modern times.
“In a way, what happened here 100 years ago today is an essential part of our identity as an organization,” he said. “We played it during the week, about the importance of the night and the commemoration. We just felt, in our own way, that it was important to acknowledge the people who died that night and (who were) murdered in very sad circumstances, and to take the opportunity to be grateful for all that we have and the opportunity that it provides. they have provided us with all those who have gone before us, our ancestors and people like those who were murdered here 100 years ago ”.
– Brendan O’Brien.
O’Riordan rewarded for his perseverance.
To say that Colin O’Riordan wanted to play for Tipperary this year would be an understatement. The injury had altered his season with the Sydney Swans, but when he returned to Ireland, he was in top form and maintaining his physical form as he was allowed to train with the veteran footballers.
Earlier last month, the Irish Examiner reported that there was hope that the 25-year-old could line up for the county, which had been seeking permission from the Swans. He dismissed the claim, but there was veracity in what we wrote, as confirmed by David Power last week: “Colin also tried to be available for all the league games, but at that point Sydney Swans did not let him go.”
But O’Riordan wouldn’t take no for an answer. Explaining the importance of this Munster final, he received the green light to don the Tipperary jersey in Grangemockler’s colors and boy surrendered at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, justifying Power’s decision to start it.
“For me, it means a lot to be able to wear the Tipp jersey,” he said after Sunday’s famous victory. “That is something I will never take for granted and something that I will respect until the day I die.”
– John Fogarty.
Food for thought.
Not long ago, we were all quite nervous about the prospect of a level two championship in soccer. I must admit it was a seam that I unashamedly exploited, poking fun at comments from managers and players staggering to the bottom of Division Two to get their opinions melted.
And boy, did they deliver. Fermanagh’s manager, Ryan McMenamin, had a few swear words about what GAA top brass failed to deliver on the smaller counties, and that was on the tamer side of the scale.
But now we are at the end of a championship and we are left with four teams in the All Ireland Football Championship. May, Dublin, Cavan and Tipperary. And the latter two would have been participating in a Level Two Championship if things had not been so abruptly interrupted by the global pandemic.
And while we’re at it, here’s another poser that popped into our heads, but so far it’s far from fully formed. Maybe we will come back to it later in the week. But would Cork have beaten Kerry, Tipp would have beaten Cork, Cavan would have beaten Monaghan or Donegal, if a large crowd had been present, with all the expectation and pressure that that brings? I’ll leave it to you for now.
– Declan Bogue
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