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Tommy
Carr, an officer and a gentleman, made no attempt to hide his
disappointment after Dublin's dismal failure to Roscommon when
the Church and General National Football League resumed. His
face said it all.
The team
which had thrilled the fans in sell out Parnell Park back in
November, were a washout in Roscommon.Not one Dublin forward
managed to score in a game which left the Blues wondering just
where they are going.
And its
certainly not into the play offs to judge by this shabby, shambling
show, a bitter pill for the fans to swallow after that pre Christmas
thriller against Kerry.
And had
it not been for Brian Stynes, brought into the side at the last
minute for the injured Ciaran Whelan, the damage would have been
even more disastrous.
Whether
team boss Carr manages to whip Dublin back into shape before
they take on Donegal remains to be seen but the honours were
certainly Roscommon's as they chalked up their third successive
League win.
And manager
Gay Sheerin admitted afterwards that they had been hoping to
keep their preparations for the Championship as low key as possible."
We won't manage that now, he smiled. But it was a smile of real
pleasure, not of disappointment.
This Roscommon
team has a nice blend of finesse and fire, a fine pair of midfielders
in John Gilhooly and Donal Casserly and forwards who know just
where the net is. They must not be underestimated.
And Kerry
certainly got it right against Armagh, winning by eleven points
in Killarney having opened up with a blistering l-5 without reply
in the opening tem minutes.
But it
must be said that Armagh sadly missed their five Crossmaglen
players, left out because of club commitments. Nevertheless,
Kerry are tops in Division 1 A with Roscommon.
But Galway
came a real cropper against Cork who it appears have shaken off
the post All Ireland Championship blues. This was no classic
in Tuam, Galway were quite dreadful by all accounts and against
such opposition, Cork could hardly fail to get it right and win
for the first time.
A late,
late point by Eoin Gormley gave Tyrone an unlikely draw against
Donegal in Ballybofey.It was compelling stuff but not goo enough
to fancy either side to make the knock out stages.
Graham
Geraghty turned on the style in Navan with a goal and seven points.
But this was only good enouigh to get Meath a draw with spirited
Down.Nevertheless it pleased Meath manager Sean Boylan mightily.
Now perhaps people will realise we are taking the Lague seriously"
he insisted.
And Down
boss Pete McGrath, having tried out some new recruits was also
happy with the point Ciaran Byrne and Paul Sields were two most
impressive performers in the Down defence. McGrath is getting
ready for the Championship and is apparently going the right
way about it.
Division
l B table toppers Derry had to pull out all the stops against
Sligo at Markievicz Park where they just pipped the promising
home side by a single point. Anthony Tohill made an earlier than
expected return after injury and he's going to make all the difference
to the Derry lads.
Clare
hit eight points without replay to shock Mayo who had led by
five points to one at the interval in Kilmihill.Several times
it loked as if Mayo would chalk up third third League win but
to their credit, Clare hauled themselves back into the game for
the merited win.
Neither
side are going to shake the League to its foundations but they
may just be getting things right for the Championship, we shall
see.
Fermanagh
jumped into second spot with an unlikely win against Kildare
in Newbridge. Kildare who must have fancied their chances did
set the pace and had the Ulster lads chasing them for most of
the game.
Fermanagh
in the hunt and eventually it was Ray who got the winning point,
very late in the game.
Padraig
Brennan got the only goal of the game for Kildare but the pooints
cost Fermanagh the services of striker Sean Quinn who was carried
off six minutes short of half time.
Division
2 A leaders Offaly had a trap to line win against Westmeath in
Mullingar but they had to fight every inch of the way for Wicklow
by two points.
Westmeath
did come with a late run but the Offaly defence never looked
like losing a grip and allowing their neighbours to sneak a shock
win. From the moment Mel Keenagjan, with a goal and Ciaran McManus
with a point gave them a perfect start, ffaly never looked in
trouble.
Wicklow
kept in step with them by beating Leitrim by a goal and Louth
are level with them after a win against London which was a lot
tougher than they thought it might be. The winning margin was
ten points but it was not all plain sailing.
Longford,
still on a high after their marvellous O'Byrne Cup win mainatained
their momentum with a cracking one points victory over Cavan.
But it
might have been a very different story had Cavan not missed a
penalty, Peter O'Reilly was the culprit, and Fintan Cahill and
Mickey Graham golden chances to raise a green flag.
However,
Laois once more emphasised their undoubted class by winning again
to stay top of Division 2 B.This time neighbours Carlow were
their victims. The gallant losers were level after 50 minutes
but a brilliant goal by Joe Higgins opened up a vital gap and
Laois galloped out of sight. Waterford side in Clonmel.The sending
off of John Aherne did not help Waterford's cause.
©
Tom Keogh 2001
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