Kerry powered their way into the National League semi finals but it took a half time scorching from team boss Paudi O Shea to get them playing to something like their true potential against Donegal at Ballyshannon.

But for Kerry fans the wait was well worth while as the Kerry lads fired home a goal and twelve points, all but one from play, as the Donegal boys played a very definite second fiddle.

The lads knew what was at stake” admitted O Shea =it would have been too far to come for just a point, we improved a hudred per cent after the interval, tightened our defence so in the end it was all very pleasing.”

Whatever happens to Kerry in the League semi final,  they appear to have got their act together impressively not just for the knock out stages but they are also on a nice upward curve as the Championship approaches.

Dara O Se and Donal Daly were brilliant Donegal never really recovered after Kerry hit them with a goal by Noel Kennelly  straight after the resumption.

By comparison, Donegal were almost fragile and  that does not say a lot for their Championship chances although it must be said that they did not finally look a beaten team until there were only about ten minutes left to play.

Donegal had looked most impressive during a very brisk opening half hour but their failure to sustain the pressure must be a concern  However their fighting qualities will always make life tough for opponents.

But while Donegal struggled, Roscommon were flexing their muscles impressively at home against a disappointing Armagh side.It was Derek Duggan who set things up nicely for the home side with a goal after  nine minutes. into the second half .

But at half time it did not look too clever for the eventual winners, with Armagh level and no doubt looking forward to playing with the breeze at their backs  after the break.

But Duggan s goal was a cruncher, Armagh lost their shape ,their concentration and the points as the winners set up a semi final show down with Donegal.An impressive Roscommon.

Tyrone made a very long c 560 c miles round trip to Cork pay off with a solid  one goal win, enough to stave off the possibility of relegation. But it was by no mans easy for he Ulster boys against the reigning League champs.

Eventually it  took a cheeky goal by Pascal Canavan to seal victory for Tyrone.. But Cork could at least take consolation from he form of Colin Corkery when he made his return after injury. Cork had looked impressive enough playing the long passing game but when they reverted to a short passing  pattern, they were by non means as potent.

All Ireland champions Meath resurrected their Championship ambitions with an injury time point by super star Trevor Giles, a killer blow for ambitious Mayo but an impressive and ,for some opponents, at least,  a chilling form line.

Meath team boss Sean Boylan admitted that it was a tough result for Mayo to take but a highly satisfactory one from his own viewpoint.” The old battle instincts seemed to come back to us again and we needed them because this is a good Mayo side.” he said afterwards.

That Down are on a slippery slope was emphasised when even with the help of Shane Mulhall who opted for his county rather than Cliftonville, they crashed  to Derry . It was an awful mauling  with Anthony Tohill, Dermot Heaney Dermot Dougan and Eamonn Burns caused havoc. Down will be licking their wounds for some time.

Leitrim s promotion hopes took a tumble when unbeaten Offaly with six wins in as many starts won away from home. Leitrim officials were annoyed that referee Eugene Martin played ninety seconds short but clock watching never won anything to the best of my recollection.

|But Louth did not mess about when thrashing Westmeath and keeping their promotion ambitions very much alive. Some excellent points from Peter McGinnity Martin Farrelly and Christy Grimes were the foundation stones on which a most impressive victory was built.

However, Laois, the only other side in the competition with an unblemished record were not as impressive as their neighbours but still managed to beat Waterford.

For a while in the second half, it looked as if Waterford might create a shock but Laois pulled themselves together and got home but not impressively. But  Longford, second to Laois in Division 2 B  wee impressive enough away from home in beating Monaghan .

Their reward, almost certain promotion and a place in the Divisional Semi Finals., just reward for an awful lot of hard work during the winter months

For Cork, Down, London and Waterford, the  League was turning out to be a nightmare, especially  Champions Cork w ith o nly a single win to their credit, Down with exactly the same depressing statistic and Waterford likewise.

Whatever about Waterford and London c no wins -  Cork and Down fans will be expecting better things come the Championship but I fear they are doomed to disappointment.

© Tom Keogh 2001

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