24-7-17 GAA CHAMPIONSHIP
GAA FOOTBALL
CHAMPIONSHIP
GALWAY 4-17 0-14
DONEGAL
HEANEY GOALS KILLS
OFF ANY DONEGAL CHANCE
Two Johnny Heaney goals and a Liam Silke penalty helped
Galway to a 3-9 to 0-7 interval lead, and there was no way back for a Donegal
outfit that lacked the spark and defiance that has made them one of the top
teams in Ireland.
Donegal, who finished with 13 men following black cards to
Michael Murphy and Martin McElhinney, while Galway had full back Declan Kyne
sent off on a second booking?
Paddy McBrearty had a penalty saved by Bernard Power as the
Ulster men bowed out tamely with Danny Cummins completing the job with Galway’s
fourth goal.
MY
OPINION
I expected a lot more from
Donegal even though I seeded them low in my rankings for the Championship. I
thought that they could put it up to anyone with the type of player that they have
in their squad. I think Donegal have to take a long hard look at themselves if
they are to be football champions in the near future as the county is going
backwards Galway will learn more when they play Kerry who will definitely give
them a good game as this has been an up and down season for Galway so far.
CORK 2-20 0-27 MAYO
O CONNOR ON FIRE
Cillian O’Connor kicked 11 points including a nerveless 45
in the second period of added time to send Mayo into the All-Ireland quarter-final
and past a heroic Cork at the Gaelic Grounds.
Second-half goals from Sean Powter and Luke Connolly kept
Cork in the battle and Connolly forced extra-time with a 47 metre free in the
77th minute, but Keith Higgins, Diarmuid and Cillian O’Connor kicked the
crucial late points for Mayo.
In front of 13,505 supporters at the Limerick venue, Cork
looked the likely winners in extra-time as Paul Kerrigan landed a couple of
great scores for his side, but in scorching head Mayo held on for a memorable
victory.
MY
OPINION
Cork are a county who need to look
at what is going wrong if they are to have any chance of winning an All-Ireland
in the near future but this was a good match and Mayo have shown to me why they
are the team who can compete with anyone. Ok they did not score a goal but to
me that show that they have got quality and the quarter against any side.
Roscommon will show where both teams stand as I cannot say I am too confident
of either at this point
FOOTBALL
QUARTERS DRAW
GALWAY V
KERRY
I think if Kerry get out of the
blocks well Galway have no hope. If Galway can keep up then anything can
happen. I say Kerry by 5
MAYO V
ROSCOMMON
Both sides must see this as a real
chance to reach the semis. I think it will be close but go Mayo
HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
WATERFORD 1.23 1.19
WEXFORD
MAGNIFICENT MORAN
Waterford struck a huge blow just before the break when they
punished sloppy defending to find the net and lead by 1-12 to 0-10 at the
interval.
Eoin Moore’s back pass was intercepted by Shane Bennett, who
flicked it on for Kevin Moran to finish to the net with a neat ground pull.
But Waterford regained control and responded to each of the
Wexford points. By the end, nine players had found the target for Derek
McGrath’s men.
Both Maurice Shanahan and Brian O’Halloran hit two points
apiece after being introduced while Jack O’Connor, Rory’s older brother, scored
1-2 after coming on for Wexford.
However, his goal was a consolation in the final minute of
stoppage time after a free from Jack Guiney was blocked.
MY
OPINION
This game was hard fought and
both sides had the chances to win this match. The goal did not really do
anything for Wexford but if they had have scored earlier in the game then they
could have been in this match. Waterford looks like the better side and I think
that this year they will be a force to be reckoned with.
TIP0.28 3.16 CLAIRE
CALLINAN 7 POINTS
PUTS TIP IN SEMIS
In contrast, Tipperary nailed six successive points, three
from Seamus Callinan while also seeing a John McGrath goal opportunity just clears
the crossbar at 0-08 to 0-02 by the 14th minute.
There would be a remarkable turnaround though in the space
of a minute as McGrath and O’Donnell both set up Aaron Cunningham for quickfire
goals to level the tie at 0-09 to 2-03.
However, 11 first-half wides would hamper Clare’s challenge
as would some defensive lapses as a more clinical Tipperary finished with the
last four points from play through Callanan, Seamus Kennedy, John O’Dwyer and
John McGrath to hold a 0-16 to 2-05 interval advantage.
However, the holders always seemed able to answer when
required and with Noel and John McGrath along with John O’Dwyer in unerring
form, Tipperary appeared to have weathered the storm as they established a
seven-point cushion with 15 minutes remaining.
There was to be another twist though as the influence of
Clare substitute Peter Duggan finally gave the Banner County a platform from
puck-outs and would lead to an inspirational rally of six unanswered points to
slash the arrears to just the minimum by the 65th minute at 0-23 to 2-16.
Crucially, Tipperary never allowed their opponents to pull
level.
MY
OPINION
Tip have shown that they can win
a hard game which this proved to be and I feel that they are learning more and more
but there are players who can change a game as for Claire goals did not make
the difference in this game but they must be disappointed that the match was
not closer. In my opinion Claire are the best team out of the Championship.
HURLING
SEMI FINAL DRAW
Galway
v Tip
I think that Galway will have
too much for Tip but it will be closer than people expect maybe by 2 points
Cork v
Waterford
This match could be defined by a
bad error or a moment of genius and it is very hard to call I will go Waterford
by 1
Comments
Post a Comment