23-6-18 qualifers
GAA FOOTBALL
QUALIFERS
OFFALY 2-14 1-19 CLARE
MIGHTY MALONE
A goal from Ruairi McNamee gave Offaly an early advantage
which they built on to lead by 1-03 0-02 with 13 minutes on the clock.
Clare were then denied what looked to be a stone-wall
penalty after corner-back Eoghan Collins appeared to be fouled, but play was
waved on much to the bemusement of the Clare contingent present in O’Connor
Park.
Banner forward Jamie Malone then got the game’s opening
goal, with a great finish to the back of the net after a superb set-up by
Keelan Sexton to reduce the deficit to one point, but the Corofin clubman was
wondering how he hadn’t scored a hat-trick before the break as two of his
goal-bound attempts rebounded off the crossbar and the post respectively.
Clare looked to be well in control heading into the
interval, but Offaly were awarded a penalty before the break when Shane Nally
was fouled by Pearse Lillis and goalkeeper Alan Mulhall made no mistake with
the finish to leave the teams deadlocked at half-time.
Offaly looked a different side in the second period and were
leading in the 44th minute when an excellent effort from Anton Sullivan sailed
between the posts.
This was as good as it got for the home side, however, as
Clare responded with four points in succession and Offaly could never get back
on level terms.
An outstanding point from Eoin Cleary gave Clare the lead
late on and substitute Kevin Harnett added one more late on as his side
advanced by the skin of their teeth.
MY
OPINION
The Banner are showing that they
can compete in a way that they do not normally do. I think that with players
like Malone and Clearly they have a chance going forward but that is all that
is. Offaly must have a sense of disappointment from this match as this would
have been one to target.
CAVAN 1-14 0-15 DOWN
MC KIERNAN MAKES
MIRICLES
The Blues were the better side early on and eased into a 0-3
to 0-1 lead through Sean Johnston (free), Ciaran Brady and McVeety.
Two further Johnston frees and an excellent McKiernan score
made it 0-6 to 0-2 but the underdogs dominated the remainder of the first half,
with Harrison, Ronan Millar (two frees) and Doherty (free) all on the mark.
Eamonn Burns’s men made light of the losses of Harrison and
McKernan to land the final two points of the half from Niall Madine and Sean
Dornan as they went in holding a 0-10 to 0-8 lead.
Both sides were set up defensively – Cavan employed three
sweepers at times – but Down were that bit slicker up front at this stage and
three points in succession from David McKibbin, Millar (free) and Dornan made
it 0-13 to 0-9 as the upset seemed on.
However, Cavan were buoyed by their goal – McKiernan’s point
attempt dropped short and through the hands of goalkeeper Shane Harrison – and
with Down reduced to 14 men following Johnston’s dismissal, Mattie McGleenan’s
charges finished strongly to march on.
Late scores from Padraig Faulkner and McKiernan sealed it,
with Down’s Darren O’Hagan denied a goal by a good save from James Farrelly in
the dying seconds.
MY
OPINION
Cavan have shown that from a bit
of good luck they can get the momentum needed to win a match but I would not be
too sure about them moving forward and wonhd3er whether getting to the third
round is as far as they can go. As for down they should have a sense of pride
in getting a game as close as this and
be able to look to next year with a sense of pride.
LONGORD 1-13 1-16
KILDARE
FANTASTIC FLYNN
Any idea that Longford might carry a hangover from their
chastising experience at the hands of Dublin in Croke Park in the Leinster
semi-final was quickly blown out of the water as Robbie Smyth got them out to
an early lead with two fine points, one from a free and the second
sweetly-struck over with his left foot from a tight angle in the shadow of the
terrace.
A black card for Kildare’s Niall Kelly added to the pressure
on the Lily Whites but they too settled into the game promptly, with two Neil
Flynn points drawing them level.
For most of the first half the sides traded scores in this
fashion, usually following the pattern of Longford taking the lead and Kildare
replying, but the style of the two approaches was very different.
Longford found holes along the centre of the Kildare defence
time and again over the course of the game and ran right through the middle for
the majority of their scores, and they also rattled the Kildare crossbar on two
separate occasions.
After James Murray blocked down Robbie Smyth, Liam Connerton
was able to pick up a rebound and slam it against the town end crossbar after
22 minutes, while Connerton turned provider ten minutes later when he played in
Donal McElligott. The Longford captain also left some paint on the ball but at
least saw it fly over the crossbar afterwards.
Kildare’s play was much more intricate and patient, with a
series of handpasses needed to probe openings, but some superb kicks from Paddy
Brophy from tough positions, not to mention points from Tommy Moolick and
Daniel Flynn in heavy traffic, kept them right in touch, with just a point
between the sides – 0-9 to 0-8 – at the interval.
The same pattern continued after half time, but Kildare’s
tackling was improved and Longford’s scoring rate dried up. Kildare struggled
to add points at the same rate as well, as seven second half wides (including
five in the space of six scoring attempts) meant that they couldn’t find a way
to get their noses in front. When they did, through Eoin Doyle’s fisted effort,
they made it count.
MY
OPINION
Longford have shown that they
are to be no pushovers in this year’s championship as a poor loss tubulin did
not affect them mentally and they could have got out of this match with a win
if they were able to play that bit smarter football but Kildare’s goal and
Flynns frees were what made the difference in this game.
WATERFORD 0-09 5-21
MONAGHAN
MIGHTY MONE MAKES
MOMENTUM GO ON
Farney captain Walshe kicked his side’s first score inside
the opening minute and they had built a six-point lead by the time Waterford
opened their account via a Kieran Power point following a patient and
well-worked move from the hosts.
Waterford would only register three more scores in the
first-half as Monaghan – playing in their change blue strip – produced a
disciplined defensive performance.
acking up their own scores, McManus was first to find the
net in the 20th minute, via the penalty spot, after Ryan McAnespie was brought
down in a congested Déise square.
McAnespie was a lively presence throughout the opening half,
working in tandem with Jack McCarron before a speeding Karl O’Connell emerged
from his left-wing-back slot to raise a second green flag in the 33rd minute.
The floodgates were opened as midfielders Niall Kearns and
Darren Hughes kicked quick-fire points before Fintan Kelly scored his side’s
third goal in first-half injury-time after a Conor McCarthy pass.
Despite being outclassed, Waterford showed admirable pride
and fighting effort on the resumption – Jason Curry’s 49th-minute free marking
the only time they hit consecutive, unanswered scores.
McCarthy kept the scoreboard ticking over for Monaghan prior
to testing Waterford keeper Stephen Enright, who produced a final double save
only for Mone to blast home the rebound on the third attempt on 53 minutes.
Waterford were unlucky not to raise their own green flag as
JJ Huthinson hit the post, but McCarthy was once again central to Monaghan’s
next goal as he played in substitute Shane Carey to finish.
MY
OPINION
This was not even a tie and very
little can be learned at least from a Monaghan perspective and so many
different scores made such a difference also. Waterford have to look at this
and ask themselves what it is that has went so wrong as this does make some
think maybe a tiered championship could be good as beatings like this help no
one.
LETRIM 0-25 1-12 LOUTH
MIGHTY MORAN
The Wee County had enjoyed a dream start when William Woods
fired to the Leitrim net after a poor third minute kick-out by goalkeeper
Diarmuid McKiernan and they went further ahead when Ciarán Downey fisted over a
minute later.
Leitrim opened their account with a Jack Heslin point after
five minutes but by the ninth minute, Louth led by 1-4 to 0-2 on nine minutes
after Woods put over two frees and Declan Byrne shot over from play.
Two Emlyn Mulligan points and one from Darragh Rooney before
the break brought Leitrim right back into contention and they went in trailing
Louth by 1-7 to 0-9 margin at half-time.
Using the extra man to great effect after the restart,
Leitrim upped their game several notches after getting on level terms 22
seconds into the second half from a Donal Wrynn point.
Hitting five more unanswered points in the next 11 minutes,
Leitrim built up a 0-15 to 1-7 lead. Mulligan put over two frees while Ryan
O’Rourke, Darragh Rooney and Moran chipped in with a point each.
Leitrim put on a sparkling second-half performance to secure
just their third ever All-Ireland Qualifier win when they outgunned a Louth
side that ended with 12 players on the field in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Louth were reduced to 14 men when James Craven was red
carded for an apparent 28th-minute head butt on Leitrim’s Damien Moran, while
Emmet Carolan and Bevan Duffy each received a black card in the second half
after all their subs had been used.
MY
OPINION
This was a big shock in the
world of GAA for Leitrim to get so far in the Championship and they would be
allowed to dream have about playing at Croke Park. Louth have to look at this
match and see what it was that went wrong as there were assume major errors including
their sending’s off
SLIGO 1-13 1-19 ARMAGH
GRUGAN GETS ARMAGH
GOING
The visitors, comfortable winners over Sligo when the
counties met in Division Three of this year’s league, struggled to cope with
Sligo’s initial zest as the men in black led 0-3 to 0-1 by the 10th minute.
But Sligo turnovers in their own half were punished by an
improving Armagh who shot four points without reply to lead 0-5 to 0-3 after 23
minutes, a recovery that hinged on three classy points from team captain Rory
Grugan.
Sligo responded through the accuracy of free-taker Liam
Gaughan, and they went back in front, 0-7 to 0-5 with 32 minutes played.
It was Armagh’s turn to dominate before the break however
and they were 0-8 to 0-7 ahead at half-time thanks to fine points from Andrew
Murnin, Niall Grimley and Ryan McShane.
Armagh’s decisive moment arrived in the 39th minute - it was
a gift for the excellent Grugan who picked up Sligo goalkeeper Aidan Devaney’s
short kick-out before planting the ball in the net.
Armagh added to their lead with superb pointed frees from
substitute Grimley (he came on late in the first half) and even after a wonder
point from Sligo’s Niall Murphy the Connacht county trailed by five points -
1-13 to 0-11 with 53 minutes on the clock.
Sligo’s situation worsened with seven minutes left when
veteran forward Adrian Marren received a second booking and there was also a
red card for Charlie Harrison in stoppage-time.
Sligo bagged a consolation goal in time added on when Cian
Breheny netted bravely from close-range.
MY
OPINION
Armagh are a tea to watch out
for as the qualifiers go on as we can see that they are a tricky team to beat
but with having their own problems. Armagh will get better as I see that they
are a developing side and I think the deeper they go in the more they can
learn.
CARLOW 1-10 3-14 TYRONE
DEADLY DONNELLY
Carlow matched their Ulster rivals for over 20 minutes of
the opening half and a well-taken goal on 17 minutes from full forward Darragh
O’Brien, son of team manager Turlough, gave the home county a 1-2 to 0-3 lead.
For the final stages of the half Colm Kavanagh and Declan McClure were dominant
in midfield, allowing the accurate Red Hand forwards to pick off a string of
points, while Carlow were to go 26 minutes without a score.
Both sides set up defensively but Tyrone had players who
could break at pace from defence and set up scores, while the Carlow attack was
hugely dependant on Paul Broderick for scores.
After Tyrone led 0-8 to 1-2 at half-time, they turned the
screw on Carlow after the change of ends. Connor McAliskey and Paul Broderick
traded pointed frees and further white flags from McAliskey, Peter Harte and
Mattie Donnelly saw Harte’s men storm 0-12 to 1-3 ahead on 45 minutes. The game
was up for Carlow two minutes later when the outstanding Harte drove through
the centre of the Carlow defence to set up Niall Sludden for a well-worked
goal.
Tyrone class manifested itself for the remainder of the game
with further goals from a Harte penalty on 66 minutes and another from Richard
Donnelly.
Carlow, who had beaten Louth and Kildare before losing to
neighbours Laois in the Leinster semi-final, gave it their best shot but, after
a brave showing the gulf in class between the counties told in the end.
MY
OPINION
Tyrone have shown in this match
that they have the class to do what is needed to get into the 8s but I feel
that this team still have to learn the lessons from the Monaghan defeat in the
Ulster Championship. As for Carlow this does show the jump that they will have
to go in order to get to the next level.
TIPARARY 1-11 1-19 MAYO
O CONNOR ON FIRE
Mayo had to come from behind in the final quarter to prevent
a shock defeat in a thrilling All-Ireland qualifier in the Thurles sunshine.
Mayo were facing a shock exit when they trailed by a goal
going into the final quarter against a rampant Tipperary side.
But a fortuitous goal from James Durcan got Mayo back in the
game and they took over, outscoring Tipp by 1-08 to 0-00 in the final quarter
of the match to book their place in the third round.
Durcan’s goal tied the sides at 1-11 each after 52 minutes
and Kevin McLoughlin them edged them in front shortly after to lead for the first
time since the sixth minute.
Tipp’s challenge faded and they failed to score in the final
quarter as Mayo pushed for home with eight unanswered points in a devastating
finish.
Mayo, though, were clearly in trouble when they trailed by
1-07 to 0-08 at the interval, with Michael Quinlivan flicking home a super goal
after ten minutes to wipe out Mayo’s early burst which yielded four points in
the opening six minutes.
Tipperary were good value for their interval lead with Mayo
suffering a double blow when Seamus O’Shea went off injured and Colm Boyle was
black-carded on his 100th appearance for the county.
Tipp were superb after the restart and points from
Quinlivan, Liam McGrath and Conor Sweeney looked set to fashion a shock victory
but Mayo, with Jason Doherty superb, came storming back to book their place in
the third round.
Doherty kicked two excellent efforts as Mayo took control
throughout the field and surged forward at every opportunity.
Paddy Durcan burst through to put four between them before
Andy Moran had a shot for a goal deflected over to lead by 1-16 to 1-11 after
60 minutes, while late points from Lee Keegan and Conor Loftus wrapped up the
win as Mayo march on.
MY
OPINION
Mayo have shown in this match
that they are a serious threat in this year’s championship as they were able to
do the business when needed. You do think though that this tip side cannot
really do that much as this was their golden generation and they have not had a
big run yet.
ALL IRELAND 3RD ROUND QUALIFIER DRAW
Kildare v Mayo
Armagh v Clare
Leitrim v Monaghan
Cavan v Tyrone
The ties to look at are Kildare v Mayo and to a lesser extent Cavan v Tyrone
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