I walked into Maughan’s bar last Sunday evening in Crossmolina and noticed that the Donegal v Antrim Ulster Championship match was still on. It was showing on the big screen, but to be honest it was a match that would have been more appropriate for a small black and white monitor such was the poor quality of football. Maybe it is too early in the year? I am not sure what the reason is, but it was awful stuff. I turned away after a few minutes of watching for no other reason than the fact that I lost complete interest in it. From what I could see there weren’t too many other patrons that interested either. Maybe people are not quite into championship mode yet.
It is mid May and I usually struggle to develop any real passion for matches until June at the earliest. Anyway the championship does not get going in earnest until the big guns are matched up against each other and to be honest Antrim do not fall into that category. Donegal, on the other hand, have won a division two title and they have a young manager in Jim McGuinness who, it would seem, has a handle on the general skills required of a modern manager. In fact quite a few people about the place are suggesting that this Donegal team might win an Ulster title this year. I would not be so sure. I have seen them a couple of times already this year and, in my opinion, they appear to be over reliant on two or three players. In fact, should anything happen to Michael Murphy or Colm McFadden they just might be in serious trouble. Anyway I am not so sure that I would like to see Donegal win an Ulster Championship as I would then have to endure watching them play too many matches in one season and their style of play, particularly with their over reliance on a short passing game, is not easy on the eye. I don’t think Down have improved from last year so it is Tyrone for me in Ulster.
The best of the rest
Here in the west it is fairly certain that our province will not provide this year’s All-Ireland champions. Roscommon have already got their season up and running with a surprisingly easy victory over New York. After their poor showing in the division four final a week before they played that game, there were a few punters predicting that they might be found wanting in the Big Apple.
As it transpired they won in a canter and I would expect they will improve as the season progresses. I also expect Sligo to overcome Leitrim on Sunday which means the Rossies and Sligo could lock horns again this year at semi-final stage. After Sligo’s surprise defeat in last year’s Connacht final, I fancy Sligo’s chances for revenge this year. Mayo and Galway appear to be in a bit of a lull right now. Galway’s All Ireland u21 success will certainly give a much needed boost to their confidence, and if a few of those exceptionally talented u21s could bring the same level of quality to their play as they displayed in the under - 21 All Ireland final then you would expect them to carry the favourites tag here in Connacht.
Down south it’s Cork for me. In fact I think they will win the All-Ireland again this year. If any team has a chance of beating them I think it will be Kerry. But when you scrutinise the Kerry team, you will notice that, for the first time in decades, they are struggling at midfield. It is an area of the field where historically they never had a concern, but they do now.
Leinster is arguably the most difficult province to predict. Before the National League final I would have put my shirt on Dublin to sail through as they have in recent years. But their league final implosion has raised serious questions regarding their mental fortitude. However for a huge portion of that final they looked very impressive and on the basis that their manager, Pat Gilroy (you will recall he substituted a few key players in the second half when leading by eight points ), had a bad day at the office that afternoon, I am prepared to suggest that they will prevail once again.
The Tribesmen could be the big surprise
So where is there a surprise packet this year? I am conscious of contradicting myself here, but I feel if Galway got a little bit of momentum going with the young guns from their underage set up, they just might get a run going.
However that could be through the back door if we manage to beat them here in a Connacht semi-final. And as we know a Mayo Galway clash can throw up any kind of a result. It is early days yet, and despite the ugly dour encounter we witnessed last Sunday, I do expect that there will be spills and thrills galore that will brighten up our weekends throughout the summer months.
Hopping on the bike
Incidentally I am doing two stages of the Rás this Sunday and Monday for charity – hence the reason I was in Maughan’s bar on Sunday as I had organised a fund raising barbecue for the two charities concerned. Paul Early, the former Roscommon footballer, inveigled me into a commitment last November. Maurice Sheridan is doing the second leg on Monday from Portumna to Kilrush and I see that Kevin O’Neill is down for a stage during the week. I will let you know how I get on next week.
