As we expected Dr Crokes of Kerry won the Munster club title to set up an All-Ireland semi final with Castlebar Mitchels to be played next February. An old team mate of mine who now plays his club football in Clare told me last week that Cratloe had a fine team and were in no uncertain terms just going to make up the numbers. He advised me to have a bet on Cratloe using the handicap, as I was told there was no chance of them shipping a hiding, he was right and I didn’t listen. Cratloe, who boast seven of the Clare senior hurling team, threw the bookmakers’ odds out the window and went agonisingly close to causing an enormous upset. Any team with a backbone like that will be tough and in physically brilliant shape. I could only imagine the tension and excitement in the Castlebar camp as Cratloe took the lead with four minutes to go. Castlebar should not and will not fear anyone, but they would have loved to see Crokes who were going for a three in a row in Munster beaten. Crokes have an unbelievable team and I am sure they are thinking this is their best chance to win that elusive Andy Merrigan cup. I am sure they took their eye off the ball last Sunday and they got the fright they needed. I was very anxious to hear about Colm Cooper’s red card, to see if he was going to be suspended for the semi final against the Mitchels, thankfully it was just a second yellow. Part of me wanted him suspended (Castlebar would have a much better chance ) but the football brain came into action and the most part of me wanted him available to see how he copes against a very good Castlebar defence. If Barry Moran appeals his red card (which he should ) I hope it gets overturned as I fully believe his tackle on Karl Mannion merited a yellow card at worst. It would be better for football followers all over the country to see both teams going at it with a full panel to pick from. Dr Crokes players are household names at this stage, more well known than a lot of county players from outside division one. They have three current Kerry players in the Gooch, Kieran O’Leary, and Eoin Brosnan, and two other brilliant forwards in Brian Looney and Daithi Casey. It will be fascinating to see a brilliant forward line going up against a well oiled and organised backline next February, something has to give.
After watching one of the best games of the year last week in Hyde Park between Castlebar and St Brigid’s, I was astonished the two main talking points after the game had nothing to do with the football. The first was about the antics of Shane Curran in goals who I am informed had other motives by being injured during extra time. Curran by all accounts realised his team were in real trouble of losing their Connacht and All-Ireland crown. After a 40 metre run, taking a hit from Richie Feeney, hobbling back to his goals then pulling off a brilliant save he decided to play dead in the playing area. It was hilarious to watch and has since gone viral on the internet; I struggled to stay composed on radio commentary duty. For those of you who were present you may have noticed two things, the light was fading fast and Hyde Park does not have floodlights. Do you think it would ever have occurred to Shane Curran ( 42 years young ) to try to stay injured on the field of play for as long as possible in the hope that the game might be called off because of poor visibility. Nothing surprises me any more, although it didn’t work, you have to admire an innovative way of trying to win. Curran is some character and a dying breed in the game, I would say we have seen the last of him. In 1995 my own club tried to con a referee but to no avail. After the half time whistle was blown one of our players struck an opponent, we promptly ran him off the field as fast as we could. In our dressing room we realised there would be consequences when we returned after half time so we decided to substitute the offending player. When we returned to the pitch the ref immediately looked for the player but could not find him. We denied any knowledge of the incident or to the whereabouts of the player, so after what seemed like an age the ref decided to go into our dressing room and found the guilty party hiding behind a shower curtain in the shower area. He issued a red card in the dressing room and we played the second half with 14 men. The things you do to win.
The second most talked about topic was the performance of the officials which I will go through next week. There are too many occasions that refereeing decisions are deciding games. I could write a book on referees. On a happier note what a brilliant performance by the Carnacon ladies to claim their fifth All-Ireland Club title, a truly remarkable feat, let’s hope Castlebar can follow suit.
