Kerry tipped to bridge 31 years

This is a big year for Ladies Gaelic football as the Association is celebrating the 50th anniversary of their foundation in Hayes Hotel, Thurles, in July 1974. The first final between Tipperary and Offaly was played in Durrow, Co. Laois, in October 1974, so Sunday’s senior final between Galway and Kerry will, in reality be the 51st final. 

Tipperary beat Offaly by one point to win that first final and for the first few years finals were played at various venues around the country. But Croke Park has been the venue since 1986 and now all three finals, senior, intermediate and junior are played on the same day. 

Kerry lead the way with 38 wins in men’s football and their women share the honor with neighbors Cork with 11 wins each. Kerry won nine in a row between 1982 to 1990, but the last time they took home the Brendan Martin Cup was in 1993. When Kerry’s dominance ended other counties, like Waterford, Monaghan, Mayo, Cork and Dublin had their spells of dominance. But after losing the 2022 final to Meath and last year’s final to Dublin the Kerry women will probably start as favorites to beat Galway on Sunday.  

It will be a first-ever women’s final pairing between the counties, who’ve often met in men’s finals. Galway’s solitary win was in 2004, while their last final appearance was in 2019 when a record attendance of 56,114 saw them lose to Dublin. In recent years Kerry seemed to depend on corner forward Louise Ni Mhuircheartaigh for vital scores, but now the other Kerry forwards are taking the pressure off her. Louise, who hails from the Gaeltacht area of West Kerry, didn’t learn to speak English until she was 5 years old, but was soon learning play football also. 

Galway, with goals from Roisin Leonard and Ailbhe Davoren, beat Cork in their semi-final and like Kerry, they will be anxious to bridge that long gap which in their case is 20 years. In the Intermediate final Leitrim will play Tyrone, while Fermanagh and Louth will contest the Junior final

KERRY FC 

HOST BOHS

The draw was made last week for the third round of this year’s FAI Cup and it resulted in some unusual pairings.  Kerry FC, who beat Cobh Ramblers in the second round, will host Bohemians at Mounthawk Park in Tralee, a first ever meeting between the Premier and First Division clubs. The big game will probably be at Tolka Park where Premier Division leaders Shelbourne play Galway United, who are on a good run of form right now. Treaty United have a Limerick derby after they were drawn against local non-league club Pike Rovers. Derry City, who knocked out holders St Patrick’s Athletic in the second round, make the long journey to Turner’s Cross to play First Division leaders Cork City. The third round ties will be played on the week ending Aug. 18.

CHANGES

AT THE TOP

Paddy Christie has stepped down as Longford senior football manager after two years in charge. The former Dublin full-back was previously a coach with the Tipperary footballers. Meanwhile Seoirse Bulfin, who quit as Meath senior hurling manager in March this year, was last week confirmed as Westmeath’s new senior hurling manager. The Limerick native has previously worked as an assistant to Davy Fitzgerald in Clare, Wexford and Waterford. Also, Tipperary-born Darren Gleeson has quit as Antrim senior hurling manager after five years in charge. Elsewhere John Cleary is staying on with the Cork footballers, but it’s not certain if former Galway football manager Kevin Walsh will continue as Cork’s coach.

REPLAYS MULLED

Next year we could see replays in the provincial hurling and football and also in All-Ireland finals after normal time if a new GAA proposal to extend the championships into August is developed. The proposal includes dropping the January competitions as a means of improving player welfare and attempting to address spiralling costs associated with a longer pre-season. The framework, which has not been put forward by the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC), has prompted considerable debate among prominent stakeholders in the GAA. The CCCC recommend that the All-Ireland football and hurling finals take place by the end of July, but GAA president Jarlath Burns and provincial chairmen such as Leinster’s Derek Kent and Munster’s Ger Ryan have indicated that the split season should be reviewed. We might see the All-Ireland finals being pushed back to August, but I don’t think we will see a return to September finals in the near future. In general the inter-county and club players seem happy with the split season, it’s supporters who are not happy and want a return to the traditional September finals.

LIMERICK HURLER

FOR KNOCK EVENT

Limerick All-Ireland winning hurler Aaron Gillane will be a guest speaker at the National Novena in Knock next month. The star forward will speak about “What It Means To Believe” on Aug. 20. The National Novena to Our Lady of Knock takes place from Aug.14 – 22, with daily ceremonies and workshops. The theme for this year’s Novena, which will mark the 145th  anniversary of the Knock Apparition is, “God Whispering, How Do You Pray?”

ROSSIES’ CENTER

TO HONOR EARLEY

Roscommon GAA’s plans for a center of excellence has moved a step closer to becoming a reality following the purchase of 11 acres from Roscommon County Council. The sale of the local authority lands near Roscommon Racecourse for €240,000 was confirmed at last week’s County Council meeting. The development has already been granted planning permission. The long-awaited project, which will honor the memory of the late Dermot Earley, will include three full-size floodlit grass pitches, two new astroturf pitches, warm-up areas and a stand. It will also incorporate a ball wall area, walking track and pavilion.