Inside Track: Football championship throwing up surprises
IF Padraic Joyce thought he had problems to address this week, spare some sympathy for Jim McGuinness and Andy Moran after their teams stumbled to shock defeats in provincial senior football championship action on Sunday.
After Westmeath's stunning success over Meath in Leinster the previous weekend, the results in the football championship so far make it dangerous to be too forthright in making pre-match predictions.
Up in MacHale Park on Sunday, Mayo were 1/3 favourites to fend off Roscommon. Those odds might have appeared short on first impression, but Moran’s charges had already inflicted a 21-point league hammering on their Connacht rivals this Spring.
On home turf and with the exciting Kobe McDonald making his home championship debut, Mayo would have fancied their chances of setting up another Connacht final against Galway, but instead they were blown away by the Rossies in the second-half.
It was some turnaround. Mayo led by six points at one juncture of the opening half after Ryan Donoghue's goal in the 27th minute, but from there to the finish they were remarkably outscored by 1-22 to nine points.
Inspired by Diarmuid Murtagh – one of the most accurate forwards in the game – and their powerhouse midfielder Enda Smith, Roscommon were a revelation as they tore a disappointing Mayo to shreds.
Missing Daire Cregg – who was sent off against New York – and the injured Brian Stack, the Rossies will relish getting stuck into Galway and their greater physicality against Mayo was plain to see. Hyde Park will be packed on Sunday week, but the venue is hardly a fortress for them, especially when Galway are in the opposition corner.
What do we make of the Tribesmen after their trials and tribulations against Leitrim the previous afternoon? To be honest on this performance, they have huge improvements to make but Galway were obviously rusty after a five-week lay off and their hosts were a lot better than expected.
It was encouraging that the lively Shane Walsh, Cillian McDaid, who worked himself to a standstill, and Damien Comer saw action, while the game is bound to bring them on
It was encouraging that the lively Shane Walsh, Cillian McDaid, who worked himself to a standstill, and Damien Comer saw action, while the game is bound to bring them on. It was a no-win fixture for Galway but seeing a Leitrim team, who finished second from bottom in Division Four this Spring, being only three points behind with nine minutes remaining was alarming.
Losing Johnny McGrath to injury after a heavy challenge from Mark Diffley, who was fortunate to escape with a yellow card, in the 50th minute didn't do Galway any favours as their defence was rarely commanding when under pressure.
There was no starting place for Seán Kelly, even in the absence of Cian Hernon and Matthew Tierney, but the former captain clearly had a point to prove after his introduction. Galway are much better than this, but they will need to be against the Rossies.
No contest
The Galway hurlers only had to go through the motions in fending off Offaly's limited challenge at Pearse Stadium on Sunday. After their encouraging draw against Dublin, we expected more from Johnny Kelly's team but they were well beaten by the end.
Offaly finished 11 points adrift despite Galway racking up 19 wides. That poor efficiency must trouble the team management, and this encounter was low-key stuff compared to the fireworks in Munster on the same day.
Yet, it was encouraging to see Conor Whelan – he scored five points – return to something like his best form, while Conor Cooney showed he still has something to offer at this level after being introduced to good effect, including firing home a top-quality goal late on.
Overall, the lack of atmosphere and a modest crowd of over 6,500 gave the impression that Offaly and Galway are competing at several levels below the likes of Cork and Limerick, but that is misleading as the Tribesmen have shown on several occasions already this year.
Wexford's woes
Some observers thought Wexford might overcome struggling Kilkenny at Nowlan Park on Saturday and you'd nearly forgive them on recent results between the teams, but without Rory O'Connor and Conor McDonald, the Slaneysiders are a pretty moderate outfit.
To make matters worse, Wexford brought little fire to the home of the Cats. They were passive and had few answers to a Martin Keoghan-inspired Kilkenny. Seventeen points separated the teams at the finish and it’s impossible to see Keith Rossiter's squad emerging from the province.
Setback
Favourites for the All-Ireland title – again – Limerick started off at 100 miles an hour against Cork at Pairc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday. Powering into a seven-point lead, they had Cork in all kinds of trouble until Sean Finn unwisely tried to pick out Will O'Donoghue with a low clearance. Alan Connolly pounced before setting up Shane Barrett for a vital goal.
That score ignited the Rebels in front of another packed house, but they still struggled to carry the day despite the dismissal of Limerick captain Cian Lynch 20 minutes from the end. Furthermore, Kieran Joyce is now out for the year after damaging his cruciate; while Rob Downey faces a spell on the sideline with an ankle injury. Still, they are in pole position in Munster after two rounds.
However, Limerick are suddenly under pressure and face a daunting trip to Ennis this weekend, especially without Lynch and the injured Aaron Gillane. You can only imagine what the atmosphere will be like at Cusack Park and Clare will relish having an almighty crack at their neighbours.
And, finally, wasn't it great to see luckless Waterford keep their championship hopes alive with a battling draw against Tipperary in Sunday's Walsh Park thriller. Second-half goals from the remarkable Stephen Bennett and Kevin Mahony's last-gasp effort helped to thwart the All-Ireland champions.