2013 Championship Challenge Week 3

The smash hit single of 1997 by the punk band Chumbawamba called "Tubthumping" was informally known better by its prominent lyric "I get knocked down but I get up again".  Rather apt after how punch drunk I felt after last weekends string of unfancied results but a new week brings about new confidence and another attempt to pin point the value in the betting market.

So, here goes once more:

1. Offaly v's Kildare
   Croke Park
   Throw in 5pm

When these two counties met at the same stage of Leinster Championship last year, Kildare ran out comfortable winners by a thirtheen point margin.  Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney will be satisfied with thier Division 1 league campaign and will take positives from their narrow semi final defeat to Tyrone where three of this years Leinster Under 21 winning team played.  Five members of the same team will now make their championship debuts in this game which is a serious show of confidence by the gaffer.  Under new manager Emmet McDonnell, the Faithful men have steadied the ship and gained promotion from Division 4 of the Allianz League while losing the decider at headquarters to Limerick.  Following that form line however from Limerick's showing against Cork last w'end, the wide expanses of Croke Park should even allow for the traditionally wayward Kildare forward line to rack up another large score here

Verdict: Kildare                 Odds: Kildare (-9)   11/10

2. Kerry v's Waterford
    Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney
    Throw in  7pm

The Kerry machine rolled in to action last weekend and hit the ground running against a very disappointing Tipperary side which a lot more was expected of.  Eamon Fitmaurice keeps faith with the same starting 15 for this encounter which is a show of support for those who put in a thoroughly professional shift last weekend.  With a six day turnaround between games it was thought that Fitzmaurice would shuffle his pack but the likes of Darren O'Sullivan and Bryan Sheehan will be held in reserve once more.  For new Waterford manager Niall Carew and his players this is a daunting trip but they will hope now that they can at least be as, if not more, competitive than Tipperary were last w'end.  They also have star man Gary Hurney returning from injury and if he can receive any decent suppy of ball then he could cause the Kerry defence a scare or two. 

Verdict: Kerry                   Odds: Kerry (-13) 4/5

3. Derry v's Down
    Celtic Park, Derry
    Throw in  2pm

The fact that these two sides are changing places in the League for next season suggests that there should be very little between them in this encounter.  Derry, under new manager Brian McIver, earned many plaudits for their victory over a bang in form Westmeath side in the Division 2 league final.  With an exiting blend of youth and experience, including the likes of Gerard O'Kane, Mark Lynch and Paddy Bradley there is a sense of anticipation in Derry once more.  Unfortunately, as they have seen only too many times over the years, it is when in this situation that the Oak Leaf men are most vulnerable.  Down manager James McCartan is in a fortunate position to be able to name ten of the team that started the All Ireland Final loss in 2010 but they will miss the experience of Dan Gordon and Danny Hughes who are only now returning from injury.  McIver should have some inside information after working as part of the backroom team with McCartan in Down, and with home venue, Derry get the nod in what should be an intense tussle.

Verdict: Derry               Odds: Derry win 10/11

Pods-itivity Treble       7/1

Other mentions:  The Dubs to overcome Westmeath in their own back yard with a bit to spare, watch out for the exciting Ciaran Kilkenny at centre forward.  In the Munster Hurling Championship, the meeting of Clare and Waterford in Thurles should be a riveting encounter.  Davy Fitzgeralds youthful Clare side are fancied to give Tipperary the biggest run for their money in Munster, but if Brick Walsh can put the shackles on the exciting Tony Kelly, then in the white hot atmosphere of Thurles, the Deise may just upset the Banner on this occasion   

2013 Championship Challenge contd

Last weeks predictions did not go according to plan, we will put it down to early season rustiness.  Maybe Armagh and Galway will put there performances down to something like that also! 

So here we go again:

1. Limerick v's Cork
Gaelic Grounds. Limerick
Throw in 7pm

These two teams have had many interesting tussles in the Munster Championship in the last ten years or so and Limerick fans still remember fondly their victory over the Rebels in 2003.  Limerick's victory in the Division 4 League Final and promotion to Division 3 for next season should give them a good confidence boost but unfortunately they will be without ace marksman Ian Ryan for this encounter.  This loss is even more prevalent with the fact that Limerick have failed to raise a green flag in their last five Munster Senior Football Championship encounters against the Leesiders. Cork manager Conor Counihan has handed championship debuts to five players for this game and he is putting his faith in three of the losing All Ireland Under 21 team of this year, Damian Cahalane, John O'Rourke and Brian Hurley.  The unfortunate injury to the somewhat jinxed Colm O'Neill is a blow to the Cork management but with players like Donncha O'Connor and Paul Kerrigan stepping up to the mark, they must be fancied to edge this encounter.  With five debutants however the value is in the handicap betting and therefore a vote of confidence is given to the Shannonsiders to match the 6 point handicap

Verdict: Cork                          Odds: Limerick(+6) 11/10
 

2. Laois v's Louth
O'Moore Park, Portlaoise
Throw in 3pm

An interesting aside to this encounter is the head to head between both managers, Justin McNulty of Loais and Aidan O'Rourke of Louth, both Armagh All Ireland winning teammates in 2002.  Friendships will be set aside however for this encounter between both teams who operated in Divsion 2 of the Allianz League this year.  Both sides could not be seperated in the league encounter and hence the closeness of the pre match betting.  Laois teams have been criticised for failing to build on underage success while Louth have struggled to come to terms with their heartbraking Leinster Final loss to Meath in 2010.  Home venue however and big performances from proven performers Ross Munnelly and Colm Begley should edge the Laois men over the line

Verdict: Laois                       Odds:  8/15


3. London v's Sligo
Ruislip, London
Throw in 2.30pm

A clash of a Division 4 team against a Division 3 team in this encounter.  Due to the large number of players exiting these shores to the likes of London etc the Exiles would be expected to mount a more serious challenge in League and Championship than they have done previously.  Their League campaign this year was a very disappointing one however with only one victory in their seven games.  They have also been hampered in their preperations for this game by not being allowed to travel to Ireland for warm up games.  Sligo manager Kevin Walsh however has seen enough in his time as player and manager to know that nothing can be taken for granted when summer football kicks in.  The retirement of stalwart Eamon O'Hara will deprive his dressing room of much needed experience but with big performances from wing back Charlie Harrisson and corner forward Mark Breheny they should avoid a potential banana skin here and set up a semi final meeting with Leitrim. 

Verdict: Sligo                  Odds: 4/11

Pods-itivity Treble   4/1

Other mentions: Kerry to overcome Tipperary, Longford to edge Wicklow in Aughrim and as the heavyweight tussle between Donegal and Tyrone seems too close to call, a possible draw there

2013 Championship Challenge

1. Cavan v's Armagh
    Breffni Park
    Throw in 2pm

This should be an intriguing encounter in the Preliminary Round of the Ulster Senior Football championship between an Armagh team in transition and trying to reach the glory days of the noughties once more and a youthful Cavan side sprinkled with Ulster Under 21 Championship winners in the past three seasons.  Cavan boss Terry Hyland has used a patient approach with bringing through these charges in the past couple of seasons with average League performances and a non existent Championship runs.  Armagh boss Paul Grimley oversaw a topsy turvy Division 2 League campaign in his debut season but a convincing victory over Galway in the Athletic Grounds should give his charges the shot of confidence required going in to this encounter.  With heavyweights Donegal, Tyrone, Down and Derry all in the other side of the provincial draw both these sides will be aware that a victory here could kick start an extended run to the provincial final.  Armagh's greater experience to overcome Cavan's youthful exuberance in this tight encounter.

Prediction: Armagh win    Odds: 4/7

2. Westmeath v's Carlow
    Cusack Park, Mullingar
    Throw in 3.30pm

Based on league form this should be a non event with newly promoted Westmeath having too much armoury for a struggling Carlow side.  Carlow's opening day victory in the National League away to Tipperary is now a distant memory and after struggling past London at home, their campaign fell apart and confidence must therefore be at a low ebb.  On the other hand, Westmeath, with midfielder John Heslin the driving force, will be disappointed with their Division 2 Final loss to Derry but will view this game as a means of getting back confidence and the winning mentality that served them so well for the majority of their League campaign.

Prediction: Westmeath win     Odds: 1/7

3. Galway v's Mayo
    Pearse Stadium, Galway
    Throw in   4pm

In the past four seasons of championship football, Galway have lost six provincial championship and qualifier games by a one point margin.  They have not made it to Croke Park since their defeat to Kerry in that classic encounter in monsoon conditions at headquarters.  Mayo on the other hand are attempting to win their third Connacht title in a row, a feat that has not been achieved since the end of the 80's.  They will still have to do without star forward Michael Conroy for this game and with some other injuries unsettling matters, the Tribesmen will have targeted this game all year to down their great rivals.  On the back of another very impressive All Ireland Under 21 win, manager Alan Mullholland will look to fast track star midfielders Fiontan O'Curraoin and Tom Flynn in to the frey. Mayo are justifiably slight favourites but with home venue and the general tightness of encounters between these great rivals a stalemate may be on the cards.

Prediction: Draw     Odds: 15/2


Pods-itivity Treble   15/1       

Rebels marooned by Tribesmen who capture All Ireland Under 21 Football title

04-05-2013

Galway                                                 1-14

Cork                                                       1-11

On a damp evening at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, and played in difficult underfoot conditions, Galway were crowned 2013 Cadbury’s All Ireland Under 21 Football Champions with a hard fought but deserved victory over Cork.

Superbly led by inspirational midfielder and captain Fiontain O’Curraoin, the Tribesmen took the game to their opponents from the off, and with corner forward Ian Burke in sparkling form, they always looked to have the measure of their opponents.

When these two sides met in the All Ireland minor semi final in 2010 Galway held a nine point lead over their opponents but were still defeated so they could be excused for becoming nervous when Cork full forward Brian Hurley drilled to the net in the 45^th minute.  However, on this occasion the Galway men were not to be denied and they rallied to defend their lead in the final ten minutes.

For the defeated Rebels their normal tactic of playing the short passing, counter attacking game was nullified by the Galway men particularly in the first half when full forward Adrian Varley and wing forwards Cathal Mulryan and Damian Comer dropped deep to help out their defence.  The faster, long ball in to Brian Hurley and Dan MacEoin reaped better dividends as the game wore on.  Corner back Conor Dorman was also very influential in carrying the ball forward for the young Rebels in the second half.

Galway took the lead in the 5^th minute when Comer drove towards goal but was upended and Shane Walsh converted.  They extended the lead shortly after when Walsh was on target once again.

Cork responded in the 11^th minute when full back Damian Cahalane drilled over a 45 with aplomb.  Galway pushed on again and after two clean catches by O’Curraoin at midfield the second led to wing forward Cathal Mulryan splitting the posts.

Galway’s defensive blanket at this stage was making it very difficult for the Cork men to break them down and they added further quick fire scores in the 18^th and 19^th minutes by Mulryan and full forward Adrian Varley to extend their lead to 0-5 to 0-1.

Full forward Hurley responded with a converted free for Cork but then Galway corner forward Ian Burke burst in to life and he kicked three beautiful scores in the lead up to half time off either foot.  Dan MacEoin was doing his best to keep the Rebels in the game and he had the final say of the half to leave Galway leading at the break by 0-9 to 0-5.

The second half started in a flurry and with Hurley and MacEoin finding their range once again, the deficit was reduced to 0-10 to 0-08 by the 35^th minute.  The momentum now seemed to be shifting but credit to Galway who responded with points from Mulryan and a further Walsh free. 

And they hit a decisive blow in the 40^th minute, when, after an attempted score by Mulryan fell short, the ball was fetched by Varley who fed the inrushing Comer who blasted to the net and the Tribesmen now led by 1-12 to 0-8.  And their grip on the cup became firmer with further scores from wing back Paul Varley and corner back David Cunnane to push the lead out to the nine points.

Galway thoughts then flashed back to that minor game of 2010 and their nerves were tested once more when Hurley expertly finished to the net after a fumble by Galway centre back Daithi Burke.  And with the Cork supporters now beginning to find their voice, substitute Cathal Vaughan and a cracking effort by MacEoin from a free on the stand side left just a goal between the sides entering the final ten minutes.

With both sides making a number of substitutions the game began to lose some of its shape but Cork continued to come at the Galway defence but they stood firm under the continous pressure.  They even had a further goal chance in the 50^th minute when a fisted effort by Burke was well stopped by Cork keeper David Hanrahan.

As the minutes ticked away Cork became more desperate for a goal to level matters and in one final desperate attempt a high ball in to the Galway square was expertly caught by substitute keeper James Healy who cleared and the final whistle was blown to the delight of the Galway players and their supporters.

Captain O’Curraoin was a deserving man of the Match and his victory speech given in a mixture of English and the cupla fochaill Gaeilge was well appreciated by all in attendance.

Teams and Scorers:

Cork: David Hanrahan, Conor Dorman, Damien Cahalane(c)(1 pt), Alan Cronin, Brian O’Driscoll, Tom Clancy, Jamie Wall, Sean Kiely, Ian Maguire, Alan Cadogan (1 pt), Mark Sugrue, John O’Rourke, Dan MacEoin (4 pts, 1 free), Brian Hurley (1 gl, 4 pts, 1 free), Luke Connolly

Replacements:  Jamie Burns (for Sean Kiely 36 mins), Cathal Vaughan (for Mark Sugrue 38 mins)91 pt), T.J. Brosnan (for Jamie Wall 42 mins), Kevin Hallissey (for Alan Cadogan 57 mins)

Galway: Thomas Healy, Eoin Walsh, James Shaughnessy, David Cunnane (1 pt), Mark Loughnane, Daithi Burke, Paul Varley (1 pt), Thomas Flynn, Fiontain O’Curraoin(c), Cathal Mulryan (3 pts), Sean Moran, Damian Comer (1 goal), Shane Walsh (4 frees), Adrian Varley (1 pt), Ian Burke (4 pts)

Replacements: Conor Rabbitte (for Sean Moran 47 mins), James Healy (for Thomas Healy 49 mins) Philip Ezergailis (for David Cunnane 54 mins), Garry Kelly (for Adrian Varley 59 mins), Shane Maughan (for Ian Burke 59 mins)

Man of the Match: Fiontain O’Curraoin, Galway

One to Watch: Ian Burke, Galway