NEED TO CATCH up on another super weekend of GAA? Look no further.
Talking points
- Great weekend for Ulster: Armagh and Monaghan got the better of Leinster opponents Meath and Kildare at Croke Park on Saturday meaning Ulster possesses three (Donegal, Armagh and Monaghan) of the six counties left in this year’s senior football championship along with Dublin, Kerry and Mayo. Monaghan earned a meeting with the All-Ireland champions by overcoming the Lilywhites after extra-time. Armagh, meanwhile, are pitted against Donegal.
- Kerry coast into last four: The Kingdom ended up comfortable winners over Galway with the help of man-of-the-match James O’Donoghue, who capped another impressive performance by chipping in with 1-5. Kerry against Mayo is going to be an interesting semi-final tie. Former Mayo coach Cian O’Neill is now involved with the Kerry back room team while ex-Kerry selector Donie Buckley is now involved with the Mayo back room team. Plenty of intrigue there.
- Mayo made to work hard: Last year’s beaten finalists, who reached their fourth consecutive semi-final, were not at their very best against Cork but just got over the line in an enthralling finish in which Aidan O’Shea and Brian Hurley scored goals in the space of a minute. Mayo could easily have been beaten after concdeding two soft goals and manager James Horan has work to do with his defence ahead of their semi-final against Kerry.
- Late controversy: Cork were trailing by two points when they won a free in a promising position with 72 minutes on the clock. Referee Cormac Reilly and Cork selector Ciaran O’Sullivan exchanged words before Colm O’Neill put the ball over the bar. The full-time whistle went seconds later and Reilly and the Cork players were irate with the man in black. Had he said there would be time for another play and should time-keeping be taken out of the referee’s hands?
Meath’s appalling qualifier record continues
This stat doesn’t make for good reading for Royals fans.
Grimley won’t talk to Wooly
Armagh look to Donegal
Armagh certainly won’t fear playing Donegal next week given the historical advantage they’ve enjoyed over them. Armagh have triumphed against Donegal in the 2002, 2004 and 2006 Ulster senior football finals along with the 2003 All-Ireland semi-final in Croke Park.
How significant was Monaghan’s win?
Here’s how much. It has been a long time coming but, 84 years after their last senior championships win at GAA HQ, they claimed another on Saturday.
Soaked Park
Conditions at Croker on Saturday evening were far from ideal due to heavy rainfall:
Rained off
The GAA was forced to cancel this year’s Poc Fada finals on Saturday after torrential rain at Annaverna Mountain, Ravensdale, Co. Louth. A new date for the event will be announced early next week.
Going solo
This wonderful effort from Galway midfielder Tom Flynn is one of the best individual goals we’ve seen at Croke Park this summer. Would he have been let run through the Kerry backline in the days before the black card?
Watching from a land Down Under
Former Kerry stars Tadhg Kennelly and Tommy Walsh were rewarded for tuning in to the match in the early hours from Oz.
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Lack of hunger?
Joe Brolly was extremely critical of the Tribesmen after their defeat to Kerry, claiming they never believed they could win.
“They’re not a serious team,” Brolly said. “They didn’t come with real ambition.
They wanted it like the Rose of Tralee would like world peace. She’s not actually serious about world peace. They didn’t come here believing they would win the game.”
Fair analysis or harsh comments?
Good cause
Darran O’Sullivan tweeted this pic of the Kerry team supporting Donal Walsh LiveLife, a foundation dedicated to providing suicide prevention support in memory of the inspiration teenager, who passed away last year.
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What was said here?
That brief conversation between referee Cormac Reilly and Cork selector Ciaran O’Sullivan with free-taker Colm O’Neill also in shot.
Pick it out
Mayo’s Cillian O’Connor holds off James Loughrey to kill the ball with a fine first touch before laying off to Alan Dillon.
Cool as you like
Aidan O’Shea showed great composure to step inside his marker and go around the goalkeeper for his goal on 67 minutes.
Minors
Donegal booked their place in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Football Championship after edging Roscommon out at Markievicz Park. The Ulster champions were frustrated by the Rossies’ defensive tactics but earned a 0-10 to 1-5 victory.
On Sunday, holders Mayo were convincing against Armagh with Brian Reape scoring 2-1 in their 3-13 to 0-9 to book a spot in the last four.
Dublin face Cork and Kerry take on Kildare in the remaining two quarter-finals this afternoon.
Ladies football
The weekend’s GAA action isn’t over just yet. As well as two minor football quarter-finals, Monday see Donegal and Kerry meet in the All-Ireland Ladies SFC qualifiers before Cork take on Galway in the All-Ireland minor A football final.
Fan of the weekend
This young Armagh supporter is some mover.
Coming up next…
Football showdowns next Saturday. All Ulster battle between Donegal and Armagh at 4pm while Dublin face Monaghan at 6pm. Both in Croke Park. Then on Sunday, it’s hurling with Kilkenny and Limerick going head to head.
How was the weekend for you?
