How the hell did Antrim reach this All-Ireland final?

In the furore over Hawk-Eye, it is extremely important people don’t miss the really crucial ‘point’: Hawk-Eye is not the problem. Umpires are.

CHRISTY RING FINAL:

Down 0-23 Meath 1-10

There was drama aplenty in the Christy Ring Cup semi-finals this afternoon, with Down and Meath having to do it all again after an extra-time draw, while Kerry advanced to the decider following a comfortable win over Kildare.

KERRY boss John Meyler is able to welcome star attacker Darragh O’Connell back for this evening’s clash against Westmeath in Semple Stadium at 5pm.

CORK natives Martin Finn and Kevin Canty were the key contributors as London finally put Louth to the sword with a convincing second-half performance to win the Nicky Rackard Cup at Croke Park.

A STROLL at headquarters for Kerry on Saturday, a final they dominated from start to finish against a game but outclassed Wicklow side to win their first Christy Ring Cup title.

CARNEW’S Don Hyland has made a number of attempts to retire, but each time has found the call of hurling too great to resist.

IN A FORTNIGHT when we had fantastic games of hurling and football all the publicity for the GAA should have been positive, as our players served up many matches of great skill and sportsmanship.

WESTMEATH manager Johnny Dooley has already vented his wrath at the GAA authorities over the fixing of the Christy Ring final for this evening in Croke Park at 7.30pm, a slot which he felt showed utter contempt for the hurlers of Westmeath and Carlow.

WESTMEATH and Carlow have got their way in forcing a change to the Christy Ring final date and venue, moving the fixture from Croke Park tomorrow night to Tullamore on Sunday evening.

The 2008 Christy Ring Cup final will now take place in Tullamore on Sunday afternoon (throw-in 6pm), after both counties requested to have the game rescheduled.

WESTMEATH hurling boss Johnny Dooley last night branded the decision to fix their Christy Ring final for Friday night in Croke Park (7.30pm) as “an insult” to weaker counties.

Carlow 1-16 Mayo 0-17

ONE of the great coaching tips to young fellas is “no talking to the fella you’re marking”.

CROKE PARK chiefs have attempted to appease Cork supporters by fixing Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Donegal for 4pm.

Two late goals from Des Murphy wrecked Down’s dream of an all-Ulster Christy Ring Cup final at Cusack Park.

WHILE participation in the Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cups is causing fixture concerns for some county boards, there remains broad support for the retention of the competitions.