Names change, the debate lives on

IT WAS county final weather in Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday, and county final conditions.

Patrons will be familiar with the constituent elements: two parts October sunshine to one part yielding ground, with a breeze cutting down the Marina to spite the clear skies. The cocktail is familiar to anyone who ever attended the Little All-Ireland.

We have a reason for starting with the meteorology, not to mention the geology, one that doesn’t augur well for the entertainment value of the county final itself. Sarsfields and Newtownshandrum headlined yesterday and served up an even first half but the game began to die as a contest once Ben O’Connor flicked home his side’s opening goal.