(Under)dog day afternoon

THE Sunday after Valentine’s Day a little romance still lingered in the air in Portlaoise, where St Gall’s shocked Nemo Rangers in the All-Ireland Club football semi-final.

St Gall’s coach John Rafferty had a hard time bringing his charges down to earth at full time, but they were entitled to celebrate.

“We have nothing won yet,” he shouted in a jubilant dressing-room after their 0-10 to 1-6 success over the Munster champions. “Ye can be proud of what ye have achieved out there today against one of the best club teams in the country, but only half the job is done. The victory will mean absolutely nothing if we don’t win the final in Croke Park.”