The luck of the draw

IN FRANK O’Connor’s great short story “My First Confession”, the little girl complaining about her brother says “some people have all the luck”. Well, Monaghan footballers could empathise with her.

They’ve made fantastic strides under present boss Seamus McEneaney. Last year they were unlucky to be drawn against Kerry and to eventually lose to them. This year three Sundays in a row they got the hardest draw in each case. They met and beat National League champions Derry in the first round of the qualifiers, a week later they travelled to Ballybofey to edge out 2007 league champions Donegal, and then they drew Kerry for their third high-pressure game in as many weeks.

Once again they raised their game but again the Kingdom edged them out. Kerry deserved to win but this year and last year, Monaghan are out when lesser counties will go much further. The luck of the draw can mean so much.

Thankfully, we did see some common sense in the arrangements for the upcoming fixtures. Playing Cork footballers and hurlers together in Croke Park is a sensible and fair decision — unlike what happened last year.

Allowing Dublin a single bill on their own against Tyrone is also sensible. Finally, congratulations to Antrim, Sligo and Carlow on winning those Murphy, Rackard and Ring Cups. Great games which proved that they deserve better billing.