The real stars of summer
For me, Dublin are worthy winners this year and as the best team in the country throughout the full year they got just rewards for their obvious commitment and dedication to the cause. Something tells me early-morning training sessions could become the next big craze in GAA circles!
Over the course of the summer I’ve tried to take an alternative approach to the column and amongst other topics I have tried to give you an insight into the issues facing the modern GAA player.
For the next few weeks you will be bombarded with picks for Player of the Year, Score of the Year, etc. so continuing with my left-field musings, I now give you an alternative look at the highlights of the season gone past…
EVEN before yesterday he was my choice and his last-minute winner has now cemented his name into GAA folklore! Question now is will he break his stance on not giving interviews considering the attention he will get.
Word is he ran off the pitch directly after the match yesterday just to get away from Marty Morrissey!
IN beating Louth earlier this year, Carlow secured their first Leinster championship win in five years. Brendan Murphy kicked three of their last four points, including a Maurice Fitzgerald-esque effort from the sideline to win by a point in injury-time. Had he done such a thing in August or September he would now be looking forward to an All Star dinner invite dropping through his letterbox.
ANOTHER gong for his display cabinet; Pat was the clear winner with his reference to Donegal’s style of play against Dublin. It was obvious to me that this contrived euphemism was blatantly preconceived and, despite his best efforts, it was hardly an intellectual advancement on ‘Puke football’
I HAD already picked him before yesterday’s mercurial effort but special consideration has to be given to the Dublin keeper’s first point early in the second half against Donegal. Three points in arrears, scores as scarce as hen’s teeth and having already missed a brace of kicks, Cluxton nailed this effort over the blackspot from 50 yards; it was a major turning point in Dublin’s fortunes.
ONLY Michael Jordan had a better return from retirement than Gweedore’s favourite son! Unable to resist the dulcet tones of new coach Jim McGuinness, Kevin did a U-turn on his retirement plan and came back to enjoy a remarkable season.
I watched his Bank Holiday winner against Kildare along with a few raucous Monaghan lads in a rented house in Galway (that’s another story…), and we nearly roared the house down when he pinged it.
THERE is only one thing worse than being endlessly talked about, and that’s not being talked about at all. Gaelic football needs more characters like Paul. Although I can’t abide by his skinny jean policy!
LIKE someone from a Trojan epic, ‘Mugsy’ rolled out onto a rain-sodden Croke Park with braided blonde hair. Had the guys on the Hill beside me been close enough to spot it they surely would have composed a colourful sonnet in his honour!
Kieran McGeeney with his free-spirited Johnny Wilkinson look was a close second, but best not mention that in case he gets mad with us...
AT least they looked good! Fermanagh rolled back the years Peter McGinnity style with a simple, yet strong, retro design. Unfortunately, Fermanagh fans were not given ample opportunity to showcase the summer 2011 range.
EVERYONE loves to see a new face come on the scene, as long as they don’t hang around too long to challenge the old order that is!
Tipperary are making good progress on their lofty footballing ambitions, and their minor class of 2011 have been an inspiration.
FOR the early part of last season we had endless hand-pass controversies accompanied by numerous demonstrations by Kevin McStay as to the correct technique. This year you could count on one hand (pardon the pun) the amount of calls given.
AT the same time as Lionel Messi was turning tricks in the Champions League final against Manchester United, Mark Poland scored one of the goals of the year in a saturated Athletic grounds.
Amongst a crowded defence the smallest man on the pitch collected the ball 20 yards out, waltzed past three defenders and sent the keeper the wrong way as he slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
WHAT a trick to save for an All-Ireland day. From a prostrated position Denis dramatically propelled himself up on to his feet to the amazement of onlookers. Bruce Lee certainly would have been proud of that one!
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As Dublin look forward to what will no doubt be a whirlwind couple of months, for many of the rest of us, however, attentions have already turned towards next year; meetings have been held, goals have been drawn up and gym programmes have been outlined.
Kerry no doubt will be looking back on yesterday’s result for a while wondering how the hell they managed to lose that game and thus cruelly depriving the great Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper of the opportunity to raise Sam.
They, like many of the rest of us, will look back on 2011 with some regrets but such is sport, and for those lucky enough to be in the privileged position there is always next year to come back and ‘go at it again’.
I couldn’t sign off without wishing our ladies all the best in their All-Ireland final against Cork this weekend and give a special shout out to my cousin Ellen McCarron (daughter of Monaghan legend Ray). Best of luck girls!
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