| Gael Sportstalk
By Larry Cooney
The intriguing Meath football management wrangle had turned into a very
public blood-letting which is not the way business is normally conducted
in the Royal County. It was not surprising that it took a public climbdown
by Eamon Barry to resolve this extraordinary power struggle. If not then
the Eamon Barry era of Meath football would have been over before it had
started. A dispute has arisen over the choice of two members of the new
manager’s backroom team which did not meet with the Meath County Board’s
approval and has led to an impasse between Barry and the Board. But Barry
eventually relented and a compromise was reached.
The other off-field GAA issues currently hogging the headlines include
the protracted appointment of the GAA’s director of hurling and the negotiations
to open Croke Park to soccer and rugby. It was widely speculated last week
that the appointment of the hurling director may not be made until after
next year’s Annual Congress with outgoing President Sean Kelly being fancied
to fill the vacancy.
Onfield action this weekend was focused on Tir Chonaill Gaels’ heroic
bid to reach a semi-final place in the All-Ireland championship for the
first time. The Gaels have a great tradition in the competition dating back
to the early ‘90s when they almost defeated Lavey from Derry in 1992.
The Gaels maintained that great tradition on Sunday but once again had
to settle for what might have been instead of celebrating a famous victory
over a highly-rated Salthill team. Poor shooting from the London champions
big hitters proved costly as Maurice Carr’s side went down. Nevertheless
the Tir Chonaill Gaels performance which included another outstanding display
from Paddy McConigley and Gary Kane has completed a most satisfactory season
for London football and hopefully this progress will be reflected in the
National Football League next February.
It’s the turn of Fr. Murphys hurlers and Harlesden Harps footballers
to fly the London flag next weekend. The Murphys should push Ballinhassig
all the way at Ruislip this Saturday while Harlesden Harps might make it
tough for Monaghan Harps in Clontibert on the following day.
|
