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league Mid-term GAH-DAQ report
By Eamonn O'Molloy
 STRIKES
and waterlogged pitches aside, counties in both codes have now played
four League matches — time, then, for The Irish Post half-term report
on teams from football’s top two divisions and hurling’s top
flight.
FOOTBALL
DERRY
So far: Top of the table, thanks to their score-difference-boosting destruction
of Kildare on Saturday night. Your columnist was present at that mauling
and even given Kildare’s cluelessness, the Oak Leafers impressed.
Paddy Bradley is the best forward in the country at the moment.
If they were a stock: Their Ulster rivals are already struggling, so see
that kid’s college fund on top of the fridge? Time to break that
baby open…. Buy.
GALWAY
So far: Progressing in a most Galway-like way, with Michael Meehan the
flamboyant focal point for some flowing football. The best move manager
Liam Sammon has made is placing Padhráic Joyce at centre-forward.
If they were a stock: Would have taken victory in Ballybofey to convince
us they’re serious All-Ireland contenders. Hold.
DONEGAL
So far: They are currently joint top however the three wins have been
by a point, two of them through last-minute goals. Still doubts around
midfield, though Rory Kavanagh’s return from suspension gives them
another option there.
If they were a stock: In-and-out League form won’t bother them too
much; Championship is what it’s all about. Hold.
KERRY
So far: Does it really matter? Kerry’s season begins in August.
If they were a stock: Ignore the high price and look at the absence of
credible challengers. Buy, buy, buy.
MAYO
So far: Sunday’s win over Kerry, where Austin O’Malley was
in incredible form, has them starting to believe again. Kerry’s
team-sheet should temper that feeling.
If they were a stock: There are some signs John O’Mahony might be
on the way to working his magic again but only buy if you’re not
put off by poor past performance…
TYRONE
So far: A first win on Saturday night, with Brian McGuigan’s return
as a substitute welcome news for fans of good football.
If they were a stock: If they got everyone back, the advice would be to
get involved. ‘Ifs’ don’t come much bigger than that,
though.
KILDARE
So far: The McGeeney revolution hit the same rock on Saturday night that
his predecessors’ campaigns perished on: A tonking. Simply can’t
cope with any injuries.
If they were a stock: Time to get out of here. Sell, sell, sell.
LAOIS
So far: Bottom of the pile but playing some of their usual good stuff
in the process.
If they were a stock: Even minus Joe Higgins and Tom Kelly, can retain
their position in Leinster’s top three. Which is not enough. Sell.
MONAGHAN
So far: Perfect record and Saturday’s postponement would have been
a major disappointment.
If they were a stock: Are we the only ones that feel the constant talk
about them is coming too early in the year and putting needless pressure
on? Our prediction is that they won’t win Ulster. Ignore the hype
and stay away for now.
DUBLIN
So far: Unimpressive so far, despite their 100 per cent record. Still,
they’re not at full strength yet.
If they were a stock: Some see 2008 as a last push for glory but unless
they reincarnate a few leaders from yesteryear, we can’t see it.
If you’re the sentimental type, then hold.
MEATH
So far: Picked up their first on-pitch points on Saturday night in their
derby victory over Cavan. If it were any other county, the advice would
be to sell…
If they were a stock: But it’s not. It’s Meath. They’re
too ignorant to know their shortcomings and that’s a good thing.
Hold.
ARMAGH
So far: First signs of life in the destruction of Roscommon. Retirements
haven’t left them as badly off as people think and they will sink
a few boats in Championship. But if you’re thinking in terms of
All-Irelands….
If they were a stock: Sell.
WESTMEATH
So far: Historic win over Meath, credible showing in Cork.
If they were a stock: Won’t get you rich but might net a tidy return
in summer through the qualifiers. Buy.
CORK
So far: Plenty to prove and time to recover from the lay-off. Conor Counihan
is doing the right thing in promoting Daniel Goulding.
If they were a stock: Buy.
ROSCOMMON
So far: Out of their depth, as a -36 score difference proves.
If they were a stock: Sell like a maniac, if you can find someone stupid
enough….
CAVAN
So far: Reasonably competitive with Armagh, Dublin and Meath but still
division three-bound.
If they were a stock: Sell.
HURLING
KILKENNY
So far: The seasons change but the Cats’ ruthlessness remains the
same. Witness their win over Waterford: Who else could destroy an All-Ireland
rival while appearing to stifle a yawn?
If they were a stock: They basically start their Championship campaign
in the All-Ireland semi, so ignore the high price, remortgage the house
and buy.
CORK
So far: Took until well into the game to dismember Antrim and Dublin,
so the rustiness is still there.
If they were a stock: More than one point to prove and you might get a
decent price. Buy.
WATERFORD
So far: Experiments such as trying Kevin Moran at full-back were ripped
up by the Cats. Which suggests Waterford will be operating from the same
resources come summer. Like the Dubs, we have a feeling their ship has
sailed.
If they were a stock: Sell.
DUBLIN
So far: A draw in Wexford Park, where the home team were fortunate, suggests
they are getting closer and closer to becoming the second best team in
Leinster in the years to come.
If they were a stock: If you’re prepared to be patient, then buy.
WEXFORD
So far: For all John Meyler’s diligence, this stock has been heading
downwards for a long time now.
If they were a stock: Sell.
ANTRIM
So far: Walsh Cup heroics already exposed as fraudulent.
If they were a stock: Sell.
GALWAY
So far: Unbeaten and at times unconvincing…
If they were a stock: But still the only team last year to look like they
might beat Kilkenny. If you feel frisky with the cash, put your faith
with that madman they call Loughnane and buy.
TIPPERARY
So far: All the analysts are going crazy on this stock, on the basis that
Liam Sheedy’s sensible stewardship is a vast improvement on Babs-in-a-heap.
That’s true but we still reckon you should be wary of spring promise.
If they were a stock: Think twice, that’s all we’re saying.
LIMERICK
So far: It would appear the Tipp debacle may have been a blip but like
Monaghan footballers, they must beware second-season syndrome.
If they were a stock: Tread carefully.
CLARE
So far: Showed the usual defiance in grinding out a draw with arch-rivals
Tipp and that’s why they remain a dangerous summer proposition.
Still, the general trend in their performance is going — albeit
very gradually — down.
If they were a stock: Sell.
LAOIS
So far: The 36-point defeat to Galway proves that victory over Offaly
says more about the Faithful’s decline than it does about Laois.
If they were a stock: Sell, we tell you, sell.
OFFALY
So far: It just keeps getting worse and worse.
If they were a stock: Who the hell is going to buy it off you? |
