Irish News talks Ulster Football
blogNot only does the Irish News walk the walk in terms of Ulster football, it can also talk the talk. On Thursday night the Marketplace Theatre in Armagh - itself a tremendous venue and a jewel in the crown of the city - played host to the a great evening’s craic altogether.
Hosted by the extremely well-informed Joanne Cantwell of RTE’s Sunday Game, the event featured former Tyrone player and well-known GAA lawyer Fergal Logan; Armagh’s All-Ireland winning ‘keeper, raconteur and professional South Armagh-man Benny Tierney; the Irish News’ own GAA feature-writer Paddy Heaney and Kerry’s triple All Ireland winner and former captain Dara O’Cinneide. Shepherded round the topics in hand by the attractive wiles of Joanne Cantwell, the four lads gave a highly entertaining discourse on the strengths and weaknesses of Ulster football before deciding almost to a man that Kerry would be hard to beat this year in their hunt for three-in-a-row.
Among the topics under the spotlight were the deliberations of the DRA - itself a good check and balance on the rule making of the Powers that Be, according to Fergal Logan. He added that the DRA and its deliberations are all part of the controversy and craic that adds so much to the GAA as we know it. On Monaghan’s prospects this summer Paddy Heaney was quite forthright - he reckoned that last year’s quarter final was about the limit of their potential he added that you ‘can’t win a derby with a donkey.’ Somehow we think his Maghera-Matter-of Factness which has a fair ring of truth, may not go down so well in Blayney, Clones and Carrickmacross. Could be an interesting reception for Paddy down those parts this summer. Then again he could be right. On Down football Heaney also prescribed the problem as he saw it - blanket attack with little or no concern for defence - hence a fraught trip to Omagh is on the horizon.
Dara O Cinneide was asked about Galway’s prospects. At best he was dismissive - at worst he could barely contain his laughter. ‘Galway’ he said ‘play a game where you throw in the ball and there’s a shootout. Kerry usually win those.’ O Cinneide was highly respectful and complimentary to Armagh and particularly Tyrone for the way they set about the job and beat Kerry in 2002, 2003 and 2005. There were some forthright views on the current state of Antrim football amidst rumours of walkouts etc. Interestingly, CJ McGourty’s father was apparently in the audience and allegedly did not share the view that four St Galls men had walked.
Finally, in case you’re interested - Benny Tierney acted the wag throughout, as usual He’s the sort of cub he would love to teach - the wee ginger haired bollox down the back with an opinion on everything, who never sits still or shuts the f*** up.
Fair play to John Brolly and the lads at the Irish News for putting on such an enjoyable event - the full crowd seemed fully appreciative. For our part Squareball was out in force - there was a voucher for everyone on the audience, some £50 vouchers in the raffle and some goodies for the panellists. Benny Tierney was greatly taken with his Excessive Fist Passing Can Cause Blindness t-shirt, promising to try it out as soon as he got home.