Talking Crystal Balls – Dateline June
Talking Balls Comments
After a series of facile victories, manager Pat Gilroy floats the idea that they would be better playing in Ulster. Antrim Chairman John McSporran agrees. “The hurling in Leinster seems to work for us he declares. And, with the Dubs out of the football, we would fancy ourselves to win the Leinster Football Championship if we could play there. I’m sure they would relish playing the Ulster teams – with the exception of Tyrone of course.” He then rambled on incoherently for a while and nobody took any notice as usual. Inspirational Antrim football Baker Bradley added “We think its important to put the respect back in Antrim football.” Now how many times has he gone and said that?
Way down south, the Cork hurlers withdraw from the Munster Championship such is the abject nature of their squad minus the 2008 Rebels. They apply to and are accepted to play in Ulster under an obscure ruling created by Frank Murphy in the mists of time that allows County teams in exceptional circumstances, but particularly when they might get tanked, to up sticks and feck off to yon place.
John McSporran changes his tune when a rampant Dublin hurling team eviscerate Antrim at Croke Park in the Leinster Hurling Championship. Conal Keaney leads the way with a net-busting tally of five goals and twelve points. Back in Ulster the shock of the decade as Monaghan beat Cork in the Ulster Hurling Championship. An upbeat Gerald McCarthy announces the team are fully focused on the Christy Ring Cup. “We never thought we would even get here at the turn of the year. It will be an honour to try and bring the Ring Cup back to its spiritual home.”
Nicky Brennan is guest of honour at the Inti Raymi celebrations in Cuzco Peru and reports exclusively on the occasion for his new Travel TV programme Nicky N’Vest Igates.
