By the Short and Curlies
Talking Balls No Comments »
An internal investigation found that Ryan clashed with selector John Moylan during the second half of the high-profile Tullamore tie, which Galway lost to the All-Ireland champions by four points. Initial investigations examined the theory that Miko was lookin’ a drink out of a waterbottle, but Moylan said the drink was for the players only.
Whatever happened there’s many’s the county management set-up would enjoy a bit of peace and quiet away from the Blazers and Powers That Be.
****
Good news for the lesser lights of hurling this week as the Powers That Be announce that the finals of the three less prominent competitions will be played in Croker. Saturday 11 July is the big day for the finalists in the Lory Meagher, Nicky Rackard and Christy Ring Cups. Last year you will recall the authorities courted controversy by suggesting the Christy Ring Final could be played in Croke park on a Friday night before rescheduling it to a school all weather pitch on a different date. At least now the hurlers of a lesser sod will get their day in the Sun. Big carrot too for the winners of the Crusty Ring as they get automatically elevated into the Liam for the first time. Bad news for Antrim hurlers. Are the heading for the trapdoor as the footballers claim their place in the Sun?
****
Banty McEneaney has rightly earned a reputation for the colour of his language. Obviously his gift of the gab is rubbing off on his players. Heard of kissing the Blarney Stone? Well up in Monaghan maybe kissing Banty’s stones has the same effect.
This week corner back Dermot McArdle was ruminating on Monaghan’s chances against Armagh sans ace attacker Freeman. Sez he:
“He scores at least five, six points every game from frees or from play and he is always going to take their best defender out of the game as well.”
The latter comment maybe just an unfortunate choice of words giving the circumstances of Freeman’s suspension. But, obviously down Monaghan-way, the jug is half full, well under Banty anyhow:
“You can look at it two ways, as a huge loss or a huge opportunity to prove we can play without him. He was sent off inside the first two minutes of the league game against Armagh so maybe that might help.”
Indeed, Glass half full of McArdle’s please.
****
Banana skin or what? Down manager Ross Carr has written off London’s chance of causing an upset when they play the Mourne County next week in the qualifier. Sez Carr: “we should come through it. I’ll put it like this if we don’t I’ll be in London next year. . . it’s a game that we have to win and also put down a marker in.”
***
Derry’s man of the moment James Kielt gave an interesting view of the Tyrone football team ahead of last week’s semi final defeat. Talking about the incident that left him apparently ’sucking weetabix through a straw’ Kielt said: “It’s not that sore but it would be if I got a bang. I never considered playing against Tyrone. I was ready for training, but they’re one crowd you’d need to be right for.”
That’s one crowd you’d need to be right for???? Would the fact that the Ballinderry team sits astride the Derry Tyrone border and draw players from both sides have anything to do with this or are we reading too much into things here?
***
AND FINALLY. . .
No talk of things short and curly would be complete without mention of Donal Og Cusack, Cork’s controversial and inspirational goalkeeper. News hot off the press tells us that he will be publishing his autobiography before the end of the year. We look forward to a warts and all tale as Ogie tells us of his life and loves and the highlights and lowlifes of his career with the Unholy Trinity of Cloyne, Cork and the GPA. Christmas is looking good already with books due from Brian Cody, Mickey Harte and hopefully Audie Hamilton.
