Rainbow's Verdict - Football Column July 08

A change....... or so I thought
Retirement is a consequence of sport, it comes to us all. I guess I can count myself lucky I was fortunate enough to be able to choose when I retired as for so many it finds them faster than they would like. Having played Senior County Football with Kildare for more than half of my life I guess I never took too much time to think what I would do when it was all over.

Since I retired I still haven’t had too much time to think what to do next. Last November I wore the Kildare jersey for the last time, as a team and charity fundraiser we organised a “testimonial game”, which saw the greats of recent GAA times come together in St Conleth’s Park – Darragh Ó Sé, Séamus Moynihan, Kieran McGeeney, Steven McDonnell, Paul McGrane, Ja Fallon, Michael Donnellan, Peter Canavan, Eamonn O’Hara, Graham Geraghty, Glenn Ryan, Ronan Quinn and Karl O’Dwyer, to name just a few, played out a tightly fought competitive contest. It was an emotional day as I realised I would never share the same grass with these players again. Life goes on, as they say, and I thought I would have many days to spend on the golf course but this wasn’t to be!

I spent the winter as an U21 selector with Kildare and unfortunately despite having a very strong team we were beaten by a stronger Wexford side on the day who went on to win Leinster some weeks later. My club was long overdue some serious commitment from me and to date I would like to think I am repaying them many favours. I am now also involved with Kildare Seniors albeit in a more sedate capacity as their Sports Analyst. I am enjoying the new role and I still share the buzz. However on Championship days you will never beat the feeling of adrenalin that flows through the veins as you run out that tunnel......

LEINSTER FINAL – DUBLIN v WEXFORD
As the old saying goes ‘goals win games’ and Wexford have been scoring goals as if they are going out of fashion in this year’s Championship – getting seven in their three games to date. Equally impressive is their point tally of 52 in these games.

With players such as Ciarán Lyng, Ben Brosnan and Colm Morris (still pulling the strings) in the forward line and David Murphy holding things tight at the back, supporters in the Model County will be hoping for a big upset this Sunday.

What struck me watching Wexford playing against Carlow two weeks ago was how focused they were even when Carlow went ahead and held the lead for 15 minutes. They never lost sight of what their goal was. To me Jason Ryan has the height of respect for all of his players and vice versa as he talked for some time to the players he took off on the side line as the game progressed.

His animation on the side line is infectious which shows the passion and drive he has for this Wexford team, one he has been leading for the past four years. The big question now is will it be enough to beat Dublin at the third time of asking in the Championship in as many years.

I started by outlining the importance of goals and this game will hinge on them.

The question for me is can Wexford do what no other team has done since Meath last year and Mayo in the league this year and that is score more than two goals against Dublin. This is going to be a difficult task because Dublin are very defensive on top of being one of the top scoring teams in the country over the past few years.
They have six backs that play as a well organised unit and very rarely move beyond the half way line. Wing forwards Paul Flynn and Bryan Cullen and both of their midfielders also play a very deep defensive game.

But what’s most impressive about this team is their ability to hurt the opposition on the break down from this defensive wall. With Alan Brogan mastering the play-making role along the ‘50, the forward line has so much space at their disposal. Space which is left vacant by Flynn, Cullen and Co. If Wexford can man mark Alan and Bernard Brogan, stop Cluxton’s quick kick outs and reduce the amount of times they get turned over, then maybe the Model supporters will be celebrating come Sunday night. However that involved an awful lot of ‘ifs’ and 70 minutes of tough football have to be played.

Verdict: DUBLIN

KILDARE V LAOIS
There is nothing like a Kildare v Laois game if you are from either of these counties. With both managers knowing each other so well and the Kildare and Laois rivalry having its own history over the last decade, this is set up to be an intriguing contest. Laois at times played some great football against a Tipperary side going through transition. Ross Munnelly, Colm Begley and Niall Donoher played some of their best football in recent years. Whilst Kildare, under Kieran McGeeney’s tenure have developed a strong mental strength which has seen them win all their qualifying games since 2008 and I predict this success will continue in Portlaoise on Saturday evening.

Verdict: KILDARE

LIMERICK V OFFALY
With Offaly coming off a great win over Monaghan two weeks ago in Tullamore and Limerick not having played since June 4 they will find it hard to beat a resurgent Offaly team. Limerick are not the team they were last year and even with a home draw for Limerick I believe Tom Cribbin’s side will just have too much for them.

Verdict: OFFALY

DOWN V LEITRIM
Down were lucky the last day out against Clare but will have no such problems against Leitrim this weekend. Like last year it remains to be seen if the qualifier route will suit Down’s progress in the championship? I think so and by getting a few wins via the back door they can build on this momentum.

Verdict: DOWN

LONDON V WATERFORD
The fairytale can continue for London as a home draw is a massive bonus to the team. Their win over Fermanagh was not that much of a surprise as we saw how this London team pushed Mayo to extra time only a few weeks ago.

Verdict: LONDON

ANTRIM V CARLOW
This just might be a trip too far for Carlow and if the home draw were reversed then I would probably go with Carlow. However, with Antrim coming off a great win over Westmeath and Carlow going down poorly against Wexford, you would have to side with Antrim.

Verdict: ANTRIM

LONGFORD V TYRONE
Pearse Park is a very difficult place to get a result, as Mayo will testify after last year’s defeat. Glen Ryan has Longford playing some attractive football and they should have beaten Laois in Portlaoise in the first round of the Leinster Championship and probably would have if it wasn’t for some poor shooting. Tyrone on the other hand have been a bit unpredictable this year and for that reason alone I’m going to go for a home win.

Verdict: LONGFORD

ARMAGH V WICKLOW
Armagh to win at home against a Wicklow side that really struggle on their travels.

Verdict: ARMAGH

MEATH V GALWAY
Galway haven’t won a qualifier since 2004 and have managed just one win from their last 11 Championship and league games. After only scoring 1-6 against Mayo, the big question is can Galway lift themselves? Meath on the other hand are coming off a great win over Louth and with a home draw they will have their tails up.

Verdict: MEATH