February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Mike Fitzpatrick
Junior Football B
Kerry vs St. Barnabas
12.30 p.m.
It’s not often that the lads from the lower reaches of the junior set-up get to parade their talents on the Sunday bill at Gaelic Park. Here we are, however, with an early season chance for the guys from these two sides to prove that they have what it takes to compete at New York Gaelic football’s premier location.
The whole Kerry set-up is in an understandably buoyant mood, following the massive successes enjoyed by their senior side last year when they captured the senior football championship.
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Barnabas, will be out to start their season on a winning note, and in no way will they stand down for the side from the Kingdom. I feel Barnabas will put up a fight throughout the tie, and may lead at some vital stages in the game but Kerry, I think, will shine through in the end. Barnabas must take the game to their counterparts, and hope that the Kerry Club are still psychologically hungover from last year’s exploits. If that weakness exists, then Barnabas will certainly benefit from exploiting it. That, however, is a huge if.
Senior Hurling Knockout
Tipperary vs Westmeath
2 p.m.
Tipperary enter this competition, and indeed the season, as firm favorites, not only for the knockout cup, but also for the championship.
Westmeath experienced a mediocre season last time out, finishing below the cut-off mark for playoff contention. They did play some outstanding hurling on occasion though. The game versus Limerick immediately springs to mind when a phenomenal performance from Dessie Costello’s men gave them a fine victory over the holding champions. The nay sayers will point out that Limerick had already qualified for the playoffs at that stage, but no team likes to lose.
Tipperary come into the tie with a firm grasp upon the trophy, having won it last year when they defeated Kilkenny in the final, and they will be in no mood to relinquish their well earned trophy.
A cracking game is expected, Tipp are clearly the team to beat this year, and try as Westmeath might, I feel Tipperary will come through on the occasion.
Senior Football
Tyrone vs Donegal
3.30 p.m.
The second Ulster derby to appear at Gaelic Park in two weeks, the crowd having witnessed a fine game between Down and Fermanagh on opening day. This year, the top flight will undoubtedly prove to be a tough season to predict a winner from. "What’s new?", I hear you ask.
There are so many good sides in New York this year, that it’s not easy to pick one who will overcome all others. We saw a much improved Cavan side in action on opening day when they overcame the threat of Westmeath, we’ll see newcomers Sligo take on perennial dark horses Stamford on Sunday week, former champs Leitrim have yet to take the field, and this Sunday, we have these two northern titans in action.
This game last year, held in the Catskills, was an ugly affair, with bookings and scraps aplenty, which Donegal eventually won. Donegal were many people’s favorites to clinch the crown last year, having recorded some satisfying victories on their way to the final versus Kerry.
Kerry’s victory surprised many, including the talented Donegal side. Tyrone will enter the game as the underdog, having lost a number of key players from last year’s proceedings. Gone are such key names as New York All-Stars Michael and Martin Slowey and Sean Teague, and although they’ve recruited since, it’s never easy to start a season with a new team at Gaelic Park, particularly versus a side such as Donegal.
Tyrone will come out fighting for the win, but i expect Donegal to emerge victorious.
Senior Football Division 2
Celtics vs Cork
5 p.m.
Cork’s disastrous run in Division I last year has resulted in their relegation to Division 2. It can be a difficult task fighting your way back to the top, and Cork will find that out this year.
Teams in Division II will be looking to beat the former inhabitants of higher level football, and in Division 2, there’s no shortage of good sides.
Celtics finished near the bottom of this division last year, winning only two of their seven games. This was two better than their southern counterparts managed in Division 1 though.
Both sides will be sure to have recruited new blood in their attempt to escape from this division, and with sides such as Longford and Roscommon to face in coming months, Cork and Celtics will really need the points to get their season off to a winning start. It’s a little difficult to pick a winner here, as I’m sure there will be quite a number of new faces on parade. I feel Celtics will overcome their foes, with a gritty performance, leaving their counterparts licking their wounds.