Irish Sports Desk Punchless Kildare wary of Lyons’ Offalymen

By Sean Creedon

Kildare, All-Ireland finalists last year, face a tough task when they play Offaly in the quarterfinal of the Leinster championship on Sunday. Mick O’Dwyer has much the same squad as last year, which means that he is still lacking in forwards who can take their scores.

After their surprise Leinster win in 1997, Offaly were shocked by Meath in the first round last year. However, they have a shrewd manager in Tommy Lyons and have had a good campaign, so they could surprise the Lilywhites on Sunday.

There’s a doubleheader at Croke Park ,where I expect Westmeath to continue on their winning way with a win over Laois. In Ulster Val Andrews will get his first taste of action in the Ulster championship when his Cavan side travel to Casement Park to play Derry.

And in the West, Mayo, easy winners over New York in the first round, have Roscommon as visitors to McHale Park. Incidentally, New York’s Pat Mahoney was named at midfield in the Irish Independent’s Team of the Week following New York’s defeat by Mayo.

But the big one on Sunday is the Munster hurling clash between Cork and Waterford at Semple Stadium, Thurles. Much is expected of Cork this year, but Waterford already have a win over Limerick under their belts. Tony Browne, who played with an injured ankle against Limerick, is expected to line out at midfield.

Breen commits to Kerry

After what some believe was a brief visit to New York, Kerry defender Eamonn Breen has confirmed that he will be returning to Ireland and will be available for selection for Kerry’s Munster semifinal clash against Clare on June 20. It was a strange decision by Breen, who announced on June 1 that he was opting out of the Kerry panel and going to work in New York. Breen is a great friend of Liam Flaherty, who had earlier opted out of the Kerry squad and at the time it was thought that the move was a show of solidarity for his friend and colleague.

Breen is a plasterer and it was suggested that he needed money to finish the roof of his new house.

And things are definitely looking up for Kerry manager Paidi O Se. Las week it was also confirmed that Denis Dwyer would also be returning from the United States to rejoin the Kerry panel.

McEnaney quits Monaghan

Eugene McEnaney has quit as manager of the Monaghan senior and under 21 footballers. The resignation came 24 hours after Monaghan’s Ulster Championship loss to Fermanagh. He had been in sole charge of the Monaghan seniors for two years and prior to that was joint manager with GAA president-elect Sean McCague.

One manager who will not be quitting is Limerick hurling boss Eamonn Cregan. Despite not winning a championship game in his two years in charge, he is expected to be offered another two-year contract shortly.

Kinnear leaving Wimbledon

Soccer managers changing jobs is an everyday occurrence, but there was surprise last week when Irish-born Joe Kinnear confirmed that he was leaving Wimbledon after seven years in charge. The 52-year-old Kinnear had a heart attack in the spring and afterward The Dons went downhill. Now Kinnear apparently wants to move on to a big club.

Meanwhile, former Norwegian manager Egill Olsen is expected to take over as manager of Wimbledon. Last year, a Norwegian consortium bought into the London club, who have been trying to relocate to Dublin or Belfast.

Belfield upgrade

University College Dublin, the only university-based team in Western Europe playing top-grade football, have announced major plans for the upgrading of Belfield Park during the close season. Work is to start immediately on the provision of 300 box seats and it’s planned to have covered accommodation in all parts of the ground. The Students, who had their best-ever season, finishing sixth in 1998-99, are trying to attract local commercial sponsorship from companies in the South Dublin area.

League to open Aug. 15

The soccer season is only just finished, but already some people are looking ahead to 99-00 season. The FAI National League last week released their fixtures for next season. They have dispensed with the traditional League-Cup start to the season and the League championship will commence on Aug. 15. But Shelbourne’s season will start in 10 days time when they play a Swiss club in the Intertoto Cup.

Withnell rejoins Down

Good news for Down supporters in the run up to their Ulster championship opener against Antrim on Sunday week. Peter Withnell, who has been playing soccer for Dundalk and Cliftonville, has rejoined the county squad. The flamboyant full-forward last pulled on the famous red and black jersey two years ago.