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Irish Sports Desk Replay could mean big bucks for Dublin, Kildare

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Sean Creedon

Two weeks ago, a late point from Dublin’s Jim Gavin earned the GAA an extra _1 million in revenue when he kicked the equalizing point against Kildare in the quarterfinal of the Leinster Championship. Already there is talk of the Leinster Council making a contribution to the Dublin and Kildare holiday fund.

A sign of the times in the GAA with the authorities rewarding the players for their commitment. Last year, the Leinster Council made a contribution of _30,000 to Kildare and Meath following their three-game saga.

The drawn game was watched by more than 60,000 spectators to Croke Park, an amazing crowd for a quarterfinal tie. Dublin, of course, has a huge population, and Kildare, despite their lack of success, have had great support since the arrival of Mick O’Dwyer.

But did the Lilywhites blow their chance on June 7? And can Dublin be as bad again? Kildare have certainly improved in recent years, while Dublin seem to have gone backward.

Dublin manager Tom Carr was very slow to make changes. Everybody in the grounds could see that Martin Barnes was no match for Martin Lynch and a switch of corner backs was obviously needed. Barnes was eventually substituted early in the second half. And Paul Bealin was never in it at midfield and was taken off late in the game. Meanwhile, Mick O’Dwyer must be much happier with his team’s performance, particularly that of his son Karl at full-forward.

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I don’t think Dublin have much to offer this year, and if Kildare can take their chances this time, they should win. The winners will play Laois in the semifinal, which has now been put back to July 19. The Leinster Council didn’t have much choice – next week Meath play Louth in the first semifinal, the following week it’s the Leinster hurling final and there are no games in Dublin on July 12 because of the Tour de France start.

The other big game this weekend is the meeting of Cork and Clare in the Munster hurling semifinal at Semple Stadium, Thurles. Clare seem to have gone off the boil and I fancy Cork to make the Munster final.

In Ulster, Down should have little trouble against Derry in the Ulster hurling semifinal. But the Ulster football semifinal between Cavan and Donegal will be a much closer game to call. Both counties struggled in their first-round game, Donegal scraping home against Antrim and Cavan lucky to get by Fermanagh. I fancy Donegal to progress to the final.

Paul a pappa – again

“I’ve got my own five-a-side team now.” That was the reaction of Paul McGrath last week to the news of the birth of his fifth son. McGrath’s second wife Caroline gave birth to Ellis just before the start of the World Cup. McGrath’s eldest son is already on the books of Liverpool.

FAI Super Cup

The FAI National League has introduced a new pre-season competition for the four clubs involved in European competition. The Super Cup will feature Cork City, Shelbourne, St. Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers. The clubs will play off early in July. But the tournament comes too late for Shamrock Rovers, who will play the first leg of their Inter Toto Cup game away to Turkish club Izmir on Sunday, June 21. The second leg is at Tolka Park on June 28.

Shelbourne will have a new manager for next season. Last week they parted company with Damien Richardson after three years. 1997-98 was a disappointing season for Richardson as Shelbourne were runners-up in three competitions – League, FAI Cup and League Cup. But in an unusual move Shels have stated that they will arrange a testimonial game for Richardson.

Bohemians signs 5 Kiwis

Joe McGrath, the new manager of Dublin club Bohemians, has signed five New Zealanders for next season. McGrath has spent the last two years coaching down under. Also linking up with McGrath at Dalymount as coach will be Eamonn Collins. Back in 1980 Collins made history in England when he played a first team game for Blackpool at the tender age of 14. He never really made it as a professional football player and has been coaching back home in Dublin for the past year.

Bonnar quits intercounty play

Thirty-four-year-old Tipperary star Colm Bonnar has decided to retire from intercounty hurling following Tipp’s defeat by Waterford in the Munster semifinal. Bonnar will continue to play his club hurling with Dunhill in Waterford. Meanwhile, Len Gaynor says he wants to continue as Tipperary manager.

Wimbledon won’t quit

Wimbledon Chairman Sam Hammam appears not to be able to take no for an answer. Last week in Paris, FIFA said they were backing the FAI’s opposition to the proposed move of Wimbledon to Dublin. But Hammam now claims that FIFA have written to Wimbledon saying they would be prepared to preside over a meeting between the FAI and the club. It looks like this saga is going to continue.

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