Sports Desk: Dubs-Kingdom clash recalls classic ties of ’70s

The meeting of old rivals Dublin and Kerry would be enough to fill the stadium on its own. But we also have the added attraction of a first-ever championship meeting between Derry and Westmeath as the curtain-raiser. Many GAA followers reckon that the 1970s were the halcyon years of the GAA, when Kerry and Dublin provided some brilliant exhibitions of Gaelic football. The counties last met at the quarterfinal stage at Thurles in 2001. The first game that was played on the August Bank Holiday weekend was a nightmare for motorists traveling from Dublin. And the team didn’t fare much better, with Wayne McCarthy missing an injury-time free that would have given the Dubs victory. Kerry easily won the replay. This will be the first game between the counties at Croke Park since the 1985 All-Ireland final.
Meanwhile, Derry and Westmeath have never met in the championship. Derry, who looked very poor against Tyrone in the opening game of the Ulster championship, have improved via the backdoor system and they may put an end to the Westmeath odyssey.
Then on Sunday we have the second hurling semifinal where Cork will be favorites to beat Wexford and qualify for yet another final. Last year the counties played out a draw at the semifinal stage, with Cork winning the replay.

FAI, IFA TO RENEW LINKS
Why have we got two soccer associations in Ireland when there is only one body governing rugby, athletics, hockey, GAA, etc.? The answer lies in events which happened in the early stages of the last century — 1921, to be exact. Almost 100 years ago, the Football Association of Ireland was formed in Dublin and broke away from the Irish Football Association in Belfast, which before partition was responsible for soccer on the whole island. Since then, both associations have had cordial relations, but continued to run their separate leagues. There have been attempts in the past at North/South competitions and the old inter-league competition was popular prior to the introduction of television. In addition in the 1940s, there was the Dublin-Belfast InterCity Cup, which was followed by the Blaxnit Cup in the ’60s and the Texaco Cup and Tyler Cup in the ’70s. The latter competition was marred by troublesome Linfield supporters and the competition was ended in 1981. Now, 23 years later, details of another North-South competition have been announced by the FAI and the IFA. Setanta Sport will sponsor the competition, which will be played between the top three clubs from both Leagues next April.

SHELS THINK BIG
Shelbourne have taken a brave decision by moving their Champions League qualifier against Deportivo La Coruna from Tolka Park to the more spacious Lansdowne Road. Tolka Park can accommodate only 11,000, while Lansdowne can accommodate up to 47,000. But one wonders if Dubliners turn out in force this evening for a Spanish side who have no really big names.
Shels need a crowd of over 20,000 to break even, but they will benefit substantially from television rights. And of course if they lose to Deportivo, Shelbourne go back into the UEFA Cup, with the possibility of another attractive tie. Originally, Shelbourne were due to travel to Spain for the first leg, but Deportivo kindly agreed to play the first leg in Dublin. Had Shels travelled to Spain and lost the first leg three or four nil, the return leg would not have been a very attractive tie.

AGENT SAYS DUFF STAYS
With the FA Premiership kicking off in England this weekend, Damien Duff’s agent has refuted claims that the Irish star may be on his way out of Stamford Bridge. Recent reports claim that new Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is a big fan of Duff’s and that he may be willing to offer Czech striker Milan Baros in part exchange for the Irishman. But Duff’s agent, Pat Devlin, said: “Damien is very happy at Chelsea and cannot wait to start the season. It’s nonsense to suggest he wants to go back to the northwest of England. Damien isn’t thinking about anything but playing for Chelsea.” Doesn’t sound that convincing to me.
But the new Liverpool boss is not apparently a fan of Irish international Steve Finnan, who only moved to Anfield from Fulham last year. Now Finnan could be on his way to Blackburn Rovers on loan.

FORD FAVORED FOR GALWAY JOB
John O’Mahony has quit as Galway football manager after seven years in charge of the Tribesmen. When O’Mahony took over from Val Daly in 1997, Galway hadn’t won the All-Ireland senior football title for 31 years, but thanks to O’Mahony, “Sam” was back across the Shannon in 1998 and again in 2001. O ‘Mahony, who was born in Mayo, holds an unique place in Connacht football in that he is the only man to lead three different counties — Galway, Mayo and Leitrim — to Connacht senior football titles. Former Mayo player Peter Ford, who had a spell as Sligo manager last year, is the favorite to replace O’Mahony. Ford, whose father is from Galway, teaches in Headford. He has also coached his home town club Ballinrobe. Others in the frame include journalist Eugene McGee, who had success with Offaly in the 1980s and former Galway player Brian Talty.
Meanwhile, there is speculation that O’Mahony could move to Donegal. Brian McEniff said two weeks ago that he was willing to stay on, but it’s known that McEniff, who is also Donegal chairman, would be willing to stand down if a high-profile appointment could be made.