OLDEST IRISH AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN USA, ESTABLISHED IN 1928
Category: Archive

Sports Desk: Kingdom should take 33rd title with ease

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

Next Sunday’s final against Mayo will be Kerry’s 50th final appearance and they will be favorites to record their 33rd win. Midfielder Darragh O Se, who went off injured early in the semifinal win over Derry, is definitely out and the speculation is that Seamus Moynihan, if fit, will come in as a straight replacement at midfield. Moynihan, who has not played since the Munster semifinal win over Cork in June, is normally a defender, but the Glenflesk man can play anywhere. He made his senior debut 12 years ago at midfield against Clare. If Moynihan is not fit, Kerry are likely to move Eoin Brosnan from the forward line to midfield. That would allow players like Liam Hassett and Colin Cooper to start the game and they still have more useful forwards on the bench.
Mayo looked impressive in their quarterfinal win over Tyrone, but then struggled against Fermanagh at the semifinal stage. John Maughan has done a great job building up morale in this Mayo team and Kieran McDonald at center half forward is a brilliant player provided he is allowed time on the ball. Kerry may not afford the Crossmolina man the necessary time and space and maybe it’s my heart ruling my head, but I think Kerry should win easily.
Meanwhile, the All-Ireland Under-21 Football Final between Mayo and Armagh will be played at Breffni Park in Cavan, on Oct. 9 or 10. The final was due to be played on Oct. 3, but Mayo requested a deferral to allow their U-21 players on the senior panel time to recover.

IRISH EXPECT HUGE
SUPPORT IN PARIS
The Republic of Ireland are expected to have huge support when they travel to Paris for the World Cup qualifier against France on Oct. 9. Last week, the FAI confirmed that they received 19,000 tickets from the French FA for the game. In addition, Irish supporters have been able to purchase tickets on the internet from the French FA site and it’s estimated that we could have at least 25,000 Irish supporters cheering on the Boys in Green in Paris two weeks from Saturday.
Meanwhile, Irish boss Brian Kerr said the fact that Patrick Vieira will miss the game does not concern him. Vieira will serve a one-match ban after being sent off in the 2-0 win over the Faroe Islands. That may be true, but privately Kerr will no doubt be glad that Vieira is out of the way.
Roy Keane picked up a yellow card against Switzerland and as both Keane and Viera have a bit of history, I think it’s good news that Viera will be missing.
Kerr is naturally more worried about his own team and will be hoping players like Damien Duff and Robbie Keane get more competitive action with their English clubs by the time the French game comes around. Midfield is definitely a problem area. Kevin Kilbane is willing but clearly not good enough for central midfield. You just never know what’s going to happen from one week to the next with Roy Keane. Liam Miller has not figured for Manchester United recently and Charlton manager Alan Curbishley reckons that Matt Holland, who missed the opening two World Cup qualifiers, will not be fit in time for the French game on Oct. 9 or the home game against the Faroe Islands on Oct. 13. Holland has been out for over a month with an ankle injury. Curbishley said: “Matt is running every day but is likely to be out until after the next international break.”

SHELS HAVE
TOUGH TASK
Shelbourne will need to win in Lille next Thursday if they are to progress to the final stages of this season’s UEFA Cup. Last week, Shels were two goals down to the French club in Dublin but made a miraculous comeback to draw the game 2-2. The French have the benefit of the away goals, and while they did create several goal chances at Lansdowne Road, they are clearly not unbeatable.
Meanwhile, the draw will be made this week for the semifinals of the FAI Cup. The four clubs that have made it through to the penultimate stage are holders Longford Town, Derry City, Drogheda United and Waterford United.

CURRAGH TO GET
MAJOR FACELIFT
The Curragh Racecourse in County Kildare is to get a major upgrade which is expected to cost in the region of

Other Articles You Might Like

Sign up to our Daily Newsletter

Click to access the login or register cheese