Wary but hopeful ahead of Cavan
I have previewed the Roscommon v Cavan game in more detail elsewhere in the paper this week but it is the most dangerous game that the Rossies have played in this campaign so far.
Roscommon knew when they were facing Mayo, Monaghan and Tyrone that unless they played very well they would get nothing from those games and Roscommon did play very well in all three. Now the shoe is on the other foot, because Roscommon are favourites (4/5) to win the match, and like the Irish rugby team, Roscommon do not carry the mantle of favourites very well.
Cavan have been beaten in all three of their games so far but they have been very competitive and they will look on this game as a very winnable one. I know Roscommon have a great recent record against Cavan in league and championship but once again the team will have to show the same fire and will to win that they have done in their three games so far. I am very hopeful of a win but am fearful that we may come unstuck if we are any way off colour on the day.
It’s amazing how many times Roscommon and Cavan have clashed over the years. It seems that it’s an annual event and our paths seem to have taken similar lines in terms of promotion and relegation. I must say I like Kingspan Breffni as a venue. There is always a huge passionate Cavan crowd there and I am expecting at least 5,000 people there on Sunday. A win would put Roscommon within touching distance of survival in Division One. That would be some achievement.
Students draw a big crowd
I was gobsmacked to read on Monday that a staggering crowd of over 7,000 attended the Dr. Harty Cup (Munster Colleges SHC) final at Pairc Uí Rinn last Saturday between St. Francis College and Rochestown. It is some crowd for a colleges game and an indication of the pull of the GAA in Cork.
Likeable Lowry in WGC action
One of the big World Golf Championship events takes place in Mexico this weekend and the first really big title of the year will be up for grabs.
The top 50 in the world, which includes Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, are eligible to take part. It would be great to see Lowry follow up his great win in Abu Dhabi with a good performance this weekend. I don’t particularly like Paul Kimmage’s style (Mr. Angry), however I have to say his major interview with Lowry in last Sunday’s Independent was a good read. Lowry is a really down to earth and likeable guy who you would like to see do well.
Sunday could define Liverpool’s season!
This Sunday, at the exact same time as the Roscommon v Cavan game, Liverpool face a season-defining game against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the English Premier League. A win for Jurgen Klopp’s side and they are back in pole position to win the title, a draw keeps the door open for City but a loss would be a bad result for The ‘Pool and City would then be favourites to regain their crown.
Two months ago this game would have been a shoe-in for Liverpool but United’s recent good form gives them a chance and they will surely want to put a dent in their great rivals’ title aspirations. I think the result will hinge on what teams are available. Both sides are suffering from injuries. United got a bit of a reality check against PSG last week and are dodgy in defence all the time. I think that this one will end in a draw.
Jackie made Kiely’s job easier!
People who make big bold brash statements in sport are usually reminded of it when things go wrong. There was a great example of that over the past week when former Kilkenny hurling great Jackie Tyrell said that Limerick were not even in the top three teams in the country despite the fact that they are the All-Ireland champions and had won both of their league games so far very easily. It must have been very easy for John Kiely the Limerick manager to give his team talk at Nowlan Park on Sunday! They went out and blew the Cats away winning by nine points pulling up. I’d say Brian Cody was calling Jackie Tyrell on Monday to tell him to keep his mouth shut next time!
