GAA Snippets

McKenna Cup Final
Down 1-12 Derry 1-6

Down regained the McKenna Cup after a lapse of eight years following their impressive win over Derry at a well attended flood-lit Casement Park on Saturday night.

Derry, the pre-match favourites began the game in confident mood and completely dominated the opening exchanges.

However, their wayward shooting near goal undermined good outfield play, they had four wides before Down were able to mount a single attacking movement. Down then began to play with confidence and with some accurate shooting were able to take a 0-6 to 0-1 lead at the break.

Within the first ten minutes of the restart Down increased their lead with two excellent points when it looked as if Down would win in a canter.

Then in the fifteenth minute Paddy Bradley, showed his class with a clever goal to reduce the margin to four points.

However, Down never lost the momentum and sealed an impressive win through a goal from Griffan with five minutes remaining.

Overall, a good start for Down and one that they hope will propel them to gain promotion from Division 3 of the National League. Derry were very disappointing.

O'Neill Confirms Retirement Plans

Stephen O'Neill, Tyrone's successor to the legendary Peter Canavan has rocked the football world with his decision to retire from County football at the relatively young age of 27.

Last week we reported that O'Neill planned to take a break from football for a couple of months to enable recurring knee problems to disappear.

However on Thursday last O'Neill, following a discussion with his medical advisors has now decided to opt out of intercounty football and to play only at club level when he has regained full fitness.

O'Neill, Football of the Year in 2005 has won All-Ireland medals at minor, under 21 (2) and senior (2).

He has also won two national league and two Ulster medals. Like his predecessor Peter Canavan, O'Neill will be almost impossible to replace.

McGarry To Continue With Kilkenny

James McGarry, first choice Kilkenny goal keeper in their All-Ireland wins of 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2006 has decided to remain with the county panel for the 2008 attempt at a defence of their All-Ireland title.

Readers will recall that due to injury in the early stages of last year McGarry lost his place to P.J. Ryan.

Ryan held his place throughout the championships and manned the goalkeeping slot in the All-Ireland win over Limerick.

McGarry, whose wife Vanessa was tragically killed in a motor accident last August is determined to avail of any lapse in form by Ryan to regain his place.

Cork Players Strike Deteriorates

Even the intervention of a Labour Court Mediation has failed to solve the empasse between the Cork hurling and football panels and the County Board over the Manager/Selectors dispute.

Over the weekend the mediator spent almost eighteen hours in separate discussions with both sides, but no resolution was reached.

In fact matters have actually deteriorated in that the players are now also demanding official representation on the County Board, a demand that the Board has flatly rejected.

Another development that hardened attitudes was the call by iconic Cork player Sean O'hAilpin for both county secretary Frank Murphy and senior football manager Teddy Holland to resign.

It now seems unlikely that Cork footballers will be in apposition to face Meath in next Sundays opening National League game.

At this juncture it would appear that the hurlers first round National league game against Kilkenny in two weeks time is also in doubt. By the way, the Cork players strike has the support of the G.P.A.

O'Byrne Cup S/F Replay
Dublin win replay
Dublin 1-15 Carlow 1-7

Dublin eventually comfortably qualified to meet Longford in next weeks final following their eight point win over Carlow in this replay at Carlow.

However, Carlow gave the Dubs a lot of trouble for over fifty minutes before eventually succumbing to the more experience of Caffreys men.