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August 3, 2007 | Gaelic Life
CROKER CLASHES...Kenneth Sweeney will be looking cause an upset when Connacht Champions Sligo meet Cork, Richie Keogh’s Wexford will be up against it when they face All-Ireland Champions, Patrick
Men in black to feel hurt
Cork can be
vulnerable
when they
arrive at
Croke Park
A defeat by
Fermanagh
and their
collapses to
Kerry are
examples
BANK OF IRELAND FOOTBALL
ALL-IRELAND QUARTER FINAL
Sligo v Cork
Croke Park (Saturday 2pm)
ON the last occasion that Sligo
lined out at Croke Park as Connaught
champions in 1975 they
received a real hammering from
a Kerry team on the verge of
greatness. A repeat of that result
is very unlikely indeed tomorrow.
The newly crowned provincial
champions have proven their
worth with that big win over Galway.
And, they have the players
to cause a few surprises against
the defeated Munster finalists.
Michael McNamara and Johnny
Davey are part of a tenacious
and speedy defence. Eamon
O’Hara dominates from midfield
and Mark Breheny and John Mc-
Partland are each very capable
attackers.
Sligo’s momentum from Connacht triumph might not be
Injury concerns over McPartland
and O’Hara have eased this
week as Sligo’s momentum from
their Connacht triumph is sure to
be worth a lot.
Cork can be vulnerable when
they arrive at Croke Park later in
the championship. A defeat by
Fermanagh and their collapses to
Kerry are examples.
Whether or not the defeated
Munster finalists have got their
act together this season remains
to be seen. Nevertheless, under
Billy Morgan they are justified
favourites to come through this
game and could well be dark
horses when this year’s championship
reaches its climax.
Players of the quality of James
Masters, towering full-forward,
Michael Cussen, Kevin McMahon
and Graham Canty, Anthony
Lynch and Derek Kavanagh will
spearhead their challenge. Each
of them have a proven ability at
this level and will be particularly
anxious to make their mark after
the failings of recent seasons.
It will be interested to see how
this game develops as a result.
Sligo’s, who defeated Tyrone in
2002, will have a huge support
and their positive attitude will be
a factor. However, Cork’s overall
strength and desire to realise
their undoubted potential at this
level indicates that they should
emerge victors after a close contest.
GUINNESS HURLING
ALL-IRELAND SEMI FINAL
Wexford v Kilkenny
Croke Park (Sunday 2pm)
HOW much has changed since
the Leinster final mis-match between
these two counties will only
become apparent when the ball
is thrown-in on Sunday.
Wexford’s win over Tipperary
has boosted their confidence and
they will aim to put up a much
better performance and perhaps
even cause a shock.
A good start for them is going
to be essential and perhaps even
decisive. If Kevin Rossitter, Darren
Ruth, Darren Stamp and Rory
McCarthy can find their form
early on, then the Slaneysiders
might have a chance.
Up front it’s important that
Michael Jacob, Barry Lambert
and Stephen Nolan take every
possible opportunity.
However, the simple fact remains
that Kilkenny are raging
hot favourites. Their win over
Galway shows just how dangerous
they really are and why nothing
less than another big win will
be a big shock.
A look through their team indicates
how strong they are. Noel
Hickey, Jackie Tyrell, JJ Delaney,
Tommy Walsh, and Derek Lyng
form a strong defence, the
promptings of Eddie Brennan
and James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick can
turn things dramatically around
and that’s not to mention Henry
Shefflin, Eoin Larkin and Martin
Comerford in the forwards.
The speed at which they can
execute the skills, switch play