Cats to beat the bookies

In Maghera, there is a famous saying, ‘every day is a Rainey day’, a reference to the two John Rainey bookmaker shops.  Like most towns in Ireland, at the weekend people will lose out on their weekly flutter.  A ‘sure thing’ running in the 3.30 at Sandown or Liverpool drawing at home to Torquay in the FA Cup, costing you £200 in an accumulator.  Usually, the only winner is the bookie. 

John Rainey has not ventured into the online betting market, so before compiling this article I checked Paddy Power for the odds ahead of Sunday’s All-Ireland Hurling Final.  As of Tuesday night, Tipp are 8/11, Kilkenny the outsiders at 6/4 and it’s 11/1 for a draw.

Personally I think it is a weekend to keep your money in your pocket.  It’s a game that will be difficult to call.  This weekend I simply want entertainment value, a game that will keep me guessing right until the final whistle.  So after my Sunday morning cycle and brunch I will head for a ‘Sofa Sunday’. I am looking forward to what should be two great games.

To help preview the senior final, I have asked a few people to give their take on the game, their verdict and where the game will be won and lost.

Cahair O'Kane

Mickey Glover (Slaughtneil Hurling Manager) – I am going for Kilkenny. Based on both teams this year I think they will be better prepared for the fight this time, Tipperary might find hunger lacking a bit but I expect the game to be a classic and a very tough encounter with very little in it. Prediction: Kilkenny

Cahair O’Kane (County Derry Post) – Tipp have been the best side in the country over the last two years but a wounded Kilkenny side is a seriously dangerous animal. The Cats might trust themselves individually though, and not do what Dublin did in playing an extra man in front of their full-back line. That confidence could be their undoing. If they go man for man, Tipp will score goals and win. If not, Kilkenny. Prediction: Tipperary

Paul Hughes

Paul Hughes (St Patrick’s Maghera Hogan and O’Keefe winning manager) - Tipp with all the motivation - back to back titles for first time since 64/65; won minor titles in 06 with Sheedy and 07 with Declan Ryan as manager.

Tipp have power, pace, fierce intensity, incredible movement, speed and carry a major goal threat via Corbett especially.  Also know they can go toe to toe, match and beat the Cats after two massive finals in the past two years.  Few teams can say that about playing Kilkenny.

Kilkenny will make them earn their title and Cody is the one key factor who can get that bit extra from the Cats but I still fancy Tipp to create their own piece of history and move themselves within 2 of Munster rivals Cork in the all-time list of winners. Prediction: Tipperary.



Aidan McLaughlin



Aidan McLaughlin (Claudy Football Goalkeeper) - I fancy Kilkenny to win.  A lot of people are writing them off, maybe so, but they have far too much quality and strength in depth.  Yes, Tipp do have a great team and a formidable full forward line, but deep down I fancy the Cats. Prediction: Kilkenny

Conan Doherty (www.SC1sports.com and Steelstown footballer) – Tipperary have been the most impressive side for a second year running and their effortless dismissal of their Munster challengers was jaw-dropping. But Kilkenny are Kilkenny - they have dominated the 21st century, breezed to another final, and now have an axe to grind this year. The Cats by 6.  Prediction: Kilkenny

Karl McKaigue

Karl McKaigue (Slaughtneil Dual Player) - It's likely going to be a tight game which could end up with either side winning by a small margin. Many see Kilkenny going into the game as underdogs which is hard to believe since they have won 4 of the last 5 All-Ireland titles. However I fancy Tipp to make it two in a row, due to the fact that their forward line is the stronger. Kilkenny's defence won't be able to match intensity like that of Dublin's in the semi. Prediction: Tipperary

Sean Cassidy (Slaughtneil Dual Player) - I think Tipperary are going to win this year because throughout the championship they have been the best team. Both teams have great players that can win matches but with players like Lar Corbett and Eoin Kelly scoring with ease in every game, they will be the team to watch. Prediction: Tipperary

James Kielt

James Kielt (Derry and Kilrea footballer) - I think it will be another tight affair between these two great teams.  The bookies have Tipp at 8/13 favourites which is probably justified going on the form of the teams over the last year or so.  Tipp’s forwards will be hard to shackle but a depleted Dublin put them to the pin of their collar.  Kilkenny were one victory away from going for 6 in a row this year and I think they have another big kick in them yet. Prediction: Kilkenny

Enda McKaigue (Slaughtneil Footballer) - Sunday's final is hard to call. If the bookies are anything to go by Tipp already have their name on the Liam McCarthy Cup. However I fancy Kilkenny to come through, just about. Brian Cody will not need to remind them of last years final and the Cats are a dangerous animal when questions are asked of them. They have yet to set the championship alight this year but I think there is a big performance in them for this Sunday. King Henry to do it on the big stage once again.  Prediction: Kilkenny

Richard Ferris (Former Derry footballer) – It’ll be a tough one, but I think it will be Kilkenny for me Mal.  I cannot see them losing two in a row.  A key factor, is that Henry Shefflin is flying fit this year and will make a huge difference to them. Prediction: Kilkenny

Ronan McCloskey

Ronan McCloskey (Former Dungiven Dual player and Derry hurler) - It has the makings of being a great final, with Kilkenny to revenge the defeat from last year. They will have been hurting from that and their season this year will be all about turning that around. Maybe the notions of five in a row got to some of the players heads and they were stunned by a dominant Tipp team that had a greater appetite. Kilkenny's hunger will be greater than ever and with Henry Shefflin back to his best they will just about have enough to scrape victory by a couple of points. Prediction: Kilkenny

Jerome Quinn (Online Media – www.jeromequinnmedia.com) - It's got draw written all over it! These teams are basically on the same level and after an almighty battle, I expect there to be nothing between them at the final whistle. Tipp were better last year and they're still flying, but Lar Corbett won't score three goals again and the Cats don't have the pressure on them for keeping their unbeaten run going.  I reckon things will even out. Brian Cody's men look to be in the mood to get the cup back, but it's another year on and King Henry isn't quite the force he was. Prediction: Draw

Seamus McAleenan

Seamus McAleenan (GAA Correspondent) - Anyone's game for the best of three finals.  Kilkenny broke up their midfield combination of Fennelly and Rice this year (probably best in the business) by moving Rice to wing forward.  Was this with the intention of curbing one man - Tipperary's Brendan Maher?  Both teams tend to play a game on traditional line-out format - no sweepers etc. and, while they both have star players, those stars are not afraid to dirty their hands. 

Can Tipp create the space they did in the Kilkenny defence last year, by pulling the Kilkenny full-back line out of position and leave someone (probably Corbett) one on one inside?  Both teams will try to keep half forward lines close to midfield - will the half-back lines follow or sit in place?

Should be like the last two finals - high-intensity, high-scoring, goals (and their timing) crucial.  King Henry is back to lead, but Tipp's young guns are maturing.  Slightly fancy the Cats.  Prediction: Kilkenny

So of my thirteen predictions I got the following breakdown. 

KILKENNY – 8   TIPPERARY - 4   DRAW – 1

It doesn’t exactly fit in with what Paddy Power reckoned.  I am not sure what Rainey’s odds are, but the bookies are never that far apart.  So will the eight people who put their money on Kilkenny be in the money or simply crumpling up their docket.  Or indeed will it be the day of Jerome Quinn celebrating a draw at 11/1?

Only when the final whistle sounds and the stewards call for Plan B as the crowds swarm Croke Park, will we know the answer.  After all that debate I am swaying with Kilkenny.  I am away to empty my piggy bank and head to Rainey’s before Sunday!

Thanks to the pundits for giving their views.

A-Z of top premiership goalscorers

Do you know your soccer?  Since the English Premiership was formed in 1992, who has been the highest premierhship scorer based on the first letter of their surname?

For example S is for Shearer, he has scored more premiership goals than anyone beginning with S.

Try and get the answers without using the internet.  Anyone can get them that way!!!

Leave your answers below, via the comment section.  I will keep updating them when I get a few in. 

Add your name with the entry so can see how many you got.

Still a few to get

A - Nicholas Anelka
B - James Beattie

C - Andy Cole
D - Dion Dublin
E - Jason Euell
F - Robbie Fowler
G - Ryan Giggs
H - Thierry Henry
I - Paul Ince
J - Andy Johnson
K - Robbie Keane
L - Frank Lampard
M - Gary McAllister
N - Kevin Nolan
O - Michael Owen
P - Kevin Philips
Q - Niall Quinn
R - Wayne Rooney
S - Alan Shearer
T - Fernando Torres
U - David Unsworth
V - Ruud Van Nistelrooy
W - Ian Wright
X - Abel Xavier
Y - Dwight Yorke
Z - Gianfranco Zola

Cats to regain Liam McCarthy Cup

Yesterday’s viewing in Croke Park was dire.  Pat Spillane described it as ‘shiite football’ during his half time analysis.  Hurling purists would have declared it as a great advert for hurling!

It mattered little to Dublin as they went one step closer to lifting Sam.  If Donegal had pushed on from their three point lead, Jim McGuiness would have been hailed a tactical genius.  One that Arsenal could have done with in their dugout yesterday.  The influence of Rooney and Ashley Young would have been severely curbed.  Thankfully not, as my Fantasy League team would have suffered as a result.

So from a low scoring, drab encounter, next Sunday promises a different game with the scoreboard ticking over on a more regular basis.  Yesterday it changed on 14 occasions.  Last year’s hurling final brought 40 scores, nearly three times as many.  The 2009 final produced 47 scores.

2009 Kilkenny 2-22 Tipperary 0-23

2010 Tipperary 4-17 Kilkenny 1-18

2011 Tipperary ?-?? Kilkenny ?-??

When the ball is thrown in at 3.30 this Sunday at HQ, who will be favourites to climb the famous Hogan Stand steps at 4.45 or so?  It is a tough one to call.  Once again Mickey Glover gives his opinions on who will prevail.



Mickey Glover



“My opinion is this year’s final will be much closer than last year. Kilkenny showed in the Leinster Final they are still capable of turning the screw on teams when it’s required. Henry Shefflin and Tommy Walsh returned that day and gave top drawer displays.”

Mickey points out that Dublin may have exposed a weakness in Tipperary, a chink in their armour.  “In the semi-final, Tipperary were pushed all the way by a very capable Dublin team.  The Dubs ran at Tipp causing them some problems and they quickly closed down Tipp's forwards.”

This will not have been lost on the Kilkenny management team.  “Cody and Fogarty (Martin) will have seen this and you can guarantee Tipp won’t get the space they enjoyed last year and will be shut out much quicker.”

Last season Lar Corbett was the key that unlocked the Kilkenny defence.  I asked Mickey how Kilkenny would approach this year’s final.  “Cody will have had time to prepare Kilkenny and develop some type of plan to curb the free running of Corbett.”

“They will probably try to keep a player between him and the Kilkenny nets all the time.  Some are thinking Tommy Walsh could curb him but I don't think he will be tasked with this job. Cody may stick with the old faithful of 6 on 6.”

King Henry Shefflin

“Kilkenny's defence are very strong under the high ball, especially Walsh and Delaney.  If they can stop the Tipp half forwards especially Noel McGrath and Seamus Callanan running this will have an impact on Tipp's scoring threat, along with the danger of Corbett popping up unmarked in front of the Kilkenny net.”

“Tipp’s half back line, is also very influential, with Padraig Maher defensively strong and also capable of scoring a few points if given the space. What role King Henry (Shefflin) takes during the game may also impact the outcome. Like Corbett, he sometimes roams out towards midfield picking up ball, scoring or play making for the inside forwards, but again only on Sunday will we see the layout.”

“Tipperary may have taken a step back since last year. They had a mixed league campaign, won a poor Munster championship and struggled against Dublin in the semi-final.”

“Kilkenny, however have done what they always do. They worked through the league before losing to Dublin in the final, with a pretty unknown side.  Then in the Leinster final brought their A game to the

Jones Road

venue.  Next up, they defeated a poor Waterford team in the All-Ireland semi-final and are now facing the team that destroyed them and a 5 in a row bid last year.”

So having looked at both teams, what is Mickey’s verdict on who will lift the Liam McCarthy Cup on Sunday? 

“I am going for Kilkenny. Based on both teams this year I think they will be better prepared for the fight this time, Tipperary might find hunger lacking a bit but I expect the game to be a classic and very tough encounter with very little in it.”

In The Spotlight - Mark O'Connor (Coventry RFC)

It was a cold, wet and miserable night in Glen back pitch.  It was a pre-season training session for Derry minors.  The previous weekend Drumsurn’s Mark O’Connor had hurt his shoulder in a trial game.  We had him earmarked for a midfield slot.

He was present at Glen the following week, despite Niall Conway urging him to take it easy.  ‘Big Mark’ went in for a tackle during a conditioned game and down he went.  It was his ankle.  Not only was he central to our plans that season, but he also had a rugby career to think about.

After the usual treatment for a sprain, it was clear that Mark had damaged ligaments.  I felt terrible, as it was one of those sessions that should have finished ten minutes earlier, but we opted for one more game.  We were wrong.

After an intensive rehab plan, Mark played for us later that summer in the championship, scoring a goal on a scorching hot Ballybofey Sunday as we beat Donegal.  A contrast from that night in Glen.

Mark and his midfield partner, Cailean O’Boyle both missed out semi final with Monaghan and we exited the championship.  However, rugby was always high on Mark’s ambitions.  His brother Niall had already represented Ireland and Ulster.

I recently was in touch with Mark to see how he is progressing with his new move over to Coventry RFC.

Name: Mark O'Connor

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 87kg

Occupation: Professional Rugby Player/Student

Club: Coventry RFC          

Previous Club: Rainey OB RFC

Position: Full-back

Length of Rugby career: 11 years

Honours / Representative teams: Ulster U18, U19, U20, A, Colleges and Irish Colleges

Favourite Food: Pasta

Favourite Drink: Yazoo milkshake

Favourite Music: Upbeat Acoustic

Boots worn: Adidas Predator X

Three people you would invite to a dinner party? Frankie Sandford (Saturdays), Cheryl Cole and Kim Kardashian

Pre Match meal: 2L bottle of water mixed with Blue Powerade and a sandwich.

Pre Match superstitions: Always tape my left wrist with White tape and have 2 pairs of boots warm-up/playing

How often do you train: 4 days per week (4 gym sessions, 2 pitch sessions)

What does the training consist of?

It is currently pre-season training.  It mainly consists of cardiovascular workouts, muscular endurance and intensive skills.  Also for my position I work on place kicking and punting.

Is there special diet and training programmes depending on what position you play?  All players are responsible for their own diet but there is a power and strength program designed for each person.

Do you use Video Analysis? Every match is recorded and used to make individual and team improvements.

How much preparation do you do on calls and set plays? Approx 2 hours per week and all players have a playbook.

What is the most difficult part of playing rubgy?

It has to be the physical demands coupled with high intensity anaerobic fitness.

Which is harder – playing Football or rugby?

Physically rugby is harder but playing football is aerobically tougher.

How will Ireland do in the World Cup this year?

Quarter-Final exit.

Road to Celtic Park

It's now the business end of the championship.  No more second chances.  The shadow boxing is over, it is time foe team managers to start and put together a plan to get them to final day at Celtic Park in October.

At this stage, championship is all on the day.  The team who can do this on three consecutive occasions will ‘bring home the bacon.’

Will Coleraine be like Kerry, after a five week lay-off, just peaking at the right time? Or, will it be battle hardened Kilrea who have dug deep to get to this stage and know more bout themselves? 

In intermediate Slaughtmanus were highly fancied due their recent experience in the senior ranks.  Will the defeat by Ballymaguigan be the turning of their season?

A lot of questions.  It’s time for some answers.  Here are the fixtures.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP (Sat 10^th / Sun 11^th September)

·         Coleraine v Loup

·         Ballinderry v Bellaghy

·         Slaughtneil v Kilrea

·         Dungiven v Ballinascreen

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP (Sat 10^th / Sun 11^th September)

·         Swatragh v Steelstown

·         Craigbane v Slaughtmanus

·         Lissan v Moneymore

·         Ballymaguigan v Drumsurn

We are looking to get some opinion on who will prevail in these games.  You can do it via the ‘comments’ section below.  You don’t need to be registered, just go anonymous.  Give us the prediction to each game.

It’s just to get a bit of interest going…..and to help me make my predictions.  After my pitiful showing in recent rounds I need all the help I can get.

Ironman - The Ultimate Challenge

On a recent weekend to Donegal, I came across a triathlon taking place in Churchill outside Letterkenny.  Out for a leisurely stroll in the woods, I came across an triathlon in progress. 

I saw a few of the competitors coming out of the water; even on a warm Saturday afternoon it looked cold.  Further along, I met some of them tackling a hill climb on the bike and on my way back to the car I saw the final leg, the run.

It looked like a massive challenge and this was ‘only’ a triathlon.  It made me wonder what an Ironman would be like.  When I keyed the term into google, I got the following dictionary definition.

Ironman - a strong man of exceptional physical endurance.

In order to find out a bit more, I made contact with my Carn Wheelers colleague Julian Grimes.  I wanted to try and find out the preparation required and what indeed makes this special breed of people tick.

Name: Julian Grimes

Age: 40

Height: 6.0

Weight: 13.1

Occupation: Bill payer

Did you have a sporting background before Ironman?

I played a bit of GAA, soccer and some recreational running.

What is the exact make up of an iron man?

It is made up of 3.8km swim, 180km bike followed then by a marathon.  The distances are always the same, but some events are tougher than others, due to the climbs on the bike or temperature.  No two events the same.  

Have you done many?

Ironman UK 2010, Ironman Austria 2011 (did not finish Austria as I tore my hamstring at the start of the run).

Do you do it in a team, or is it an individual thing?

It’s very much an individual thing, you can train with others but on the day it is all about you and the distance.  The age range varies from 18 to 65.

How long are you at them?

Started triathlon about 4 years ago.  I could not swim, never really cycled and had done a bit of running. Swimming for most like me is the difficult part, not only the distance, but it’s always open water swims.  They are always chaotic at the start, with people swimming over you etc, not a pleasant experience.

What made you get involved in it?

A mid-life crisis, when you give up team sports, you either retire to the armchair or look for something to give you that adrenalin buzz that comes with competing.  I saw triathlon events in Ballyronan and thought could I? 

How many weeks is the training program?

Ironman is usually a six month programme.

What way is it broken down?

It’s usually on a week basis, swim Monday and Fridays, pool based.  Then on Tuesday run on the roads or track, Wednesday will be a turbo or spin class, Thursday run, Sat and Sunday will be either a long run or long bike  

Do you do triathlons in build-up to an Ironman?

Most people start that way, first a sprint distance 750m, 20k , 5k, then on to Olympic 1500m, 40k, 10k then half Ironman, 1900m, 90k, 21k.

Do you have a coach or do you design the programme yourself?

This year I used an online coach, who would email my programme weekly and follow up with any issues.

Do you do weights, core or any other sort of training?

I try to fit in core and stretching sessions.

What about recovery?

Normally try and take one day a week, and do this on a basis of when you feel really knackered.  It’s not very scientific but works for me.

Is any of it early morning sessions?

Some early mornings, but mostly night and weekends, tough to fit in and you need a very understanding family!

Is there much equipment needed?

A wetsuit, bike and running shoes and you are off.  These can be as cheap or expensive as you want.

What way do you manage your diet in the build-up?

Due to the number of hours and intensity of training, I can mostly eat what I like, and never worry too much about my weight, but I always try and get good portions of fruit and vegetables and plenty of water. Supplements are not really my thing and really only sports drinks when training.

Are the transitions hard to practice?

No transitions are pretty easy, when you have done it once it is no problem. You have to set everything up yourself to ensure smooth transitions.

Where do you stay when you are over?

Usually when you go abroad to Ironman events I travel with a specialist travel firm, who book your hotels and make sure everything is organised for you.

I heard your gear got misplaced recently, does this happen often?

Not that often.  EasyJet forgot to load my bags when travelling to Ironman Austria this year, which was not the best. I got my bags just hours before registration closed.  Also delayed our flight on the way home and we missed our connecting flight.

What is best thing, memory of Ironman?

There is so many good things about it.  The feeling when you cross the line, the atmosphere two minutes before the start, the sense of achievement, the look in peoples eyes when you explain what Ironman involves (when they realise it is not a bodybuilding competition they just think your bonkers), the training (have met some really great people from cycling, running and triathlon clubs,) but I suppose the best has to be crossing the line in the UK with two of my boys in my arms, to finish and to finish with them there was a memory that I hope we will always cherish and certainly brought tears.

What is the most difficult aspect of it?

Saturday or Sunday mornings in winter, it’s 5 degrees, wet and windy, and you have to cycle 60 mile and then have a 30 min run, that’s when you know whether you will be able to finish an Ironman 3 months later.

In summaryIt’s fun, tough, rewarding and many other cliches, but like anything else, set your mind to it and the body will follow…

One Step from September

Kerry and September come hand in hand.  That’s just the way it is.  Yesterday at Croke Park they saw off the brave challenge of Mayo.  Colm Cooper was back to his best, terrorising defences.  Today, the Kerry County Board will be getting the suits ordered, the banquet menu in place and starting to think about tickets. 

Now the question is simple, who will they be playing on the famous September Sunday, Dublin or Donegal?  Already RTE will be thinking of ‘Up for the Match’ and will no doubt be wondering if the likes of Brian Mullins, Barney Rock and Kieran Duff will be on the swanky sofas talking about their great battles with the Kingdom.  Also Mickey Sheehy and Paddy Cullen will no doubt be discussing ‘that goal’ from the 1978 final.

The Ulster Champions will have other ideas.  I was in Letterkenny last weekend, the manager (one of the McEniff’s I think) of our hotel was quietly confident.  He said Donegal were progressing nicely.  Over in Glenties Jim McGuiness will have spent the past few weeks plotting a plan for the Dubs and fine tuning his team for another big performance.

So far this season Donegal have set themselves up to be difficult to beat and hit teams on the break.  After Dublin’s whirlwind performance against Tyrone, Donegal will need a big performance.  Can they do it?  Former Derrylaughan and Greenlough manager Neil McCloy (left) analyses the teams.

“Dublin are one of the season’s form teams, reflected in them reaching the division 1 final and posting big scores.  They are littered with pace and like all successful teams, have clinical forwards particularly Connolly and the two Brogans, making them formidable opposition.  All of their forwards can score from distance and against Tyrone all of them scored.” 

It is not just their attacks that has made McCloy take note.  “Their defensive system invites their opposition in, so they can counter attack at pace.  Some people may be of the opinion that Dublin have an untried defence.  I do agree but their defensive system ensures that they are not left open and vulnerable. They pack the scoring area with players, with their half forward line dropping back for protection.”

“They maintain their shape and often leave a sweeper in place when they go on the attack. A high workrate ensures that pressure is applied from the midfield line to scoring area. The way Dublin defend is key to their attacking, they invite their opposition in and leave space for their scoring forwards and it worked to great affect in their game against Tyrone. I don't expect Donegal to be as open and allow them the same luxury.”

It is often the case that teams cannot put big performances back to back.  Cork powering past Down, then floundering to Mayo.  Loup man McCloy, also thinks Dublin will have to handle the high expectation in the build-up to Sunday.

Diarmuid Connolly

“After the last game all the hype will be on Dublin and it will be interesting to see how they cope with this. Here is a team that got beat at this stage last year and were in control of the league final when they collapsed against Cork. They were also fortunate against Kildare with a dubious free given and were poor against Wexford so lots of questions still remain with this Dublin team which will give Donegal confidence. They will not be expected to win but I feel they have a great chance.”

One aspect that Jim McGuiness has brought to the Donegal setup is that of superb organisation.  McCloy reiterates this.  “Donegal will continue to use the system that has been a success for them to date.  Croke Park has loads of space but against Kildare it was clear that Donegal are well physically trained and can implement their game plan.”

“In Neil McGee, Frank McGlynn and Karl Lacey, they have defenders to mark Dublin’s key players. Dublin are going to have to get scores from distance, which could prove difficult, every time they shoot they will be surrounded by two Donegal men putting huge pressure on.  To date Dublin have not been challenged with this. Donegal can soak up the pressure and likewise with a fully fit Michael Murphy they will be also be hard to work with. Colm McFadden will have better games than his last day out and with impact players like Christy Toye and Brick Molloy Dublin will have their hands full.”

It is well documented the influence Stephen Cluxton has with this kick-out strategy.  McCloy reckons Donegal won’t be too concerned with this.  “I expect Donegal to give Dublin the share of their kick-outs and hope to soak up the pressure in their defensive system. By going man to man on their kick-outs it will leave them open at the back and they will have learned from Tyrone’s mistakes.”

When Dublin won back in 1995, it was “Boom boom boom, let me hear you say Jayo” with Jason Sherlock fever.  In 1992 Anthony Molloy famously said, ‘Sam is for the hills’.  Next Monday morning, will it be Magee Tailored in Donegal Town, or Arnott’s on

Henry Street

that will be receiving an order for the All-Ireland Final suits?

An intriguing game in prospect.  Jack O’Connor, the Gooch and co will be watching with great interest, as yet again Kerry have reacquainted themselves with the month of September.