“I’ve played in finals where guys tried to win All Stars or go for miracle scores because they got carried away with the crowd or the moment. It happens. You can be as professional as you like but it happens. I see less potential for that with Kerry than with Galway.” Darragh Ó Sé sets out his stall pretty clearly in terms of a prediction for this Sunday’s All-Ireland final between Galway and Kerry. Having played against the Tribesmen in two finals during his own career, the former Kerry midfielder even regales us with some tales of his own Sam Maguire deciders. As the build-up to Sunday continues, Matthew Tierney has been speaking about his infamous penalty in the shootout victory over Armagh. He has even revealed that his mother went to school with Kerry star David Clifford’s mother! Elsewhere, former Galway man Gary Sice says he has yet to be blown away by this Kerry team this year but still fears the destruction Clifford is capable of.
“Sometimes it is perfectly acceptable or reasonable to pause and enjoy a moment in time without trying to find a place for it in the context of future assignments. Ireland’s outstanding 2-1 Test series win in New Zealand should be celebrated for what it is rather than trying to figure out what it might stand for in 14 months’ time.” In his column this morning, Gordon D’Arcy is quick to turn away those instantly trying to link a series win over the All Blacks to Ireland’s World Cup chances. As the Irish players made the long trip home from New Zealand in recent days, Gerry Thornley assessed the individual performances of the entire touring party.
Shamrock Rovers’ Champions League campaign looks to be well and truly over after a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Ludogorets on Tuesday night in Bulgaria. Stephen Bradley’s side were clinging on to a two-goal deficit that at least gave them some hope heading back to the second leg in Tallaght only for Igor Thiago’s sucker-punch in the 94th minute put an honest sheen on the result. In Euro 2022 action, the England camp has been explaining how they no longer fear a Spain side against whom they line up on Wednesday night in a crunch quarter-final.
We couldn’t get just two days after The Open before LIV reared its head again to throw conventional golf tours into chaos once again. First of all, it has emerged that champion golfer Cameron Smith is being pursued by the breakaway tour, though plenty are encouraging him to follow the example of the man he beat on Sunday, Rory McIlroy, and stay put on the PGA Tour. Secondly, Europe’s Ryder Cup plans are likely to be thrown into disarray now that captain Henrik Stenson looks set to sign on to the Saudi-backed venture. Talks between Stenson and Ryder Cup Europe took place on Tuesday. While there has been no comment from Ryder Cup Europe, it is understood they are resigned to losing their captain. The 46-year-old Stenson could even feature when LIV stages its third event next weekend in New Jersey.
