BLAME the heat, or perhaps the weight of favouritism. But three of football's underdogs barked loudly and almost inflicted grevious wounds on various title pretenders in provincial encounters yesterday; yet, in the end, only Monaghan - who drew with bookmakers' favourites Derry in the Ulster Championship at Clones - got the chance of a second bite at the cherry.
London lost their opportunity when going down to Leitrim in the Connacht championship at Ruislip, after extra time. Indeed London could have anticipated a return trip for a replay but for an "agreement" with Leitrim made before the match, that extra time would be played in the event of a draw.
Meanwhile, Louth found the burden of favourites difficult to carry in their Leinster championship match with Carlow and were happy enough in the end (after kicking 17 wides to their opponents' eight) to march on to the quarter finals thanks to a 1-13 to 1-10 win.
In yesterday's other football championship game, Tipperary beat Waterford to earn a Munster semi final trip to meet Kerry in Tralee, albeit with the words of their manager Paddy Morrissey ringing in their ears: "If we play like that against Kerry," he said "we won't deserve to be driven home."
Fortunately for Leitrim there were no red faces and no players left behind after their great escape in London. Declan Darcy proved to be Leitrim's cool, clean hero: he scored a goal in the last minute of normal time to tie the match at 1-9 each and force extra time (agreed by officials beforehand although it is customary for championship matches to go to a replay first) and was again the driving force in added time, finishing with a personal contribution of 2-10 in his side's eventual 2-18 to 1-13 win.
Like London, Monaghan bemoaned a missed chance. At least they have the solace, however, of a rematch, although the confirmation of Celtic Park as the venue for next Sunday's replay didn't go down too well with Monaghan manager Sean McCague who claimed he "wasn't consulted" on the matter. He hopes to get the matter reviewed within the next 48 hours, but his chances of changing the venue would appear very slim indeed.
Monaghan, who overcame a penalty miss by Peter Duffy in the first minute of the game, had goals from Duffy and cornerback Noel Marron in their 2-8 to 1-11 draw. Joe Brolly got the Derry goal. However, both sides will have to make at least one enforced change each: Derry's Brian McCormick and Monaghan's Joe Coyle were sent off yesterday and automatically miss the next match.
Meanwhile, Carlow manager Bobby Millar will take a few weeks to review his position after his side exited the Leinster championship at Newbridge yesterday, beaten by 1-13 to 1-10.
"Maybe I'll be given my P45 anyway, he quipped afterwards. "No, seriously, it is a partnership between manager and players and I'd like to see what ambitions the players have."
Meanwhile, the final series of matches in the National Hurling League over the weekend produced Tipperary to take on Division Two winners Dublin and Limerick to meet Cork in the respective quarterfinals. The winners of the Tipperary Dublin match meet Kilkenny in one semi final, while the winners of the Limerick Cork game will face Division One winners Galway.
