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The Dublin superclubs that aren’t super popular

Ciarán Murphy on the challenges for clubs in the capital; Mayo v Dublin lace them up again; England play the role of underdogs

Cuala's Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne and Luke Keating celebrate with the cup after their All Ireland club final win over Errigal Ciarán. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho
Cuala's Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne and Luke Keating celebrate with the cup after their All Ireland club final win over Errigal Ciarán. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

So what is it about Dublin superclubs that makes them so unpopular? That’s the question Ciarán Murphy has for you today as he reflects on the success of Na Fianna and Cuala last Sunday, when they won the All Ireland hurling and football titles. “Wins for two of the biggest GAA clubs in Ireland is not often or even ever a cause for general celebration,” he writes. But, he concedes, “they provide games to children who wouldn’t otherwise get exposed to the games, and they keep those kids away from damaging behaviours like drink, or drugs, or rugby.” (Send your complaints to: lettersed@irishtimes.com).

Will the ever popular Dublin regain Sam Maguire this year? In the absence of retirees Brian Fenton and James McCarthy, some have their doubts, but Mayo’s Sam Callinan, who will come up against the Dubs in the National League at Croke Park on Saturday, still sees them as “a significant force”. The defender talks to Gordon Manning ahead of the game.

And Malachy Clerkin takes us through the runners and riders in this season’s Division Two campaign, reckoning Roscommon, with “the best forwards in the division”, look best-placed for promotion.

In rugby, Gerry Thornley hears from England coach Steve Borthwick who very firmly casts his charges as underdogs going in to that Six Nations opener in Dublin on Saturday week, even though they got the better of Ireland in Twickenham last time around.

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Nathan Johns has news of young Irish backrow Richie Whelan joining La Rochelle for the rest of the season, while Johnny Watterson talks to Leinster’s Luke McGrath who, having been left out of Ireland’s Six Nations squad, is “pragmatic about where his career has landed”.

Dave Hannigan, meanwhile, looks at the reasons behind the NBA’s ever dwindling TV audiences, among them the lack of grade A superstars, like Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan, who transcend the sport. One could be on the way, though, 18-year-old Cooper Flagg, “a generational talent”, set to be the number one pick in next June’s draft.

TV Watch: Sky Sports Golf’s coverage of the Ras Al Khaimah Open in the UAE got under way this morning and continues until 1.30pm, Tom McKibbin, Pádraig Harrington and Conor Purcell in the field, and later in the day they’ll have the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open (4.45-midnight). RTÉ2 has horse racing from Gowran Park (1.30-3.45) and in football, Spurs and Manchester United will hope for a happier time of it in the Europa League than they’ve been experiencing in their own league of late. Spurs are away to Hoffenheim (Premier Sports 1 and TNT Sports 2, 5.45) and United host Rangers (Premier Sports 1 and TNT Sports 1, 8pm).

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