September Road: The greatest football team of Michaels

Are we taking the Mick?

Yes. And the Mickey, Mikey, Michael, Micheál, Mike and (of course) Micko.

We thought this would be pretty difficult _ to come up with a great football team with the same(ish) first name.

But, in fact, our biggest problem ended up having no place for many great players - such as Mayo’s Mick Flanagan and Kerry’s Mike Frank Russell.

We tried to keep players in their naturally strongest and best known positions, though there was a little shuffling needed. Mickey Ned O'Sullivan was, of course, a talented half-forward, though he
wasn't a stranger to the half- back slot.

From Michael McQuillan between the posts – who was the shot-stopper for Meath when they won back-to-back All-Irelands against Cork in 1987 and ‘88 (and didn’t concede a goal in either final) – to Mickey Linden wearing number 15, it’s a team of footballing stars.

Eight counties are represented below, though six are from Kerry – and that’s hardly just because Michael is a popular name in the Kingdom.

AGAINST THE ODDS

It's too late now, but if you had bet on London, Louth & Wicklow all to win yesterday the odds were 35/1.

Question: What turns normally courteous GAA supporters into intolerant jerks?
Answer: Large field for parking, one narrow exit.

As senior club championships are fully kicking into gear around the country this phenomenon is sure to rear its head regularly again.

Up to a dozen stewards are often on hand to wave each car to the next vacant spot before a big club championship game.

But, after the final whistle, it’s everyone for themselves.

And while hundreds of cars filed smoothly through the only gate during the hour before the game, every driver desperately needs to leave within five minutes of the finish.

And so starts the game of “how close to the car in front can you get without touching it, leaving cars on each side no chance of edging in”.

Next time you find yourself in this position, relax – unlike the team you were supporting, you’ll get there eventually.

FREE THE “MUNSTER 4”: The Cannon fodder Championship

Munster SFC 2004-2013
Wins by Cork v "Munster 4" 11
Losses by Cork v "Munster 4" 0
Wins by Kerry v "Munster 4" 14
Losses by Kerry v "Munster 4" 0
Wins by Cork v Kerry 4
Wins by Kerry v Cork 5
Draws between Cork and Kerry 3

The Munster senior football championship is always competitive – so long as Kerry and Cork are playing each other.

There have been some close and exciting clashes between Limerick, Waterford, Clare and Tipperary during the past 10 seasons, but as soon as any of the “Munster 4” come up against the big two, it’s game over. Sure, there have been some close shaves – with Limerick leading the charge to escape the also-rans tag – such as the draw with Kerry in the 2004 decider and Cork’s one-point victory in the 2009 final – but if ever a provincial championship highlighted the merits of the qualifier system it’s this one. Another weekend, another walk in the park for both sides.

And, realistically, there’s no chance that Clare will defeat Cork or Waterford will trouble Kerry in the upcoming semifinals, so we can look forward to another clash between the big two in July.

TWITTER TWADDLE

Bernard Brogan @bernardbrogan
Best of luck to my cuz @BecksStapleton9 in her u21 Champo today for Kerry, up the kingdom! You won't hear me say that very often! #gaablood

Sean Keane @SeanKeaneKPnews
#briancody trained the Kilkenny senior hurling team today. He's back. Yahoo