September Road

Na Fianna keep up the capital's hopes; Hurling fixtures cleared up and vuvuzela's take on Gaelic twist; Roscommon and Sligo bridge gap;

Na Fianna keep up the capital's hopes

WHILE THE capital’s senior footballers are experiencing difficulties negotiating their way out of a wet paper bag, there are no such problems at underage level in the city.

For the third consecutive year, a Dublin side has walked away with the Division One title at the Féile Peile na nÓg finals.

Yesterday, Na Fianna defeated another underage success story, Douglas of Cork, in the final of the under-14 event at Celtic Park. Last year, Ballyboden St Enda’s won, with Kilmacud Crokes winning in 2008.

And after what was a nightmare weekend for Galway, there was at least a little consolation from the three-day event in Derry which witnessed the skills of 4,000 youths, with Claregalway claiming the girls Division One crown.

Roscommon and Sligo bridge gap

FOR A province with a grand total of five counties, it seems incredible that the meeting of Sligo and Roscommon in the 2010 Connacht football final will be only the second time ever the counties have met in the provincial decider.

The first and, to date only, meeting came in 1947, a year after Roscommon had beaten Mayo after a replay in the provincial decider, and just a few seasons after Roscommon had won back-to-back All-Ireland titles.

It was during a golden age in football for Roscommon, and, just in case you are looking for signs from the heavens, on the same day as Roscommon won the Connacht title, at Sligo’s expense, in 1947, Meath claimed the Leinster crown.

In this month’s meeting, however, Roscommon will be underdogs in the decider. Naturally enough considering they defeated Mayo and Galway on the road to the final.

Hurling fixtures cleared up and vuvuzela's take on Gaelic twist

IT GOT so confusing on RTÉ radio on Saturday evening with commentators and analysts trying to figure out what happens in the next phase of the hurling championship, that one text message to the show jokingly asked who Argentina would be playing in the qualifiers.

However – thanks in part to Limerick’s ongoing problems – it is not actually that complicated.

With Tipperary and Antrim emerging from Phase One, next weekend Offaly host Limerick and Dublin host Clare in Phase Two.

Presuming Offaly emerge (though the league encounter between the two sides was razor close), then Tipp will meet Offaly in Phase Three and the winners of Dublin versus Clare will take on Antrim for the other place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

This is because Offaly have already played Antrim in this season’s Leinster hurling championship.

Though, while Argentina won’t be making an appearance, GAA matches have already witnessed the arrival from the World Cup of the vuvuzela.

Coming soon to a seat directly behind you!

- OKAY, SO it’s not in the same class as those with the All-Ireland senior hurling and football championship medals such as Teddy McCarthy, but, still, a new member has joined the elite club of All-Ireland senior titles in both codes.

Paul McCormack – who picked up an All-Ireland football medal in 2002 – captained Armagh to the Nicky Rackard Cup title at Croke Park on Saturday.

Stopping the rot...

Crowds have been dwindling at the biggest annual day in the Leinster hurling championship for several years, though there are at least some signs of recovery.

It’s worth noting the 2006 final was played as part of a Croke Park bill that also featured the Leinster football semi-final between Offaly and Wexford, thus affecting the attendance significantly.

Still, Galway’s appearance in their first Leinster decider did not result in a huge boost in the spectator figures. Of the past 10 Leinster deciders, it only comes in eighth. Last year ranks ninth and 2008 is 10th.