CAVAN players have been heralded heroes by the fans who had to part with the Ulster title this summer.
Three Tyrone Irish News readers successfully selected 14 of the most popular 15 Allstar nominations and it was new Ulster champions Cavan who swept the honours list at a reception in the Glengannon Hotel in Dungannon last night.
Six Breffni Blues players joined four from beaten Ulster finalists Derry, three from Tyrone and one from Fermanagh.
Only Derry’s flamboyant forward Joe Brolly, who won a readers Allstar award last year, has been retained. Cavan keeper Paul O’Dowd replaces Tyrone’s Finbarr McConnell in goal.
The Bailieboro man has enjoyed a series of fantastic performances in the championship and is today regarded among the best keepers in Ireland.
O’Dowd is supported by a full-back line of Derry’s Kieran McKeever, Cavan’s Ciaran Brady and Oak Leaf corner-back Gary Coleman.
Tyrone’s Noel Donnelly, Derry’s Henry Downey and teammate Patrick Shiels combine to form a formidable half-back line.
In midfield, Derry favourite Anthony Tohill returns to the reader Allstar team after one year’s absence.
The entire list of recipients of the Irish News Ulster GAA Allstars 1997 is as follows: Gary Coleman, Joe Brolly, Anthony Tohill, Dermot McCabe, Peter Reilly. (Front row left to right): Joe Cassidy, Noel Donnelly, Mattie McGleenan, Paul O’Dowd, Ciaran Brady, Patrick Shiels. Kieran McKeever, Henry Downey, Ronan Carolan and Raymond Gallagher.
IIIIIIIIIIIOOOOOIIIIIIIIIII
THE tears flowed as Sonia O’Sullivan shook her head dumbfoundedly and departed the World Athletic Championships in Athens.
Sonia’s tears. Even journalistic eyes were moist.
Sonia O’Sullivan has given us so many occasions, when we pulled our shoulders back and walked that bit more proudly into the night.
Afterwards, a Greek reporter asked us incredously: “What’s wrong with Sonia?”
Even the Europeans have warmed to Sonia’s smile over the past five years.
We couldn’t really answer.
Burn-out perhaps, but the truth is, nobody knows.
Like the rest of us, our Athenian friend had seen Sonia lose contact with the leading bunch of six on the eighth lap of the 5.000 metres race and eventually, despite a last-lap sprint, come home seventh in 15.40.82 – 59 seconds outside her best.
It was Atlanta revisited except this time she decided to complete the race: “I did think maybe I should stop, but I thought, ‘no ... I’m not doing that. I’m not gonna quit’
The self-delusory thoughts not yet exhausted she added: “I still believe that I was in good shape really, not unfit. I just still believe things didn’t go for me. I really don’t know ... em.”
IIIIIIIIIIIOOOOOIIIIIIIIIII
PACKIE Bonner could be following Paolo Di Canio out of the gates of Celtic Park, ending his 19-year association with the club.
Bonner is currently out of contract as the club’s goalkeeping coach and is thought to be unhappy about a proposed ‘demotion’ to part-time coach.
Speaking to the Irish News yesterday, Celtic’s general manager Jock Brown said he was currently involved in negotiations with the former Republic of Ireland keeper.
“I have been having discussions with Packie all of this week and some kind of clarification on the issue early next week,” he said.
However Bonner’s playing days may not be quite over as Berwick Rangers last night made a cheeky bid to net Bonner ahead of their Coca-Cola Cup second round tie - against Celtic.
