AFTER beating Derry in an Ulster semi-final in 1999, I can remember not wanting to leave the Clones pitch and, instead, soak up what would prove to be a groundbreaking victory for Armagh.
I can also remember someone from our backroom team beckoning me and a few other players from the tunnel towards the dressing room with the message being delivered that we had won nothing yet. Of course, this was true.
We had won no silverware that day, but we had achieved probably much more as we had won a place in an Ulster final and the hearts of our supporters, who had congregated above the tunnel to show their fervent appreciation. I stayed out as long as possible to share in this moment because, after nearly a decade in a county jersey, this was my first experience of making it to an Ulster final.
Watching Tipperary footballers last Sunday, after their momentous victory over Galway, stay out on the pitch and share their moment with their diehard fans for 20 or so minutes after the game was not only right, but it was so justified. This adulation was so deserved and, far too many times in our lives as footballers or hurlers, we don’t take enough time to savour the moment with the people that matter the most, like friends and family.
Comically, Croke Park did not join in with the mood as, like a Dublin bouncer at closing time, some jobsworth announced over the stadium tannoy that all Tipperary supporters were to please vacate the stadium but, hilariously, to absolutely no avail.
Tipperary pummelled a poor Galway into submission with a brand of football that was so easy on the eye and so rare in the modern era. They sent a message out to many that they deserve more respect, even though the county haven’t been in an All-Ireland semi-final since before the Second World War. They have got there with a skeleton squad and probably limited resources, compared to the so-called bigger teams.
Michael Quinlivan and Conor Sweeney grabbed the headlines in this massive victory but, for me, the standout performer was their diminutive ginger sweeper Brian Fox. His workrate and reading of the game was inspirational and laid the foundations for Tipperary’s brilliant counter-attacking display and they could have bagged about seven goals, instead of the three they scored.
An All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo or Tyrone awaits the men from Munster and, although many will conclude this could be the end of Liam Kearns’ team’s unbelievable journey, you get the feeling that, in this wonderful year of the underdog, this may not be the last script they tear up.
As to whether it will be Mayo or Tyrone they face in three weeks’ time, judging by what we have seen all year, I would have to put Tyrone in as slight favourites to progress, given their consistency of performance, even if they found it tough to break down a very defensive Donegal team in the Ulster final.
Mayo, on the other hand, have been sporadic to say the least, even last Saturday, when they allowed a mediocre Westmeath side to come back at them when they should have had the game buried. Mayo continue to frustrate rather than dictate and, even though they have considerable talent at their disposal, they still seem somewhat disjointed, which leads me to believe they will not have the capacity to deal with a highly-organised and potent Tyrone team.
Donegal employed entirely different tactics against Cork than they did against Tyrone, playing Michael Murphy up front, which freed up the brilliant Paddy McBrearty to finally show us what a prestigious talent he can be when afforded the opportunity to ply his trade.
I won a few pound backing Donegal last Saturday. However, I may well keep my winnings in my pocket rather than doubling up on them to defeat the Dubs this weekend. A similar performance to what we witnessed last weekend will not knock Jim Gavin’s men off their elevated perch.
The odds are somewhat stacked against them, only having a week to prepare for a well-rested Dublin team, who have had no real competition to date and will relish the opportunity to get one over on the men from the north-west after what happened the last time they met in an All-Ireland semi-final.
Many people believe the Dubs only have one Achilles heel, which is their full-back line. This would again prompt me into playing Murphy and McBrearty up front on their own and getting quicker ball up to them so they can do what they do best, especially with the McHughs and Mac Niallais providing instant support.
To beat the favourites, Rory Gallagher’s men have to match the pace and intensity of their play, which will mean playing the ball forwards instead of sideways and supporting at pace. They are more than capable of doing this, but sometimes prefer the possession game, which I feel won’t breach the Dublin rearguard.
One team not having to break a sweat to get to the latter stages once again are Kerry, who have strolled through, as is their divine right given the formation of the Championship, having only had to play Tipperary and Clare, twice.
Could you imagine a situation at Cheltenham next year where Willie Mullins' horses are given a furlong start on all the rest of the horses and how people would react or maybe giving Jason Day a five-shot advantage in the next golfing Major? Yet, we continue to allow this obviously prejudiced system to continue.
Much as I would like to see Donegal and Tyyyyyyyrrrr... ( very hard to say) ...one go through, I sense only one will go through to set up a meeting with Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-final.
