Month: April 2013

GOLFLeave a comment

Contradictions of a fickle game

Brendan

Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell being pictured with their partners acting as caddies for them in the build up to the US Masters was telling. Particularly in the case of the former. Simply because you couldn’t imagine Tiger Woods or Luke Donald or some of the other top pros engaging in such antics during the build up to a Major. Or at any time, for that matter. All the episode did, for this observer at least, was reinforce the view that McIlroy’s mind isn’t where it should be. And that it hasn’t been for some time either. Now I’ve never … Continue reading Contradictions of a fickle game

GAALeave a comment

Promotion is pointless without proper structure

Brendan

Next Saturday, Meath’s senior footballers take on Monaghan in the NFL Div. 3 final. Getting there represents a fair achievement in itself when you consider how poor they were in two of their three opening fixtures. It’s the county’s first appearance in a major final in senior football since the now infamous Leinster decider of 2010. In one sense, qualifying for the final and thus getting promotion will already declare this league campaign a success. But, having won four games on the trot, confidence will be high and a bit of silverware would leave them well set ahead of the … Continue reading Promotion is pointless without proper structure

RACINGLeave a comment

Brilliant viewing during a liberating few days

Brendan

Those sponsoring the Irish Grand National in Fairyhouse this year had a catchy, apt, sales pitch. The punch line of which was that anyone could win the race. That applied to owners, trainers, jockeys and – most importantly from their perspective – punters. Grand Nationals are different gravy, you see. The fact the term ‘National’ is now grossly overused to describe what in some cases are distinctly average handicaps serves to illustrate how much it draws people in. The National is the playground of the once – or in most cases twice – a year punter. We all know some … Continue reading Brilliant viewing during a liberating few days

GAA, MEATHLeave a comment

First objective achieved – greater possibilities await

Brendan

It’s probably fair to say that, during Sean Boylan’s tenure, Meath got so used to success that we, as supporters at least, began to expect it. Of course, there are no such entitlements in sport. Whatever you get, you earn it. There were barren spells during those years too, naturally, and a few stints in Div. 2 of the NFL. Now read on… Not that much would’ve been thought of it at the time though. Simply because confidence in the county was high and the players of the day generally backed it up. Dropping into the third tier, however, was … Continue reading First objective achieved – greater possibilities await

GAALeave a comment

Good, bad and an end to the ugly?

Brendan

Some months ago, this machine produced a column, nervously but cautiously optimistically awaiting the response to – and implementation of – the Football Review Committee (FRC) findings. The FRC, chaired by Eugene McGee, presumably sought to indentify what was wrong with Gaelic football. And, obviously, pinpoint ways of rectifying same. At the time, it was acknowledged that change was needed regarding yellow cards. It was protested, though, that the proposals for going about it were a “fudge”. “It will lead to a situation where – instead of dishing cards out like confetti as an unbearable number of whistle happy referees … Continue reading Good, bad and an end to the ugly?