There are those who would contend that the FA Cup doesn’t matter any more. That the big clubs don’t care. Bovine excrement. Manchester United would take your arm off to be still therein. Arsenal too. Even the once thought to be invincible Manchester City would take any fleck of brightness going on their horizon right now.
Though there’s an unfortunate inclination he might be a bit smug about it, Marcus Rashford must be feeling fairly good with his lot at present. In favour with new England boss Thomas Tuchel – Basil Fawlty must’ve loved his appointment – and rapidly becoming the fulcrum of a burgeoning Aston Villa.
Never more than during the preceding weekend when the former Old Trafford forward netted twice as Unai Emery’s side made it to the penultimate hurdle in the grand old competition and a face off with Crystal Palace who themselves can be considered to have punched above their weight to arrive at the same stage. So too, mind you, Nottingham Forrest, though in their case that they punching above their weight is beyond question. Remember, even if the City Ground residents don’t win the FA Cup, they could still attain European football next season by dint of their league positioning.
Were either to be the case, I feel it would be disparaging at the very least for the achievement to be labelled as redemption (with them more than likely having been pigeonholed as relegation fodder) rather than an exploitation of opportunity and potential.
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To a certain extent, at least, Meath’s lady footballers appear to be in a very similar situation. Having got their season off to a rousing start, winning their first three matches and actually set the pace in the division before their form tapering off a little.
Until, that is, it spiked again on Saturday last when an Emma Duggan goal in the 12th minute of stoppage time saw Shane McCormack’s side topple defending champions Armagh in the BoxIt Athletic Grounds..
So why the massive oscilation in form, I hear you ask. Well, one could simply point out that they were short of the incalculable influence of Ms Duggan for a good chunk of the competition, but that would be to over simplify things.
Of course it would have had a negative effect on any teams prospects but, with the greatest of respect to all concerned, it would have to be conceded that Meath had their more winnable fixtures at the beginning of the campaign. Tyrone and Mayo and Waterford.
However, even though defeat was their lot against Kildare and Dublin and Kerry, with the exception of the middle thereof, they were little more than a kick of the ball behind any of the three. Most notably against All Ireland champions Kerry.
So whether it was solely down to Emma being back or not cannot be said for certain, but, for whatever reason, there was quiet confidence in this seat that our ladies could claim the scalp of the girls from the County Armagh.
Not that it looked likely early on as Blathin Mackin caused the Meath defence plenty of headaches. In doing so, causing our correctly celebrated custodian Monica McGuirk as quickly as the chance to govern bypassed Mary Lou McDonald!
However, unlike Marie Louise, Meath quickly regained their composure as Ciara Smyth, Ella Moyles and Duggan set about hauling them back from the precipice, with Smyth goaling to really ignite the rescue flares.
It appeared the life buoy had missed its target as time ebbed away. Until, as perhaps only she could, Duggan conjured a goal from only she knows where in the 12th minute of stoppage time and even followed that with a later point still.
Now, this corner would call it a frustrating win, because, while I know the fact is if my aunt were kitted out differently she’d be my uncle, if Meath had got anything near fair play down in Kerry they’d have a deserved Croke Park outing to be looking forward to.
Though gut feeling is if they get any luck at all, a run out in the big field will present itself anyway in the near future.
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