BOYLAN TALKS SPORT The four green fields might bloom once again
I’ve never met John Prenty, but know of the Mayo native and Connacht Council official as one of the most experienced and respected GAA administrators in the Association. So when he launched a broadside at the GPA, and by extension its leader, his own county man Tom Parsons, the masses would’ve done well to take note.
Essentially, the (elite minority) players representative association have made liars out of themselves. After they - and the short lived Club Players Association - prattled on about a closed season so long that they eventually got it just to shut them up - which in turn led to the needless culling of the pre-season competitions yet (a) turn a blind eye to the fact county teams have played a raft of challenge matches in recent weeks and (b) have, as usual, hit the mute button rather than tackle the real elephants in the room - the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups. Which serve little if any purpose other than placing another drain on players.
Alas there are none so blind as those who do not wish to see. Or those who only see what they wish to. Which is the only conclusion one could arrive at in view of recent utterances from GAA President Jarlath Burns with regard to one high profile case within the GAA as compared to the deafening silence in relation to another.
Without harrowing up old ground, Mr Burns’ unprecedented intervention in the case in question raises a number of queries which one would hope An t-Uachtarain will address at some point. But, even as an avid punter, not much would be wagered on it.
Yet there has been little or no pushback regarding the points raised by John Prenty and indeed seconded by his Ulster Council counterpart Brian McAvoy. How long such a stance can be maintained remains to be seen.
Essentially, you’d have thought that if the chosen course of action is to basically turn a blind eye, they may as well make it official. In other words, reinstate the four preseason football competitions - O’Byrne, McKenna and McGrath Cups and Connacht League - if only to honour those whom the trophies were commissioned to commemorate. If teams are going to play challenge matches - which in all probability they will be which in itself is understandable as the ramp up preparations for what for many of them will be their main priority - the National League.
It recalls the lines from that beautiful number best delivered by the late, great Jim McCann, Four Green Fields: “But my sons had sons, as brave as were their fathers, and my four green fields will bloom once again said she”. If common sense prevails, the four green fields that were the pre-season competitions might bloom once again.
After all, almost without notice or comment, warm up competitions have been firing away unfettered in hurling as if the small ball code was the product of a different planet.
That said, even if you take the pre season events as little more than challenge matches, it would be highly wise not to read much into the eventual outcomes of such rendezvous. After all, Kildare once defeated Meath by 2-16 to 0-0 in Summerhill. Five months later, Sean Boylan’s side retained Sam Maguire after a bruising replay victory over Cork.
SIDELINE CUTS:
A general theme of commentary after the completion of the All Ireland Club SFC semi finals was that the final between Cuala and Errigal Ciaran will be a shootout between Con O’Callaghan and the Canavan brothers, but don’t be so sure. These occasions have a habit of throwing up unlikely heroes. Such as Harry Ruddle of Ballygunnar some years back, or Mickey Moley of Crossmaglen Rangers before that.
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Speaking of unsung heroes, isn’t the FA Cup known for producing them? Yet, it feels somewhat strange to be calling a Manchester United player an unsung hero, but that’s exactly what Altay Bayindir turned out to be during Sunday’s FA Cup classic against Arsenal.
The seldom seen Turkish custodian not only saved a penalty from Martin Odegaard in normal time and saved one in the shootout, but also made a string of top stops from Kai Havertz and Declan Rice as United’s turbulent season continues.
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While it might be stretching it call Gavin Cromwell an unsung hero within horse racing, I do believe that he is often left well short of the acknowledgement and credit he deserves. The Danestown handler is having a truly remarkable season, including having Snellen win in Bahrain some weeks ago and run again with credit this weekend just passed. He has, of course, got stock belonging to JP McManus - for whom he won the Champion Hurdle with Espoir D’Allen - but it would be great to see the likes of Gigginstown or Chevely Park Stud or Robcour (Brian Acheson) or the Mulryans lend Gavin their support.
For too long, jump racing in this country has been seen as a duopoly between Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott. Through no fault of either man’s greatness at their craft. However, belatedly, it has been acknowledged as a triumvirate with Henry De Bromhead now having the numbers, profile and quality to stand comparison with the other pair.
All three would want to remain in the ‘Drive’ position however, because Cromwell is closing in on them fast.
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Rugby has long pronounced itself to be the best disciplined and refereed sport on the planet. And it is true that in whistlers like Wayne Barnes and Nigel Owens, the oval ball code had officials that any sport would aspire to have to have the equivalent of. You could but marvel at how the slight gents - and indeed Ireland’s lady whistler Joy Neville - can get these man mountains professing ‘yes, no, three bags full sir or ma’am’.
However, as is often the case in these situations, the suits in the carpeted offices, who probably wouldn’t know how to lace up a pair of boots, have lost the plot.
For what they have in essence done is suspend Connacht and Ireland’s Mack Hansen for three games for having the temerity to, wait for it, criticise referee Chris Busby’s performance in the recent meeting of Connacht and Munster. Imagine. Back in your box, pesky player, you are to be seen and not heard!