A dual sideline star, has somebody forgotten about Galway and a wonderful performance by Cora Staunton.
Anthony Cunningham’s very special year?
To reach a club and inter-county All-Ireland final in the same year is a rare trick. To do it in different sports is even rarer. To do it as a manager, as Anthony Cunningham has done, must surely be one of a kind.
Cunningham piloted Galway to their first All-Ireland hurling final in seven years yesterday but that will be the second decider that Cunningham has reached this year.
In March, Cunningham was the man in the bib patrolling the sideline for Garrycastle as they played the mighty Crossmaglen Rangers in the All-Ireland Club football final. It took a replay but the Armagh giants came out on top.
For Cunningham’s sake, we hope Galway do the business as Cunningham’s appearance in two final in different codes is one thing. To lose both would be another.
Should Galway be offended?
Speaking of the Tribe has somebody in HQ forgotten that they are in the All-Ireland final? A photocall today ahead of next weekend’s meeting of Tipperary and Kilkenny in the other semi-final looked suspiciously like an All-Ireland final photocall.
With Liam MacCarthy present, and with Kilkenny skipper Brian Hogan and Tipp captain Padraic Maher both holding onto the biggest prize in hurling, it looks like the powers that be reckon this Sunday is the real All-Ireland hurling final.
We know they have met in the last three deciders but we don’t think the cup should have been there. And if we were from Galway, we would be pinning the picture up on the wall, just for an extra boost in training this week.
Cora the scorer
The skills of Cora Staunton are well known. The Mayo forward may be the greatest Ladies footballer we have ever seen and while it may have gone under the radar a bit, the Carnacon star was at her very best again this weekend against Tyrone.
Mayo romped to a 3-12 to 1-4 win in their Round Two Qualifier and Staunton notched a scarcely credible 3-11, with all but 0-6 coming from play.
Add in the fact that Staunton showed she was fallible by also kicking seven wides in the match and her showing was one for the ages.
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