A Kerry man worried about Mayo, a Dub on a mission and a familiar Wexford name all feature in today’s Hospital Pass.
Structural deficits
We’re still in the happy, sun and hope-filled days of May when almost all GAA fans, bar Laois, Westmeath, Roscommon and a few others, still believe this can be their year.
But already we have big names complaining about the structure of the Championship. Kerry’s Bryan Sheehan, fresh from dispatching Tipp in their Munster opener, wasn’t even that worried about the Kingdom’s chances, his concern was merely for others.
Sheehan cited Mayo’s incredibly long wait to get into action this year as an example of what is wrong with the current Championship structure.
“This has been long debated but I think the gaps between championship games are ridiculous,” said the midfielder. “Mayo are waiting since the league final and eight weeks is an outrageous amount of time. I read an article somewhere last year where Antrim were waiting for six weeks before playing in the qualifiers. I think it averages out roughly at like 12 training sessions for every game. That’s ridiculous.”
Indeed it is Bryan, but we wonder why you’re so worried about the fate of Mayo? The reigning Connacht champions are legitimate contenders for Sam this year so Sheehan’s concern for a rival is touching.
If all goes to plan, Kerry, who are out again in two weeks against Cork, should have a game every three weeks or so all the way to the final. Sheehan is correct, of course, about the way things are but it looks like the footballing Gods have dealt Kerry a decent hand this year. It might be best not to anger them.
Brennan’s bred for success again
We don’t want to scare anyone but Dublin have the look of a very good team again in 2012. While last year there were all sorts of questions over their temperament and ability to get over the line, cope with the pressure, bury the hoodoo or whatever other cliché you wish to use.
No such questions exist this year, and if Ger Brennan’s words in today’s Irish Daily Star are anything to go by, they are the team to beat.
Brennan recalls playing poorly for the Under 21s a few years back and his father said to him “Do you want to drive on and get in the senior team or do you want to be a piss head and an average, good player?”
Brennan knuckled down and now has a Celtic Cross for his trouble. Brennan says that the Dubs had a similar moment after their humbling by Mayo back in the league. Mayo won 0-20 to 0-8 and Brennan cites that as a turning point, calling it a ‘reality check’.
With a seriously strong looking side named to play Louth this weekend, Dublin are both talented enough and determined enough to go back-to-back. Be afraid everybody, be afraid.
Family fortunes
Following in a long line of distinguished Jacobs, young Jack Guiney was named by Liam Dunne last night to make his Championship debut for the Wexford hurlers. The Rathnure man is the son of Dave and nephew of Rod, two members of the 1996 All-Ireland winning Wexford side.
What’s in a name?
Just 19, the youngster has been named at full-forward for the game against Offaly. It’s a big ask but the sight of the Guiney name on a Wexford team sheet fills those of old enough to remember 1996 with a certain hope.
And isn’t that what this time of year is all about after all.
