Masters can hold their heads high
Roscommon can hold their heads high after succumbing to the irresistible force that is the Tyrone team in this current era of masters football.
Last Saturday, Kingspan Breffni Park was in splendid condition as Cavan County Board hosted the 2024 All-Ireland Masters (over-40s) final between Roscommon and Tyrone.
Even if Tyrone hadn’t made the quick start they did – notching 1-1 to no score within a couple of minutes, against the breeze – Anthony Carroll’s underdogs were never likely to live with the powerful Tyrone men, who completed an impressive four-in-a-row with a 4-8 to 0-9 triumph.
I enjoyed my latest return to the home of Cavan GAA. Over 35 years ago, the press box at Breffni Park was my regular weekend beat as I reported on the Cavan club championships (and big Ulster games too) for the Cavan Leader. The venue has been developed significantly since those far-off days. It remains the spiritual home of a GAA-mad (but success-starved) county which has a great football tradition.
On Saturday, while unbeaten in the campaign to that point, Roscommon were always likely to be up against it when taking on masters’ experts, Tyrone. Chasing a fourth All-Ireland title in a row, the Ulster side were strong favourites to retain the Mick Loftus Cup.
Roscommon, beaten by just one point by Mayo in last year’s Plate final, were in the ‘top tier’ final for the first time. Masters football has developed well in recent years. Over 20 counties competed this year, and the hurling equivalent is beginning to blossom too.
Tyrone, backboned by celebrated veterans Stephen O’Neill and Conor Gormley, were just too strong for a gallant Roscommon on Saturday. In good physical condition, the experienced Tyrone men moved the ball impressively and were clinical in front of goal.
Roscommon gave it their all, but unfortunately Tyrone’s prowess in front of goal drained the final of a real competitive edge long before the end. Still, full credit to Anthony Carroll’s team. They competed well against powerful opposition. The margin may have been eleven points but it was a classic case of goals making the big difference.
Congratulations to Tyrone on a remarkable four-in-a-row. As for Roscommon, they’ve had an excellent campaign, and are making great strides. To reach the final (of 24 or so competing counties) in the highest grade is a fine achievement.
In praise of George
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting RTE sports commentator George Hamilton – and he is as friendly and gracious ‘in person’ as anyone familiar with his on-screen persona would hope he might be.
He is of course a national treasure. A great commentator, George has been a welcome guest in our living rooms for over 40 years. In that time, he has shared some of Ireland’s greatest sporting moments with us.
In recent days, the exuberant George confirmed that his time as an RTE commentator is up. In a marvellous career, he covered 12 World Cups, 12 European (Football) Championships and 11 Olympic Games. I know Roy Keane would say “it’s his job(!)” – but George did it with great passion and flair.
While he is parting ways with RTE Sport, George will continue to broadcast on Lyric FM. He has also given a clear signal that he does not consider his sports broadcasting career to be over.
Indicating that he will be looking around for other offers, he said: “I have no intention of hanging up the mic, to use that cliché. I enjoy commentating. I still think I have something to offer”.
So for now, it’s a case of thanks for the memories, George… and wishing you well with the next chapter.
In memory of ‘Toto’
It’s ironic that I was writing about George Hamilton this week, because just as we were going to press on Wednesday, the desperately sad news emerged of the death of Salvatore ‘Toto’ Schillaci, the top scorer at the 1990 World Cup, and the man who broke Irish hearts when he scored the winner for Italy against Jack Charlton’s Republic of Ireland in the quarter-finals of that tournament.
Going into that quarter-final, Irish fans worried that Schillaci might end our great journey, and so he did! Sadly the great man died today at just 59 years of age.
George Hamilton had a good 1990 World Cup too. His commentaries at Ireland’s first ever World Cup – including the classic ‘The nation holds its breath’ line, uttered during our penalty shootout win over Romania – helped define his career.
Big Jack built our dreams, George and Jimmy Magee described them, and the lethal Schillaci clinically tore them apart. Be that as it may, we have long forgiven him, and the Italian ace will always be remembered with affection in this country.
‘Toto’ Schillaci will be mourned in Italy, Ireland, and across the football world. His great deeds will live on; his goals will grace screens for future generations to admire. May he rest in peace.
A legend hangs up his boots
They say that the player with an All-Ireland medal in their back pocket has a significant edge on the player who has no such treasure. It’s an entirely reasonable sentiment, but I think the public takes a decidedly nuanced view… supporters know and believe that great players don’t necessarily need titles/medals to ensure they enter the pantheon of all-time greats that exists in our minds.
An obvious case in point this week is Kildare’s Johnny Doyle. The evergreen star announced that he is (finally) hanging up his boots. He has no All-Ireland medal, but it matters not a whit to those of us who were privileged to see him in the flesh over the years.
In full flow, during his extraordinarily long career, Doyle was a joy to behold. There were days when he won games almost single-handedly for club (Allenwood) and county. Doyle made his club debut way back in 1996, and is retiring at the grand old (football) age of 46. For 14 years (2000-2014) he never missed a county game with Kildare.
Our ‘stats’ friends advise that he played 154 times for his county, scoring 8-258 (282). Doyle won some honours at club and county level, including a Leinster title, but the Sam Maguire Cup eluded him.
He has been an outstanding servant to club and county, and it’s pretty amazing that he played into his 47th year. The (big) medal in the back pocket would have been great – and so richly deserved – but the GAA world will always recognise Johnny Doyle as a great of the game.
