1. Tyrone honour the memory of McAnallen
On the tenth anniversary of Cormac McAnallen’s tragic passing, Tyrone produced a fitting performance in Newbridge yesterday. They endured a bad start as Kildare surged ahead by 0-7 to 0-0 early on and despite recovering, Tyrone were still staring at a five-point deficit as the game approached the 70th minute mark.
But then they launched an improbable revival with Ronan O’Neill’s goal giving them hope and Mark Donnelly finding the net to seal a smash-and-grab success. Mickey Harte’s post-match verdict was telling. ”How else could you win a game like that? It had to be some divine intervention.”
2. A night for cruciate comebacks
Colm O’Neill commanded the stage in Croke Park on Saturday night as he capped his comeback from a third cruciate ligament injury. The Cork attacker bagged a brace of points during his second-half cameo and departed Croke Park after receiving enormous goodwill from around the country at his night to savour.
O’Neill was not the only one on the comeback trail from cruciate comeback. Tomas Brady was included amongst the Dublin substitutes, a notable feat for the Na Fianna man. He tore his cruciate in Dublin football training last June, two years after sustaining the same injury while in championship action for the Dublin hurlers. Being back involved in match day is a sign of his progress as well.
3. Kerry face pivotal clash with Tyrone
Kerry will welcome Tyrone to Fitzgerald Stadium next Sunday in a game that assumes a pivotal status for them. Yesterday they fell short for a third successive league game, as Mayo had five points to spare after stitching together a powerful late scoring spree.
Now Kerry are pointless as they get ready to entertain Mickey Harte’s Tyrone side. The last time the counties clashed at the Killarney venue was the memorable qualifier tie in July 2012. That game was a notable win for Kerry after a passionate display and they need to evoke something similar now.
4. Westmeath look to be in trouble
Manager Paul Bealin admitted his side’s performance was not up to scratch yesterday at Celtic Park as they were thrashed by 13 points to Derry. But he refused to concede that Westmeath’s chances of surviving in the division have been extinguished and was optimistically looking forward to entertaining Mayo next Sunday.
Yet Westmeath look in serious relegation trouble at this stage, even with only three games played. They are still searching for their first point and their scoring difference took a serious dent yesterday with that level of defeat. Mayo, Tyrone, Kerry and Kildare are their remaining assignments and that calibre of opposition will mean it’s not easy to source points.
5. Jamie Clarke showcases his class at county level
The pattern in recent years in the month of March has been for Jamie Clarke to showcase his class on the club stage. With Crossmaglen Rangers tending to be a regular presence in the St Patrick’s Day decider, Clarke has been to the fore with his attacking wizardry.
With the Armagh giants exiting in Ulster last November, Clarke has been able to focus on county matters this spring. It’s evidently paying off as he adorned the first night of March with a marvelous display in Navan. Raising more white flags (11) than the Meath team (10) was evident of his impressive showing.
6. Galway’s woes deepen further
After losses to Meath and Donegal in their first two games, Galway would have targeted Saturday’s night’s trip to Portlaoise as a chance to get back on track after their three-week hiatus. Instead their woes deepened further as they shipped a heavy 15-point beating to Laois.
The Tribesmen are now rooted to the bottom of Division 2 and desperately in need of points if they are to avoid slipping through the trapdoor to the third tier. Not that their next assignment is straightforward though – a home tie next Sunday against Down, who are currently second in the table.
7. Roscommon, Cavan and Clare flying high
The form of three sides in the lower divisions already stands out as they chase promotion. Roscommon have been really impressive under John Evans and their clinical showing as they racked up 1-21 against Limerick yesterday was indicative of that. Cavan continue to match them in the unbeaten stakes, coping with a long trip to New Ross yesterday to thieve the two points on offer.
And in the basement division, Clare laed the way after a decisive victory against Wicklow yesterday. Granted they have played a game more than Tipperary – who they face next Sunday – and Leitrim, who are both two points behind, but the Banner are in a good position.
