Milestone for Munster Council as they honour GAA stalwarts

MUNSTER Council, under the leadership of chairman Seán Kelly, broke new ground, last evening, when they honoured 14 men and women who had made valuable contributions to the association, both on and off the field.
Before an invited attendance at the Limerick Inn Hotel, chairman Kelly, who along with his fellow officers, made the presentations, described it as a milestone for the Munster Council.
It was he said, a new concept designed to acknowledge the greatest sports people in Munster who had distinguished themselves at the highest level.
He thanked his fellow officers for their co-operation in launching what is likely to become an annual event.
It would seem that everything is going the way of Tipperary football star Declan Browne. A few weeks ago he won his first Allstar and, last night, was presented with a beautiful piece of cut-glass for Footballer of the Year in the province.
He can make it a hat-trick tomorrow if Moyle Rovers beat Doonbeg in the Munster Club Senior Football Final replay. Meanwhile, his namesake Tony Browne took the Hurler of the Year Award. The Camogie Player of the Year went to Irene O'Keeffe of Cork and A´ine Wall was recognised for her role with Waterford in taking the Ladies' Gaelic Footballer of the Year. Another honour went the way of Cork with Tony Healy winning the Handballer of the Year. The award for service to refereeing went to John Moloney of Tipperary, and there was spontaneous applause when former Kerry great Mick O'Connell and Cork's Johnny Clifford went to the rostrum to receive Hall of Fame awards in football and hurling, respectively. For his role in having managed the Tipperary team which won the All-Ireland Junior Football title, Séamus McCarthy was presented with the Manager of the Year. The Club of the Year Award went to St Joseph's, the surprise packet in the Clare Senior Football Championship and who can go a step higher if they account for Moyle Rovers in the Munster Club Final at the Gaelic Grounds tomorrow.
Noreen Lynch of the Mary Immaculate College in Limerick was also honoured for her service in education to the GAA, and the media award went to The Examiner's GAA correspondent Jim O'Sullivan. The Munster Council decided to give its first distinguished service to the GAA Award to former GAA president Con Murphy of Cork. There was a surprise for Munster Council secretary Donie Nealon, who after presenting several of the awards, was called back to receive one himself.
Seán Kelly told the gathering that Donie was now in his 21st year as secretary and they wanted to honour him for his dedication.
All the Munster Council officers were in attendance as were the recipients of the awards and family members. Vice-chairman Christy Cooney described it as a great night for the association in Munster and wished the recipients well.

Doonbeg to finish the job this time

by Brendan Larkin
MOYLE ROVERS and Doonbeg will be hoping Santa Clause arrives a couple of days early when they return to the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick tomorrow to replay the Munster Club senior football championship final. (1.45 p.m. start).
A win for either side would ignite their holiday cheer in a big way, as neither of them has won this title before. It's an impossible final to call given that both teams were so evenly matched last Sunday and are likely to be without a key player each tomorrow.
Definitely out for the Clare champions is full-back Kieran O'Mahony, sent off in the drawn game, while the Rovers are keeping their fingers crossed that Jimmy Dunne's injury responds to intensive physiotherapy treatment.
Already without the services of Johnny Owens because of a cruciate knee ligament injury, Moyle Rovers' chances of success would be further reduced if Dunne was to miss out. No two games are alike, and Moyle Rovers who were within five minutes of creating history last Sunday, are unlikely to find themselves five points in front tomorrow with time running out.
After surviving early Doonbeg pressure which saw them fall three points behind, the Tipperary champions displayed commendable spirit in drawing level before hitting the front, albeit with a rather fortuitous goal, to lead 1-4 to 0-4 at the short whistle. Declan Browne, who had been well-policed in the opening quarter by Pádraig Gallagher, began to show his class in the second quarter and chipped in with two splendid points and had a hand in their opening goal.
The Rovers were in full flow and heading for a historic victory. However, credit to the Clare side for refusing to throw in the towel, and in those dramatic last few minutes, Francis McInerney became the toast of Doonbeg with the equalising goal in injury. And it is this never-say-die attitude that may well carry the Magpies to victory. Throughout this year's championship, Doonbeg were reduced to 14 players in several matches, but in each case they had the ability to galvanise their forces and go on and win the games.
O'Mahony's absence is a big blow, but team coach Pat Hanrahan and his colleagues have a few options open to them. They could play team captain Pádraig Gallagher at full-back and give the job of marking Declan Browne to Declan Griffin who would relish the challenge. It remains to be seen if Doonbeg will again go with the ploy of playing an extra player in front of Browne.
The Rovers also used only two players in their full forward line, obviously wanting to give Declan Browne as much room as possible. All these tactical moves meant the midfield area was very congested and it was a combination of this congestion and the treacherous underfoot conditions which resulted in Jimmy Dunne being seriously injured.
Doonbeg cannot afford to be as wasteful tomorrow as they were in the drawn game.
They kicked 11 wides to six for the Rovers, some of them from very good scoring positions.
On the other hand, the Tipperary champions must push home the advantage when they have it, and they also need Derry Foley and Donal Foley playing at the peak of their powers. If they have learned anything from last Sunday's marvellous encounter, a game is never over until the final whistle.
Conditions will again play a major role in this final. Last Sunday was a lottery for both teams, who deserved better for the enormous amount of time and effort they put into their game.
This is the most important match in the history of both clubs, whom Charles Kickham must have had in mind when he wrote about the honour of the little village in his book Knocknagow all those years ago.
Having gone for Doonbeg to win last Sunday, nothing has happened in the intervening week to change my mind.
They have a lot more options than the Rovers have; Pádraig Conway and Gerry Killeen will hardly be as quiet again, and after being given a second bite of the cherry, are taken to complete the job on this occasion.

Duhallow primed for
match of their lives

THE final of the Duhallow U-21 invitational cup football final between neighbouring divisions Duhallow and East Kerry, is down for decision at Cullen tomorrow (2.30 start).
Both teams will field a number of their respective senior players.
East Kerry's leading lights are goal keeper Colm Counihan, Padraig Donovan, Liam Murphy and Michael D. Cahill.
Duhallow are strengthened by the availability of Denis O'Brien and Brian Daly (Newmarket), both of whom won County Junior championship medals recently with the club. They will also include team captain Dave Riordan, Trevor Murphy, Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Niall Cronin.
East Kerry will go into the game as slight favourites on the strength of their semi-final victory over current Cork County champions Castlehaven, but the home division can be relied upon to battle hard to keep the title at home for another year.
EAST KERRY: C. Counihan, (Fossa), E. Favier (Glenflesk), A. O'Mahony (Rathmore), M. P. Doherty (Spa), C. Favier (Glenflesk), P. Donovan (do), J. C. Donoghue (do), P. Kennedy (Fossa), T. Cronin (Rathmore), S. Casey (Spa), L. Murphy (Gneveguilla), D. Connor (do), B. Doolin (Spa), M. D. Cahill (Rathmore), K. O'Keeffe (do).(
DUHALLOW: A. Sheahan, D. O'Neill, (Knocknagree),S. O'Sullivan (Ballydesmond), D. O'Leary, E. O'Mahony, J. Doody, N. Cronin, D. Herlihy, C. O'Sullivan (Kiskeam), S. Foley, T. Curtin (Boherbue), D. O'Sullivan (Cullen), N. O'Sullivan, T. Murphy, D. O'Sullivan (Dromtarriffe) D.Riordan P. Kearns, P. O'Reilly (Kanturk), E. Casey, N. O'Callaghan (Kilbrin), D. O'Brien, B. Daly (Newmarket), J. Cahill, T. Ahern (Rockchapel).

Meanwhile the curtain comes down on a marathon domestic championship year in Waterford this afternoon when Stradbally and Clonea meet in a repeat of last year's county Under 21 B hurling final at Fraher Field, Dungarvan.
Stradbally are the reigning champions, and with the bulk of last year's winning side again eligible they go into today's decider as deserving favourites to win back-to-back titles in the grade for the first time.
It has been a marvellous year for this traditional football stronghold. Already the club has captured the county intermediate championship.
At least seven of that intermediate side are also involved with the Under 21s, among them John Hearne, Kevin Coffey, Nial and Trevor Curran, Ger Power, Paul Kiely and Trevor Costello.
Clonea have been idle since they defeated Roanmore (0-8 to 0-7) in the east divisional final several months ago. That lengthy period of inactivity could now tell against them, although they have the nucleus of a formidable side with players of the calibre of Victor O'Shea, Tony Power, Robert Kenny and Kenny O'Reilly all in form.

An intriguing clash
of old versus new

by Barry Coughlan
IT promises to be a major battle between the teams but there could also be a most interesting side-show when Garryowen meet Galwegians at Dooradoyle this afternoon.
The wily "old dog for the hard road" is Eric Elwood with a host of international appearances behind him.
The youngster standing opposite will not, we are told, be overawed.
Garryowen have high hopes for young Jeremy Staunton who has already, at 18, enjoyed an auspicious under 20 Interprovincial Championship with Munster. Today, however, is likely to be his biggest test. If he stands up to the challenge and emerges with even some of his reputation intact he will be on the way.
Garryowen are so impressed with his progress to date that they have asked captain Killian Keane to return to the centre – which probably won't worry him given that he has played most of the season there with Munster.
Staunton's selection is the main talking point of a Garryowen side that has enjoyed a winning start to this AIB League campaign. Unlike other clubs in the province, Cork Constitution particularly, they don't appear to have any injury problems. At least there have been no complaints in that direction.
They are, however, worried that Elwood's Galwegians won't be any push-over today despite the fact that the Connacht side have lost their two opening matches.
Champions Shannon have some of their big guns back for the match with Blackrock at Stradbrook.
Alan Quinlan is still out and replaced by Colm McMahon, while Dara Kirby comes in for Kevin Keane. Both John Hayes and Mark McDermott are, however, back in the front row while Rhys Ellison returns to start the game after coming on as a late substitute against Ballymena in the opening game.
Injuries in the Young Munster camp have precluded coach Brian Hickey from naming his side until he receives medical reports on Derek Tobin (calf muscle strain), Mick O'Halloran (shoulder strain) and Peter Boland (pulled hamstring.
Their old rivals Cork Constitution have gone ahead anyway and selected but six first team challengers (or regulars) are out of the frame.
Missing are Ultan O'Callaghan, Frank Sheahan, Anthony Horgan, John Kelly, Ian Murray and Conor Kehilly. The back division has been re-shaped as a result with Cian Mahony and Dave O'Brien on the wings.
In the pack, Jerry Murray finds himself at number eight alongside flankers David Corkery and Jim Canning, while John Fogarty comes in for Sheahan at hooker.
At Musgrave Park today, Dolphin try to get the show back on the road after two consecutive losses. They play Old Wesley.
In Midleton, the East Cork side are seeking a third consecutive victory when they take on Collegians but they will be without ace goal-kicker Willie Curtin who has concussion.
Aidan McCarthy, Garvan Lynch, Ian Dunne and Anson Clapcott are all given places in the starting line up against the Ulster side who have won one and lost one of to date.
Tomorrow, Sunday's Well coach Ian Calder is bracing himself for the club's biggest league challenge to date when they take on Old Crescent at Musgrave Park.
He conceded that Crescent would probably be the strongest opposition they have met and accepted that there would have to be a big improvement if they were to take the points.
"I think we have played reasonably well so far and have got the points we required. But we haven't made the most of our scoring opportunities and that will certainly have to improve," he said.
Calder said that up to now they had played teams (Ballynahinch and City of Derry) who played to their forward strengths and he recognised the fact that Old Crescent have more strings to their bow.
"We know that they will use their backs whenever the opportunity arises. They are more a 15 man rugby side than the others we have played so far."
The 'Well introduce Rory Cogan in the back row for his first start with the club in the league and Calder commented; "he has been most impressive in the Munster league. He's respected by the players, has good pace and skills and we hope he will prove a handful for Crescent."
The second game tomorrow takes place at the Mardyke between UCC and DLSP and that promises to be a cracker. The Cork students are just back from a highly successful trip to Bristol where they participated in the qualifying rounds of the European Students Championship.
College won both their matches. They beat hosts Bristol University by 23 points to 14 and then went on to hammer Barcelona University by 76 points to 3 to ensure qualification for the quarter-finals which will take place early in the new year.
But for now their goal is to secure two further points after drawing their only match to date with Malone.
Bohemians, after two wins, make one change for the visit of Highfield to Annacotty. Alan O'Gormon is in the back row for Kevin Hanly.

Thomond win at Thurles would
set them up for run-in

THERE are vital games in all divisions of the Heineken Munster Junior League this weekend, as the gap at the top of all three divisions becomes a lot clearer.
In Division One, leaders Thomond travel to Thurles and a win here for the leaders would set them up nicely for the run-in, where they have three of their last four games at home against sides at the bottom of the table. Thurles have not been the side they were in past seasons and were fortunate last week to defeat Abbeyfeale in the Challenge Cup. Games between these sides are always close, with Thomond winning last season's encounter 13-10, and the last time they played at Thurles, the sides finished level. Despite last week's cup defeat, Thomond should be too strong for the home side.
Bruff are the only other side in with a realistic chance of catching the leaders. Boosted by last week's cup success over Thomond, they face a difficult task at home to Castleisland. The Kerry side have been improving with every outing and their only defeat this season was, like Bruff, at the hands of Thomond. They did drop a point at home to Bandon in their opening game. This should be a close game, with Bruff favourites to maintain their league challenge, and it could also prove to be a rehearsal for a possible meeting in the final of the Challenge Cup later in the season. At the other end of the table, there is a big scramble to get away from the relegation places. A vital game is the meeting of Bandon and Youghal, with both sides a point above the bottom two positions. The West Cork side had their first win two weeks ago at home to Thurles and followed it up with a good performance against Skibbereen last week in the Cup. With home advantage they should take the points. Clonakilty, joint bottom with Skibbereen, face a difficult task away to Tralee. The Kerry side are in third place in the League, and while the title would seem to be beyond them, they are having their own battle with neighbours Castleisland to see who will finish the top side in the Kingdom. Clanwilliam make the long journey to Skibbereen, and the home side will see this as a great chance of picking up the points they need to move off the bottom of the table. Kilfeacle, another side sliding down the table, travel to Cobh, and another defeat for the Tipperary men will put them deep into relegation. In Division Two, Nenagh Ormond and Clonmel are beginning to open up a gap at the top, with St Mary's and Old Christians, the only other sides in with a real chance of promotion should either of the top two slip up. The top game in this Division, is the meeting of leaders Nenagh Ormond and St Mary's. Nenagh are the form side at the moment and a win here, will go a long way towards securing their place in the top flight. Clonmel have Ennis as visitors and should also maintain their challenge. Ennis picked up valuable points last week at Kinsale, but will find this a tougher test then last week. Cashel travel to Abbeyfeale and their chances of promotion would seem to be very slim, unless the sides above them hit a bad patch.
Abbeyfeale are down at the wrong end of the table and will be anxious for a win to avoid a relegation battle. Crosshaven travel to Kilrush and despite their great improvement in recent weeks, the visitors will find Kilrush a difficult side to beat. Fermoy, still seeking their first points, play hosts to Kinsale, a side just above them in the table. A defeat here would almost certainly condemn the North Cork side to Division Three. Old Christians take on Douglas in a local derby, and home advantage may give the Rathcooney side the edge. Division Three League leaders Newcastle West travel to Waterford and should collect the points to keep their place at the top. Ballincollig, who suffered a big blow last week, when Nenagh defeated them 64-0 in the Cup, will be hoping to get back to winning ways with a victory over near neighbours Muskerry.
Kanturk, whose ambitions of promotion, received a setback last week at Newcastle West, should get back to winning ways with a victory over Newport. Dunmanway should also keep in touch with the leaders with a victory at Mallow. Charleville travel to Presentation and they will be hoping for a change of fortune. Galbally should continue their recent good run with a win at home to Carrick-on-Suir. A vital game in the Munster Seconds League is the meeting at Temple Hill between Cork Constitution and Garryowen. The visitors are the only unbeaten side and a win here would go a long way towards them taking the title.

Australia dig deep to snatch victory

Leinster Schools 10
Australia Schools 13
THE Australian schools made it two wins from two starts, but only just, in this rip-roaring collision between two sides that refused to take a backward step at Donnybrook last night.
One feared for the Leinster schools as both teams emerged onto the pitch. As is their trait, the boys from Down Under were much bigger in height and strength than the Leinster boys.
One feared that would surely tell in the scrummage, first of all, and then gradually in open play.
Early on, the Australians showed that they have more to them than size by administering the sort of hits that would be more usually seen in senior club rugby.
That said, Leinster were more than a match for their counterparts in the bits and pieces that had to be done around the side of rucks and mauls. They were quicker in doing things than the Australians. In the 20th minute Australia's centre Paul Warwick kicked the Wallabies to the front. The Leinster attack had not been seen up to this point. They were too busy minding the back door.
However, when they did break forward, they caused the Australians trouble when they managed to get in behind them down the left flank.
This led to their only try in the 26th minute. Scrum-half Owen Brady evaded the clutches of three forwards before number eight Shane Jennings took the ball on. His was a more direct form of gaining ground. He bulldozed through the middle and managed to off load to his centre Gavin Duffy whose long, looping pass found flyer James Norton who sped into the corner.
Full-back Paul Drew converted from the touchline after failing from much closer with his penalty attempts.
Warwick made it 7-6 after 32 minutes. The next score came from Drew again with a 56th minute penalty. This meant Leinster had a lead to defend. The Australians had to get over for a try and, unfortunately, for their equals they did get in injury time from a replacement centre Junior Pelesasa.
Scorers - Leinster Schools: J. Norton (try), P. Drew (pen, con).
Australian: J. Pelesasa (try), P. Warwick (2 pens, con).
LEINSTER SCHOOLS: P. Drew (Blackrock), J. Norton, K. Lewis (both St. Mary's), G. Duffy (Roscrea), C. Buckley (Blackrock), D. Crotty (Belvedere). O. Brady, C. Hussey, H. Bourke (all Clongowes Wood), J. Montgomery (Blackrock), D. Lennon (Clongowes Wood), J. O'Sullivan (Newbridge), A. Cullen (Belvedere). T. Carter (Terenure), S. Jennings (St. Mary's). Replacement: F. Baynes (St. Michael's) for Buckley (21 mins).
AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS: T. Talaia, M. Scheibs, R. McCabe, P. Warwick, N. Staniforth, C. Fitzpatrick, P. Sheedy, J. Hardy, D. Hebblewhite, J. Lakepa, C. Trelaor, Graham Smith, F. Kefu, George Smith, G. Jenkins, Replacements: J. Pelesasa for McCabe, D. Lyons for Kefu (both half time), J. Gamgee for Jenkins (62 mins).
Referee: O. Trevor (ARLB).

Hyland puts up a fight too far for national youth champion Twohig

STEPHEN TWOHIG of Cork's Sunnyside was involved in the toughest fight of his career and lost it at the National Stadium last night.
Twohig, the National Youth champion was out-classed at featherweight by Dubliner Edward Hyland of the Golden Cobra Club in Dublin. Ironically, Twohig had beaten the Dubliner in this year's National Junior Championships but at Intermediate level last night he was on the wrong end of a 33-14 defeat.
"I was too slow in getting into my stride and I am really disappointed," Twohig said.
Hyland gave an exhibition of "be first" boxing to compile a 19-10 lead going into the last round.
Twohig tried hard but generally when he came in he lacked the guile in defence to avoid the stinging left jabs and sharp right hooks of the son of former Irish international Paddy Hyland.
Another Cork boy John Owens, the St Colman's light-fly scraped home on a count back decision over Eddie McDonagh of Bishop Kelly, Belfast. It was 19-19 at the end of the contest but Owens shaded it 94-77.
World junior silver medallist Harry Cunningham of Saints, Belfast was far too skilful for Fermoy's Roy Duggan at fly.
The Belfast southpaw scored at will for a 19-1 victory. Duggan lacked height but his timing was crucially off and Cunningham enjoyed an easy fight although he admitted he was hurt by Duggan in the first round.
Curiously the judges did not see that punch as Duggan was not credited with his only point until the final round.
Tralee's Kevin Cumiskey scored the fastest win of the night, a first-minute knockout over welterweight opponent Pat Whelan, Sacre Coeur. The Westport heavyweight John McDonagh stopped Philip Byrne of Swinford with seconds left.
National Intermediate Boxing Finals at the National Stadium:
Lightfly: J. Owens (St. Colman's) bt E. McDonagh (Bishop Kelly) 94-77 on count back. Fly: H. Cunningham (Saints) bt R. Duggan (Fermoy) 19-1. Bantam: W. Waithe (Holy Family) bt E. O'Kane (Oak Leaf) 12-10. Feather: E. Hyland (Golden Cobra) bt S. Twohig (Sunnyside) 33-14. Light: K. Crawley (Glasnevin) bt K. Clifford (Grangecon) 12-9. Lightwelter: J. Harkin (Dunfanaghy) bt C. McLoughlin (Keady) 14-7. Welterweight K. Cumiskey (Tralee) bt P. Whelan Sacre Coeur, KO round 1. Lightmiddle: J. Duddy (Ring) bt A. Gibson (Larne) 23-10. Middle: C. Carmichael (Holy Trinity) bt L. Senior (Crumlin) 4-9. Lightheavy: A. Reynolds (St. Joseph's, Sligo) bt M. Mallon (Sacred Heart) KO round 1. Heavy: J. McDonagh (Westport) bt P. Byrne (Swinford) stopped round 4. Superheavy: C. Kenna (Mount Talent) bt D. Nevin (Dunboyne) walkover.

Irish Open score coup
with US star set to play

by Charlie Mulqueen
JOHN Daly will make his second appearance in the Murphys Irish Open when the tournament returns to Druids Glen, Co Wicklow, on July 1-4.
Padraig Liston, Managing Director of Murphy Brewery Ireland, made the announcement last night and sparked off early interest in a tournament that is now firmly established as one of the finest on the European circuit.
Murphys have long since pledged themselves to maintain and enhance the Irish Open and they are being as good as their word.
There are only two good ways of doing this — keeping the prize fund up there with the best of them and ensuring a top-class entry.
In 1998, many of the game's finest professionals played for a £1.1 million purse, a massive increase on 1997, and now they have served early notice that the field in '99 will be at least as good as any that has gone before.
"We are delighted to welcome back to Ireland a player who has captured the public imagination ever since his remarkable victory in the US PGA Championship at Crooked Stick in 1991," said Mr Liston.
"The Irish golfing public rose to John in 1994 when at the inaugural Murphys sponsorship he combined power and touch to equal the course record at Mount Juliet and eventually finish runner-up to Bernhard Langer."
Few of those present at Mount Juliet on that remarkable Sunday afternoon in 1994 will forget the formidable and totally unexpected challenge mounted by John Daly in his final 18 holes.
Rounds of 70, 68 and 73 had left "the wild thing" very much back in the pack so that he was one of the early starters on the Sunday.
He proceeded to set the tournament alight with six straight threes — three birdies, an eagle and two pars — and for a time it looked as if nobody would catch him.
They mightn't have either had Daly managed a birdie four at the par five 17th, which was comfortably in range in two shots for a man of his power.
But he managed only a par, signed the card for a 65 and a 12 under total of 276.
He was later joined on that mark by the Australian Robert Allenby and could only stand idly by, regretting what might have been as the imperturbable German Bernhard Langer coolly shot a 67 to claim first prize by a single shot.
In 1995, John Daly won his second major, the Open Championship at St Andrews after a play-off against Costantino Rocca.
He has also captured the BC Open, the Bell South Classic and the Australian Skins and this year represented the United States in both the World and Dunhill Cups, from which he emerged undefeated.
His huge hitting and unpredictability have always made the 32-year-old John Patrick Daly a target for sponsors prepared to part with a large lump of appearance or "promotional" money, as the European Tour prefer it to be called, and obviously Murphys are no exception when trying to draw the biggest stars.
They will, of course, keep their fingers crossed that their star attraction is on his best behaviour and not subject at the time to one of the drinking binges or fits of depression that have blighted much of his glittering career to date.
Nevertheless, who could argue with Padraig Liston when he comments in emphatic fashion: "Murphy Brewery are very pleased to give all our supporters the opportunity of seeing this exceptional talent in action once more."

Replay for Gaelic Grounds

THE Limerick Gaelic Grounds has been confirmed as the venue for tomorrow's AIB Munster club hurling final replay between Moyle Rovers and Doonbeg.
It follows a mid-week inspection by council secretary Donie Nealon and PRO Fr Séamus Gardiner and another, yesterday, evening by chairman Seán Kelly. Fr Gardiner said, yesterday, that apart from an area in front of the stand, the pitch was quite firm and suitable to take the game. "According to the Met Office, Sunday will be fine and so the game is going ahead,'' he said.

Commanche Court can outstay rivals

by Pat Keane
NAVAN have had to abandon their two steeplechase races today because of waterlogging. There will now only be five races on the card - four hurdle events and a bumper.
The featured Barry and Sandra Kelly Memorial Hurdle still stands and if the handicapper is in any way accurate with his current ratings, then Cockney Lad should easily beat Commanche Court.
The facts are simple. At these weights, Cockney Lad has no less than 16lbs in hand of his rival. But this is far from an exact science and I propose going nap on Commanche Court, who has put a disappointing second half to last season well behind him.
Ted Walsh's gelding made a spectacular return over this course and distance at the end of October when slamming Nomadic to the tune of six lengths.
The selection then dropped down to two miles, at Punchestown, for his next outing and Nomadic reversed placings with him, scoring by a length. Commanche Court lost little in that defeat. conceding his rival 11lbs and over a trip that is now all too short.
Cockney Lad is an obvious worry and, of course, he won this contest last year, proving too strong for Imperial Call.
He was beaten first time up over fences at Roscommon by Nuzum Road Makers and that particular career has been put on hold, at least for the moment.
Noel Meade's charge is a class act on his day. But he is now rising ten and the much younger Commanche Court, who has his best years ahead of him, can outstay his rival in the closing stages for Ruby Walsh.
Slaney Native, easy winner of a bumper at Thurles and then successful from City West over flights at Punchestown, has buckets of experience and should go well in the Irish National Hunt Novice Hurdle.
But Colonel Yeager is much preferred. He was a brilliant bumper horse last campaign, running the race of his young life when beaten a length by King's Road at Punchestown in April.
He easily scored first time up over flights at Cork, although it has to be accepted he had nothing to beat. Nevertheless, Colonel Yeager is a horse who promises a great deal and Martin Lynch's charge gets a confident vote to initiate a double for Ruby Walsh.
Sallie's Girl may be capable of completing a four-timer in the Ladbroke-Tote Arena Handicap Hurdle. Noel Meade's mare just keeps on winning and has gone up just 11lbs for her three successes.