Scrap the U-17 football quarter-finals – Sport – Roscommon Herald

It’s not because Roscommon were left battered and bruised by Kerry but I believe it’s time to scrap the All-Ireland U-17 football quarter-finals.

Anyone who was in Cusack Park Ennis last Saturday week would echo those thoughts. The Cork and Roscommon U-17 footballers were beaten by a combined tally of 35 points by Mayo and Kerry respectively. In another quarter-final clash, Longford lost by 13 points to Armagh.

New Tier 2 and Tier 3 competitions have emerged for U-17 teams that exit their provincial championships this season. Cavan and Kildare contested the Tier 2 final. Down and Westmeath clashed in the Tier 3 decider.

In that context, the GAA should remove the All-Ireland U-17 quarter-finals. The extra game isn’t required in my opinion.

The four provincial U-17 champions should head straight into the All-Ireland semi-finals. The four beaten provincial finalists, which would have included Roscommon this season, would enter the Tier 2 All-Ireland quarter-finals, joining four of the beaten provincial semi-finalists.

Imagine if Roscommon had a Tier 2 last eight game instead of getting hammered by the Kingdom, which ended their 2024 campaign on a downer.

The remaining 16 teams left in the championship would enter the Tier 3 All-Ireland football championship at the stage they were knocked out of their provincial championship. Some teams would commence in the first round, while others would arrive at the bus stop for the quarter-final stages. This would further enhance winning a provincial championship, with the prize of a direct route to the last four.

The four provincial runners-up and the eight beaten semi-finalists should take the Tier 2 road and the rest would know that Tier 3 is their championship.

The counter-argument this year would be Armagh who were the only beaten provincial finalists to win a quarter-final game, beating Leinster champions Longford last time out. The Orchard boys could yet win the All-Ireland title outright as they face Mayo in the last four.

Affording the two new competitions more glamour and prestige gives lots of counties something tangible to play for.

I am really looking forward to seeing how Kerry and Mayo get on against Derry and Armagh respectively in the All-Ireland semi-finals this weekend.

Mayo, while playing great football, might be concerned that the standard in Connacht was only average, so they may not know the true worth of their side. Kerry, after winning their last three championship games by 50 points, are also unsure of where they stand.

One thing is for certain — the northern boys will not shy away from testing the character of the Connacht and Munster champions.

Will Limerick regret Rebel slip?

After producing one of their trademark powerful second-half surges to wipe out a heavy half-time deficit to take the lead, will Munster hurling champions Limerick live to regret allowing Cork snatch a sensational injury-time winning goal from a penalty?

That late dramatic three-pointer took Cork off life support and back into the Munster championship hospital ward. A week later, the Rebels beat Tipperary to snatch third place in the group and a place in the All-Ireland Series.

It was so unlike Limerick — when they had a serious rival to their five-in-a-row ambition out of the championship — to let Cork sneak in the back door. If the forthcoming All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals go a certain a way, Limerick know that the Leesiders are coming down the track for a semi-final showdown.

While John Kiely’s men will fear no-one in Croke Park, Cork are always capable of producing the goods. They are dangerous opponents for a team edging closer to history.

After beating Offaly last Saturday, the Rebels have three wins on the bounce. With a deflated Dublin, who lost the Leinster final, next on the shopping list, Cork are in the driving seat for another crack at Limerick.

After being beaten by Waterford and Clare, that glorious success over Limerick in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh changed the course of Cork’s voyage. If Limerick had hammered home the final nail in their coffin, the Rebels’ season was going to end with a post-mortem as long as the Midlands North West European ballot paper.

But Cork are now back in the race. What’s more, Limerick know that if the “Famous Five” is to be achieved, the Rebels will have to be dealt with.

Tuesday Teaser

Like the Local and European elections, last week’s Teaser ended up burning the midnight oil in terms of sorting all the votes.

Can you name the GAA ground that hosted its first ever All-Ireland SFC game this season? It was Inniskeen in County Monaghan for the clash of Louth and Meath.

QPR, Frenchpark, received the highest first preference vote. Liam Dooley, Ballyhaunis; John Croghan, Bundoran; Fr John McManus, PP, Castlerea; Mary Gilfillan, Kilmore; David Hussey, Ballintubber; Michael Scally, Ballaghaderreen; Murt Hunt, Ballyhaunis; Bernard Duffy, Longford/Loughglynn; John Wynne, Kilteevan; Luigi, Ballyhaunis, Mick Fetherston, Dublin; Pat, Sligo; Paddy Boland, Youghal; Kevin Flanagan, Dartford, and Michael Kearns, Clapham, ended up reaching the quota.

This week’s Teaser: Can you name the last Irish player to score a goal in a UEFA European Cup Winners Cup final?

Answers by e-mail to willieefc@gmail.com or by text to 086 8356227. This week’s teaser comes from Athlone.

Why hold the GAA draws on Monday morning?

I know the difference is only about 15 to 20 hours but why do the GAA draws have to take place on a Monday morning rather than after a live TV game on a Sunday evening?

Surely it would be nice for teams to know on a Sunday night who they are facing the following weekend.

With the new format over the past two seasons, there have been less Monday morning draws. Only two have taken place to date and another one is due (for the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals) as the business end of the championships approaches.

It would have made more sense to have the All-Ireland SFC preliminary play-off draw after the Mayo and Dublin game in Dr. Hyde Park. It would have generated lots of excitement after a brilliant game.

Having the draws on Monday morning gives counties and supporters less time to plan for their journeys.

Weekend watch

Star pupil: Diarmuid Murtagh who had an outstanding game for Roscommon, scoring 1-6 during their morale-boosting championship win over Cavan.

Crucial win for: Tyrone over Cork as it secured a home preliminary play-off game for the Ulster men.

Much do better: Fermanagh letting a seven-point lead slip against Antrim in the Tailteann Cup quarter-final.

Spot of bother: The great underachievers Leinster, who lost their URC semi-final to the Bulls, are simply over-hyped.

Weekend highlight: It’s early days yet but Euro 2024 looks like it could be a tournament laden with goals.

What a cracker: Forget the name in front of the competition as the clash of Down and Sligo in Croke Park should be a belter.

Hegarty’s motivational quote

“Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers or you can grow weeds.”

Did you know?

That Mayo star Kobe McDonald is the current top scorer in the All-Ireland U-17 football championship with 4-27.

Finally for this week

After finishing second in their group, the Roscommon intermediate ladies’ footballers will face Leitrim away in the All-Ireland quarter-finals on Sunday, June 30th.

Leitrim have already beaten Oliver Lennon’s side this season, so revenge could be on the menu when their paths cross again on Sunday week.