Puke Football rears its ugly head again

So Ulster football is in the gutter again like it was related to Scottish football. Aintrim manager Liam Bradley accused Dongeal of employing blanket defence tactics despite the fact he employed the same tactic and did so two years earlier when Aintrim caused a shock in Ballybofey. That's akin to Jedward complaining Azerbaijan had no talent. Donegal won ugly but in truth how could they win any other way? The day was rotten and damp and they had to beat a blanket defence of their own.

Donegal are a bit like Galway over the years. Both have played with great flair and can prove to be two of the most exciting teams in the championship. However you never really know what you're going to get with them, will they get started and turn on the style or will they get hockeyed by 10 points plus. Should they abandon their roots and toughen up. Are they obliged to put on a show(attendance on Sunday was just over 6,000 at a 17,500 capacity).

I mentioned Scottish football where Celtic just finished a point off Rangers with a huge total of 92 points. They were cheered by the crowd and did a lap of honour. This in a city where coming second is as good as coming last. While many will want to show solidarity with Neil Lennon in this horrid time, one of the great reasons he is so loved by the fans is the style of play. Gordon Strachan won 3 titles in a row playing puke football and never endeared himself to the fans while Lennon's team is built on attack and they have been a joy to watch in the last few months as the team has begun to click and while another season of no league title next season would be deemed unacceptable, right now fans are just delighted to be entertained again with free flowing football. That is in Celtic's DNA and its also in Donegal's and Galways.

Galway's attendances in recent seasons has plummeted and it seems to be hard to get punters through the door or any sport in the city right now. Is it because they are not winning or is it because the product is no longer entertaining? Munster rugby has lost the winning touch and suddenly the 16th man has gone missing. Are fans just fickle? In large numbers yes. GAA teams can put on a show all they want but at the end of the day unless there is style to the substance no eventually the fans will turn. Arsenal fan's are now calling for Wengers head and what will happen Neil Lennon's free flowing Celtic if they allow Rangers to win a 4th title in a row?

Time for Galway to follow Donegal's lead and play a little puke football.


Onto this weekend

22 May 15:30

Derry vs Fermanagh

1/7

10/1

11/2

Derry are a shocking low price after an indifferent league form and will badly miss Bradley this season. I'd look to get involved with Fermanagh on the handicap + 6 points.

22 May 14:00

Laois vs Longford

4/11

15/2

11/4

Laois were runners up in Division 2 while Longford won Division 4. Home field advantage will see Laois win the day. Laois by 4 or more.

22 May 16:00

Kildare vs Wicklow

1/4

10/1

7/2

Backing 1/4 shots is not my style but there will be plenty of money buyers out in force at 1/4 at rightly so. Will be easiest winners of the week outside the two Munster sides.

22 May 15:30

Sligo vs Leitrim

2/11

9/1

5/1

At the prices I'd fancy an upset. Leitrim were shocking in Division 4 but Sligo were equally bad in Division 2 and a 5/1 nibble could be the play in the local derby.

22 May 15:30

Kerry vs Tipperary

1/20

16/1

9/1

22 May 15:30

Cork vs Clare

1/100

16/1

16/1

I wonder who will win these matches? Munster football=the greatest reason to scrap the Provencal structure. Thankfully they have ignored these matches for TV purposes as they are nothing more than a training exercise