WHO would have believed it? Not only are Dublin in the final of the National Football League but they have also made their way into the National Hurling League decider. Well, the footballers achievement was no great surprise, but very few people would have given the hurlers a chance of reaching the final. Indeed, the odds were still against them, even going into last Sunday's final series of matches. But the combination of an outstanding 1-15 to 1-14 away success over Cork and Waterford's 1-17 to 1-16 home victory over Galway saw them through to their first league decider since 1946. The will now face Kilkenny in the May 1 final. Had Galway won, instead of going down by a single point, they would have made it through, on the basis of their head-to-head record against the Dubs. As it was, they eventually had to settle for fifth with Kilkenny topping the table on 11 points, Dublin on 10, Waterford on nine and Tipperary and Galway on eight. Still, no one is going to deny the Dublin hurlers their place in the big time. Manager Anthony Daly has done a tremendous job in preparing them for the current season. It's strange, in such circumstances, to think that there was considerable talk about Daly quitting after last season's disappointing All-Ireland campaign. But the Clare man stuck to his guns and has been suitably rewarded. Had Dublin not blow so many scoring chances in a few of their earlier matches, notably against Galway, they could have been spared Sunday's dramatic events. Unsurprisingly, however, Daly is not complaining. He said: "It was topsy-turvey but we are in the final. It's a long time since 1946, so you can see what it means to the fans, they've been following us everywhere. I'm delighted for them." Sensibly, Daly has not intention of getting carried away. "It was a short-term goal for us to try and make the final. Now we will try to win it but we fully realize the massive challenge we will face against Kilkenny." True but, equally, there's no doubt that Kilkenny boss Brian Cody will give Dublin considerable respect. His own team, after all, haven't always been at their best in the league, despite topping the Division One table, and they have more than their share of injuries. Still, they comfortably beat Offaly by 1-27 to 1-19 at Nowlan Park in their final outing. The difficulty was that Michael Fennelly suffered a suspected broken hand while Aidan Fogarty and John Dalton also sustained late ankle injuries.
Once again, Dublin missed their share of chances at Pairc Ui Chaoimh but, fortunately for them, so did Cork. Most importantly, Dublin had two forwards Paul Ryan and David O'Callaghan who were right on their game. Remarkably, they share 1-14 of Dublin's 1-15 total. Ryan finished with 1-8, seven from frees, while O'Callaghan struck six points from play. It was Ryan's two huge points from frees in the closing stages that eventually saw Dublin home. After that, it was all about hearing how Galway got on against Waterford. And they got the news they were hoping for with Pauric Mahony landing a late long range free to give Waterford their 1-17 to 1-16 victory. In different circumstances, Waterford could made the final themselves, but manager Davy Fitzgerald wasn't complaining. He had seen his team outplay Galway for much of the encounter and now must be in a much better mood as the championship approaches. Galway, for their part, welcomed back some of their big guns, most notably Joe Canning, but they are still not firing on all cylinders. Canning, to be fair, did very well, finishing with 1-6, four of which came from frees. But the league holders can't be satisfied with a disappointing end to their league campaign which saw them lose their last two matches. If there was drama at the top of Division One, the same could be said in the battle to avoid the drop. Somehow, Wexford survived, a 71st minute goal from Willie Doran proving crucial in earning them a 0-17 to 1-14 Semple Stadium draw with Tipperary. With Offaly losing to Kilkenny, it meant that they, and not Wexford, are relegated. It was a great escape from the Wexford side who had looked doomed to go down. No wonder they celebrated in such style afterwards. "As the game went on, our lads wanted it more because the prize was staying in Division One. We got our just reward in the end." explained manger Colm Bonner. Needless to say, the Offaly boss Joe Dooley wasn't quite so excited. But he tried to pragmatic, staging: "We're obviously very disappointed with the result in Thurles but we have to shake ourselves down and get on with it. "There were some very good performances today and I think the boys will bounce back from this. They have six weeks to get ready for the championship." Limerick, meanwhile, maintained their 100 per cent record at the top of Division Two by beating Antrim by 4-15 to 0-15at Loughgiel. They will face neighbours Clare, after the Bannermen demolished Carlow 4-28 to 0-8 in Ennis, in what promises to be a very interesting Division Two final.
Congress tinkers with league, SamTHE return of semi-finals in Division One of the National Football and Hurling Leagues for next year was one of the motions accepted in the 2011 GAA congress at Mullingar. Furthermore, replays will resume in all drawn provincial championship first round and quarter-finals games, as well as All-Ireland quarter-finals. Previously, extra-time applied in these matches. These were among the motions accepted at the congress, while there were many others rejected. For instance, Antrim wanted the All-Ireland Club championships completed within the calender year, rather than have the semi-finals in February and the finals on St Patrick's Day. But the motion failed to get the two-thirds majority. GAA president Christy Cooney also marked his address by stating his firm support for traditional values. He said: "Payment of managers is a cancer running though our organization. What is the point of our so-called voluntary ethos and our amateur status? "Why are we in denial? Is it not time to stand up and be counted? The time has come to answer these questions." Liam O'Neill from Laois, meanwhile, was endorsed as president-elect. A former chair of the Leinster Council, O'Neill contested the last election three years ago when he lost out to Cooney.Munster will have home semiMUNSTER have made certain of a home semi-final in the Magners League following a hard-earned 13-6 away success over Llanelli Scarlets. The all-important match-winning try came from Cork Constitution wing Sim Zebo in the 67th minute. Zebo again showed his potential by kicking a loose ball ahead and winning the race for the touchdown. The 21-year-old won the man-of-the-match award for his contribution. It was a performance from a young Munster side which pleased coach Tony McGahern. He said: "It was a fantastic result, given that the Scarlets had a lot to play for. Zebo looked dangerous every time he got the ball and there were quite a few other good individidual performances as well." Leinster are now also in line for a home semi-final after a 34-26 victory over Ulster at the RDS. They have now moved into second spot with Ulster dropping to third. Effectively, the match was finishes after 13 minutes, by which stage Leinster led 17-3 ith tries from Richardt Strauss, Luke Fitzgerald and Shane Horgan. Right-wing Horgan went on to be named man-of-the-match after adding another second half try. Eventually, Leinster secured five tries to move 34-12 ahead, but the introduction of several substitutes, and some improved form from Ulster meant that the gap was closed significently by the finish. Connacht, in action on Friday night, went down to a disappointing 26-12 home defeat to the Cardiff Blues. Ian Keatley was in form with the boot, landing four penalties, but Connacht could not manage a try. Elsewhere, the holders Cork Constitution and Old Belvedere will contest the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League final. Cork Con got the better of Young Munster 19-9, with Old Belvedere pipping Clontarf 22-20 in the semi-finals.
