Pundit Arena Because Sport Is Everything
What a hectic weekend of Allianz League action it was.
In the Allianz Hurling League, our four semi-finalists have been confirmed. All-Ireland champions Limerick put a beating on Laois to set-up a tie with a high-flying Dublin side who shocked everybody by taking out Tipperary last weekend in Semple Stadium.
The other semi-final pits 2017 All-Ireland champions, Galway against a Waterford side who swatted aside the challenge of Clare with relative ease.
In the Allianz Football League, there were shocks aplenty as Tyrone toppled Dublin in Croke Park, while Mayo recorded a come from behind victory over Kerry.
Carlow nearly pipped Down in Division 3, while Armagh stopped Fermanagh in their tracks in Division 2.
Here is our stock take following a jam-packed Allianz League weekend.
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Whose Stock Rose?
Mayo
It’s been a topsy-turvy kind of league campaign for Mayo. They started like a house on fire with three wins in a row and looking like potential league finalists, only to find themselves in a “crisis” following defeat to Dublin and Galway.
Defeat to Kerry on Saturday night would have been demoralising for James Horan’s men, however, they battled back from a half-time deficit to record a two-point win over the previously unbeaten Kerry side.
From league contenders to flops, Mayo are now on course for a league final again following their win in Tralee and no doubt their morale will have boosted following a hard-fought win.
Their stock has risen considerably.
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Mattie Kenny
We all know the Galway native is an excellent coach. Two All-Ireland titles with Cuala are a testament to that.
However, the jury was out on whether or not Kenny could take this Dublin side to the level that they want to be and although the big questions will be asked come summertime and the ‘white heat’ of Championship, there can be no doubting that Kenny’s stock has risen over the past number of weeks.
Dublin recorded an excellent victory over Waterford a few weeks ago in front of a strong home crowd at Parnell Park and while the result may not have been foreseen by many, it certainly wasn’t a shock.
However, defeating Tipperary in Thurles to book a last-four spot in the Allianz League most definitely was a shock. The Dubs definitely won’t fear All-Ireland champions Limerick this weekend and no doubt, Kenny will have them chomping at the bit for it.
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Aidan O’Shea
He comes in for a lot of stick at times, but Aidan O’Shea was electric on Saturday evening as Mayo ended Kerry’s 100 per cent winning record in Tralee.
The big Breaffy man picked up the Man of the Match award on a night where he completely dominated the middle third.
He was our focus on this weeks edition of ‘Spotlight‘ after putting in four utterly dominant minutes that tipped the scales in Mayo’s favour.
A good week for Mayo’s big man.
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Whose Stock Crashed?
Cork
The Rebel County’s stock took a huge hit at the weekend.
The football side was on somewhat of a high leading into the weekend following a win over Tipperary that boosted their chances of survival in Division 2 of the Allianz Football League, however, defeat to Donegal on Saturday has left them in dire straits and headed for the drop.
Mathematically they can still avoid the drop, but first, they are going to have to beat a resurgent Armagh side and then hope that either Tipperary or Clare drop points.
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Liam Sheedy
A difficult weekend for Tipperary who crashed out of the league following defeat at home to Dublin.
Tipp’s form throughout the entirety of the league was questionable at best, with many putting it down to Sheedy’s decision to focus purely on the Championship.
If that is the case then expect a huge reaction from the Premier County come the summer, however, if we take it on face value, this weekend, Sheedy’s stock took a tumble.
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Niall Morgan
While his performance against Dublin on Saturday night was excellent, there has been a sour taste left in the mouths of many after Morgan’s hit on Paddy Andrews broke the Dublin forward’s jaw.
The hit by Morgan was definitely mistimed, however, to say it was a deliberate attempt to hurt Andrews would be unfair.
What can’t be disputed though is that Morgan should have received red instead of yellow following the tackle, accidental or not, it was high, it was dangerous, it should have been red.
