Messages

France in melt-down. Argentina completely intimidating the French.

Arg 17 (Cont 12)  Fra 6

Arg 14 France 6 (Skerla 6)

Still think France will settle eventually. Serious nerves.

Argentina 14 France 3.

Remember Senegal?

Try Argentina!

Arg 9 France 3

Deadly kicking.

Although the French have been crap so far, the Argies are scaring me.

Excellent kicking from the Argie 6-3. France gifting them.

3-3  - 6 mins

France nervous. Making handling errors.

Argentina 3 France 0

Makings of a cracker.

Leinster man scores.

20 seconds gone. No score.

big

small

teletype

a table?

^eh

_eh

prepre

centre

erer

I received this article recently, on Derry's proud record at this level:

DERRY MINORS ADD TO ILLUSTRIOUS PAST

After Monaghan's heartbreaking defeat to the Kingdom, it eventually dawned on us that Derry's minors, out of the limelight since their controversial Ulster decider loss to great rivals Tyrone, were our last standing side in this year's All-Ireland series. This should come as no surprise to anyone who has seen this talented side play over the last six months. Having lifted the minor league, they waltzed their way to the Ulster final, barely conceding a score to Antrim and Monaghan along the way. In the final, they succumbed to another talented side by the smallest of margins. Replays showed Tyrone was awarded a point that should never have been. Undeterred, the young Oak Leaf side went about their business in a quiet fashion and were rewarded when they staged a wonderful comeback to defeat Cork 1-8 to 1-7. Barry O'Driscoll's goal helped Cork lead 1-4 to 0-2 at half-time. However, Derry reduced the Rebel County's lead after the break and James Kielt's 57th-minute goal brought the sides level. Declan Mullan then hit the winning point to put the beaten Ulster finalists into the All-Ireland semis. Derry O'Callaghan should have at least levelled for Cork in injury-time but he opted for glory by going for goal and his low shot was saved by Derry goalkeeper Andrew Warnock.

Something else that shouldn't surprise is that this Derry side was following in a rich underage tradition in the county. The Oak Leaf currently stands on 14 provincial titles, the last in 2002 when they went on to lift their fourth All-Ireland title. That tremendous side included players of the calibre of Mark Lynch, Patsy Bradley and Gerard O'Kane. Their most productive period at this level was during the 80s when they lifted six Ulster titles (as well as one in 1990) and two All-Ireland titles. They were also defeated in two finals by Kerry and Cork at the start of that decade. Derry's '83 side was probably up there with one of the best to grace Croke Park at that level. Previously, they had annihilated Monaghan in the Ulster Final on a scoreline of 3-9 to 0-4. In the All-Ireland final they were to meet Cork, their victors in the '81 final on a scoreline of 4-9 to 2-7. The rebels were expected to inflict on Derry their third final loss in four years, having lost to Kerry 3-12 to 0-11 in 1980. However, Derry managed to restricted their opponents to a miserly 1-3 whilst scoring 0-8 themselves to lift their second Tom Markham triumph. That side consisted of some wonderful footballers, not least John McGurk, Dermott McNicholl, Damien Cassidy and Eamonn Lynch. The following year they again waltzed through the Ulster Championship, beating Armagh 1-14 to 0-3 in the final. They had already inflicted two heavy defeats on the same opposition in the '80 and '81 Ulster finals, 3-14 to 1-2 and 0-11 to 1-2. 1980-1984 was a remarkable golden period for underage football in Derry.

In 1989, Derry returned for their 4th All-Ireland final in 10 years. Remarkably, they again handed out a heavy beating to Armagh in the Ulster final, 2-15 to 2-3. This time they were to meet Offaly in the final. The Faithful had collected their only Markham in 1964 but were not to add to this tally as Derry ran out convincing 3-9 to 1-6 winners. If you thought the '83 team were talented, look at this list of achievers on the '89 champions – Gary Coleman, Anthony Tohill, Eamonn Burns, Dermot Heaney, Declan Bateson and Karl Diamond.

Derry's first Tom Markham Cup arrived in 1965 in their maiden appearance in the final, as well as their first Ulster title. In the final they defeated Kerry who'd won the '62 and '63 finals. Some of the bigger names in that team were Adrian McGuckin, Eamonn Coleman, Seamus McCloskey, Mickey Niblock, Colm Mullan and Malachy McAfee. So when you watched Derry strut their stuff in their unforgettable All-Ireland semi-final draw with Laois, remember that they're threading a well worn Oak-Leaf path – our aristocrats of minor football.

Looking forward to this game. I'd my money on a Tyrone/Derry rematch final (with Derry winning) but The Red Hands were caught napping against the Kingdom. Derry were the best team in Ulster during the MFL and on a par with Tyrone in the MFC. I really like the look of Kielt (not in a Graham Norton way) - reminds me a lot of the way Liam Doyle oozed class at this level at turn of the century. McGeehan may not have the physique which suggests he'll have a great senior county career but he's the Geoffrey McGonigle of this Derry side. Wonderfully talented, intelligent and accurate.

They'll think Pavarotti's passing was a scam.....