INSIDE RIGHT: Championship action a bit of a damp squib
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A DRIPPING wet pair of jeans is draped over a chair in the corner of the sitting room as 'Inside Right' gets to work on this week's column. The reason for the sodden slacks is that yours truly has just arrived home from watching the Cork versus Wexford qualifier in Wexford Park in the worst of our summer weather.
Following the usual routine of arriving five minutes before throwin meant by the time 'Inside Right' arrived the main stand was full, so muggins here traipsed off to the uncovered side to sit in the full force of the elements with a host of other such unfortunate souls.
Of course the press pass in the wallet should ensure a place with the other hacks in the comfort and dryness of the back of the main stand but 'Inside Right' rarely takes the sensible option - and on this occasion chose the banter of the fans over the tip-tap of fingers on laptop keyboards.
Unfortunately the match went along expected lines with Cork proving too strong for the Slaneysiders and like much of the championship so far this year it was a poor enough spectacle - but at least on Sunday they had mitigating circumstances, playing free-flowing football in monsoon-like conditions was always going to be nigh on impossible.
It's hard to many any judgement on Cork's All-Ireland credentials from what we saw at the weekend but there sure to be there on thereabouts when it comes to the business end of the championship.
In truth they look to be the only other serious challengers that could break the recent monotonous stranglehold on Sam Maguire of Kerry and Tyrone.
Though a lot of footballing fare on show this season has been pretty well below par at least there has been a few moments to savour - the emergence of Louth in Leinster (albeit with a bitter ending against Meath) and Roscommon's unlikely Connacht triumph being cases in point.
Hurling seems to be suffering even more, however.
The championship has been substandard so far this summer with the action rarely rising above the ordinary.
It was great to see the delight of the Waterford supporters when the Deise won the Munster title on Saturday night but the scenes of celebration seriously surpassed the humdrum action that had gone before it.
Like football, hurling has been besieged by an over-emphasis on defensive tactics, with players bunching and hunting in packs and quality attacking play is at a premium.
In all likelihood whoever reaches the All-Ireland final will be brushed aside by a dominant Kilkenny, whether they deploy defensive tactics or not.
It would obviously be a joyous occasion for followers of the Cats should they, as expected, chalk up a tremendous five-in-a-row but for the rest of us looking for a competitive championship to get our teeth into it will be a bit of a damp squib.
A bit like those damn jeans in the corner.
- DAVE DEVEREUX
