Much promised but little delivered

Micheal O Muircheartaigh reflects on last weekend's championship encounters - a day that promised a lot but failed to deliver - and predicts wins next Sunday for Tyrone, Galway and Dublin.

Now and then it happens that all matches on a particular day's championship programme fail to supply the excitement expected. Sunday last was one such day.

While most people anticipated a Kilkenny win in their joust with Laois, there was an opinion in circulation which suggested that the O'Moore hurlers would one day spring a major surprise.

As events turned out, Kilkenny blitzed them with a five-goal first half salvo, and turned the spotlight on themselves as possible All-lreland champions.

The contest took place on Croke Park's best sod in years and the same carpet seemed to suit All-lreland champions Offaly, who had a convincing 11-point win over Wexford.

Offaly scored three goals, Wexford got none, and the result was easily forecast long before the finish.

It was much the same sort of situation in the football match between Kerry and Clare at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney.

A major challenge was expected from Clare but the game never caught fire and Kerry recorded an easy win.

Up North the replay between Derry and Cavan failed to produce thrills, and the Derrymen won as they pleased.

Down's initial appearance in the championship did not produce any fireworks either, even though Antrim were closer than anticipated at the finish. And so ended a day that promised a lot but failed to deliver - either the close contests or shock results that form part of every championship. But do not become alarmed yet; the Gods have plenty of tricks in the bag and they will be dispensed in due course.

Finalists in the Munster football and the Leinster hurling championships have now emerged and are in keeping with general forecasts made at the time of the draws back in October.

Kilkenny and Offaly will do battle at Croke Park on July 11 - a week ahead of the showdown between Kerry and Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

What odds on an All-lreland double?