With Declan Bonner

Something happed in those last few moments that doesn't happen too often - Kerry showed that they can be frail at times too. Last Sunday's game just went on to outline and prove how important mental toughness is again. In three big games this year; the League final against Derry, the Munster final against Cork and then last Sunday against Cork, Kerry have let good leads slip away to a costly degree.

If that game on Sunday had went on for another few minutes, Cork would've turned them over. In saying that though, if you take the last two or three minutes out of the equation, Kerry could have been 12 points in front. Dara O Sé had probably the best first half that he has had all year, but he had to go when he lashed out at Pearse O'Neill.

Kerry have plenty of options and plenty of big players to come back into their side yet. They are still the best team in the country in my opinion, but they do have frailties. When teams come up now and get a goal when they have a big lead, they could be inclined to think that the inevitable is about to happen. If Kerry can rectify that, they will win the All Ireland.

This week, you'd have to fancy Kerry again. I thought that Cork were poor and they offered little apart from the last few minutes. John Hayes took his penalty well and scored a 13-metre free, but that aside he didn't get on the ball. Cork could start James Masters and Nicholas Murphy this week and they'll be a massive help. It's still hard to see how they can overturn Kerry if Pat O'Shea can fix his problems.

Sunday is a big opportunity for Donegal man Jimmy White, who has been appointed to referee the match. It was a nice call for Jimmy to get and is a just reward for a good performance in the Ulster final. Best of luck for the weekend Jimmy!

Tyrone need to be on their guard for their semi final against Wexford who are coming in on the back of two impressive wins against Down and Armagh. They will think that they are in with a great chance this weekend and Jason Ryan has done a brilliant job with Wexford.

The biggest battle on Sunday will be the one between Mattie Forde and Conor Gormley. Mattie was operating at 70 per cent for the last couple of games, but the word in Wexford is that he is now 100 per cent ready for this one. Gormley is one of the best man markers in the country and this could decide the game.

Tyrone have to guard against complacency and see if they can play like they did against Dublin. It is very difficult to put together back-to-back performances. Wexford have taken two big scalps already and if they can throw caution to the wind and play with a free abandonment they will make life difficult for Tyrone.

BrianMcIver

A lot has been made in the last number of weeks about the situation of Brian McIver. It looks like Monday night's County Board meeting could be an interesting one, whatever develops at that.

It is about time that we take a look at it once and for all. If there are any grievances, let them be aired - the whole lot of them! And then we can get over it and be done with it once and for all, whatever the meeting's outcome, and we can let the manager carry on with the job at hand.

Looking at the player situation in the county, I know Brian was at the Aodh Ruadh v Cloughaneely game on Saturday and he was impressed with Stephen Griffin and Kevin Mulhern.

I know Brian plans to watch games in the county and I hope he doesn't just limit that to Division 1A and 1B. There are bound to be players in the other Divisions capable of breaking onto a county squad. David Walsh came in last year and was one of our most consistent men. He was a good find and there might be other David Walsh's out there.

This weekend the two Intermediate semi finals are on and my own club Na Rossa play St Naul's on Sunday. The big guns - Naul's and MacCumhaills - have been kept apart and they're probably happy with that.

We will have it tough on Sunday with Stephen Griffin in outstanding form for Naul's. Along with Michael Murphy, I think he is one of the best young prospects in the county.

In the other semi, MacCumhaills will be favourites against Naomh Mhuire. They are a senior club playing in the intermediate in my opinion. They should win it and they've been working hard under Mickey McMahon and Barney Lafferty. They've yet to lose this year and are looking good.

But, Naomh Mhuire, under John Joe Doherty, will be a tough nut to crack. They've good young players like McCafferty and McGinley, while the acquisition of Lee Boyle - back from Aston Villa - in goals will be a big help.

A lot of press space was given to an incident at an underage match in the County last week between Milford and Bundoran. It isn't nice to see that anywhere, let alone at underage level. When there is a fracas and a free-for-all like that in a game discipline, or the distinct lack of it, must be questioned. I mean, if you can't instill discipline at that level, you haven't much hope of doing it later in life. That is worrying from a GAA point of view.

I was surprised with some activities in the managerial department this week. Paddy Crozier took Derry to the National League, but after a couple of Championship defeats - by narrow margins - and certain quaters were calling for his head. I know Paddy and he is a nice man, but his departure just shows that unless you win a Provincial title or an All Ireland it's no good. The other was the twin act of Mickey Moran and John Morrison taking over Leitrim. No disrespect to Leitrim, but I thought that there would have been one or two bigger opportunities for the boys.

I watched the Harps game last weekend and it was a big blow to them that they conceded so late on. I was very surprised that they didn't just shut up shop with time practically up. Their two full backs were badly caught out and I'm sure Paul was pulling his hair out at that fact. It's not to say that it was young inexperienced players either. They're out of the bottom three though and no better place to start regrouping than the Brandywell! I played against Derry a few times and the games are always tight, but whatever it is about them Derry always seem to be able to nick a winner in them. If Harps can get something at the Brandywell it could really kick them on.

It's a big weekend on the golf front with the last qualifying places for the Ryder Cup. Darren Clarke's showing last week to win the KLM Open will hopefully be enough to see him get a wildcard from Nick Faldo.

Prior to going out to the KLM, Clarke was at Murvagh Golf Club here in Donegal for his 40th; maybe the Donegal air and the Donegal drink helped him out!

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