By Ciaran Woods
c.woods@gaeliclife.com
SPILLANE is back on our TV screens this Sunday and he is not in the mood for taking prisoners.
First up for the Kerry man is a dose of Northern 'puke' football as Fermanagh take on Down, but the pundit is glad to be back doing what he enjoys most, and is looking forward to a sparring session with Joe Brolly on Sunday afternoon's.
"I haven't done that many live games on a Sunday in the last ten years, it was mainly on the night programme, so I haven't had the chance to work with Joe Brolly much at all. I think we'll agree to disagree. We're good mates but you just don't know what's going to happen. But he's had a bit too easy of a run of it and I'm looking forward to seeing what he's made of.
"Myself, Brolly and (Colm) O'Rourke are three different types of individuals and three different personalities, so hopefully between the three of us there'll be something in there that makes sense! We've been there and done that, and you'll get good knowledgeable analysis."
He has often been accused of having an anti-Ulster bias, but Spillane insists that he has no preconceptions and will just call it as he sees it. And if that includes being the pantomime villain now and again, then so be it.
"The thing about TV is that it's not just about educating but also about entertaining. We'll hopefully entertain and annoy and push people's buttons.
"The bottom line is that if, for example, Donegal are playing Dublin, and I criticise Donegal or say that Dublin are going to win, then you've automatically insulted everyone in Donegal and they think you're anti-Donegal and that you're a bollocks.
"I call something exactly as I see it. It's my opinion, based on many years of experience. It might be right... chances are that it is most of the time... or it could be wrong."
The man who once said that his grandmother would beat Francie Bellew in a race despite the touch of arthritis in her knee insists that his comments and remarks have all been meant as banter, tongue in cheek, and he insists he'll keep on doing the same thing.
"Most of the comments that I've made down through the years have been tongue-in-cheek. Things like my granny would be faster than France Bellew, or the puke football or the likes. Never have I personally attacked anyone, said that they're a disgrace or dirty or anything else. I always try to go about things in a humorous way."
Looking to this weekend's game, Spillane admits that the fayre on offer is unlikely to set the world alight, and the Kerry legend believes that it's something the GAA should look at in future to make sure that the championship gets underway with a bang.
"Fermanagh versus Down won't take the nation to a halt, that's for sure. I think it's a disappointing start to the championship. I think they should be going for a marquee game.
"There will be a lot of media coverage this weekend... but it will be about the championship starting. There will be no coverage of Louth against Carlow, and a little bit of coverage of Fermanagh against Down. It won't be dominating too many column inches."
Spillane on...
The race for the All-Ireland
Two teams are miles ahead of the rest, Kerry and Tyrone. And on their day either one can beat the other. Next I'd have Cork on their own, followed by a group of Galway, Derry, Dublin in that order. Outside of those six teams, I'd be totally shocked if any other team were in the running for an All-Ireland.
Tops in Ulster
Armagh aren't going to retain their Ulster title... full stop. They're in transition, and teams in transition don't win. I fancy Tyrone for Ulster, but that depends on whether they decide that they want it. A lot of people fancy Derry, and maybe I'm going on what I know they're capable of, but I'd put Tyrone ahead of them.
There's definitely a soft side of the draw, but I can't see anything coming out of the other side. Donegal disappointed me in the league, as did Monaghan in their final against Cork. I think Monaghan have missed the boat in the last two seasons.
The best of the rest
I'd be definite about Dublin in Leinster, Kerry in Munster, and Galway in Connacht. Without taking anything away from Wexford, they got to where they did last year sort of by accident. They got there by running around a tired old Armagh team. I said it at the time and I've said it since.... Wexford overachieved last year. You can't try and tell me they were one of the top four sides in the country. It happened more through accident than design.
