Fine Win for Tipp Footballers

National Football League Division 2

Tipperary 3-16; Cork 1-16

Tipperary senior footballers travelled to Cork's newly refurbished Pairc Ui Caoimh last Saturday evening to take on the host county and came away with a fine win. It was a tough assignment for Tipperary on Cork's home patch having not beaten them in the National League since 1949 when they won by 2-3 to 1-4 in Fitzgerald Park Fermoy. Only seven years ago, Cork won their seventh All-Ireland title against Down.

Cork are making a big effort this year to restore their fortunes with a new manager and some promising new talent. They have already won the McGrath Cup, a competition in which Tipperary did not participate.

This particular game looked ominous for Tipperary at half-time when they were a point behind having had the assistance of a stiffish breeze in the first half. Two quick Cork points at the beginning of the second half lent credence to those feelings. Tipperary then had a golden spell when they scored 2-4 before Cork responded. Tipp held their nerve when Cork narrowed the gap to seal a very encouraging win.

The forwards showed great skill, especially Michael Quinlivan and Liam McGrath. The others contributed greatly with their foraging and defending, when necessary. It was a great start, but every game in this division will be tough. Great work is being done by those who have a strong desire to see Tipperary football succeeding. This work must continue at club level within the county with club competitions geared to quality rather than quantity.

Paddy Harte R.I.P.

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Paddy Harte at the age of 86.

His was a life well spent. As a Fine Gael T.D. for Donegal North East for 36 years, between 1961 and 1997, he was a "Bridge Builder" in respect of the communities of Northern Ireland. He was, in fact, a true United Ireland man — a republican in the Wolfe Tone mould. He was fundamentally opposed to the brainwashed mindset which bizarrely thought that you could unify different groups of people by bomb and bullet. His views on Northern Ireland were similar to those of John Hume, his neighbour from across the border in Derry. Both suffered the wrath of the terrorists for their views; in John Hume's case, having his house burned on 32 occasions.

Paddy Harte will also be remembered for his work to mark the sacrifices made by soldiers from all parts of Ireland in the World War I. His death, following closely that of Peter Sutherland, removes two people who have contributed to society in very positive ways.

May they rest in peace.