World Footy News

Last year it was Sydney Swan Tadgh Kennelly who returned to Ireland and led his county Kerry to the All Ireland GAA Gaelic Football final against Cork – and ultimate victory to win the Sam Maguire Cup.

This year, it remains to be seen if a win can be achieved; however, former Collingwood player Martin Clarke has helped his County Down side to make the All-Ireland final for the first time since 1994.

Last week Clarke was featured in the Belfast Telegraph Martin Clarke goes from Down Under to Down hero in a preview of Sundays cut throat semi-final. Clarke is wrapped tremendously – although, the article falls just short of directly crediting his time at Collingwood and exposure in a professional environment. And of course to balance it, Clarke was a super talent and a natural – so, I guess let’s not overstate the AFL experience either.

Come Monday (no Jimmy Buffett references here!) and Down have prevailed, having downed Kildare Down 1-16 to Kildare 1-14 to qualify for the All Ireland final. 62,182 fans at Croke Park saw Clarke play a key role in a close and hard fought encounter.

Last week Cork 1-15 bobbed up over Dublin 1-14 in another super tight semi final. So, September 19 is locked in for the Cork vs Down All-Ireland final.

I wonder what Dennis Cometti could do with that?