Mac's View: Great day in Croke Park on Sunday spoiled by row

I was in Croke Park on Sunday and it was a great value for money day. Unfortunately, the sad row that took place at the end of the Armagh-Galway game left a sour taste. But that apart, it was a very exciting game of football with Armagh coming back from the dead, hitting those two goals and the the equalising point.

And then in extra-time it was equally exciting. Normally extra-time can be generally poor, but not this game with each team responding. And while I don't agree with penalty shoot-outs to decide a game, it was still very exciting.

I felt Rian O'Neill should have been the first man up to take a penalty for Armagh. Soupy Campbell fired over the bar and you could see from the four penalties taken by Galway, that they were well prepared.

The Armagh goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty was very good during the game in his sallies up the field, but when it came to saving penalties, he didn't get a hand on any of them.

But again I have to say, I really enjoyed the match. It was interesting that by the end of play on Sunday the four provincial winners were in the All-Ireland semi-finals, which is a good reflection on the overall system.

As for the melee which spoiled the first game on Sunday, it is the third time for Armagh to be involved in five or six months. There is something amiss there and not just in what happened at the end of the game, but there was a lot of stuff taking place on the pitch. The No 2 for Armagh, James Morgan, should have had a red card before the end and Rian O'Neill, to be such a good player, gets involved too much and could have got a black or even a red.

Then their substitute Mackin, wearing a pair of goggles, came in and he could have walked as well. Armagh don't need to be involved in that sort of stuff because they are a good side. They showed that in coming back after Galway had taken over for a long period.

In the other game on Sunday, Kerry against Mayo, you could cry at the wastage Mayo had in the fist 10 minutes of the second half. It was unreal, but in the heel of the hunt, they were never going to win, even if Kerry were playing poorly at the time. Mayo just don't have the forwards.

Cillian O'Connor is their only go-to man but his pace is gone. His man got man of the match and he spent most of the game chasing him and not being able to match him. David Clifford, even though he hurt himself in his first involvement, put away a lovely goal.

However, if Dublin have full-forward Con O'Callaghan back, I'd fancy Dublin to beat Kerry. I watched Derry on Saturday and even though they played against a poor Clare team, they were very impressive. They now have a great chance to get to the final and I'd fancy them against Galway, although I was hoping for a Derry-Armagh All-Ireland semi-final.

In the second match on Saturday, the game was over after 15 minutes as Dublin pulled away. It is sad to see Cork, with so many clubs, at such a low ebb. They have not been a factor now for 10 years.

It was great to see the crowds back in Croke Park and they created a great atmosphere, especially the huge Armagh support.
As for the penalty shoot-outs, I suppose there was no alternative, but I would like to see space being left in the calendar to have a replay.

Fr Brian Quinn
My sympathies to the family of Fr Brian Quinn, who passed away at the weekend. I remember getting Fr Brian involved as chaplain to the county team over 30 years ago.

He was only in his early 30s at the time and I didn't know that he was a brother-in-law of Josie Boyle of Ballyshannon. He came in at a good time with the Supporters' Club being set up and worked alongside treasurer Philip McGlynn . He was also county treasurer for a year. He was very popular within the squad and went with us on the team holiday after we won the All-Ireland. It is sad that he is gone at 64.

My sympathies also to the McGrenra family of Termon on the death of Anthony McGrenra at a very young age. I can remember us having great battles with Termon over the years. It is a sad blow to his family and the Termon club.