GAA: Weekend hotlist: Cillian O'Connor and Johnny Heany star
Tuesday 25 July 2017 15:43, UK
The Championship season is bubbling up nicely and, as we approach the business end of the season, we take a look back at the weekend's action and see who made it onto our hotlist.
On Saturday evening, we were treated to a double bill of qualifiers on Sky Sports which saw Mayo and Galway advance to the quarter finals this weekend at Croke Park.
Mayo were given their biggest test so far this summer against a dogged Cork side, who battled and fought for every single possession and managed to get over the line in extra time by just a single point in a game that finished Mayo 0-27 Cork 2-20.
Peadar Healy will no doubt be very proud of his side's efforts on the day as his team left everything out on the field and gave the Cork faithful lots to be positive about as they prepare themselves for next season.
In the late game, Galway bounced back emphatically from their Connaught Final defeat to Roscommon with a resounding 4-17 to 0-14 victory over a tired and weary Donegal side.
It was a huge game for both teams in terms of seeing where each team is at and from the moment the first ball was thrown in Galway were determined to show people that their heavy defeat against Roscommon was a flash in the pan and that they are a better team than the one we witnessed that day.
The full line-up for the Hurling semi-finals are now known following weekend wins for Tipperary and Waterford over Clare and Wexford respectively and they will now join Cork and Galway back at Croke Park for a place on All-Ireland final day.
Overall, it was another hugely enjoyable weekend of GAA and it's time to take a look at some of the best bits on show.
Cillian O'Connor
Stephen Rochford will be delighted with Cillian O'Connor's man of the match display in such a crucial game and also the leadership he showed when it really mattered. The Ballintubber clubman scored 11 points in total and six points from play including the point that clinched the game for Mayo and is proving once again to be one of the main men for Mayo in their search for All-Ireland glory.
Towards the end of 70 minutes Mayo looked out on their feet and the momentum was swinging the way of the Rebels at a crucial point in the match. O'Connor had other plans and stood up to be counted. The leadership, courage and composure that he showed when under huge pressure is something that has to be admired and is a perfect example for any young GAA player aspiring to one day captain their team.
Johnny Heaney
This was a huge game for Galway after their shock defeat against Roscommon and with all of the progress they have made in the last number of years was a game they had to win for their own confidence and also to show the GAA public that the progress they have made in the last two years is built on a solid foundation and that people are right to be talking more about the Tribesmen.
The difference in big games like this usually comes down to one or two players grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck and that is exactly what Heaney did on Saturday with a display that would have really encouraged Kevin Walsh.
On a day when Donegal were completely out of sorts, Heaney posted an individual score of 2-2 and had Donegal on the back foot from the very start.
Often in games where it is expected to be tight goals are the difference and all credit to the Galway forward he was ruthless when the chances came and thanks to his contribution the game was as good as over by half time with Galway eventually winning the game by 4-17 to 0-14. Performances like this will give Heaney himself a lot of confidence in his own game but will also improve the performance and confidence of his team mates around him.
Pairc Ui Chaoimh
This weekend saw the grand opening of the new state of the art Pairc Ui Chaoimh stadium in Cork and saw over 60,000 people come through the gates in what was a hugely successful opening weekend for the GAA and also for everyone involved in preparing for the weekend opening.
The entire weekend went off seamlessly and everyone from the groundsman to the programme sellers should be extremely proud of themselves for playing a huge part in such a major milestone for the GAA. Some of the features of the new stadium include state of the art dressing rooms, restaurants, gyms and a museum and is a credit to the GAA as they look to progress for the better.
