Emmet Moloney writes for the 'The Irish Farmers Journal' and is a former sports columnist with 'The Kerryman'.

Emmet Moloney is waiting for the summer’s enduring story to emerge...

It is doubtful whether the 2010 GAA season will go down as one of the most memorable in years. We’ve yet to see this summer’s enduring story emerge. Waterford join the traditional trio of Cork, Kilkenny and Tipperary in the hurling semi-finals. No surprises there. In the football world, this weekend will leave us with Tyrone, Cork, Kerry and, most likely, Meath to fight for Sam. Where’s the fairytale in that bunch?

It is not the fault of these counties, sure they are only trying to win All-Irelands – as is their habit. But what about the rest? I say all this with a neutral’s cap on. We want to see romance in the championship but it is in very short supply these past few years.

Think about it. Where’s the real surprise story these last few years? In the underage grade is the only place you’ll find it these days. The minors of Laois, Waterford, Roscommon? Clare U-21s? Maybe the Dublin U-21s this September? Don’t get me wrong, we’ve had some classic matches and just because they occur between Kilkenny and Tipp shouldn’t lessen the enjoyment. But the crowds are down, the TV coverage is at saturation level and the same old counties are winning. Interest is waning in the so-called weaker counties and the breakthrough, that Holy Grail of the GAA vernacular, is far too rare a happening.

The footballers of Limerick, Westmeath, Laois, Wexford, Monaghan, Fermanagh, Antrim, Tipperary and Antrim, to mention just nine, have all shown flickers in recent times, but where do they sit now? At home playing their club championships and envying the eight counties on show this weekend.

The solution is far from clear and definitely not immediate. The right people in the right place at the right time. That’s what these counties need, that’s what every county needs. But how often does that happen?

Somebody, somewhere in high places has to realise that our games are under severe pressure. Twenty seven thousand in Croke Park on Sunday? Four counties playing? A do-or-die game between Tipp and Galway? A few years back those two would have more for a league final.
Serious times call for serious men. We are freewheeling into a very dangerous time for the GAA and they don’t seem to be overly concerned about it. Taking sideline cuts from on the line and kickouts from the 14-yard line, these are pressing issues, apparently. Wake up, lads. Another Plan B is needed. Okay, rant over, back to matters on the field.

It seems to work out nicely for the GAA with these football draws. Kildare and Roscommon would have been a nice pairing. One of them through to the last four. Tyrone and Cork would have been good. One of them out at the last eight. Instead, Meath and Kildare will anchor the Sunday afternoon double-header while Tyrone and Dublin will bring in the crowds on Saturday.
Naturally, Roscommon and Down are expected to come along to Headquarters, enjoy the rarified atmosphere, soak up the magnificence of the stadium and wander home after a decent showing. Kerry, shorn of Tomas Ó Sé and Paul Galvin have Down to beat, while Cork have the wide-eyed Connacht champions in the Rossies. If only some county truly caused the shock. If only we could get past the sheer certainty of a Kerry V Tyrone/Cork All-Ireland final. This championship badly needs a lift from somewhere.

Down, of course, will point to their pedigree in Croke Park against Kerry. They beat them in two finals in the ’60s. They beat them in 2001 in a semi-final. “We have no fear,” they will chant. “We always beat Kerry in Croke Park” is their mantra. Good luck with that, lads. Kerry will struggle but win they will.

Roscommon can go two ways on Sunday. This is new to them, to their manager and to their younger supporters. The obvious way to go is to put it up to Cork, score some nice points early on but then fade as the occasion gets too much for them, lose graciously by six or seven points. That is the road more travelled. The alternative is for the Rossies to arrive in Dublin and say “F*** it, we belong here, let’s go out and prove ourselves.”

The Rebels, as they showed in Limerick on Saturday night, are no great shakes. A fired-up Roscommon, representing the proud province of Connacht, could and should take the game to them. Forget the crowd, forget the skyscraper that is Croke Park – get stuck in.

The manager has one or two proven performers at his disposal. Roscommon’s minor All-Ireland win of 2006 was one of the better wins. The form has worked out well and on that squad Roscommon will build for the next five or six years. Sunday is crucial to that development. The primrose and blue have to show us something. The road less travelled. Shocking Cork by paying them no respect whatsoever. Wouldn’t that be great! As Cinderella teams go, Roscommon are the last men standing. Alas, I cannot see it happening.

That’s where we’re heading this weekend. The four favourites winning. The fancied teams win for a reason as they tend to be better, but surely one of the four will stare into the abyss. The Lilywhites could be the ones to cause a mini-shock. Karma would suggest that Meath are in for a fall, but the Royals would be my tip to cause the upset in the semi-finals. Kerry are made for them and although Kildare traditionally cause them problems, they will always work too hard for scores.

Tyrone and Dublin? For nerve, I’d like to see Pat Gilroy’s team win it because that man should work for the Government. No-one in public life has taken harder decisions than Gilroy in the last three months. And he is still standing. The sheer strength of Tyrone makes it hard for any team to beat them with football, the Dubs might come up a little short in the physical department. But good luck to them.

Good luck to all of them. But a special thought for the Rossies and the Lilywhites. We need you lads to come through. The GAA needs you to come through. And, to quote Christy Moore, up Down.

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