Let the games begin

According to Paul Azinger, Nick Faldo is a “prick”. While Seve Ballesteros, once described the American team as “11 nice guys and Paul Azinger”. But all the fighting and shouting is almost at an end as the players will take centre stage and shine. Almost since the two captains were appointed, they have been going hammer and tongs at each other.

Much was made of Faldo’s wild card selections and his omission of the in-form Darren Clarke. That must now all be left behind and the 12 European players present at Valhalla must be allowed to concentrate on the task at hand.

In contrast to Faldo, who had a number of options available to him when choosing his wild cards, Azinger was not so lucky. The US captain delayed his selections in the hope of some in-form players shining following the USPGA Championship. None did and he chose his four wild cards based on the rankings rather anything more inspiring.

On the face of it, much is in the European’s favour. They have four rookies while the US team have six. Padraig Harrington is the only European Major winner. The US have four. Harrington has won three of the last six Majors. The last time a member of the US team won one was 2006 – Phil Mickelson at the Masters.

Oh and the US team are missing World No.1 Tiger Woods who is absent due to injury. He will also not make an appearance at Valhalla. And while the TV networks and sponsors might not be overly pleased with this, Azinger and his team will most likely be quietly happy with this decision. Any appearances by the World No.1 at Valhalla would take from the American team and their tough task of seeking to stem the flow of recent European wins.

But there is not doubt that Woods will not be losing any sleep about not being able to tog out in the US colours at Valhalla. He simply doesn’t do team golf. It goes against everything he his strived for. Ryder Cups ultimately count for nothing. As Woods has said before, “how many people remember Nicklaus’ Ryder Cup record?” Enough said.

Previously, this blog spoke about his non-appearance being a positive for the American team, but without natural leaders in the team – can you see Phil Mickelson really try to gee the up his team-mates in the locker room before Friday’s start – it is hard to see where the US team will get their leadership from. There is too much of an impression that they are an unlikely group of individuals.


Harrington. Lee Westwood. Sergio Garcia. All three are the senior players of the European team. Three, who their team-mates – rookies and non-rookies – will all be easily approached to provide guidance, assistance and quiet words if, and when, required. The European team simply gel more easily and play for each other in a much more natural manner. However, don’t expect Harrington and Garcia to play together.

Recently, Ballesteros was hoping the US would win in Valhalla: “I see the Ryder Cup getting very boring because we are beating them so badly. Everybody is losing interest. My heart is always with the Europeans, but my head is with the Americans for the good of the trophy.”

The enigmatic Spaniard’s opinions may have changed of late, but more than the good wishes of Ballesteros will be required for the US team to win for the first time since the battle of Brookline.

Three of this year’s American team were part of that battle. Who’s to say the Azinger will not seek to rekindle that fighting spirit in deepest Kentucky to lead his team to victory at Valhalla. Don’t put the hammer and tongs away just yet.

Kerry. Kerry. Kerry.

Talk in the Kingdom about the three-in-a-row but there is only one real story that has dominated this year’s GAA Football Championship. Paul Galvin. He has been this year’s GAA story. Full stop. From the minute he was sent off against Clare, right up to the throw-in of Sunday’s All-Ireland final, barely a week has gone by that an update story on the Kerry captain has not appeared in the media.

When made captain of the Kerry team this year, many an eye-brow was raised. While the Finuge-man’s commitment to the green and gold has never been questioned as well as the additional intensity he has brought to the team’s success over the past two years, the question of discipline has always been bubbling under the surface.

While Galvin played in the 2005 final when The Kingdom were beaten by Sunday’s opponents, Tyrone, the style of play undertaken by Kerry since, and Galvin in particular, has changed dramatically. Such was the dominance of Ulster football and the increasing dominance of the blanket defence so well used by Tyrone and Armagh, Jack O’Connor, the then Kerry manager, knew he had to adapt the game-plan.

As the Kerry game evolved, Galvin’s new role in the team was not roundly welcomed by critics of Kerry football and their beautiful game. Think Dunga playing for Brazil. Think Kevin Maggs playing for Ireland. There is nothing pretty about their style, but they are effective and fit into the overall game plan of the team.

Galvin is the Ulster-style footballer, playing for Kerry. He has become the enforcer. The hard nut. He wins the dirty ball, swims in waters where others feared to tread. And his increased responsibility within the Kerry game plan over the last two years has been pivotal to their success.

Last week Galvin’s ban ended and so the debate now centres on Pat O’Shea’s decision to start the Finuge man or not. Even without three month’s competitive football, his involvement at some stage on Sunday is not in doubt. However, can the Kerry captain get up to the speed of the game quickly enough to justify an inclusion from the start?

Inversely, when would he be introduced to the game? If Davy Harte and Philip Jordan can make hay against the Kerry defence as easily as they did in the quarter-final against Dublin, their dander will be up and a late introduction of Galvin could be a case of too little too late. But once again his ability to get up to the speed of the game may be a worry.

In three Championship games, as well as in the League final, Kerry has thrown away significant leads. Their struggle to put away teams is now a recurring and evident weakness. Having lost the upper-hand, their defenders have not been strong enough to stem the flow. Is Galvin the man who can firstly lead the Kingdom to victory once in a position to win, or if under the kosh, can he grasp the game by the scruff of the neck to wrest control back for the green and gold?

A lot will depend on his fitness. It is unlikely that he can last the 80 minutes. If he starts, can he have such an impact on the team that he can be substituted after 55 minutes and remain confident that his team-mates can finish off the deal? Or should he be brought on after 55 minutes to seal the deal?

The expectation of a three-in-a-row sits heavily on Pat O’Shea’s shoulders before he even selects his starting 15. If Kerry are to win on Sunday, O’Shea cannot afford to let Tyrone control the game. One selection could make that difference: Galvin. Galvin. Galvin.