After last weeks dramatic draw, Kerry and Cork will both be hoping to go one better as they face each other in the first of the All Ireland football semi-finals taking place on Sunday.  Once again Kerry are firm favourites, but news today that Cork’s Donnacha O’Connor is available for selection after having his 4 week suspension for punching slapping Kerry defender Aidan O’Mahony overturned shall come as welcome news to Cork supporters.  O’Connor had a fine game before his exit last week, scoring 4 points along the way, and his re-entry onto the Cork team sheet will no doubt play on the minds of those who backed Kerry before this announcement was made.  Kerry on the other hand have not been so lucky and Darragh Ó Sé shall remain suspended for the game, with Eoin Brosnan being the man most likely to replace him.  Apart from this change both sides are expected to name the same 30 players that produced that epic battle 4 days ago.  Sunshine and light winds are forecast for Sunday, which will probably favour Kerry’s style of play, and with Cork perhaps being fortunate in grabbing 2 late goals last time and Kerry having so many wides, it really is hard to look past a Kerry victory. 

In the other tie taking place on Sunday, Wexford take on Tyrone in another game which promises to be an absolute cracker.  Both sides have already upset the form books on their prospective journeys to the semi-finals and it is the Wexford team who will go into the game retaining their underdog status.  Don’t let this fact fool you into thinking that this will be an easy tie for Tyrone, as Jason Ryan’s men have already shown that they have character by the truckload by bouncing straight back after being so badly humiliated by Dublin in the Leinster final.  It should be a high scoring game and one that I think Wexford will be able to cover the handicap in.

After what seemed like an age, the 08/09 season finally got underway over the weekend and it certainly did not disappoint.  Arsenal kicked things off against a West Brom side that many felt would be embarrassed by Wegner’s wonder-kids, and it was new signing Nasri that got the Gunners off to a dream start, putting Arsenal into the lead after 4 minutes in a move that will have worried every team watching.  The match however would finish 1-0, but with Fabregas and Rosidsky both on their way back soon, Arsenal should still be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. 

Chelsea produced easily the best performance of the weekend, playing free-flowing football and scoring 4 goals in the process, justifying their new status as Premier League favourites.  New man Deco produced a man of the match performance, with Lampard, Ballack and Cole also playing well in midfield and in doing so putting to bed any theories that the foursome could not play together.  Man Utd dropped 2 points at home against Newcastle, repeating their slow start to the season of last year.  Other title hopefuls, Liverpool were somewhat fortunate to grab a late winner against a Sunderland side that should easily better their finish of 15th place last year.

Other performances of note were Aston Villa who put 4 past Manchester City and new boys Hull who beat Fulham 2-1 at home which could prove vital come the end of May.  Stoke City’s performance must also be highlighted, but for all the wrong reasons, who looked completely out of their depth against fellow relegation contenders, Bolton, and look like stone-cold certs to go down in May.

With an average total of just over 3 goals per game the 08/09 season promises to be one of the best yet and with a change in title favourites after only one game, it also promises to be one of the most interesting.  Most pundits are predicting Chelsea to be crowned champions but with Manchester Utd now a whopping 2/1 and Ronaldo and Tevez due back soon, this writer believes they are great value, especially if a certain sulky Bulgarian makes the trip north to Manchester.

For golf fans everywhere, it’s coming to that sad time of year again when the majors come to an end with the USPGA Championship.  This year’s championship promises to be an exiting affair, with a certain defending champion and World Number 1 not competing and valuable Ryder Cup points also at stake, many players will fancy their chances.  In an added twist, the tournament is being held at Oakland Hills, home of Europe’s famous victory in the Ryder Cup 4 years ago where we (yes I was involved) battered the U.S. 18.5 to 9.5. 

Of the 12 who competed there 4 years ago, 8 return, with Donald missing out through injury (which may see him miss this years Ryder Cup also), and Howell, Levet and McGinley all failing to qualify.  That leaves Harrington, Casey, Clarke, Jimenez, Montgomerie, Poulter, Westwood and Garcia representing 2004’s team - not a bad bunch I think you will agree, and if recent results are anything to go by, there is a very good chance that your winner will come from this group of players as each has good form coming into the competition and good course-form to boot.  Of this bunch I am going to go for Lee Westwood, who despite letting me down in the Open (and in doing so ruining my perfect record in the majors this year), is still the man representing best value.  Top European points scorer 4 years ago (with 4.5 points from an available 5) and unlucky last week not to win, he is a man at the top of his game who has finally shown that he can handle the pressure associated with still being in contention for a big title walking down the last few holes.  At 25/1 and no Tiger lurking in the bushes (and no Bren to disagree with me as he has taken the week off to enjoy the golf from the comfort of his couch) he is my bet of the month and shall be hopefully funding my trip to play St. Andrews next year. 

Of the Americans who can challenge, it is hard to look past Mickelson, whose game is perfectly suited to the course and has a recent victory under his belt.  Others with chances are the usual suspects - Singh, Goosen and Furyk who all have what it takes to win if in form.  I am going to stand by my selection though, but for added interest I shall be having a look at some of the other markets available.  Top US player I am going to go for Cink e/w at 16/1 and for Top Continental European player, Garcia at 5/2. 

I am prepared for the backlash that shall no doubt accompany my selections should they fail to give people a run for their money but if you disagree with me, you can just do what a colleague of mine is planning on doing - holding out for someone who claims to be injured and then lumping on.