More knock-on effects of the split season
In 1988, after Meath had defeated Cork in the All-Ireland SFC final replay, the late John McCrory hoisted me onto his shoulders the following evening just so I might catch a glimpse of the heroes. Did I see anything? Not a morsel. Did I understand what it was all about? Not really, though it was obvious it was a fairly big deal.
Something that was only reinforced a few weeks later when Brendan Reilly, Liam Hayes and David Beggy arrived into our school with Sam. Thereafter, my next All-Ireland 'experiences' were an emotional rollercoaster - 1990. The upset and (ongoing) confusion as to how Meath managed to capitulate against a Cork side down to 14 for the majority of the contest.
Colm O'Neill having the temerity to test the durability of Mick Lyons' jaw with an admittedly tidy left hook. It's hard to know what the Cork forward will have been more upset by - getting put off or the fact Mick just wiped his jaw as if dealing with a chocolate stain and trotted back into his fiefdom!
The roller coaster was actually back on an upward curve the following night for two different but very special reasons. Firstly because, prior to the senior team arriving back, Enda McManus and Graham Geraghty carried the Tom Markham Cup up through the middle of Dunboyne after the team which Enda captained won the All Ireland MFC.
The other reason that night is recalled is a deeply personal one. The late Frank O'Connor - father of former Meath hurler Johnny and footballer Tommy - ensured my wheelchair was parked right beside the door of the team bus.
Meaning that I got to meet all the players and management before they headed off for what was most likely the County Club. Not that the manager needed any introduction, he's one of the main reasons I'm here writing what you're reading!
At some point before the bus pulled off, it was realised there was one player whose acquaintance hadn't been made - the skipper. If you're struggling to remember who that was, he was still giving out lessons last week even though the dictionary was officially consigned to the shelf about a year ago.
As with '88, there were a couple of addendums to the story in relation to that All-Ireland homecoming. Also on that Monday night, Frank's daughter Margaret gave me her match programme from the day before. Without telling me that therein lay the autographs of the entire Meath panel.
As if that wasn't enough to soften the blow of Meath getting beaten, a few days further on from that, Brendan Reilly was encountered in the village and he mentioned that he had “an old jersey” in a box that he wanted me to have. Suffice to say it wasn’t just any old jersey, it was the No 5 he had donned whilst marking the late, great Teddy McCarthy on the day the Rebel County completed the double.
Of course I was proud as punch to wear the jersey to matches for a few years thereafter but with the benefit of experience, thankfully it was retired from active service in the name of preservation. Destined for a frame, along with similar garments gifted by Niall Kelly and Graham Geraghty which one has become too rotund to ‘model’!
Alas it appears current and future generations won’t get to experience a lot of the post All-Ireland experience outlined in the preceding paragraphs. Another knock on effect of the split season. Reason being that counties are now - rightly - heading home on the nights of finals rather than staying in Dublin.
Right, so it removes the novelty of television cameras being at the after match banquet, but, you can’t blame counties for the move. Which, though it might not be said outwardly was, you suspect, at least partially prompted by the fact that the All Ireland finals are now played in the height of summer tourist season. Thus hotel prices are probably astronomical.
However, the old dictum which declares that to every action there’s an equal and opposite reaction is applicable here. For, as sad as the banquet and all that went with it being gone undoubtedly is, it has allowed for the establishment of new traditions such as the gatherings at county grounds a day or two after the games. Like the one which illuminated Pairc Tailteann most recently in honour of our Tailteann Cup victory.
Indeed, hopes will be high that there will be similar scenes very shortly again as our camogie stars get ready to take on Derry in the All Ireland Intermediate final at Croke Park. An occasion which will hold a special resonance from a Dunboyne perspective with our own Ellen Burke captaining the team on which she’s joined by Maeve Clince.
Long before my time, our club was a powerhouse of camogie in the county, with the Watters sisters having something in the region of 40 county championship medals between them. While on nowhere near the same scale (yet!) our lady footballers have enjoyed a similarly golden spell for the better part of the last decade and will no doubt be looking forward to commencing the defence of their county title.
I write the following solely on a personal basis and not with an ounce of bitterness intended, but, it would be ventured yours truly wasn’t the only one even slightly deflated about the news of Vikki Wall possibly switching to another version of the oval ball as it has been mooted our former Footballer Of The Year may be about to link up with the Irish Women's 7s Rugby setup in advance of the Olympic Games in Paris.
Again, let it be made abundantly clear, disappointment felt here at the prospect relates solely to the incalculable loss our superstar would be to the county and, most importantly, our club. However, it will be admitted that this time last year similar sentiments were harboured regarding her then impending switch to Australia.
If that matter taught me anything, it’s the value of never saying never. Though it would take a seriously good centre to halt her in full flight on a rugby pitch.