Meathwoman's Diary: Final thoughts on a great day

Meeting a friend for a long over due catch up at the weekend in Slane we found ourselves at the centre of celebrations as thrilled match goers made their way back from Navan after witnessing the local football team claim victory.

By all accounts the Junior B FC put on an impressive performance beating opponents Moynalty by 2-10 to 0-10 at Pairc Tailteann and taking home the Fintan Ginnity Cup.

I’m afraid that’s as far as my sporting commentary or knowledge will allow me to take you (and coverage from my colleagues may even have featured in that appraisal) which I fear may lead to me being disowned in Slane given my family’s legacy in sport there. I will refrain from letting the side down, female that is, any further and get to the point.

You don’t need to be an expert in the beautiful game to see how it can bring a community together. Exhilarated fans with smiles from ear to year dressed in club colours with old school wool plaits tied around their wrists descended into the village to commemorate the day their team won. They were followed by a convoy of cars beeping their horns with white and blue flags hanging out the window, waving to locals on the street as if they themselves had scored the winning goal.

There was a carnival atmosphere in Slane on Saturday that wasn’t the result of an international music star gigging at the castle down the road or dignitaries visiting the nearby world heritage site at Newgrange. It was the outcome of young people giving blood, sweat and tears to achieve their dream. It was down to the coaches, managers and every single person behind the team who dedicated their evenings, weekends and everything in between to allow the players reach their full potential. It was because of the parents who through the years washed the jerseys and hung them on the line to dry.

It took me back to my childhood attending matches in Croke Park in the early 90s when Meath were in their hay day when adrenaline fueled supporters sang on the bus, ham sandwiches wrapped in tinfoil were devoured at half time and the unmistakable sound of the crowd when you reached the stadium was like an anthem.

If you were lucky you might even get a bag of chips when the bus stopped in Ashbourne on the way back.

Sports have the uncanny ability to bring people together as very few other things can. Psychologists often refer to “social contagion”, which describes how emotions, attitudes and behaviours spread through groups and crowds. Being on the same side means we have something to share and celebrate in, feeling like we are part of something greater.

Slane waited a long time to right their wrong after their heartbreaking loss in the final last year but they have captured the spirit of the village where celebrations will no doubt continue for a while to come!