I checked in with Baby Doctor yesterday for her medical opinion on the craic in her grandfather’s town.
“Fever pitch there?”
Her reply was instantaneous.
“Flags everywhere!”
Confuzzled?
Then consume this for context.
Mayo’s quest for Sam since 1951 is one of the great narratives in the sporting heartbeat of this island.
As a nine-year-old, I saw my soccer team claim the greatest prize in the heat of Lisbon, but I wasn’t born when Sam made that journey back to the West.
My mother and father, just dating at the time, were at Croker to see Mayo triumph in ’51.
Now, it has been a decade since I had a ticket to an All-Ireland final.
It was against Dublin, and it went to a replay.
You can read about my green-and-red Odyssey here.
Mayo’s current manager Andy Moran was at full forward that day.
A great Gael, he’s on the right side of history.
Another reason to admire him.
So, tomorrow, we go again.
It’s an ask bigger than Corrán Tuathail, as that team from the Kingdom are peerless on their day.
Still, we go again.
Over the years, I have found it too difficult to get across to a couple of British friends just what the GAA means here.
I have suggested that they watch Gaelic Games when they’re screened in Britain.
Recently, they were wowed by the skill and courage of hurling.
Limerick once more lifting the Liam MacCarthy, the Treaty playing like prime Barca in the Xavi era.
When I said to my British friends that those lads don’t get paid, they couldn’t process that factual statement.
That might be because their sport is full of pampered millionaires feigning a sore face to get a sporting advantage.
As I write this, I’m reminded of being in London on NUJ business in 2018.
I remarked to a British colleague that I was staying over an extra day in Dublin on the return journey, as I was going to attend an event marking the centenary of Gaelic Sunday 1918.
Tumbleweed…
It was one of those moments when I was reminded I was in a foreign land.
A fortnight ago, a little Donegal convoy landed in Castlebar.
Two cars transporting a life to start the next chapter.
Supplies were required before arriving at the new gaff.
It became instantly clear that the Mayo Shirt Tribe had taken over the local Tesco.
The explanation was simple, as the semi-final against Louth had just concluded.
It was Baby Doctor’s introduction to her new home.
The following day we took the short trip out to the cemetery at An Nuachabháil.
It was a day full of moments too poignant to be authentic enough for fiction.
The day after, when the clinic manager heard her name, she said: “Here, you’re a local”.
The blood is strong.
Dear reader, for the avoidance of doubt, if her grandfather’s county lifts Sam tomorrow, then I’m going to suggest to my Donegal daughter that she adds “lifting curses” to her already impressive medical resume!
So today, in the little corner of Dún na nGall where she was reared, I believe.
When it comes to Mayo I am not cursed, I’m gratefully incurable.
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My mum and sister and my dad and nine brothers were from The Duck Row in Buncrana and then had a single end in The Gorbals where they had my older brother, sister then me within five years.
I’ll never forget my roots but as my dad told me often “It’s not where you start,it’s where you finish that matters !”
I watched the game yesterday and was angst ridden when Kerry built such a big first half lead, but like The Hoops,Mayo never folded and came storming back to win in breathless fashion.
I have to admit, you were the first person I thought of in that moment,Phil.
As they say,good things come to those who wait.
Enjoy,chara.
Congratulations from all sons and daughters from all genarations all over the planet the curse is gone god bless all the dispora of mayo no matter where you are hail! hail!.
As a Dub with strong Kerry connections, I watched the game in Gills pub after attending the DROP ALLIANZ protest with some great Gaels, I fully expected the Kingdom to sweep Mayo aside for their 40th All-Ireland. what a night in the Celt bar with Mayo supporters dancing on the tables to the Celtic symphony. well done Mayo.
Congrats Phil, Mayo fully deserved it. Their pressing, tacking and hunger was a joy to behold. As a proud Dub who was there on so many on Mayo’s bad days I have nothing but respect for their resilience and the way they handled themselves in those heart breaking defeats. Enjoy the celebrations and be sure to get yourself to Castlebar tonight !
This is up there with Hibs winning the Scottish Cup
fairytale stuff
Well done MAYO 👏👏👏👏👏👏 from Offaly
I’ve lived to see it!
Good man, enjoy Phil from a man with strong Offaly roots.❤️
Many thanks Ted
🏆
I’ve lived to see it!
It was incredible. I have no affiliation but when the Kerry keeper made that save, then the fluke off the bar, it was all set up for another heartbreak. But they were brave throughout and thoroughly deserved the win.
Donegal and Rathmelton will,always be my home wherever I may be in the world
Bank Terrace above the river utter bliss
A good read. I’ve adopted Donegal after buying a shirt in a charity shop in Partick.
Hoping to be in Dixon’s tomorrow for the game Ádh mór amarach
Míle buíochas
Interesting as ever. I’m a fan of hurling and Limerick is my county.
My dad’s parents, my granny and grandad were from Edgeworthtown Co. Longford moving to Coatbridge with my then two year old aunt in 1928 and dad born here in 1930. He met and married my mum in London but moved to Coatbridge where I was born and lived, I’m in Airdrie now. My older brother who was born in Newcastle West Co. Limerick still lives there and I go over every year. I’ve been much closer to my Limerick side all my life.
My family in NCW knew and were friends with the family of Philomena Lee who lived just a couple of doors along the street.
My older brother was born in NCW but let’s say he and my mum didn’t suffer the same fate as Philomena and her son with the O’Sullivans rallying around and supporting my mum utterly.
Anyhoo Luimneach Abu.
Keep up the good work Phil.
Many thanks Joe