Fintan O’Toole
YESTERDAY represented a shift in the sporting priorities at Croke Park. Four years ago the Jones Road venue had the eyes of the world trained upon it as Ireland and France clashed in the first rugby international to be played at the venue. But when the French came to town this weekend for Six Nations action, it was the refurbished amphitheatre of Irish rugby in Dublin 4 that they were bound for. Croke Park’s stint as the welcoming hosts for the homeless of Irish sport has concluded.
But that does not dilute the importance of the sporting occasions that are now played out there. As Ireland’s Call was boomed out before a packed house at the Aviva Stadium yesterday, across the river the attendance was sparse as the supporters congregated in the lower tier of the Hogan Stand.
However the lack of numbers did not diminish the significance of the fare on the pitch for the denizens of Meelin, Callan, Palmerstown and Riverstick. Yesterday the focus was on the grassroots of the GAA as the small men of the association got their day in the sun in the All-Ireland intermediate and junior hurling club finals.
It was an afternoon that was rich in rousing tales. John Locke’s, the men from Callan and home of Kilkenny’s flame-haired centre-forward from yesteryear John Power, were attempting to construct a new force through talented county minors Owen McGrath and Jason Corcoran. Yet they were usurped by Meelin, the North Cork hamlet who most famous boast before yesterday was their status as the highest village in Ireland.
Meelin’s starting fifteen contains no stars of the intercounty game but they are dynamic, slick and hard-working and their canny coach Liam Ryan has successfully imparted the hurling philosophy of his native Newtownshandrum to the Duhallow men.
In the intermediate final, Dicksboro, who have lived in the shadow of Kilkenny city giants James Stephens and O’Loughlin Gaels, were attempting to attain glory. Dicksboro have yo-yoed between the intermediate and senior grades in recent seasons on Noreside but a collection of brilliant youngsters has underpinned their revival. Danny Kenny, Ollie Walsh and Martin Gaffney have all donned the Kilkenny minor jersey on All-Ireland final day over the past two years and are on the cusp of fine careers.
But success was snatched away from them by a player who is more accustomed to goalkeeping duties on the intercounty stage. The Ballymartle management have been presented with an unusual dilemma over the last few seasons. Declan McCarthy and Darren McCarthy are both outstanding goalkeepers, with the former being the Cork intermediate netminder last year and the latter guarding the goalmouth for the Cork U21’s last season.
The solution was provided by Darren’s versatility which has seen him stationed in an attacking role over the past twelve months. Yesterday Ballymartle’s challenge was listing and they needed his energy around the middle of the park. He duly obliged and then produced the killer blow with a fizzing long-range free in injury-time that flew to the net. It was a stunning conclusion to seal a famous victory for Ballymartle.
The good news was not just confined to hurling over the weekend.
On Saturday night St Mary’s of Caherciveen maintained that remarkable run of Kerry clubs by claiming the county’s fifth All-Ireland JFC title in seven years.
Last week Bryan Sheehan spoke of observing neighbours Skellig Rangers and St Michael’s-Foilmore winning national titles two years ago and feeling envious. The desire to emulate them grew and nourished their ambitions to succeed on Saturday night. After that junior final there was the heart-warming sight of a Fermanagh club claiming All-Ireland silverware for the first time. Lisnaskea Emmetts, inspired by Daniel Kille and Mark Little, staved off the challenge of Galway city team St James.
The combined attendances over the weekend in Croke Park were miniscule. In contrast this week will see the drive for a successful start next Saturday to Dublin’s Spring Series of National League games.
With affordable pricing, floodlight matches and the glitz provided by Jedward, the premium is on packed houses in Croke Park over the next couple of months.
But that misses the point with the All-Ireland club championships. These competitions were never focused on filling seats. They were about giving ordinary hurlers and footballers around the country something to aspire to, and providing every community with a chance to dream of their day in Croke Park.
This weekend that aspiration was realised in style.
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/TKS3V_xnO50/post.aspx
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