All Ireland hurling final memories
There have been years since the foundation of the GAA in 1884 which caused the association to reschedule or postpone All-Ireland finals, 2020 looked at one stage (and it could still happen!) as the first year since 1910, where All-Ireland inter-county final(s) would not be played. However, as we go to print the delayed and curtailed championship campaign is on target, with the senior finals scheduled to be played the week before Christmas - Saturday and Sunday, December 12th and 13th respectively.
Back to 1910, Louth footballers were awarded a walkover by Central Council over Kerry, the reigning champions refusing to travel. This in an era when motor transport was scarce and the Kerry side were greatly dependent on the Great Southern Railway Company to make the journey to the capital. However, unlike in 1909 when the Kerry team had their own carriage to Dublin, the train company set excessive rates in 1910 and would not provide proper traveling facilities for the Kerry side - who took their stance and instead stayed at home.
And so, unable to recall the magical roar from the Hill or the hustle and bustle from GAA HQ thus far in 2020, JJ Bunyan brings us back to the 2019 All-Ireland final, recalling his own memories on that special day in September when Tipperary hurlers convincingly beat the Cats of Kilkenny.
The bells were pealing in the nearby Rathfarnham Church of Ireland (Anglican) as the automatic gate slowly opened to allow me to exit from the car park on the main road. Traffic was light along the route to the city centre.
I scanned the newspaper headlines as I enjoyed my breakfast in Wings Restaurant in O’Connell Street. The hurling season would end at 5.20 p.m. Tipperary or Kilkenny would be crowned champions – the spoils to the victors - and the losers would live to fight another day.
In time honoured fashion, I strolled along O’Connell Street to the Pro Cathedral to attend 11 o’clock Mass and savour a period of reflection. The celebrant was Father Kieran McDermott, administrator. Led by the altar boys and girls, Epistle reader and the lay ministers, Fr McDermott brought up the rear as they processed on to the altar - a gleam with colour; deep reds and blues as the autumn sunlight burst through the tall stained glass windows. The glinting mosaics, the brass candlesticks and the tabernacle door wrought in gold, caught his eye.
The choir members were in full voice singing ‘Holy God, We Praise Thy Name’ as the altar party took up their positions to spend the next forty-five minutes alone with their thoughts.
The Mass leaflet contained the following Thought for the Day: “The famous reflection of Teihard de Chardin suggests itself: the day will come when, after harnessing the ether, the winds, the tides, gravitation, we shall harness for God, the energies of love. And on that day for the second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire.”
“The uncertantities of today are evident, political, economic and environmental. What can we, as people of faith contribute? Again in the words of Teihard, ‘there is something wonderful afoot in the universe’. The eyes of faith are the deeper pattern.“
During Mass, the smell of the burning incense and the Latin hymns, accompanied by the organ music took me back to the days of my long lost youth. Holy Communion was distributed and the Mass ended - we went our separate ways.
In O’Connell Street, the rival Tipperary and Kilkenny supporters proudly sported their county colours. They exchanged good natured banter as they slowly walked to Croke Park.
In nearby Talbot Street, persons of all ages were entertained by Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones at the Sean Treacy commemoration ceremony. The event takes place when Tipperary hurlers play in the All-Ireland final.
Living in a Dublin safe house in October 1920, Treacy was caught in a firefight on Talbot Street with Gilbert Price, part of a British Secret Service surveillance team monitoring the Republicans and seeking wanted men in the capital. The bodies of Price and Treacy were photographed lying in the street. While the conflict was primarily being fought in rural terrain, the capital too. Treacy became one of the most commemorated figures in the aftermath of the conflict.
Gathering to honour Treacy, at the spot where he died is a tradition now among Tipp fans. It is one of few commemorative rituals in Ireland which seems to grow with time rather than diminish. Where once flowers were quietly left, now the national anthem is sung, as well as a ballad in honour of Treacy and a decade of the Rosary. In 2016, one participant said: “I don’t think it makes a difference on the game but it represents us and where we come from.” For those of Tipperary blood in the capital too, it is an important celebration of identity.
Tipperary hurling fans, young and old assembled to hear Liam O’Donoghue,
Leahy, to ceremoniously read the 1916 Proclamation. Paddy O’Dwyer, a native of Lattin, delivered a wonderful rendition of the ballad, ‘Tipperary So Far Away’.
The huge crowd joined in singing the chorus. Aoghain Ó Fearghail, past president of GAA delivered the oration in memory of the exploits of Sean Treacy. Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones brought proceedings to a close with his rendition of ‘A Nation Once Again’ followed by ‘Amhrán na bhFiann’.
The history books will record that Tipperary hurlers routed Kilkenny in the 2019 All-Ireland final with a score of 3-14 to 0-12. Mission accomplished! The team members delivered for its legion of dedicated fans. A week of celebration would begin with the team’s return to Thurles next day.