Western Duhallow

FOOTBALL REMINISCENCE

Having watched the 1982 all-Ireland football final on RTÉ two on Thursday last, I felt I had to put pen to paper to compliment both sides who played their part in a do or die struggle.

Now this is not to rub salt into a 28-year-old wound that has not fully cured as yet in the Kingdom especially their supporters based on the Cork side of the River Blackwater.

But it’s simply to pay tribute to the high fielding, long kicking and free taking,

The kicker placed the ball, reversed back and strolled forward tapping it over the bat on most occasions. No twisting, sip of water, waltzing or deep breaths 0 it was heart warming to watch. Likewise, the sideline kicks where the ball was placed by the linesman, what an art of kicking that was. Nowadays, half of the time is taken up with pre-kick rituals, each to his own liking, some of which would remind one of something you might see on the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ TV show.

The shoulder to shoulder too is a huge loss nowadays. Nothing like a rock solid clash to lift a team and its supporters.

‘Hop me boyo’ I tell you he’ll put on the indicator the next time was often heard after an attacker had taken that extra step only to be suddenly stopped on his tracks by a stout defender.

Sportsmanship too has changed compare to years ago when there was no finger wagging, nose to nose contact or other such non-gentlemanly conduct.

One has to ask have the changes that have been introduced over the years improved the game of football.

The ‘82 final would make one sit up and think. Lets get back to the basics and get rid of the cotton wool and let it be used for the purpose for which it was first introduced.