LOOKING TO THE DIVINE

THE usual paint jobs surfaced during the week to illustrate the expressions of fanaticism fuelling Mayo’s manic drive to be champions.

In truth, it has all become a bit wearisome, and the abuse of silage bale wrapping, sheep wool and Ford Fiesta body work has become rather clichéd.

A tip of the hat therefore to the parishioners of Westport, most likely sickened by all that talk about how Kerry have cornered the religious end of the football market, who went down a more spiritual path.

They literally nailed their colours to the pulpit in the local church by hanging the Mayo crest from the pulpit, with the blessing of their priest Fr McConnell.

The only thing more colourful than the temporary shrine erected in honour of their footballers was Fr McConnell’s pained argument to justify that it was in keeping with the church rule book on the display of religious artefacts.

‘You look into the crest itself and you see the four crosses. One of them is a double barred one and is the symbol of the Archdiocese of Tuam. Croagh Patrick has our church on top of it. It has a very deep and local significance along with Gráinne Mhaol’s boat,’ he explained to reporters.

Of course that makes sense, and there we were thinking that it had something to do with a game of ball that is happening up in the big smoke.