Yes, it’s their job. It’s still decent to say thank you

I GOT MY first dose of the Covid vaccine at IT Sligo recently, and as I was sitting for the recommended 15 minutes after receiving the injection, my thoughts drifted to some fun nights in hotel bars over the years playing piano. Stick with this one – it should make sense eventually.

You see, sometimes when I’m not working, on a trip away let’s say, if there’s a piano around I might get asked for a tune. And sometimes when this happens, especially if I’m unwinding after a busy few weeks, I’m happier not to see a piano for a while and politely decline. However, at other times I’m in the mood to play and delighted to be asked. It really depends when you get me.

I remember a famous singsong in the Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire after Sligo beat Kildare in 2001. Another one in Westport with the club team around the same time. I was asked recently too. And although I was on a night off, I hadn’t played for a few days, fancied a few tunes, so sat down for 20 minutes and very much enjoyed it. There were people eating dinner in adjoining rooms, and I guessed that they could hear me playing, because word began to filter out from people listening, thanking me for the music. Which was nice of course, but I couldn’t help thinking ‘I’m a professional piano player, so if people aren’t enjoying a free and unexpected recital, then maybe I’m in the wrong business’.

It’s like Ronan O’Gara said when receiving praise for kicking a match-winning goal for Ireland years ago. “It’s my job. No one thanks the postman for delivering letters.”

But back to the vaccine. It was a great hour,

I must say. In fact it probably wasn’t even an hour from the moment I entered the car park to the moment I left it. There were friendly faces everywhere. People in good form, everyone on top of things. Making anyone who was nervous feel at home and comfortable. Getting them in and out efficiently. Fighting this virus one injection at a time.

Just doing their job.

But even if it’s your job, it’s still nice to be thanked. As I found out on my night off recently. And if I ever met Ronan O’Gara I would thank him for dropping that goal in 2009, just like I thank Bernie our postlady any time I’m up early enough to see her.

So to everyone in IT Sligo doing their job last week, and, indeed, anyone out there doing their job well and with pride, making our town and county a better place to be – thanks!

Kieran Quinn plays piano and brings people together in music. You can sign up for his weekly email letter by visiting kieranquinn.ie/letter and he can be contacted by email at kieran@kieranquinn.ie

l