I THOUGHT

the days of Noel O’Leary kicking me off the field were over, but in last Monday’s Comórtas Peile final he absolutely cleaned me with a kick in the ankle which still has all the signs of it. It was my first time playing in the competition since 2000 and we had a great time – winning made it all the sweeter – in Tourmakeady who did a great job as hosts. It will be our turn to do so in 2019 and I can’t wait because it truly is a Gaelic festival. But the nicest touch of all came this week. I got a call from Noel to apologise for his tackle – I thought that was a touch of class from one of the game’s true good guys.