I live in a relatively small village in Ireland. A far cry from busy Dublin, where I was born. We have countryside aplenty, and the sea on our doorstep. It’s a place I’ve lost my heart to, a community I’ve become a real part of. 
Often it is only in hard times we see community in action. However yesterday was a glorious day, where our village came together in huge numbers to watch a football match. Not just any match, yesterday was the Intermediate County Final. In it’s history this was a first for our village. We had got to the semi final last year and just missed out. This year we had gone one better. We were only one match away from making history. The opposing team had years of history behind it, having faced this moment many times in their past and as a result were highly favoured.
My Other Half is deeply invested in this team. You may remember our twenty fifth anniversary celebrations had to be fitted in around it? So instead of sitting at home wondering how the match was going I was in the stadium biting my nails, soaking up the excitement.
It was point for point but after injury time the whistle blew and David had beaten Goliath. Grown men cried and a team roared.
As we re lived the final moments over and over, one moment in particular was discussed. With only minutes to go the other team had had the ball, they ran and with a mighty kick the ball flew towards the goal. We watched in horror, surely it’s a goal? Was there any time left to regain the lead? As the ball reached the goal it changed course and hit the post, inches keeping it from the back of the net. We breathed a sigh of relief but many scratched their heads. How had that ball not gone in?
Well I like to think I know the answer.
I believe we had a bit of magic on our side yesterday. One of our team members had a baby son, born sleeping last Christmas. He took some time off but returned and was instrumental in getting the team to the final. Yesterday I like to think his small boy, met another young boy, Daniel at the match. Daniel was a passionate Gaelic footballer and a real supporter of this team. I like to imagine that we lined out with two extra players on the pitch wearing blue and yellow. With minutes to go they saw that ball heading for the goal, and boys being boys, they shook that post as hard as they could averting disaster.
History was made.
Celebrations went on all night. The team somehow managed to get up today and visit the local schools. Among those watching will be the team of the future. Tonight the fun continues. They paraded through the village on an open top bus, led by a garda police motorcade and the local pipe band.
It’s been a glorious few days. There are times in my life I miss Dublin, but on days like these I am so pleased and proud to be part of this community. Congratulations to all concerned.
Carrig Abú
Photo by Howard Crowdy.
My thoughts on a page. 
Ach. Now you’ve only gone and made me cry!
Good tears I hope. 😄
The best kind.
beautiful. i’m sure they had some help, you are right.
It was a highly suspect moment. 😄
Lovely post and so touching, Tric. Small towns have their charms for certain, and how wonderful to celebrate together. I’m sure those two boys shook the goal post. Anything is possible. 🙂
Indeed anything is possible. What a great few days they’ve had partying since.
Boys will be boys! How wonderful that they helped their hometown team!
It was good to have them in our corner alright. I’d say they’ve enjoyed the craic (fun) since.
Great how the Club Championships bring tiny communities ever closer. Great, too, to see ‘new’ teams come through and inspire whole new generations.
Yes. What struck me most was how emotional the older generation were. History made.
I had real experience of that older generation aspect when my father got to see his native Co. Clare hurlers winning the All-Ireland in Croke Park in 1995. He was 76 at that point and had waited all his life to see the day. He astonished us in the Summer of 2010 when after 6 months in bed he actually got up to watch Clare vs Waterford on TV. That was his final get up and he died a couple of months later. Sport and affinity to place certainly reaches the very depths of many, many hearts.
I think your reply says it all. GAA is in their blood. I love this story about your dad. I can picture it clearly.
That’s exactly what I believe!
I guessed you might. 😄
😀
I am sure the win will be talked about for a long time to come!
As will the celebrations. 😄
Glad to see the underdog winning! 🙂
It was fantastic. Can’t really do justice to it with words.
Thought about you when I went to a wedding this weekend and was talking about Ireland with a couple who was there. They said they love it so much, they would move there! Guess I should put a visit to see it on my list. 😉
I might be bias but Ireland really is beautiful, and great craic to visit.
That’s a touching thought, although strictly speaking it’s cheating! It’s wonderful that you are so much part of your community. I least I can say I know what my next-door neighbors are called. (They have their name on the door.)
Congratulations on the win and the two angel players did good!
Thank you for the sweet post! I’m glad to read about what this victory means for your town.