Blog: Bubble, Draws, Hero’s Inc.

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While we wait on the exact details on Conor Mortimors connection with Michael Jackson (Friends? Dance Partners? Was Mortomir his Baboon?) the world of the internet has cleverly pointed out a slight problem with his T-Shirt. When I say cleverly point out, I really mean that someone with a basic understanding of the English language has noticed an error.

The fact that Michael Jackson has seeped his way into GAA is obscene enough. The fact that he celebrated like an aging Italian striker is a little to much. But for Christ’s sake Conor, if you are going to put yourself in front of the National Glare with an RIP Michael Jackson T-Shirt, at least spell his bloody name right.

It’s Michael, not Micheal. Have a look. See?

Small error?

Maybe.

But even Spellchecker on Microsoft Word is picking it up. And yes, I suppose it could be let go. It’s just the fact that Mortimor brought a pop star into celebrating a significant moment in the connaught final, and that was a little bizarre.

This is GAA.

This is grass roots, communities, dinner dances.

He should have ‘Save Betty’s Shop’ or ‘No T-Junction at Miley’s Cross’.

I mean, at what stage did GAA become a marketing arm for over-hyped, over-paid, over-the hill, ‘haven’t released anything good in twenty years’ musicians?

Look at this weekend. Not content with shutting the history making footballers of Wicklow out of the Croke Park and off to Portlaoise, U2 are digging it up as well so they can put their Seven Thousand foot Crab Claw in the middle of the pitch.

It’s ridiculous. Surely it dawned on someone in the GAA that they may be at an advanced stage in the Qualifiers in July? Someone in HQ could have said, “As good and all as the Joshua Tree is, we might have games on…”

I mean, come on, are they making it up as they go along? Let us put that to one side for a second.

Let us look at Exhibit B. Antrim Hurling and the Relegation from the Liam McCarthy Cup. So we get them and Galway in to spice up the Leinster Championship. We promise them wine, the finest cows, gold hats and three years of getting the opportunity to be beaten by Kilkenny.

Then Antrim find themselves in a four team playoff for relegation from the Liam McCarthy Cup to the Christy Ring. By definition how can they not compete in the Liam McCarthy if they are already guaranteed 3 years in Leinster?

It’s a mess. No one thought it through.

So onto Exhibit C. The question hanging over the legality that the Qualifier draws are done live. It was leaked that KFM had the draw. It spread with the ferocity of a bug through a Meath training session. Limerick! Limerick!

Naturally, we verify all our sources…well…we really did this time. Wicklow GAA Online called up KFM. They confirmed it.

Cut to 10:30om on Sunday. Nice Cup of Tea, a cookie, Widescreen TV especially to capture the true awesomeness of Des Cahill’s head.

“Well despite rumours….” His grinning head cut a stunning silence in my house. There was no silence in Alan’s because his phone was hopping.

So, let’s ask the question. Was the draw done live?

Rumours indeed Des. Have a look through any of the boards. People saying how Inter County players who were involved used to text people the draw hours before it happened. Past RTE Staff saying draws were not live.

How many times did Cahill say the draw was live? That there was no draw despite rumours? Why should RTE have to answer to anyone unless there was something to hide? Sure he said it was originally scheduled for 10pm by his own admission. Why move it till 10:30pm?

I know, I know. It’s not exactly a conspiracy of JFK magnitude or Watergate. But it leaves us asking questions.

And leaves us facing Kildare.

It is now close on 2 Months since Wicklow’s Championship season began.

Two months!

5 Games later, 4 wins later, we find ourselves facing another side that are part of an already historic day for Wicklow GAA.

Kildare.

Who can forget last years victory in Croke Park? Who thought you would ever feel as proud of the Wicklow Senior Football Team than that day?

It was an incredible day. An incredible feeling. There are very few moments in life like that, and very few days like last Saturday’s victory against Down. The manner in which we won, the passion that was shown. From McGrath’s last ditch and brilliant tackle in the square late on to Paul Earls swooping eagle-like across 4 Down players to capture the ball. The Agony of Staffords miss to the breath holding, eye clenching, funny-face-making, stranger hugging joy of Tino’s Injury Time point.

How many hero’s out there? How many men that brought thousand of people to a complete stop and then brought them a moment they will not forget?

No fear.

Kildare.

Who gives a damn. Bring on Kerry, Galway bring on any of them.

Wicklow has nothing to fear. They have brought us through two months of memories that will last for a hell of a long time. They have shot GAA in the county with a boost that is going to be felt for years.

No matter what happens, Wicklow have done us proud. Given us more than anyone could have expected.

Every player that walks on the field will have every single person in Wicklow screaming for them, praying for them.

Proud of them.

Nothing to fear, but fear itself.

Maybe Dermot Earley. Yeah.

Nothing to fear, but fear itself and Dermot Early.

Yeah. That’s about right.

Roll on Saturday.