When sport is as intrinsic a part of life as it is in my case, there will always be moments which stand out. In this case, reference is being made to happenings outside of the action itself. Now read on…
For example, Liam Harnan turning hay on the morning of the fourth game between Meath and Dublin in 1991. Enda McManus missing the bus to the 1999 All Ireland SFC Final. Rory McIlroy doing likewise at the Ryder Cup. You get the picture.
Yesterday, on what must go down as the darkest day for Meath football in my lifetime, the silver lining was a shimmering one from a personal perspective. Before getting into the nuts and bolts of why though, we must first go back.
To April 1st, 2000 to be exact. Nigel Crawford was captaining the Meath team in the Leinster U-21 FC Final against Westmeath in O’Connor Park, Tullamore. You see, I wasn’t there, even though da and my brother and sister were. The reason? One horrific experience too many at the midlands venue.
Allow me to explain. Any of you who can remember O’Connor Park in its old incarnation, with the underground dressing rooms in one corner, the only place for somebody in a powered wheelchair to get – an admittedly poxy – view of the action was through a chicken wire fence next to the aforementioned dressing rooms and tunnel.
As upsetting as that was for me, hearing that the great Matt Connor had to be lifted in his manual wheelchair in between the seats of what was then an open stand. From an outside perspective looking in, it was as maddening as it was upsetting.
After all, here was a man, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players ever to lace up two boots and yet in the pitch where he weaved so much magic, back then, the facllities to accommodate his changed life circumstances were appalling.
At the time, I wrote to Michael Delaney – then secretary of the Leinster Council – outlining my upset – more at Matt’s plight than my own – though the fact that I had to stay at home from the match referred to earlier was obviously mentioned extensively.
To the Laois official’s eternal credit, I had a letter back from him within 72 hours. In which he apologised profusely for my having to miss out on the match and, furthermore, outlining plans – presumably a joint effort between the Faithful County and the provincial body – to facelift the disabled viewing facilities at the Co Offaly venue.
Well, it is my humbling pleasure to say that whether it be Aras Laigheann or Michael Duignan and his Co Board, all concerned can and should be immensely proud of what they have achieved in producing what are without doubt the finest disabled viewing facilities encountered in a GAA ground anywhere. And I include the ones I assisted with the design of in Pairc Tailteann in that.
More pointedly though, it puts the setup in Croke Park to shame. From the time disabled spectators were (needlessly) moved from pitchside to the pigeon accommodation at the back of the lower deck of the Cusack Stand, the situation has been nothing short of a thundering disgrace.
As bad as it is for me, though, were it not for my connections to and loose involvement with the Meath Co Board, the shambolic facilities in GAA HQ would put anybody off attending what is supposed to be the towering edifice of our Association.
Well, I will say that at least there are now designated lifts for disabled patrons rather than (a) having to share them with caterers or (b) do four rounds of spiraling concrete ramps.
That’s taxing enough on a powered wheelchair, now consider the hardship of having to push a manual wheelchair up the same route. I’ve seen both sides of that street. Admittedly the second part thereof only thanks to the help of a very kind Steward who helped ma convey me to a Neil Diamond concert. But that still doesn’t alleviate the cold in the location in question or the fact that when anybody stands up if there’s a major development in play – in other words every few seconds – the only option is to look at the admittedly decent sized screens overhead. Meaning you may as well be at home.
Prior to Sunday last, it was beyond question that the best disabled viewing facilities encountered by the one seeing eye here at any sports venue in this country were those at Thomond Park in Limerick – the home of Munster Rugby. The great Limerick venue was – at that stage – about a short head to the good on Punchestown Racecourse but after Sunday’s odyssey to the midlands we at the very least have a three way photo finish.
Now, at this point, it should be stated that, upon my last visit to O’Connor Park – for the meeting of Meath and Kildare in 2019 – I was directed to what I’ll now call the outdoor wheelchair viewing facilities – which to the credit of all associated with Offaly GAA were a seismic improvement on the days of the chicken wire fence.
However, even that great improvement was consigned to the shade by our viewing quarters last weekend. Before getting into that though, the first of the five star treatment arrived when members of the Tullamore club who showed us to one of the ample disabled parking bays literally only a stones throw from O’Connor Park.
Once Susie and I got into the ground, out of instinct, naturally, the wheels were pointed towards what was understood to be the ‘new’ disabled viewing platform. Only to again be re-directed by a most obliging group of Stewards who pointed us towards the opulent gantry right on the halfway line.
Amazing. That’s the only word which could do it justice. From the mere size of the platform – a vital factor often overlooked in terms of leaving wheelchairs room to move – to the fact that it’s under a roof. You’d be surprised at the amount of so-called modern stadia in which, if there are disabled viewing facilities at all, they are exposed to the elements. Old Trafford I’m looking at you.
As an aside from a personal perspective, another wonderful surprise and an extra way in which Tullamore shows up the arrangements in Croke Park to be the tripe they are, not only is the Press Box in Tullamore completely wheelchair accessible, the wheelchair platform is adjacent to same and patrons thereof are treated to the same refreshments at half time.
Contrast that to what is supposed to be not only the GAA’s flagship venue but one of the finest sports stadia in Europe. As if the paltry lip service currently being paid to disabled patrons therein isn’t degrading enough, what really sticks in the gut here is (a) that are NO disabled bays in the Hogan Stand at all, (b) that, as a registered life member of the NUJ I am unable to gain access to the Press Box in Croke Park and (c) that the process to obtain press accredition for GAA HQ is such an arduous, convoluted nonsense.
What’s most annoying about the latter is the gut feeling that there are definitely class distinctions made. There’s no way broadcast media or somebody working for one of the national publications in print have to be accredited for every individual match in there. But then, as I know all too well to my own upset, heartache and financial cost, national publications are, from my experience at least, certainly not equal opportunity employers.
Anyway, moving on, we got diverted down a boreen there. By pure coincidence, last Sunday’s game ended up being perused in the company of a former Meath Co Board Chairman, Leinster Council official Pat Teehan and also encountered Matt – who has become a friend over the years – and former Meath forward Bernard Flynn, and all present were implored to observe what was before them. How little it takes to make such a huge difference to somebody with a disability and to take those observations back to the relevant power brokers – whether that be the Meath Co Board or the provincial committee – and plead with them to do something similar during the renovations of Pairc Tailteann – if they ever happen.
For now though, well done Offaly GAA, a truly magnificent venue from a disabled perspective. Matt, I’m particularly delighted for you personally and – though it was at our expense – I hope the Faithful County’s upturn in fortunes will give you many more good days to enjoy in the glamorous perch. Others please take note.
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