Anyone who has ever waited for a phone call regarding the well being of a loved one in hospital – which is surely all of us at some stage – knows that convulsion of emotion between relief, joy and utter terror. Now consider that the said post prodecure phone call was three hours after the job was supposedly due to be completed.
Just for extra garnish, consider that this was Plan B after initial attempts to attain so relief for my significant other had almost ended in the worst way possible. Eventually, the sought after call does come but initial elation is summarily punctured when the word “But” enters the equation.
As a dear departed friend of mine was prone to observing, it’s what comes after the “But” that really makes the difference. Thus, while it wasn’t anywhere near as catastrophic as was the case first time round, it was still well removed from what was expected and hoped.
That in itself would be enough though to leave a mind distracted from what would normally be ingested routinely. However, in the midst of the emotional maelstrom at the time there was still one GAA-related story which (a) jumped off the page and (b) came as a very welcome surprise.
Now, the Meath Co Board have shipped a fair few tonnes of sludge over the years, and deservedly so. Indeed, it could be said their handling of two matters of pivotal importance presently has been less than pristine. That said, where credit is due it should rightfully be afforded to them.
And that is most definitely the case regarding their most recently announced initiative with online GAA broadcasting platform Clubber. ie. Not only will a plethora of local hurling and football Championship clashes – including the Regional Football Championship – be shown on the website, as part of the partnership, all said matches will alsonbe beamed by Clubber into local hospitals and nursing homes.
In the interest of clarity, honesty and fairness, let it be stated how eternally grateful yours truly is to have subscriptions provided for both the aforementioned service and GAAGo. However, with the club scene in full flow around the country, there should be both motive and opportunity for many, many Gaels to be genuine Club(ber) fans. Especially if the company replicate the operation with Meath with other counties around the country.
As with any new product mind you, the proof of the pudding will be very much in the eating and, if the appetiser from a Meath perspective, the SHC clash of age old adversaries Kilmessan and hitherto unbeaten Trim is anything to go by, the cuisine ahead should be utterly delectable. Tuck in folks.
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