All aboard with Jimmy on the Railway?

‘Facebook Memories’ are a curious concept. But a worthwhile one. Even if they could be the actual patent for a double edged sword. If what the algorithm throws up happens to be founded on positive vibes, it can give the often beleaguered spirits a lift like nothing else. If, however, the recollections are or of a memory liable to click the tear ducts into gear, you may have to rush for an umbrella. Because, even if you weren’t already under the black cloud, such an occurrence could pre-empt a deluge.

Over the course of a recent five day period, the occupant of this seat has, for a period at least, been adjacent to both ends of the same seesaw. And, in the most Irish thing ever, we’ll start with the second one. The tear jerker. The flashback that took the occupant of this seat back down a dark road which life makes it necessary to revisit every so often.

October 11th. A date which, like July 19th on Father Ted’s calendar, is laden with meaning. Both happy and sad. The heartache stemming from the fact that it marks six years since the late, great Sean Nealon Snr slipped away from us. And a big chunk of me and what life was up to that point went with him.

The flip side of the toss of that coin, though, the glorious, life-changing event which occurred was Dunboyne’s first annexation of the Meath SFC, twenty years prior to Sean’s death. The celebration of which he was absolutely central to.

I will admit, the only reason the above was included was a complete lack of spark with regard to where to start what you will read hereafter.

Until (a) A more positive Facebook Memory flashed up and (b) it was realised it was indeed October 11th as this piece was being commenced because the main body thereof will relate to the big GAA story of the week. What better date to dive into it!

But first, back to Facebook. You see, the ‘good’ memory which popped up was a photo of myself and my good friend Martin Donnelly – the most generous man in Irish sport – in the bowels of Thomond Park – after a Munster-Leinster rugby encounter.

Now, you would think that recollections of the historic day in 1998 would be enough to tip the scales in favour of the good memories. You’d be right, too. However, on that date of all dates, there was another 25KG weight’s worth of good news parked on the horizon with more details of Jim Gavin’s transformative plans for Gaelic football and how they are to be trialled being released.

Dare us old sporting romantics dream again? Will it be a case of all aboard with Jimmy on the Railway? Cup, that is. No doubt there will be those who will scoff at the the idea of a return for the grand old competition. Yet the series of matches taking place in Croke Park over the next couple of weekends a