We were presumably all that kid who relentlessly badgered a parent or sibling to buy us thrash food until they gave in and did it, at some stage. Well, in my case, that would probably translate as coercion to transport me to wherever there was a tractor or combine or hay turner could be seen at work.
If looking for a supposedly grown up – as if being in love with farming and machinery isn’t that – equivalent, that would probably be what has often felt like a one person crusade for the cause of the Railway Cup.
In a different world – probably a better one – the interprovincial competition wasn’t so much a big deal, it was an enormous one. To be picked for one of the four teams was considered a huge honour to be picked to wear the green, saffron, blue or white jersey.
Yes, from a GAA perspective, the provincial colours are different to their alignment in Rugby. Playing out as follows: Leinster – green and white; Ulster – saffron and black; Munster – blue and white; Connacht – white and blue.
Now, there are probably numerous reasons why the grand old championship was allowed drift in and out of consciousness until eventually the plug was pulled on the machine. Certainly, the proliferation of the All Ireland Club Championships had a huge part in it, as did the grotesque incumberances that are the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups.
However, it now appears that one is not alone in wanting to get the Railway back on track. But then again, maybe it shouldn’t be that big a shock that Jim Gavin would choose such a format to showcase the rule changes which he hopes will freshen up Gaelic football and make it enjoyable to watch again. After all, he has strong Banner County lineage and the Railway Cup has had no greater advocate in recent years than the greatest Clare man of them all, Martin Donnelly.
As what you are reading is being produced at 2:20am, I am not in a position to list all the experiments being trialled over the weekend in Croke Park, but, the one-on-one throw in, the option of playing on from a free and the possibility of scores being kicked from further out the field will be watched with particular interest.
The other main talking point surrounding the fair under the Friday and Saturday night lights will, unsurprisingly, mostly be around the makeup of the four teams. Specifically, the inclusion of the likes of Stephen Cluxton and James McCarthy in the Leinster entourage. Ditto the Royal County duo of Donal Keogan and Ronan Jones.
You’d imagine the fact that all four of the aforementioned are turning out for the weekend’s events would seem to indicate that they are at least considering committing to the 2025 season. Bound to be music to the ears of new Meath boss Robbie Brennan and, presumably, Dessie Farrell in the other corner.
The four panels for the weekend’s matches are as follows:
Now, while it is only right to laud Martin Donnelly’s advocacy for and on behalf of the Interpros, but it must also be pointed out that Allianz have come on board as title sponsors for the latest reincarnation. Having an entity with the clout of the insurer – who sponsor everything of importance in the GAA – would appear to indicate that at least attempts will be made to keep the Railway chugging along a while longer.
Anything that annoys moaning Tom Parsons and the meddlesome GPA will be applauded to high Heaven from this seat.
Team sheets via @willocallaghan/X
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