Steady on, lads and la ssies, tongue is very much planted in cheek. You might have heard mention in recent weeks in this space of truly having frequent battles with the consuming scourge that is Cellulitus. Now read on…
When it does rear its ugly head, it knocks me for 16, never mind six. Between the sick stomach, the light headedness, the swelling of the legs and the raw red soreness, it’s hard to focus on what’s going on around, never mind work.
Yet there are certain things in life which would stir Our Lord himself from his sick bed. Sure didn’t he do exactly that for the 1991 All Ireland SFC Final!
However, the breaking news stories which svtirred the occupant of this seat to do exactly that – get back into the cockpit and behind the keyboard was all about the actual pitch rather than that which takes place thereon.
***
It’s early December of 1995, I’m in the waiting room of my namesake, neighbour, healer and minder when I came across a book on the coffee table entitled The Struggle For Pairc Tailteann by former Meath manager Mick O’Brien.
To my utmost regret, I’ve yet to my hands on a copy of it but the assumption is it’s based around what we’ll call the original upgrading of Meath’s home ground circa 1988.
Though that summation is just as liable to be a miscalculation on my part. Anyway, it’s safe to say there’s room for a volume two thereof to go into production with the eagerly awaited, long overdue news that the contracts for the desperately required Operation Renovation – coming as it does with a €20M price tag – to go out to tender.
In layman’s terms, that means the selection process to pick who gets the contract to actually do the work. We can but hope that, whomever it may be, standards are better than those which led to the floodlights being taken down and dumped at the hospital end of the ground for God knows how long at this stage.
The only thing is, there’s a safety net there this time because so much of the finance for the intended project has come from ‘outside’ sources. Such as the Government, the National Lottery, Croke Park and overseas investment to ensure that there’s none of what Colm O’Rourke might call squandromania.
Obviously, from a personal perspective, greatest interest will centre on the disabled viewing facilities in the new stadium. I would be delighted and honoured if asked to make a contribution to same. As was the case when the current area was being constructed 20 years ago.
Whatever about the actual bricks, mortar and grass seed of the situation, the long awaited developments finally being on the point of commencement means, of course, that Royal County teams did or do require temporary dwellings for their Allianz League matches for the next couple of seasons.
Now, I have absolutely no problem admitting that the idea of going outside the county to play our home fixtures outside the county. But equally, there has to be a realisation, too, that – with no disrespect intended to anybody – playing such fixtures in any ordinary club ground, as was the case back in 1988 when the Gaeil Colmcille club played host to Meath’s league games in Kells probably wouldn’t hold water with the power brokers on high.
Even though Monaghan have played league matches in the likes of Ballybay and Scotstown and Castleblayney and Carrickmacross and Louth went even further when the O’Raghallaigh’s ground in Drogheda was out of commission. By taking their ‘home’ games out of the Wee County altogether and plumping for Grattan Park in Inniskeen while Kildare, around the same time, set up base camp in Netwatch Dr Cullen Park in Carlow while what is now Cedral St Conleth’s Park was under construction.
Once infamously so, when Sligo referee Mickey Kearns, ridiculously, scandalously sent off O’Rourke during a league match against Armagh. Thereby – at a time when Irish society was far more toffee nosed – ruling Meath’s greatest ever forward out of an All Star award. Which went down like a lead balloon – faster than DJ Carey’s popularity – with the natives. So much so that some of the leaders of Meath’s wolf pack had to don sheep’s clothing and re-emerge and ensure the Connacht official made it back to his dressing room unscathed. Even if he didn’t deserve to!
Even if the likes of Grangegodden – as it would be presumably if Kells was to be the venue this time around – wasn’t taken into consideration, it’s both surprising and disappointing that no alternate venue – specifically the likes of Simonstown or Ashbourne or Dunshaughlin – could be found or at least nominated within the county.
Having said that, whether the following was the result of a dictat from on high or engineered by somebody from within the Meath camp is unknown but, the idea of playing their home league matches in Croke Park could be a masterstroke for Robbie Brennan’s young side.
The more experience a young team in their position can get in GAA HQ the better. And, with the circular way in which National League fixtures are structured, for the 2026 cycle, Meath are due to have four home matches and three away.
So, with matters sitting as they currently appear to, that would mean the green and gold may have four – and hopefully five if we cant make the final – outings iny Dublin 3 before the championship even starts.
Now, like every story, of course there’s what some might call the dyown side to the proposed arrangements. The most obvious being the extra expensive it will impose on Meath fans to support our teams.
You see, Croker might seem a great idea for the likes of ourselves hertte in Dunboyne for whom it’s only a half hour away, but, if you’re from Kilmainhamwood or Ballinabrackey or Ballinacree Saturday night fever mightn’t seem so appealing.
However, if t of the unquestionable lift the exploits of Brennan’s boys have given the people of the county – nobody more so than this writer – encouraging fans to get behind the lads mightn’t be a chore at all.
Hill 16 might not be Dublin Only all the time. Because, out of sheer divilment methinks, Meath fans tend to gravitate towards the most outdated part of the big field if the two shades of blue aren’t in situ on a given day.
All interesting things to ponder as some of the more tricky parts of the year draw nearer.
Leave a Reply