Category: PERSONAL

  • Strange Sundays – Part I

    Strange Sundays – Part I

    If any writers, or producers of any media content, have ever experienced the following please drop a line down in the comments. On Sunday morning I started writing a piece relating to the two semi finals of the World Snooker Championship. Specifically, the contrast between the two. The epic encounter between Luca Brecel and Si…

  • If phrases are like sports jerseys this one should be retired

    If phrases are like sports jerseys this one should be retired

    During my school years, I was truly blessed to be surrounded by the kindest, most understanding and helpful bunch of lads somebody in my position could hope for. Of course, as with any class of 30-plus, there were one or two who, shall we say, weren’t as mindful of one’s circumstances as were the majority.…

  • Even silage sides wouldn’t save some of the load from being a problem this time

    Even silage sides wouldn’t save some of the load from being a problem this time

    July 11th last marked a dozen years since Joe Sheridan scored the most controversial goal ever recorded in Croke Park. A guess would be hazarded that even at this stage Meath supporters are sick talking about it. Yet in recent days, once again, it has been returned to for comparative purposes. You see, only weeks…

  • A while in Joey’s company was good for the soul

    A while in Joey’s company was good for the soul

    Did you ever encounter somebody in your life who, over time, ended up feeling more like family than some of those who actually are? There are many ways in which such bonds are formed and manifest themselves and there should be no need to justify how they came about to anybody. Coming at the same…

  • This Lad owes his spot in the Press Box to AFR

    This Lad owes his spot in the Press Box to AFR

    This corner has often opined that an idle mind is a dangerous thing. Speaking wholly from personal experience, it can be a grave threat to one’s mental stability. On that score, An Fear Rua never had any such worries. Now read on… Liam Cahill slipped quietly out of the world last week. From what I…

  • Fields of Gold – Previously posted in 2006

    Fields of Gold – Previously posted in 2006

    FOGRA: The below was the first non-GAA related piece I ever sent to the late Liam Cahill for his much loved and sadly missed website http://www.anfearrua.com Never for a minute thinking he would print it. But he did, and not only did it open up a whole new avenue of writing for me, it stands as a…

  • Commitment and dedication which have left a better road ahead

    Commitment and dedication which have left a better road ahead

    There has to be emotion in writing, but you should never write when you’re emotional. That does make sense, think about it. It will be readily admitted that on more occasions than is cared to be remembered, after watching a match – either in the flesh or on television – social media or this space…

  • John was at the heart of everything good about Dunboyne

    John was at the heart of everything good about Dunboyne

    Where do nicknames originate? Every town, village and city in the country has them to identify characters of note in the locality. If the individual or their kinfolk are long enough established or well enough known in an area, it becomes the case that they become more recognisable by their ‘other’ title than their Christian…

  • Blocks, logs, stock-cars and generosity of spirit

    Blocks, logs, stock-cars and generosity of spirit

    Have you ever been mistaken for someone famous? Not likely to be an issue in my case, bar the odd Stephen Hawking jibe. My uncle Pat, or “Uncle Zeb” as he will always be to us, was different. He could easily and justifiably be confused with Santa Claus, Ronnie Drew, John Sheahan or one of…

  • Mrs Lily Farrell – R.I.P.

    Mrs Lily Farrell – R.I.P.

    I learned a long time ago that family doesn’t have to mean blood. Without the bloodline, people can enter your life and end up extensions of your family – literally and in other ways too – to the extent that they become so familiar and so important that it becomes impossible to even consider them…