I managed to book a weekend off work from the Old Ground for the August 10th, which I decided to go to Cork for it. So myself and Niall, meet up for weekend, to catch up and go mad Cork style. After we checked in to our hotel, the Jury Inn on the Quays, caught up over food and drinks of course, which ended up been a late one, where we ended up meeting more mates of mine, in Ruby's which was nice.
I can tell you I had one sore head going back on the bus home. On the journey home, was on phone to +Niamh, who was in Central Bar in town, getting settled to watch the Dublin vs Cork All Ireland Semi Final, when after some badgering from our father and myself, she made the short journey to Croke park to see if she could get a ticket for the match. Luckily she got a ticket for the Upper Hogan Stand, and had a fantastic view of the match. She said the atmosphere was electric. The half time entertainment The Heathers weren't half bad either.
The following weekend, whilst I was unluckily working, my father and Niamh were able to get amazing tickets for the Clare vs Limerick Semi on the 18th. My father got the train up Saturday morning, who was met off the train at Heuston by Niamh. They decided to go meet his brothers, so off to the zoo, they went. Luckily enough, they had beautiful weather for it. After their zoological experience, it started to rain, so they got the Luas back into town,where they went and got dinner in the Old Mill in Temple bar, and were managed to get lunch time prices too. Before commencing a pub crawl including Merchant on Quays, Old Storehouse, the Quays Pub before going for a night cap at Niamh's local in Lucan, Penny Hill. The Rattlin Bog was been played in each pub, that they entered, the song seemed to follow them, like the drink.
After Breakfast in O'Sheas, they made their way up towards Croke Park, where they managed to get their hands on the Liam McCarthy Cup, even if it was just for a few moments after a small donation for charity.
Their tickets for the match was in the Lower Cusack near the 65m line. It was a fantastic game to watch on the tv, and from what Niamh was telling me, about the atmosphere in the Croker, was unbelievable. She was telling me about the Zorbing which done place during half time. A Clare person won that race, maybe that in itself should have been an sign of things to come.
After the match, I rushed from home into work, and whose face popped up in the match highlights at the end of the analysis, but my father, I was in hysterics, and was onto the phone to him straight away as was half of Clare. Niamh told me after, that she saw him, however he missed it cos he was on phone.
The excitement and buzz around Ennis was electric, the next day after the match. It was great too see the whole county get behind both the senior and U21 teams. My final shift in the Old Ground was Tuesday night 20th. I managed to arrange a few viewings for the following Saturday in various areas in South Dublin.
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After few bars and shots laters, it was time to call it a night. The following morning, we got a call from the folks, telling us that they jumped on the train from Maynooth to Dublin. So after a mad rush getting ready, we dashed for the bus and made our way to Quinns in Drumcondra. When we got there, we meet some cousins, uncles and aunt. After a while, we made the short walk to Croke Park, where Niamh and Dad went to Davin Stand and Mum and myself were in Cusack Stand.
The atmosphere and tension throughout the match between Clare and Cork, was like nothing I've ever experienced before, towards the end, I was sure I was close to a heart attack. It was an outstanding final and am already counting down the days to the Replay on the 28th
During my break on Monday evening, I was surprised to get an email, informing me that I won a signed Davy Fitzgerald Clare jersey, which was pretty awesome.
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As I was unable to go myself to the U21 Final in Thurles, I watched it with a mate in the Living Room in town, whilst Niamh and co went to the match. What I saw looked like a brilliant final and Niamh informed me, that the buzz and excitement at the final whistle was rememberable of 95, and that's exactly what it looked like to me. It great that the lads have managed to win back to back titles, such amazing achievement, first time ever that any county at U21 level have achieved this.
COME THE BANNER !
I can tell you I had one sore head going back on the bus home. On the journey home, was on phone to +Niamh, who was in Central Bar in town, getting settled to watch the Dublin vs Cork All Ireland Semi Final, when after some badgering from our father and myself, she made the short journey to Croke park to see if she could get a ticket for the match. Luckily she got a ticket for the Upper Hogan Stand, and had a fantastic view of the match. She said the atmosphere was electric. The half time entertainment The Heathers weren't half bad either.
The following weekend, whilst I was unluckily working, my father and Niamh were able to get amazing tickets for the Clare vs Limerick Semi on the 18th. My father got the train up Saturday morning, who was met off the train at Heuston by Niamh. They decided to go meet his brothers, so off to the zoo, they went. Luckily enough, they had beautiful weather for it. After their zoological experience, it started to rain, so they got the Luas back into town,where they went and got dinner in the Old Mill in Temple bar, and were managed to get lunch time prices too. Before commencing a pub crawl including Merchant on Quays, Old Storehouse, the Quays Pub before going for a night cap at Niamh's local in Lucan, Penny Hill. The Rattlin Bog was been played in each pub, that they entered, the song seemed to follow them, like the drink.
After Breakfast in O'Sheas, they made their way up towards Croke Park, where they managed to get their hands on the Liam McCarthy Cup, even if it was just for a few moments after a small donation for charity.
After the match, I rushed from home into work, and whose face popped up in the match highlights at the end of the analysis, but my father, I was in hysterics, and was onto the phone to him straight away as was half of Clare. Niamh told me after, that she saw him, however he missed it cos he was on phone.
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On Saturday morning, Niamh, our father and myself, all left about 7 am for our journey up to Dublin. After fitting in so many viewings in a short space of time, left Dublin, with a few hopeful possibilities. On route home, as we were on schedule, decided to go to the U21 Semi final in Semple Stadium in Thurles, to see Clare vs Galway after a slight mishap with motorway and tolls. As part of the pre-day deal with Niamh, I bought her ticket Into the game, must keep the sister happy. It was great to see a decent crowd to cheer the lads on to win place in All Ireland final. After watching the replay of the game, who did Niamh see but our dad on tv yet again.
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On Sunday just before lunch time, got a call about a place I viewed, I got the place in Rathfarnham area, luckily enough got a lift up to Dublin that evening from a neighbour. I spent the first few nights back in Dublin with a mate in town, which was great, as it gave us a chance to catch up. Started back to work on Monday morning at 9 am, so no rest for the wicked. After a few quiet days of settling back into life in Dublin, I moved into my new place on Wednesday, it was great to not be living out a suitcase for the first time properly in well over a year. First day properly cycling to and from work, what goes and happens, but my back axis goes in my bike. Niamh and me finally got to meet and catch up that Saturday 31st in town for dinner and drinks, Wagamama followed by Hard Rock.
During the week, besides both Niamh and me working, I won a voucher on facebook for Mace, Niamh won a book called Echoland by Joe Joyce and funny enough I won my mate Alan Early's book Arthur Quinn and Hell's Keeper, which I was actually reading at the time. End of the week, I met Niamh after work for dinner in Dandelion, which had been decked out in Clare colours in support of the team for the All Ireland Final. Then we went for cocktails before meeting Chris and Ed in Temple Bar.
During the week, besides both Niamh and me working, I won a voucher on facebook for Mace, Niamh won a book called Echoland by Joe Joyce and funny enough I won my mate Alan Early's book Arthur Quinn and Hell's Keeper, which I was actually reading at the time. End of the week, I met Niamh after work for dinner in Dandelion, which had been decked out in Clare colours in support of the team for the All Ireland Final. Then we went for cocktails before meeting Chris and Ed in Temple Bar.
After few bars and shots laters, it was time to call it a night. The following morning, we got a call from the folks, telling us that they jumped on the train from Maynooth to Dublin. So after a mad rush getting ready, we dashed for the bus and made our way to Quinns in Drumcondra. When we got there, we meet some cousins, uncles and aunt. After a while, we made the short walk to Croke Park, where Niamh and Dad went to Davin Stand and Mum and myself were in Cusack Stand.
The atmosphere and tension throughout the match between Clare and Cork, was like nothing I've ever experienced before, towards the end, I was sure I was close to a heart attack. It was an outstanding final and am already counting down the days to the Replay on the 28th
During my break on Monday evening, I was surprised to get an email, informing me that I won a signed Davy Fitzgerald Clare jersey, which was pretty awesome.
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COME THE BANNER !
