We had our tickets for Croke Park on Saturday to cheer on our footballers, knowing that their performances recently required the extra man (the supporter). The Hurlers were playing in the early match against hot favourites Limerick so naturally we hit in to support them, hoping that they would put up some good opposition and not be hockeyed. I was almost surrounded by green jerseys, except for a Wexford man who just loved hurling to my right and 3 Cork men who were supporting Dublin in the hurling to my left.
What ensued shocked the nation, us Dubs as much as anyone.
Dublin started lively enough but within 10 minutes were reduced to 14 men. Captain and talisman Chris Crummey was shown a red card for a challenge on Gearoid Hegarty. I accept that any tackle to the face is a red card offence but Gearoid could have won an Oscar for his falling performance as well as for his miraculous recovery once the card was shown.
However, Dublin were relentless and they took a 3 point lead into the break. We knew this couldn’t last – even the wind would be against us for the second half!
Limerick seemed to find their way after play resumed. They picked away at the Dublin lead to level and inch ahead. AND THEN THE MIRACLE!! Dublin produced two tremendous goals. First John Hetherton struck from an impossible angle. Within minutes, Cian O’Sullivan (the man with Allihies blood, my Cork friends told me) netted and the lead was stretched to five.
Suddenly Dublin fans were starting to actually believe. Also the Dublin footballers were set to play Cork immediately afterwards, and as the Hill started to fill and the support grew more vocal, it was clear a famous upset could be on the cards.
Limerick battled back as they were always going to but Sean Brennan made a point blank save on “the great” Aaron Gillane. Brennan managed to force the ball over the bar to force a point. The point difference in the end was two.
We’re on the road again, we’re on the way to paradise
