There are a lot of things that the GAA has going for it but one of the real keys to its appeal is the accessibility of its stars and heroes. And this is very evident in the exciting new initiative that is the AIB GAA Skills Challenge.
From humble beginnings, it’s widely accepted that the growth of the AIB All-Ireland club championships has been one of the biggest GAA success stories of the last 40 years. And the decision to widen the net to include intermediate and junior clubs has enhanced its significance.
Of course, senior clubs regard St Patrick’s Day and the AIB All-Ireland club final stage as their sporting Mecca. But the reality is that in any county there is but a small pool of senior clubs, and in truth, the number of genuine contenders for county senior honours – never mind provincial or All-Ireland crowns is a very small pool indeed.
Intermediate and junior level is a wider and arguably greater reflection of ordinary GAA club life and it is recognition as brilliant as it is overdue for these units to now have the same pathway to glory at Croke Park as the clubs who are the cream of senior grade.
Last weekend saw the semi-finals of the junior and intermediate championships unfold across the country. The dreams and yearning to reach Croke Park was palpable.
It was a privilege to be in Parnell Park to see Mount Leinster Rangers of Carlow edge out Robert Emmets of London in a gripping 0-13 to 0-11 battle in an AIB All-Ireland intermediate club hurling semi-final.
It’s a sign of the times that the London club was drawn up of players from Cork, Wexford, Kilkenny, Galway, Tipperary, Waterford and Antrim – and they fielded strong hurlers who ultimately paid a high price for shooting 12 first half wides.
But they also struggled against the ferocious intensity of a Mount Leinster Rangers side who fought for every ball as if their lives depended upon it and had enough hooks and blocks to cover two or three matches.
Such was the sea of Red and Black support in the Donnycarney stands it must surely have been a case of “last man leaving, turn out the lights” for the Rangers support. And for more than 30 minutes after the final whistle these supporters still stood out on the field hugging, congratulating and staring almost in disbelief at their achievement.
Carlow hurling has gone through its own passionate if low key revival in the last 10 years where good teams and U16 and minor have been produced. Now they have the chance to parade Carlow hurling on an All-Ireland stage with this victory for Mount Leinster.
Rest assured, reaching an All-Ireland final and looking forward to being in Croker is as big a deal for a club like Mount Leinster Rangers as it would be for a senior giant like Birr, Ballyhale or Portumna. The players from the Carlow club are every bit as deserving of exhibiting their skill on the most hallowed sod of all.
The Coady name is one that has given distinguished service to their club and to Carlow hurling. Edward, Richard, John and the currently injured Paul are a family who have toiled with their club colleagues out of a love for a game that is now giving them a shot at the big time on the biggest stage of all.
Back when the debate raged over whether or not the GAA should ‘open up’ Croke Park to rugby and soccer, one of the criticisms levelled at the time was the GAA’s failure to adequately open up its HQ to its own players never mind players from another code.
Now in operation since 2007 the GAA have done the right thing by hosting All-Ireland finals at Croke Park for intermediate and junior clubs and the backing and support of AIB gives it an even greater status.
A great day in the spotlight deservedly awaits the intermediate hurlers of Mount Leinster and Middleton and the junior hurlers of St Pats of Ballyragget and Charleville. Milltown-Castlemaine of Kerry will meet Davits of Mayo in the intermediate football final with Naomh Padraig of Clonbur in Galway playing Derrytresk in the junior final.
Here are eight clubs who have had their histories and lives changed by the chance to make it to Dublin for the biggest day of their club careers.
The club bunting probably took a beating in the recent storms, but rest assured it will be refixed and replaced if needed. Friends and family are on their way home from abroad. Old friends not seen in the club for a while are eager to meet up. Scores of youngsters in the parish and town are wearing the club colours and in the field for training.
Make no mistake, the last man out will have to turn off the lights this time.