Diary of a Dub
Unforgettable in every way, and forever more that’s how
you’ll stay….
Time to wrap another year. Reflection time. Look back
we shall at what has been another year. This is no Johnny Logan tribute
though. A break from the festivities to indulge oneself one final time in
another history making year.
So we did we not know at the start of this year that turned
out to be? What surprised us? What shocked us? And what turned us into
Snowflakes? Here’s ten things we didn’t know this time last year.
1.
We never thought Kerry would fail to read the
script and bow out in the Super 8’s. Most had a Kerry v Dublin final nailed
on. We’re not angry with Kerry but we most definitely are disappointed.
2.
Mayo. Slowly but surely becoming an enigma.
One of the greatest Mayo teams ever, yet a year of nothingness from them. Succumbed
to the snowflake brigade that forced them to Newbridge and ultimately defeat.
I hear Johnny Logan has been banned in the county.
3.
We wish it was Monaghan. A county of only
60,000 souls continue to defy the odds and have now made an All-Ireland Semi-final.
An incredible team from a county with no right to be performing at such
levels. In MacManus, they have one of the greatest and gifted forwards ever
to play. A joy to watch.
4.
A 4-in-a-row. Words saved for later.
5.
And it was Tyrone. We never saw it coming,
but fate somehow took us to Omagh and a welcome like never before received. Fitting
they would reciprocate and visit our fair oul city on All-Ireland Sunday.
6.
Cuala. What a year. Back to Back All Ireland
club hurling titles. From a Club in the leafy suburbs of Dalkey, from a
borough renowned for its Soccer and Rugby. The joy of this competition, where goliath type achievements become a reality, and frequently.
7.
Diarmuid. Who would have thought he’d leave
the panel and not kick a ball for Dublin in championship football this year? More
conspiracies that Jim Corr could ever come up with were in circulation. Most of them belonged
in an episode of Love-Hate.
8.
We love the Super 8’s. The Dubs on tour. It
is true the GAA landscape and calendar have changed, and for the better. Asking
for a trip to Cork in next years Super 8’s if the GAA gods can make that happen
(not too much to ask for)
9.
Brian Howard. Outstanding. The conveyor
belt continues to produce absolute gold for Dublin. Sublime and he’s just a
kid. Dermo who?
10.
Snowflakes. Goodbye to Kleenex Mansize tissues,
and The Fairytale of New York. Nothing seems to be too sacred for the PC
Snowflake brigade. Assholes, each and every one of them.
Every year throws up new surprises and 2018 was no
different. I guess the dilemma is trying to figure out which one will be the
biggest surprise for you. There’s no way to know what is coming, no way to read
the signs, and sometimes there are signs, but you have to be reading them. Pay
attention, they are everywhere.
And of this Dublin team. History makers and record
breakers. We never thought we’d see these days. Less than 10 years ago, we
were in the depths of despair. Couldn’t buy an All-Ireland, even if such things
were for sale. Near misses, moral victories, post-mortems and pints of
sadness and reflection were the order of the day. But not now. Oh not now. As
Dubs, we are not complacent. We take nothing for granted, and the longer this
run goes on, the harder every county in Ireland (especially Kerry) will be
working on ways to stop it. That’s the beauty of being champions and being
unbeaten in 4 years of football. It will and it has to come to an end sometime
and when it does, I wont be bitter. We’ve had our days and we’ve enjoyed
every last minute.
Jim has signed on until 2021. There are no words that can
do this man justice, that have not already been said. He’s the difference
that makes the difference for Dublin. He’s been attacked personally by some
parts of the media, but it matters not to the man. He is the ultimate in leadership
and integrity. It is ominous that he’s signed on again for 3 more years. That
can only mean one thing. He see’s the talent coming through, he sees the hunger
and desire in these boys to know there are more All-Irelands to be won. And whilst
we dare not talk of a drive for 5, surely it’s in the masterplan, if only it
means he’s taking it game by game, or day by day so to speak. Que Sera as
they say.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the
players this year. A piece I created for my own team. Honoured to have 2 of the
panel participate. I learned a lot from them. Mostly around mindset, attitude
and friendship. You see, for me, attitude will take you anywhere you want to
go. If there is want, there is a will. If there is a will, then there is a
way. I see it in every one of these Dublin players, and I’ve seen it first-hand.
Jim has instilled this mindset in the boys and there is no I in this team, only
we, only us. They live and they die by this.
Of friendship, that’s something a manager cannot
create. This is organic, it either happens or it doesn’t. You may need a few
characters in your team or dressing room to help it along, but it definitely
is an organic thing. Sometimes, and just sometimes, you end up working or
playing in a team with people who end up becoming your best friends. Banter,
comradery, encouragement, and support. Prepared to do anything for another. These
are qualities that exist in these ecosystems and you can see in with these Dublin
boys. They pick up each other up for and from training, they’ll walk another
players dog if its needed. They’ll enjoy nights out together and they will
absolutely go that extra mile for each other. In any good team, it’s the friendship
that creates the bond. A bond that cannot be broken. When you have this,
special things usually follow or are never far away.
The Anti-Dub brigade. Growing in strength this year,
both in the media and in social media circles. Two words for you. Carry on.
For its only words, and there is nothing you can say will take 4 All-Ireland’s
away from us. We come from a happy place, and I’m practicing acceptance with
these folk from now on. Keep bringing it and I will keep on smiling for you
know not of my happiness.
And of 2019. What does it hold? What is it we shall say
in another year’s time?
Will history have been made? That is the great unknown.
What is known, is that you can guarantee that Kerry will be doing everything
in their gift to stop it. How fitting that RTE showed the 1982 final documentary
of that Offaly team that stopped Kerry. Lessons to be learned. Hard miles and
long roads lie ahead. Horan is back in Mayo and they won’t be as bad ever again.
Tyrone will have learned from this year. Monaghan and Donegal won’t be far
away.
But what about Cork? I find myself wishing for a Cork
Football redemption for some reason. Frank Murphy is gone, so I’m reading the
signs and I think it will be a good year for Cork. If only Billy Murphy could
line out for them, he’d be good in the dressing room at least, get them boys
playing football instead of being tools. I’m calling it now. Cork to surprise
us all in 2019, and I for one will be a happier soul for it. I hope you are listening
to me….
So, as we close out 2018, another year is now consigned to the
memory bank, and it remains only for me to say. 2018 has been..
Unforgettable in every way, and forever more that’s how
you’ll stay…
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COYBIB.
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