Diary of a Dub....Trophies gather dust, Memories last forever.

Diary of a Dub Trophies gather Dust. Memories last forever. Someday you will find me caught beneath the landslide, in a Champagne Supernova, a Champagne Supernova….. And it is here where I begin. Words to be chosen carefully. A long week of thinking is done. Take the time to make some sense of what you want to say, and cast your words away upon the waves. Sail them home with acquiesce on a ship of hope today, and as they land upon the shore, tell them not to fear no more, say it loud and sing it proud today. A week of hope, excitement, nerves and distraction is almost over. Nerves cranking up into overdrive now. A staple diet of Oasis, U2, Luke and the Dubliners. We now stand on the absolute cusp of greatness and historic achievement once again. This team has taken these great steps over the last 5 years, and brought themselves and us, the fans, to a place we dared never to dream of. Rituals and Superstitions, Prayers and Promises. All made, all complete. Little else to do now, other than see out the passing of time over the next few hours, but it’s almost here, the day of reckoning. Superstition central and the same old pre-match routines have been engaged across the county, and the usual pre-match preparations meticulously overseen. Spare a thought for those of a nervous disposition, it’s never a week for the faint hearted. Some will have hit the gargle for the week, others may have had to increase their meds, either way, it is almost over. That faithful day has finally arrived. It had to be Kerry didn’t it? It is most fitting. The most successful county in Gaelic Football stands between us and something that has never been done in Senior football in the 132 years of this competition’s existence. A team who have now gone a decade without a title, and a team of incredible pedigree awaits. And I’m glad it’s Kerry. To be regarded as the best, you have to beat the best, and there is no doubt that Kerry deserve their shot tomorrow.   But what do the Numbers tell us? All Ireland finals began in 1887, and 65 all Irelands have been between these two great counties. These two share almost half of all of the wins over a 132 year history. Kerry have appeared in 59 finals. Kerry have won 37. A 63% win rate. They last lost a final in 2015 Dublin have appeared in 41 finals. Dublin have won 28. A 68% win rate. They last lost a final in 1994. Kerry have made more finals and won more All-Irelands, but Dublin have been more effective when they have made a final. Fact. In the last 20 years, Kerry have won 5 and lost 5, none of which have come in this decade. 50% return rate. Dublin have won 6, all in this decade, and lost none. Return rate of 100% In Dublin and Kerry meetings in the last 20 years, the teams have played 12 times, Kerry winning 8, Dublin winning 4. All 4 of Dublin’s wins have come in this decade, 11, 13, 15 and 16. Kerry have done the 4 in a row twice, 1929 – 1932, and 1978 to 1981. Only a kick of a ball away from a 5 in a row in that 1982 final. The then responded to that loss by doing three in row 1984 to 1986 (in effect, they did 7 out of 8), and then they built the team for the 2000’s, much like this team has been built for the 2020’s. Dublin have also done 4 in in row, 2015 – 2018 and go for the 5 tomorrow. A chance to emulate those great Kerry Teams, especially the team of the 1970’s/’80’s. That absolute heart-breaking team (for every Dub). A chance to end that pain. And then there was something I heard only yesterday. There is talk of the Nines in Kerry. Now I don’t know if it’s a bit of mischief, it might very well be, but it’s another example of GAA Superstition taking a hold of its fans. The Story goes, that Kerry always win finals where the year ends in a Nine. So, I fact-checked and there is some argument for it…..1909, 1929, 1939, 1959, 1969, 1979, 2009. 7 of their 37 titles have been won a in year ending in a Nine. Looking at the sequence, there isn’t a clear pattern, so I’m not sure this holds up. It would suggest their next title will come in 2039!!!! Or Maybe the spread could be Nine points tomorrow! So they are the numbers, make of them what you will. Statistics can be read whatever way you want them to. They mean for nothing other than to provide us with historical data and offer no indication of what will be a likely outcome tomorrow.   I hope the Kerry fans are travelling in their numbers tomorrow, this game needs to have the kind of atmosphere that was served up in the 2013 and 2016 semi-finals. I worry about Kerry fans, and their ability to travel. I always wondered where the jokes about Kerry fans not travelling for anything other than an All- Ireland Semi Final or final itself had come from and then I found this true store last week when I was researching for this very blog…. The 1910 All Ireland final was scratched and Louth were awarded the championship after Kerry refused to travel to Dublin as the Great Southern and Western Railway would not sell tickets to their fans at reduced rates. I do Hope Irish rail have been considerate to our Kerry Brethern lol!! And so, of tomorrow, There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve, and it is the fear of failure and only those who dare to fail greatly achieve. What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose. And to any and every Dub, losing is unfathomable. To come so close and lose everything is almost impossible to consider. If we feel it, the Dublin players will feel. You only get one shot at history. Make it count and take the opportunity to create your own immortality. There is so much to lose and so much to gain tomorrow, and this is no ordinary final. This is the one, and it is Kerry. Wouldn’t want it any other way. These Dublin players want to emulate previous achievements, want to create their own piece of history. And in thinking of tomorrow, it’s hard not to think of all of the great games there have been between these teams, since the 70’s these teams have produced some of the best games ever seen 2011, the 10 minutes that changed GAA and our history, Kerry 4 points ahead and only 7 minutes to go, minute 64 and that McMenamon jink and goal, that Kevin Nolan point. Every ball won, every point ruptured the stadium on the day that Croke Park shook. 2013 and the Semi-final, and once again Kevin Mc with another goal and this time Connolly’s point, and Eoghan O’Gara’s goal. Kerry had lead at halftime 2016 semi-final, and that 5 point deficit comeback after Kerry led again at half time. Pick any of the games from ‘75, ‘76 or ’77, all in their own right, absolute belters. Tomorrow could throw up another epic encounter, and a cardio workout for the fans   This week always makes me reflect on what it means to me to be a Dub. Dublin to me is a truly special place, but it more than just a place. It is full of Character, spirit, attitude. People of substance, meaning and purpose. Its people is where you will find the embodiment of all things great and wonderful. Social classes exist not when this Dublin team goes. Binding and bringing us all together, it is a family. It is a movement, a revolution, it’s a faith. And born into you may be, and if so, yours is truly a blessing for as long as your life may be. The goose-bump. Hill 16. Jones Road. Your local, your quick one stop before Croker. To be there is an experience that is truly unique to this country and county. Dublin may be a changing, but its people don’t. Its specialness shall never be lost whilst she has her people. Buildings and landscapes don’t make a place, its people and its experiences do. Dublin, to me, gives you this and more. As we tip-toe now through the final hours, there is one more person, I want to call out on this special journey. She’s an ever present, but not in the physical sense anymore. 16 years long gone, but never forgotten. She’s everywhere I go and never far from my thoughts on days like these. And I know she’s looking down on us tomorrow, on her sons and daughters and her grandchildren as we take this journey once more. An Incredible woman, a huge influence on me and I miss you more than words can say. Mammy May x And as is customary as we face into another All-Ireland Sunday, here is your cupla focal ní gníomh ach nós é an sármhaitheas, ansin, dea-luck agus díograis ar Atha Cliath (excellence, then, is not an act but a habit, goodluck and godspeeed Dublin) This is the end of a decade, a decade of the Dubs. Let’s see it through tomorrow and make history, for there is one thing that is guaranteed and that is….. Trophies gather Dust. Memories last forever….

COYBIB.