The GAA has become a bit introverted in recent years. From media bans to organised press events a couple of weeks before important matches, it’s sometimes difficult to provide fresh and original coverage…but we usually find a way!
This is understandable to an extent, as many footballers and officials have had to endure negative press down the years. It’s a fine line we walk when covering our national games. The GAA is big news and makes national headlines – both positive and negative – and it’s sometimes easy to forget that, for the most part, it’s an amateur sport played out of love.
However, in the run up to last Sunday’s Connacht junior final I was invited out to Creggs by Roscommon People columnist, Frank Brandon, for a chat about all things parish football.
I was expecting to meet Frank and maybe one or two supporters but Frank had excelled himself and it resulted in a meaningful preview piece, which I believe gave our readers a real insight into our junior champions.
It was also great to meet Kieran Dowd who has been fantastic for Creggs all year. He didn’t have to provide any details about his working life as a Ryanair pilot but he did and it was appreciated and interesting.
Creggs have been a breath of fresh air this year and fought to the bitter end in Kiltoom on Sunday. They have been terrific ambassadors for Roscommon football and have represented their own parish and the county with great pride.
From our point of view here at the sports desk, it’s been an enjoyable year covering local sports so far – and it isn’t over yet! Neighbours of mine are playing a rather important final in Carrick-on-Shannon this Sunday and hopefully they can overcome Corofin once more!
* There was a minute’s silence held in Kiltoom last Sunday for former Creggs player John Joe Cunningham. Frank Brandon pays touching tribute to him in his column this week. May he rest in peace.
* Big thank you to St. Brigid’s for their hospitality in Kiltoom last Sunday.
