Surreality

Cork won the All-Ireland.

For only the sixth time ever, Cork are the All-Ireland Senior Football Champions. No one can question that this victory was deserved. Cork were looking ragged and unimaginative after a dramatic opening few minutes. However a late burst in the first half set the stage for a more expansive second half. Cork's victory was assured due some spectacular points in the second half; Donnacha O'Connor's stands out but Kerrigan's left footed effort was nothing short of heroic. An impressive cameo from Nicholas Murphy helped secure the middle for Cork.

None of that would have mattered if it wasn't for mister consistency; Daniel Goulding. Nine points in total, seven from placed balls which kept Cork in touch when they were desperately needed. The goal in front of Hill 16 was clearly much more slippery than the Canal End. Down struggled to make any production at that end, while it the combination of Down's indiscipline and Goulding's accuracy made the difference in the end.

Goulding was rightly awarded man of the match for his efforts, winning my brother €50 in the process. This tops off what is always the surreal experience of watching Goulding play on the TV. A guy that I played GAA with for around 14 years just won an All-Ireland and was Man of the Match to boot. Growing up it was always obvious that Dan was a talent. I remember watching him play in an under 12 final where he scored all bar a couple points of Éire Óg's tally that day (with the very capable John Gleeson in a starring role at corner back too). Playing full forward with Dan in the corner was a dream; he was almost always available for the breaking ball or making intelligent runs Even though he was always the best player on the field, it's still a little weird to think that he is THAT good. Like, it's Dan; I've gotten the better of him a few times in training (few being the important word there).

In an added layer of hilarity; the Examiner did a pre-final special supplement which included a focus on Éire Óg as we had Dan and Ciarán Sheehan on the Senior team and Kevin Hallissey on the minors. It was written by Fintan O'Toole (not THAT Fintan O'Toole) who played with Goulding and myself on that same Éire Óg underage team!

A GAA-GAA Romance

Nope. This is most definitely not about Lady Gaga. About as far as you can get from the very urbane, very post-modern and the very emm... unique style of the New York musician. No, this about that most Irish of institutions the good ol' GAA.

Last weekend saw the Football League finals, so very shortly the serious business of the Championship will begin. In fact, the first Championship game is due to played on Saturday when Galway travel to New York. Personally though, I couldn't be more delighted that Cork lifted the League trophy yesterday though. For several reasons.

I know the league means diddly-squat, but Cork won it in convincing fashion and blooded many new players from the U-21 set-up too. Cork only lost twice in the league a 3-9 to 0-16 defeat to Tyrone (the scoreline clearly indicates that Cork lost despite dominating) and losing the Mayo two weeks before the sides met in the final, which can be discounted given the hiding given to the westerners in the match that mattered.

Personally, that final was notable for the presence of two players from my own club on the Cork team. This is remarkable as not only is it a small rural club, but until a few years ago the club's primary focus was hurling. Daniel Goulding was the club's first ever representative on the Cork football team, and now Ciarán Sheehan joined him in the full-forward line last Sunday. Ciarán chipped in with two points while Goulding proved to be Cork's most potent weapon again with a haul of 1-5. It is a bit odd watching a guy whom I played with since I was eight years old light up Croke Park, and collect all sorts of accolades at Senior Intercounty level.

Of course, it's not all about the football. Cork are also in the Hurling League final next week against Galway. Similarly to the football, Galway and Cork met in the last round of the league, with Galway taking the spoils in a meaningless match. Could this be an omen for a League double? Not really, but it does allow us Leesiders to dream of a double in September...