To hell or to hurling

One of the nice things about being in Galway was being able to watch a Galway game in Galway…Of course apart from the Tipp fella on the barstool beside me, noone else cared, it being a hurling match and me being in North Galway (where football is religion and hurling an irrelevance). Still I enjoy few things better than championship action and spent a few most enjoyable afternoons watching a green screen from the comfort of Tí Mhaille or Tí Burca down in Cór Na Mona or An Fhairce respectively.

Who fears to speak of 96?

We’ve had some good moments this year, was great see Kildare do so well in Leinster, and of course still in the series, last night fairly convincing over Wicklow. Kerry appear to have vanished last I checked they were losing to Antrim and whilst a second half comeback seems inevitable, it does open the championship this year to see them struggle so.

Hurling I fancy Tipp to make an impact, perhaps not knock off the Cats but probably go closer than anyone else. Galway are doing very well but I’d still rank them third after KK and Tipp, at this moment anyhow. Limerick held their own against Dublin and it was great to see the Dub hurlers (as opposed to the footballers grrr) doing so well.

Not much else to look at, everyone else gone, Waterford just about alive, Clare gone to the dogs, Offaly, Antrim obviously awful..

I save special mention for my own Wexford. What has happened to the spirit of 98? How the mighty have fallen again and again. I was brought up to know a team that could challenge every year, and as my father-in-law is very fond of saying, the last team ever to win a ‘proper’ all-Ireland (in 1996 just before the backdoor introduced). Even up till quite recently we were a force to be reckoned with. In 2003 I finally persuade my wife to attend a hurling match with me and she was rewarded with the “game of the century” as some commentators in their more hyperbolic moments after described it, 2003 hurling semi-final Wexford v. Cork, absolute cracker of a game, Wexford ahead at half time and a replay sealed by a goal ball in the last puck of the game.

So how the hell are they not able to win a game to save themselves now? Offaly doesn’t count, sorry. We want to see Wexford challenging the best of them and able on any given Sunday, to thrill and spill and pull off the upset because that’s what they always did.

The relegation finals are now in sway and it is Wexford against Antrim next weekend to see one team go down to the Christy Ring next season. From a hurling point of view I want to see as much hurling as possible and encourage as much play as possible so I would say Carlow, Antrim, Westmeath, Laois bring them on, let them play and let them stay and lets make a contest out of it.

But Wexford I reserve opprobrium. I remember once during the election I was canvassing out a country road by Punchestown and I met a man walking. He opened by telling me he was a “raving Fianna Fáiler – and always would be” .. but no way would he vote for me or any the others in this election because he just despaired. What has happened to the mighty party he agonised. It pained him but he was going to punish the thing he loved this time around. He left with the words “Sometimes the animal needs to lose a limb to save the life”…

I feel that way perhaps now about Wexford hurlers. Other teams I can humour, forgive, even encourage on an off day. But Wexford deserve more and can give more and are capable of more. If relegation is the kick needed so be it. But I am sick of watching half-hearted miserable attempts and want the real Loch Garman back – whatever it takes to get there.

Miscellany

Right haven’t blogged for a bit because I was off finding myself in Connemara (and running round with the kids whilst the other half was in Irish college) but am back in the world of internet now (and traffic, and urban life, and work :(   and etc etc) .. Anyway few blog ideas I hope to follow up over next few days – “Yes Minister on Kildare County Council”, a few words on the US Senator I almost met on holidays (Steve Laffey R-RhodeIsland), a copy of my submission to Kildare County Development Plan, some thoughts on/from the holidays (Is brea liom an Gaeltacht!) agus cupla rudaí eile… Talk then..

Tipping the scales

Very little commentary on my last political post, surprised by that. Thought it might provoke a few responses.. I did get a few mails back but noone posted a comment here. From the couple mails I got, again some more interesting results. A friend and political counterpart who I would consider more right than your average FFer came in alongside Hilary Clinton on the compass. Which does make sense, in terms of relative positioning (i.e. to the right of the control group) but not absolute as we agreed the compass is a little skewed. Another FFer of my aquaintance took the test and landed at almost the exact spot as myself and the rest, providing extra weight to my theory. Again though, I think it says more about our range of values and common themes than a simplistic right/left divide, it is a more complex political tapestry than that.

I was in discussion last night (mainly via twitter) on social justice. Reflected bit more today. Is an oft abused term. Most mean by it a desire to protect those of lower means or protection. Which is what I generally mean by it as well. However taken literally justice would actually be quite a (classical) right wing concept. Biblican justice suggests an eye for an eye, and an economic version of social justice could suggest for example that noone is entitled to additional protection, in fact quite a darwininst model could emerge using pure ‘justice’ ideals. Is the welfare state a ‘just’ society? Why is it ‘just’ that someone gets money for nothing?! Alernately is it ‘just’ for another to inherit wealth not having earned it themselves. Would the ultimate ‘just’ society see everyone levelled at entry (age of adulthood) and allow everyone make of life what they will. No silver spoons but no safety nets either. I guess that would be real social justice.

Anyhow, after six months at the coalface I’m heading for some downtime. Not even sure if I’ll have an internet connection next week.. But my blackberry will still be on, so if you want to, comment away!

To hell or to Connacht

I’m away out West shortly.. Some much needed quality family time and a break from it all. Sorely needed. Paid (hopefully) my last bill of the election today, it was scary for a while, they kept dropping on the mat, even when I thought they were all out. But hopefully that’s it.

The gigs place (sort of)

The gigs place (sometimes)

Was in the local (Neds) last night to check out some new bands. They’ve setup a live gig night every Thursday which I think is a great idea and happy to plug. Great to see a bit of cultural activity and a bit of variety coming about. Four original acts every Thursday, Railway Inn, Sallins from 9.30 till close. They’ve made a real effort and decked the place out with candles, lighting stage set (in front of the fireplace) etc. I even got a CD sample last night, great artist and I will link to his URL as soon as find the flyer he gave me! (EDIT – It’s www.caruso.ie ).  Later as vans were being loaded, I was sneaking a Hamlet out the side door when a regular pointed me to the band as a “local politician”. I didn’t particularly feel like one at the time but I didn’t complain. The guy doing the introductions told me he’d noticed melancholy in my body language and that I was to perk myself up because I would be Taoiseach in ten years. He had a lot of interesting comments actually.  As Obmama might say I dusted myself down and went back in for a pint. And I think I’ll be going back to that gig the next night..