Sir, – I attended the All-Ireland football final in Croke Park. While primarily supporting Galway in the minor final, I was also supporting Dublin in the main event, as it is the place of my birth. I was on Hill 16.
Being on the Hill is the only place to be if you are a Dublin supporter on All-Ireland final day.
The atmosphere was like nothing else I have ever experienced at a sporting event. The songs, the chanting, the cheers were loud and energetic. There was light-hearted banter between Dublin and Tyrone supporters. The beauty of Gaelic football is that fans can intermingle, unlike in soccer matches. A county like Tyrone is just another county competing. The Border means nothing in these matters.
The vast majority of fans predicted an easy win for Dublin. However, Tyrone gave Dublin a game.
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The Dublin players and fans showed that the hunger for success was just as strong as if they hadn’t won a final in years.
Nothing can ever be taken for granted. Dublin are the team to beat. Next year they will be aiming to achieve five in a row, a feat no other senior Gaelic football team has achieved before.
They will be back, fans and all. They have thrown down the gauntlet. It is up to other counties now to rise to the occasion. – Yours, etc,
TOMMY RODDY,
Salthill,
Galway
Sir, – As I watched the Dublin v Tyrone All-Ireland football Final, my mind vacantly drifted to a future post-Brexit championship limited to 26 counties or, in the interest of equity, expanded to include the 86 counties of England, Scotland and Wales. That would make the Super 8s interesting. – Yours, etc,
CORMAC MEEHAN,
Bundoran,
Co Donegal.