TV VIEW: Switch from RTÉ 1 to Network 2, from the Tiger Woods procession around the well-tended, protocol-sensitive Mount Juliet to the hellfire of Kerry and Armagh. What's it like? A cultural quantum leap; a blowtorch to the head; an iced-water enema. One a competition for no measurable, or immeasurable, gain, the other a demonstration of dominance for $1,000,000.
The golf broadcast came in when Tiger was playing the fifth hole. The cameras cut to another green a hole or two further on, where a gaggle of people were sitting around the fringe, clap-happy, binoculars, fold-up chairs, thermos flasks, packets of Coconut Creams. In commentary parlance, the knowledgable fans.
First they heard the hum. They then noticed the people running. Like locusts from one of the seven biblical plagues, Tiger's group arrived, shattering their silence. Tiger 22 under. Tiger, a two iron 270 yards. Tiger, "YOO DA MAN" (why didn't they stop him at Thomastown).
Simultaneously, Croke Park was presenting it's own demonstration. September's show of confidence, autumn's expression of pride. Cool Croker. Cool enough to put set dancers in front of 70,000-plus. Cool enough to stick with their traditional juggernaut delivery of one of the biggest days of the year. The jubilee Dublin team of 1976-77; the minor final and the strong message to Gaeldom that if you win the youth, you generate strength.
"Look around", said the GAA yesterday. "Look around and see what we are, see what we've done, look at our strength, our success, our temple". The national broadcaster, meeting fire with fire, delivered its traditional set piece behemoth, the president of Ireland playing a walk-on part. The afternoon was transformed into a celebration of the GAA, a collage of colour, of previews, action, analysis, reaction, emotion and fall out.
Pat Spillane and Colm O'Rourke. Two panel war horses. O'Rourke masterly and direct, Spillane less self-contained, occasionally excitable; the George Hook and Brent Pope of GAA (no solicitors letters please).
Tiger 24 under. SKY Sports were looking around. The incredible scoring isn't enough for the pay channel. So they seek out Colm Montgomery and look towards next week's Ryder Cup and despair about Europe's chances against the flying Americans. Monty rises. "One round of match play, it's amazing what can happen. Phil Mickelson had a great round today but he could have been beaten on any of the other three days," he says. Stick it to them Mrs Doubtfire.
Tiger 25 under. Retief Goosen smiles. Something's going on. The South African is 24 under and going up the 18th. "Hum, the goose is stopping the Tiger. Amazing, isn't it," says Alex Hay.
"Ferocious challenges coming in from Armagh," screams Ger Canning.
Goosen, too, you think with his 62. Tiger sinks a long put on the 17th as Goosen walks off the 18th. Birdy. What relentless, frightening self-containment.
"He knew he wanted a two-shot cushion. You can send one into the water on the 18th if you have a two-shot cushion," says Hay.
The golf closes with a whimper. Imperious but still and silent. Wonderment at the breadth of Woods shadow over the game but little raw emotion.
In Dublin, "Sam" is going North again for the first time since 1994. Joe Kernan. He's done it. He did it with Crossmaglen Rangers. He's done it with Armagh.
A banner dragged across the park reads, "Are you watching Pat Spillane?" Big Joe is moving like he did when he scored the goal in 1977. Wise officials open the gate at Hill 16. The surface is being pulped. More fall-out there."They've suffered, these people, they suffered so much over the past years. This is their just reward," says Joe before he's savaged by hugs.
You are reminded of the helicopters taking off from the famous Crossmaglen Rangers ground, squatted on by the British army and the hatred that long episode instilled around the Border.
"Am not gonna keep yis that long. I wish ah had the words of 130 years of frustration. Ya don't need words to look down and see the sea of orange and white in front of ma," said captain Kieran McGeeney, almost burnt out with exhaustion, loaded with emotion.
Spillane, generous in his praise, sees what's coming for himself and O'Rourke. "We've (Kerry) had 32 great Sundays in Croke Park. It's not in any manual ... appetite, hunger, will to win. We'll be slagged off for what we said at half-time ... inept Armagh ... whatever Joe (Kernan) said at half time should be bottled," he says.
Tiger wins his sixth World Championship event from 12. He shoots 65, 65, 67, 66. That's 25 under par. A voice from ABC network asks about Irish fans? "Cool," says Tiger.
