Kerry Fans Rejoice as Their Team Hoists the Sam Maguire Cup
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER - On September 17, the game that all of Ireland was waiting for, the All-Ireland Senior Football final between Kerry and Mayo, was played in Croke Park, Dublin. All across North America, men and women stumbled out of bed, or came straight from a party at the unreasonable hour of 5 AM, to crowd into pubs and halls to watch the live satellite telecast of the biggest sporting event in Ireland.
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THE JUBILANT Kerry supporters at Limerick Junction were (L-R) John Murphy, John O'Flynn and Mike Coffey.
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LIMERICK JUNCTION owners Melissa and her father John Coughlan up at an early hour to get the pub doors open for the All-Ireland.
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The Limerick Junction Irish Pub in Gastown was the venue in Vancouver to show the event. It was not only supporters who needed to be there early, but also the pub owners who had to be there earlier to get the coffee on and the doors open.
Limerick Junction pub owner John Coughlan, and his daughter Melissa, were on hand to welcome the bleary eyed but expectant fans. Limerick Junction is also the sponsor and supporter of the Vancouver Irish Sports and Social Club.
The word from Ireland was that this was to be "Mayo's year to bring home the Sam Maguire," since they hadn't won the trophy since 1951. Unfortunately, it was not Mayo's year for the trophy. Kerry outplayed and outclassed the lads from Mayo.
The final score was 4-15 Kerry and 3-5 Mayo. It was a huge disappointment and a big let-down again, not only for the Mayo supporters in Ireland, but also abroad. While the Kerry fans were totally ecstatic and rightly so, since this was their 34th time to hoist the Sam Maguire.
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THE DISAPPOINTED and let-down again Mayo supporters. Standing at the front with the Mayo scarf is Tom Butler surrounded by Roisin Kearney, Peter Cassidy, Pierce Walsh and Angela Norton.
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I couldn't help thinking that it might be a good idea for the Mayo coach and players to have a talk with some of the members of the Mayo team who won the Sam Maguire in 1951, and find out what their secret formula was for winning.
Before the senior game, the All-Ireland Minor Football final was shown which was between Kerry and Roscommon. It was a very exciting game, that ended in a draw. 0-15 Kerry and 0-15 Roscommon. The game was rescheduled for replay and the victor was Roscommon.
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