Rollercoaster of Emotions
Rollercoaster of Emotions
Leitrim GAA followers certainly went through a whole rollercoaster of emotions last weekend.
On Saturday evening in Elvery’s McHale Park the supporters of the green and gold were in full voice coming up to half time, after a well takenÓgoal left the Minor side only three points down against a hotly fancied Mayo team. There was excited chatter among the loyal followers during the break, wondering could Leitrim up the game in the second half and even snatch a long awaited victory in the Electric Ireland Connacht Minor Championship. Play had barely resumed when Mayo took a firm grip on the game and ran out comfortable winners, despite the very best efforts of Enda Lyons and his charges. It was a bitter disappointment for them, many of whom had just completed their Leaving Cert and now have to wait till next Spring to be back in competitive action in a county jersey. For parents, club coaches. county team trainers and supporters, a victory would have been very welcome. But Leitrim are nothing if not good losers and the after match talk had switched to the big game in Carrick on the following day.
Sunday morning looked bleak, with dark clouds on the horizon. Was this a sign from the gods that Leitrim should get ready to swallow another bitter pill of defeat?
But as throw-in time came, the skies brightened and all seemed well for the first few minutes of play. Supporters were making themselves heard, but London followers could cheer too, especially after a shock goal and then the game was up for grabs. It was thundering stuff, end to end action, star players from each side succumbing to injury, a see-saw contest, gripping excitement, great scores and shocking misses, manly tackling and all that is good in gaelic football.
Everybody needed a breather at half time, during which Edwina Guckian and her sean-nós dancers thrilled the much larger than expected attendance. Edwina will be in Kerry in September as a contestant in the Rose of Tralee, all of Leitrim and London and Connacht wishing her well. Would either team in the dressing rooms be heading to Croker in September? Nobody cared, all that mattered was the next thirty five minutes, with a Connacht Final as the prize.
The action re-started and the cliff hanger continued, right to the last seconds. Defeat for either side would have been hard to take. They get to do it all again next Sunday in Hyde Park. Be there!
26-Jun-13 by Leitrim GAA
