COMMENT: Kildare Football Final Sunday another special affair

There is something very special about Football Final Sunday, not just in Kildare but throughout the entire country, year-in, year-out, always something to look forward to, regardless who are the participants.

Some have genuine belief this could be ‘our year’; others, ‘maybe’ this could be our year.

Take Sunday’s finalists in Cedral St Conleth’s Park. Sarsfields would fall into the ‘genuine belief’ category, while Maynooth would be in the ‘maybe’ category.

Still the atmosphere was electric, a huge attendance with Maynooth out-numbering the opposition big time with their flag-waving and huge encouragement for a team making its first appearance since 1916.

Maynooth took over the ‘Hill’ at the back of the town goal, played their part from the time the ball was thrown-in by referee Henry Barrett (who had a top class game) right to the time they got the goal in the dying minutes, knowing their goose was well cooked at that stage.

On Sunday it was a case of the hot favs taking on the no-hopers, at least that is what The Layers were suggesting.

Yes the favs came through and probably came through a bit more comfortable than the final tally suggests, yes Maynooth were still there with a chance as we came to the last quarter even if their chances diminished considerably since they conceded three points in the opening three minutes of the resumption.

They did not fold however; they did not throw in the towel, they kept at it to the bitter end and while they did get that late, late goal it was simply too little, too late.

For Sarsfields, they fully deserved their victory.

And while they had to work hard, especially after going in at the break level after playing with the stiff wind.

Not sure what manager Vinny Walsh said to them but it worked as they came out hit those three points which proved the winning of the game.

Celebrations will be ongoing in the Sarsfields Camp, and why not.

But come mid-week thoughts will turn to the Leinster Club and a clash with Dublin champs Cuala who were surprisingly pushed all the way by Tullamore before former Dublin star Con O’Callaghan stepped up to the plate, again, with a winning two-pointer.

That game is something to look forward to as Sarsfields bid to put their stamp on a competition that has not been kind to them down the years. We wish them the very best on that journey.

Meanwhile Naas minor footballers made it three titles in a row. And even more remarkable is the fact that no less than five of that team were collecting their third minor medal. Incredible or what.

And so another senior championship final comes to an end.

Overall a decent championship, a few surprises, a few upsets but at the end of the day the Dermot Burke Cup heads to Sarsfields Park for the next twelve months, a place he has not visited for seven years.

In the course of the day it is always great to meet some old friends and old faces.

Bumped into Luke Dempsey, a guest no doubt of brother Tom on the day. A great friend is Luke since his successful time in Moorefield, and a very successful time the Johnstownbridge native enjoyed there too.

Another friend we bumped into is avid Sarsfields member, the go-to-person I’m told if you want anything done in Sarsfields. Maureen O’Callaghan, is about to have a double celebration this week.

On top of Sunday’s win Maureen is celebrating a big birthday this week. Now I would never reveal the age of a lady, and certainly not this particular lady, suffice to say it is not her sixty-ninth. Enjoy.

And finally a request, a plea.

Fans arriving at Cedral St Conleth's Park on Sunday, especially those who arrive early for the minor game, look forward to a chat about this and that, what they think and expect will unfold. But on Sunday, as is the norm these days in St Conleth’s early arrivals are greeted with music so loud, so boisterous it could be heard as far away as the Curragh Racecourse on one side and The Red House on the other.

So what do people do as it is impossible to have a chat? Turn to the mobile...Crazy, crazy stuff and absolutely no need for it.

It matters little whether it is Oasis, Christy Moore, Daniel O’Donnell or the Gallowglass Céile Band, the noise is absolutely infuriating!

Naas Debacle

On a depressing note the news on Thursday that Naas had decided to concede the UPMC Intermediate Hurling Final to Leixlip, certainly came as a major disappointment.

Unable to field a team, was the reason we were informed, which one has to say, is extremely hard to fathom.

Originally fixed for the weekend before last, but cancelled due to the weather, was moved to Hawkfield before that pitch was deemed unplayable and then set for last Sunday back in Hawkfield at 11 am, hardly an ideal time for the promotion of hurling within the county, in fact it is fair to say putting an intermediate hurling final on at such a time was somewhat insulting, regardless of the circumstances.

Naas issued a statement on Friday explaining their position and to be honest that cleared up nothing, if anything it made the entire episode somewhat farcical and to be honest the word arrogant springs to mind.

No doubt this whole affair will get an airing tonight (Tuesday 3 November) at the monthly county board meeting. One would expect the outcome may not be pretty!