The green luminous gloves were the smoking gun. Dublin were playing Meath and, while it wasn’t like the Dublin-Meath clashes of the previous generation, there was always a sense that you shouldn’t be backward in coming forward at the first sign of trouble. This is the GAA mentality, one for all and all for one, a mentality probably protected too by the knowledge that if you go in all for one, all of you are unlikely to be penalised and if you are suspended you can appeal. On that day in 2008, I went in without reservation as a brawl…

Want to continue reading?

Introductory offer: Sign up today and pay €200 for an annual membership, a saving of €100.

Subscribe

Cancel anytime.

Are you already a member? .