SATURDAY NIGHT
Ticket-less but thoughtful, the boyos arrive in Dublin. After careful consideration, they opted to wear matching (and fetching) blue and gold outfits, complete with discreet ‘Up da Rossies’ hats. After dining (fish and chips, Dorset Street) they pop into The Big Tree pub in the hope of securing two tickets to the All-Ireland final
You know we’ll be slagged in here?
Why?
‘Cos we’re dressed as Roscommon supporters!
Nah! This is a cosmopolitan city! Plus, Dublin belongs to every county, sure country folk are embedded in it! Nobody will pass a bit of heed!
(They enter the bar)
Random Dub: ‘Ah lads! Look at the two culchies from Roscommon… hey boys, are ye lost?’
Boyos (briefly mortified): Two Guinness, please!
Later, the boyos are singing ‘Dublin in the Rare Old Times’ and ‘The West’s Awake’ with their new friends. Soon, the Big Tree has ‘branches’ of supporters from Armagh, Galway and Dublin, and the two Rossies are fitting in well. After a few pints, one of the boyos asks the entire company if anyone has two spare tickets, “preferably good ones”. It gets one of the biggest laughs of the night. Later, as the boyos walk back to a relative’s house, there’s a missed call on their phones
It’s the Editor!
What a time to call us with the bad news!
Huh?
I KNOW he’s going to sack us! He always makes changes ahead of the media silly season!
I’d better ring back…
No! Let’s see if he’s weak enough to break up with us by text!
SUNDAY
After breakfast, the boyos head for the streets near Croker. Resigned to remaining ticket-less, they plan to watch the big game on a big screen in a lively pub. By lunchtime, they’re savouring creamy pints and the craic as thousands of supporters form a sea of colour. There’s applause as a sleek car bringing President Higgins to Croke Park slows. “He might have spare tickets!” exclaims one of the boyos, but he’s joking. Next, there are more missed calls from the Editor. They refuse to answer
Then the Editor sends a WhatsApp message
‘There are two tickets for the Hogan Stand for ye… they’re in your name at reception in the Croke Park Hotel. Thanks for all you’ve contributed over the years. Enjoy!’
Tears in their eyes, they embrace over their pints, before marching off for Croker, chests out, Rossie colours proudly sported (while wondering where the nearest Gents’ is)
As they enter the Hogan Stand, a thought strikes one boyo…
‘Thanks for all you’ve contributed over the years’?? Is he finally appreciating us, or is this a golden handshake?
