By Patrick Morrison

“One for sorrow, two for joy…”

THAT is how the age-old Magpie Nursery rhyme commences and for the small rural community of Kilcoo, it really was a case of second time lucky on Saturday past as they ended their struggle to capture the coveted Andy Merrigan cup to become the All-Ireland Club Champions for 2021. It was even more special for me to be a part of the management team to see long-time family friend, Mickey Moran, finally win an All-Ireland title.

I met the team at the Carrickdale hotel where we got fed and watered before journeying south toward the Capital. The mood was relaxed until we met up with our Garda escort at the Lusk Motorway Services. The excitement grew as we powered our way through the thick city traffic, building and building until we were in the shadow of the GAA’s Colosseum.

As we departed the bus and walked around to the changing rooms under the Hogan Stand, the Senior Hurling Final between Ballyhale and Ballygunner had already entered into its second half. While we awaited the next mile-marker on our day’s itinerary we could hear the rasping roars from the crowd and the stadium above us would rumble whenever one of the goals was scored. But the loudest roar and deepest rumble was kept for Harry Ruddle’s last gasp winner for Ballygunner.

After preparing for the game both inside and out on the field the players joined the parade, stood for the anthem and then the ball was thrown in for the first half. In the first ten minutes we went at Kilmacud but our wastefulness resulted in us leaving a possible 1-4 off of the scoreboard. Within the next ten minutes the Crokes had taken their lead to four points and by the stroke of half time led by six points.

During the break the changing room was silent with every player methodically reviewing their own personal performance before even contemplating judging anyone else’s. They patiently awaited their manager to come in and give them his words of wisdom. Conleith (Gilligan) spoke first saying that we were in the better because our play can only improve as it certainly cannot get any worse. Next up was Richie (Thornton) who urged the team to stop playing as individuals and then proceeded to remind the team of how exactly they should be playing.

And then it was Mickey’s turn, as always having the final words. As he spoke every ear was pricked and every player on the edge of their seat. Mickey’s voice had an element of dismay as he spoke, akin to a disgruntled father speaking to his son who was on the verge of throwing away his future. His voice was raised, and his tone had a sense of urgency to it, almost like a plea of desperation for his Kilcoo sons to start playing like they can and fulfil their potential. The main message in Mickey’s half-time speech was to ‘get out onto the field and play the way you can or else get changed, pack your bags and we will go home now.’

Thankfully the players chose to go out and play and after an early scare in the second half they kicked into gear scoring one goal and four points to draw the game level. The last few minutes of normal time was certainly not for the faint hearted as attack after attack for both sides went abegging resulting in a drawn game at full time, meaning extra time. I remember walking down into the huddle and whispering to Bobo (Niall Kane), “It’s not a proper Kilcoo game unless there’s extra time!”

The first period of extra-time ends level and as I took my seat for the second period my mind instantly begins to think of the possibility of penalties. Now I am looking through the program to see who is still on the field and who could be taking penalties while also deciding what strategy for Bobo to use for the shootout.

All the while Kilmacud are opening a two-point lead entering into the dying seconds of the second period of extra time. ‘Only a goal can save us now,’ I remember thinking. I pulled a small, black decorative stone that I’d kept in my pocket, looked up into the dark black sky and said a quick prayer to my late father saying, “Your friend, Mickey, needs you now!” Less than a minute later the three Johnston brothers had worked the ball into the Crokes net. Soon after the final whistle came and the joyous elation ensued.

Saturday had marked my father’s third Anniversary and on the Friday morning I went up to visit his grave. While there I placed a Kilcoo flag onto the grave for the match and took a photo for my album. After taking the photo I noticed there were two stones sitting on the flag. I took both the small black stones and kept one for myself and gave the other to Daddy’s dear friend Mickey Moran. On the bus on the way home Conleith Gilligan said he wanted to show me something. He then produced a small black stone himself which really made me smile. He had been up himself for a blessing and a lucky charm for the day. Boy did they work!

Although my involvement with Kilcoo only began at the end of November 2021, they made me feel as part of their setup from day one. By the time Saturday came round I really felt like I had been on the journey with them for the full three years of Mickey Moran’s tenure. This group of players are so humble and so welcoming you cannot do anything else but befriend them. They really are a fantastic representation of their community as a whole.

Whenever you say Kilcoo won the match on Saturday, it really does mean the whole village. There is nothing that the community will not do if they know it will benefit the team. From gathering funds, volunteering their time, or simply supporting them on match days, the whole community gets fully involved to ensure the team is not found wanting.

I will be eternally grateful to Kilcoo for two reasons. Firstly, for bringing me into their setup and allowing me to share in their All-Ireland glory and secondly, on a day which for the previous three years was the darkest day on my calendar, they have converted to become one of my brightest and from here on the 12th of February will forever be a happy occasion for both myself and the rest of my family.

Thank you!

Email: pmgoalkeeping@hotmail.com

Facebook: @MSoG11

Twitter: @MorSchGk