13 April 2010
Are you or do you want to become a true Antrim Gaa supporter, young or old and go for the adrenalin rush? If the answer is yes, and I hope that it is after all of the effort that has been put in by your county senior footballers, then first take that personal decision, ‘I am going to Croke and that’s it’’!
Next step is simply to set about making enquiries, amongst your Gaa friends; ask and find out how many others are also minded to be part of this great experience. The arrangements could and should be coordinated through all Antrim Gaa clubs in the first instance. Share a car, hire a minibus, book a 48 seater bus but be minded to do whatever it takes, to complete the travel arrangements amongst yourselves - for yourselves; don’t sit around on your butt waiting until it happens – or invariably it won’t!
Do the math. Can you afford to stay over and have a few pints of Guiness and the craic? Can you get planning permission to travel alone or do you take your partners and or families to make it a night to remember? Whatever the case make sure and get a sober driver with no compromise on this one. This is your Antrim senior football team on the hallowed turf of Croke Park – is that not what we all wished for and wanted – what Gaa competition is all about? These are life long memories for some - do you want to be part of that memory – or do you want to miss out on that?.
Get going on the travel arrangements and stop looking around for something to whinge about. This could and should be a fantastic occasion for Antrim Gaels – make it so and enjoy the moment. We have a long way still to go, but the lads on the Antrim senior Panel have stopped looking for or making excuses and got their act together, as we all should do. If you would like to be counted in as an Antrim supporter but miss out on such an occasion, it will not be the fault of anyone associated with Antrim county football. Most of us are volunteers by choice and that is our true strength.
Lawrence Smyth Antrim county PRO.