22 April 2010
We have moved on within Antrim and the present period of ‘buzz’ was long awaited by some and much needed for the good of all; especially to give encouragement to our youth. We will always have a few left behind, who are without either faith or hope, who against the tide will persist in trying to knock others back; see it in the unduly pessimistic and negative comments on hurling, which is in some difficulty but it is far from being down or counted out.
St Galls persisted; they worked long and hard as a club and they achieved their goal, of winning All Ireland glory, which sends out a clear message of hope to other clubs and benefits us all as a County. Being eternally miserable is a choice in life for some but gone are many of the purveyors of doom and gloom and in their place are more optimistic others, who will see and pursue the positive possibilities for all.
St Mary’s Aghagallon is chasing yet another all Ireland title, in Scór Sinsear, in Killarney, on Saturday afternoon. As luck would have it this All Ireland competition is only a few hours ahead of the Antrim – v – Sligo, Div. 3 League Cup Final. This has meant that some otherwise long standing and staunch supporters of Antrim football, from Aghagallon, cannot attend both but hopefully they will be able to tune in as a group and catch the match on TG4.
Saturday April 24th is a big day out for Antrim Gaels; long awaited and hard earned by supporters, players and all contributors in their turn. Success is certainly a journey, sometimes a very long one at that, of trial and error and it is not about luck. Given the opportunities for knowledge sharing within Gaa and the unprecedented investment in facilities for all, including Dunsilly for Antrim Gaels, we will have more opportunity to demonstrate our width and depth of natural talent, provided we cultivate the discipline and sustain the focus and drive necessary to achieve.
On behalf of the County Board I would like to take this opportunity to extend our best wishes to both Antrim and Aghagallon, on Saturday and also importantly to place on record our sincere thanks and genuine appreciation to those who have sustained the discipline, enthusiasm, energy and focus applied to the task of regaining our collective pride as Antrim Gaels and getting us to a point where we again have the genuine admiration and respect of all Irish Gaels; earned as of right.
Get out there and be a part of this. This is a rich heritage; bring your children and grand children; they deserve as much and memories of such occasions are for life.
Lawrence Smyth Antrim county PRO.
