Everything the GAA should be.
The rivalry between Fuerty and Michael Glaveys is fierce. Two rural Roscommon clubs, they’ve been competing against each other for years.
Michael Glaveys defeated Fuerty in this year’s Roscommon intermediate football final.
Next Saturday, the Glaveys will contest the All-Ireland Intermediate final against the might of Sean Cavanagh’s Moy.
“It will be like Leitrim taking on Dublin,” said the club’s chairman Gerry Coffey to us on Monday morning.
Like every rural GAA club, they know the struggles, they’ve been through the underage amalgamations, the relegations. It teaches them to appreciate the good times even more. These are the best of times.
It could easily have been Fuerty. Only two points separated them and the club comprised of players from the communities of Ballinlough, Granlahan, Cloonfad and some Families in Gorthaganny in the county final.
Fuerty would love to be in the Glaveys’ position. With Roscommon and Connacht titles to their name and a day out in Croke Park beckoning next weekend. In an All-Ireland final. In a dream.
But they’re not. Instead they’re slogging through the January grind with league games on the horizon. But they’re not begrudging of their rivals, their neighbours, they’re inspired by them, they’re as invested in their journey as a Glaveys man would be.
Because they’ve been in the position before. They lost the 2014 All-Ireland junior club final to Two Mile House. They remember the buzz around their community, the anticipation, the pride, the hope. They remember the loss, the what ifs.
They want Michael Glaveys to go one step further.
The finalists’ chairman Gerry Coffey got in contact with us because he was struck by the beautiful email sent by Fuerty GAA club’s secretary Niall Connolly to the Glaveys before the big game. We were struck by it too.
It read as follows.
“On behalf of Fuerty GAA Club I would like to extend best wishes to the players, management and supporters in the All Ireland Final on Saturday. The professionalism you have shown in your run to capturing the Roscommon Intermediate title and continuing your good form into the Connacht campaign has been a credit to all involved, while the determination and skill shown in coming through a tough All Ireland semi final will stand to the team.
The feeling of seeing your club colours flying on cars and the black, yellow and green flags and headbands on supporters on the streets around Croke Park is amazing. It’s hard to describe the emotions as your crest is displayed on the big screen in the Mecca that is Croke Park itself. You spend all your life watching matches being played on the hallowed turf that it seems somewhat surreal when you know each and every player on the field as well as all the supporters in the Cusack Stand. It’s a moment that will stay with all involved for the rest of their days.
The whole build up is an experience in itself and as you leave Cloonfad, Granlahan and Ballinlough and surrounds on Saturday morning you will be overcome with emotion, not knowing how things are going to be when you return. Will the hopeful optimism on the faces of your well wishers be replaced by unbridled joy upon your return? That’s the unknown. But from our experience the pride that your fairytale journey has brought to your parish and supporters will not be dampened by the result as we found out in 2014.
However I sincerely hope the next 12 months and beyond are filled with stories of the day Michael Glaveys lowered the might of the Tyrone champions in Croke Park including their All-Stars and not the what ifs that we have had to endure.
While we would dearly love to have beaten ye in the Roscommon final we are in no doubt that the better team won on the day and every time ye play since has proven that. We are now 100% in the Michael Glaveys camp and would like to wish everyone involved with the team and all supporters of Michael Glaveys the very best of luck from all in Fuerty GAA Club.
Regards
Niall Connolly
Secretary, Fuerty GAA Club.”
Talk about genuineness. Talk about class.
Moy won’t be taking on Michael Glaveys on Saturday. They’ll be taking on the whole of Roscommon.
