If you think you know someone who has went above and beyond, or logged more miles, for their county, let us know.
A Dublin fan travelling to Dublin games. There’s more to it than that. Much more.
Shane Reynolds is a passionate follower of the Dubs. The fact that he lives in Galway doesn’t matter a jot to him. If Dublin are playing, he is there. Just about.
On September 18, when Dublin take on Mayo at Croke Park, Reynolds may have to watch from afar. Try as he might – and he has tried, scoured, begged and pleaded – he cannot find at ticket for this Sunday’s All-Ireland football final.
Reynolds has been to 13 of Dublin’s 14 games in 2016, only missing the Allianz League away date against Down at Páirc Esler, Newry.
16 times this year, he has made this journey from Athenry to Croke Park:
That includes Dublin’s six ‘home’ games in the Allianz League [including the semi and final], the Leinster football & hurling finals, all four SFC quarter finals, both SFC and SHC semis and the All-Ireland hurling final between Kilkenny and Tipperary.
Reynolds loves GAA almost as much as he loves supporting his county.
When Dublin’s league game against Roscommon was switched to Carrick-on-Shannon at the 11th hour, that was no problem. When Dublin were finally crow-barred out of Croker to play Laois at Nowlan Park, Reynolds was there.
And they say Dublin fans don’t travel…
How, you might ask, can someone who has clearly supported the Dubs with undoubted commitment throughout the year not get a ticket for Sunday’s game?
Reynolds’ club, Athenry GAA, got two tickets for the game but they were raffled off to members and he was not lucky enough to win.
He is on the waiting list for a Dublin GAA season ticket so gets most of his tickets online. For 11 months and three weeks of the year, that’s usually enough.
“It would be so disappointing to miss the final after going to the games all year,” Reynolds lamented.
The hunt for All-Ireland final tickets has dominated conversations, message boards and forums across Dublin and Mayo ever since their teams reached the final.
It would be a terrible shame were Reynolds not to take his place in the Croker crowds this weekend to cheer on Jim Gavin and his men.
Is Shane Reynolds the GAA fan most deserving of an All-Ireland Final ticket or do you know someone who has shown even more dedication?
The GAA Hour took their show on the road to Castlebar to preview the All-Ireland final with Colm Parkinson, James Horan and some very special guests. Listen below or subscribe here on iTunes.
