The talking is almost over, D-day is almost here.
Jeff Stelling and Chris Kamara began their journey to Croker seven weeks ago now, without a notion what they were letting themselves in for.
They were greenhorns, they were clueless, but what they did have was enthusiasm, and that has got them a long way. This infectious zeal, and willingness to learn, made them relatable to, and it has has kept us enchanted the whole way through
There’s something unique about the two lads, as if it all comes naturally to them, and Kammy set the magic in motion with his awful attempt to pronounce Micheál O Muircheartaigh’s name in Dingle.
From Dingle to Inis OÃrr to Monaghan to Tyrone, the lively duo have travelled the length and breadth of the country, and finally, finally they have made their way to the promised land.
The lads hit the motorway to Dublin, and it wasn’t long before they were striding their way towards GAA HQ via the famous Jones’ road.
Along the way, Kamara spoke of his main worry about the big day, that he will have difficulty with pronunciation of names.
“I think we can get by now Jeff, it’s just the names, and I’ve always struggled with them,” he said.
They took a pit-stop into Dublin corner back, Jonny Cooper’s home house, and he wasn’t in the mood for calming these nerves.
Cooper’s abode is literally on the doorstep of Croke Park, and it really is no wonder he looks so at home on the hallowed turf.
He recalled his formative years, playing underage football and hurling with his local club Na Fianna, and remembers dreaming of one day making it into the Dublin colours, when his mother took him to Hill 16 for the big games.
The Dublin corner back’s pride at the voluntary nature of the game stood out, but he did his best to leave the commentators worried about the big day, with his assertion that the game will be moving much quicker than the football they are more used to.
“It’s a little bit quicker than soccer with the pace of the game, and that might affect the way you do it. There’s six substitutions per team, that’s 12 substitutions. They’re not as long as soccer, maybe 30 or 40 seconds max.”
He spoke for us all when he revealed his anticipation at hearing the lads’ efforts.
“I look forward to hearing it, though, I think everyone will,” said Cooper.
Five days now, but who’s counting?
