They take sibling rivalry very seriously in Antrim GAA, it seems.
To reach a final, you need to be competitive. That means trying your best to win every ball. That means putting everything into every tackle
That means trying your best to win every ball. It means putting everything into every tackle. It means fighting for every goal, point, inch and occasionally, it can even mean fouling at all cost.
This cost can come in the form of missing the remainder of the game or, as might have happened in Antrim at the weekend, a potentially awkward dinner with your family.
Padraig Nugent (St John's) sent off at the end of the Antrim final for clipping Domhnall Nugent (Lámh Dhearg). His brother. The GAA's class
— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) October 15, 2017
In Padraig’s defence, it was the final and to make matters worse, it was painfully close.
As the clock wound down, there was less than a score separating St John’s and Lamh Dearg. Up until injury time, the game was level, but in the closing moments, the scoreline read 0-14 to 0-13 in favour of Lamh Dearg. The next score was either going to decide the game or force a draw.
As Padraig soon found out, karma is a motherfucker.
#LámhDheargPassion @lamhdheargclg
Who scores the final point? pic.twitter.com/FfOTw7XUXr
— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) October 16, 2017
That’s the thing about finals, there’s always two sides to it.
Heartbreak for one parish, absolute jubilation for the other.
Fortunately, rivalries can be put aside after the fact. Here’s hoping the Nugent brothers are getting along as well as the Lamh Dearg coach and St John’s man Ciaran Johnston.
Lamh Dearg coach Terry McCrudden with St Johns star Ciaran Johnston a day after Lamh D beat them in the co final pic.twitter.com/wVyW88SGw1
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) October 16, 2017
Til next year, boys.
