It’s not all about winning.
A story was told from Mardyke Arena in Cork on Tuesday night but it wasn’t your classic Hollywood tale of hope and inspiration and rising above yourself and all that.
No, this one was a bit more realistic. One you couldn’t sugar coat for the kids and one you shouldn’t either because they need to know that these things happen – hammering happen. Some teams are just better than you.
But as IT Tralee lost out to rivals UCC in the Third Level Munster Junior Hurling Championship final, there were other lessons to learn in the form of friendship, college memories and being able to smile in the face of adversity.
And by God IT Tralee did a lot of smiling because there was a lot and a lot and a lot of adversity to face up to.
The college’s GAA Twitter account did the world a beautiful service by calling the game with some cracking play by plays.
It wasn’t a great start and the tone was set – no-one was getting let off the hook tonight.
Goal UCC! Goalkeeper and captain Brendan O Mahoney should probably have done better but who are we to judge 🙈 1-4 to 0-1
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) March 6, 2018
Makes sense now…
1-07 to 0-1 here to UCC but infairness UCC are taking advantage of the gale force wind they have in this first half! #Believe
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) March 6, 2018
At least the player were making the most of a bad situation.
Our midfielder just asked his marker was he going to Voodoo tonight that was definitely our #ShuckyDuckyQuackQuack moment of the match
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) March 6, 2018
UCC’s chances being kept alive by dodgy officiating.
Goal UCC but we’re adamant it was a square ball! Referee is obviously trying to keep UCC in the game! #EveryonesAgainstUs
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) March 6, 2018
Keeper and captain spared this time around.
Another goal UCC and our goalkeeper actually did everything he could for this one infairness 3-14 to 0-05 at half time!
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) March 6, 2018
Not this time though (and some lovely trolling of the Cork folk).
Incredible pint by UCC like a Tipp team in their prime! Goalkeeper probably could have done better though but #NextBall!!!
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) March 6, 2018
Accident’s happen, like.
Soft free awarded there by the referee in our opinion he’s helmet just came off by accident! 🤔 3-18 to 0-04!
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) March 6, 2018
On a knife edge.
5-21 to 0-5 here to UCC! #TheGamesInTheMeltingPot
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) March 6, 2018
Changes everything!
GOOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!! Our mighty player manager with a goal John Mullane himself would have been proud with! 5-26 to 1-06!!! #GameOn
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) March 6, 2018
UCC managed to pull away at the death.
David De Gea wouldn’t save us now infairness! 5-27 to 1-06! #GamesInTheMeltingPot
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) March 6, 2018
No pressure, lads.
Another point for UCC 5-28 to 1-06! As we make a hape of subs who will change the game!
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) March 6, 2018
Some difference they made.
All over here in the Maradyke and UCC winning out deserved winners 5-34 to 1-06! Congrats @ucc_gaa and thanks for having us up! #Cork #Kerry
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) March 6, 2018
Actually…
Correction it was 5-34 to 1-8 some how the lads on the line forgot Dalys two frees
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) March 6, 2018
But they were still smiling at the end of it all.
Hard luck to our junior hurlers, they gave it their all!!! @buff_egan pic.twitter.com/OVOctZ45at
— MTU Kerry Campus GAA Club (@MTUKerryGAAClub) March 6, 2018
