David Gough is loved for who he is at home.
That home is Slane GFC.
A proud club man, Gough is steeped in the history and family of the heartland of Meath and when he takes to the middle of Croke Park on Sunday to referee the All-Ireland final, he has an entire community rooting him on.
He’s been through quite a journey as a player, a referee and a person to get to where he is today but, all along, he’s always been the same David Gough to the people of Shane.
“I would love to say to him there was no need for all that fear and anxiety because he’s still the same chap.
No-one thought any different of David.
“He was still playing corner back and it made no difference to anyone.”
Rob O’Hanrahan went to Meath to capture the pride of Gough’s club.
