noelpconnon meath won the all ireland in 49 not 39 typical cavan

srgt_slaughter (Meath) - Posts: 462 - 01/11/2011 12:18:43    1061347

Very good tale, very enjoyable!!!

tonytookamotor (Meath) - Posts: 139 - 01/11/2011 14:56:02    1061431

Brilliant noelpconnon some savage reading in those posts...

DUB1 (Dublin) - Posts: 5583 - 01/11/2011 15:46:58    1061460

That was a tough hunt for a poacher as with the Kings deer where scared by the many men out with fire sticks hunting phesant.

Anyway the scence was set and Banty, Paul of the Orchard, Marty of the Red Hand and the two other lads led the Royal army deep into O'Moore Country to the Fort of O'Moore. Some followers taught that if they went up the Boyne to the Mouth of the River and sailed South they would find Port Laoise but others said that it was not a Port at all and it was best to go by road.

When the Royal Supporters reached Port Laoise in O'Moore Country at the Foot of the Slieve Blooms they where amazed to see the place totally Flooded and they then agreed they could have sailed. The Games where postponed for 24 hours and the Royal Subjects made merry in Port Loaise and enjoyed the hospitality of the O'Moore people.

The Following day when the Royal Followers awoke bleary eyes and with sore heads (as O'Moore mead was good) from their slumber they where glad to hear the Games would begin at 2 chimes after noon and they rolled over and had another snooze.

Not so with Banty, Paul, Marty and the other two boys and the Royal Warriors and they had prepared well and practiced all morning. They knew the O'Moores would provide a stiff test and had noticed that they too had strong limbs although some said it was because they wore their amour tight. They too had an Ulster leader named either Justin or Enda and he had them practicing hard all Winter.

The Tournament field was heavy and sodden after the heavy rains of the early Spring and cut up badly and the game did not go well and the O'Moores claimed victory. Banty spoke to the Purveoyers of the Quill after and blamed the Tournament Field but also said it was the same for both sides, He also said the Royal where practicing hard but admitted that the O'Moores practiced hard too. So nobody really knew what he said but it was rumoured that when the games where postponed the Royals trained really hard under Marty and had not expected that there would be any games the next day and so where a bit tired.

The Royal Subject as they journeyed home somewhat dissappointed as the previous year Eamon the Unlucky had had 3 Jolsts with the O'Moore's and had defeated them in Tailteann had declared a draw in the Capital and had defeated them soundly in the replay in the great Fort of O'Connor in Tullamore. It was said that maybe the extra training was to blame and taught this was fair enough and wondered had the O'Moores played a trick by cancelling the Tornament for another day and had caught the Royals on the Hop but the Tournament field was so wet nobody seen the Ball Hop at all.

It was noticed Liam of Moynalvey and Barry 2nd Eal od Dun Doire (In future to be know as 'THE OTHER TWO LADS') slipped out the back way and headed to their homesteads by a different route.

Also Fiach McHugh O'Byrne attended the Games now that the Cock Fighting season was over and was seen talking to the O'Moore leader Justin or Enda whatever his name was.... Fiach did not speak to Banty. ..... TO BE CONTINUED.....

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 209 - 02/11/2011 10:14:20    1061791

I'm glad that the life and times of An Mhi, brings some enjoyment to the otherwise miserable lives of certain Cavan folk. Breffni has become such barren ground at least we bring a sense of mystery and romance back into their folks existence. This book of tales, may yet become a best seller in Easons Ulster branches at Christmas.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 02/11/2011 11:22:29    1061852

Fiach McHugh O'Byrne was fed up after the games and was a bit on the hungry side and did not fancy the long trip back to the Wiclklow Hills on an empty stomach. So he wandered down the Street of Port Laoise past Mcdonalds which was full of Meath Men and onto the main street and went into Egans Hostilery on the Main Street.

He had a look at the Menu but after the Royal Hordes had feasted for the past few Days there was not much left but he spied his favourite dish Venision and ordered it cooked rare and a bottle of Red Wine. (Fiach did not like Meath sorry Mead and rathered wine). There was few about and the food came quickly and Fiach really enjoyed his grub and as it was a bit salty as was common them days he ordered more wine.

He enjoyed his wine and soon got into chat with a few locals who where busy doing the Local Club Blotto which had sold well over the weekend with the good crowds about and Fiach bought a few himself. The draw was done and Fiach won on the Lucky Dip and bought a few drinks for the Lads. Fiach was a good man for the crack. He drank more wine and the talk went round to the Tournament that day.

Fiach was a bit annoyed with the GAA as he felt his Cup was not getting much coverage and had taught and getting it back and putting it up for his favourite sport Cock Fighting. He learned from the Locals that the head Office of Leinster Council was right there in the Town and that a fellow called 'Black Fitzwilliam' was in Charge. Fiach had a good few in him and knew he heard that name before but couldn't remember. He said quite loudly that he was staying the night at a local Inn and would go down the next day and find out who had his Cup.

One of the Locals heard this and slipped away and texted Black Fitzwilliam to warn him. Black Fitzwilliam knew Fiach as he had spoke to Lord Kildare and got him to convince Fiach to hand the Cup over to the GAA but Fiach and Black Fitzwilliam had a bit of a set too Oon a wild night in Carlow and Fiach had said he would 'send his head dripping red to Lisa and her Ladies' Nautrally Fitzwilliam was a bit wary of the Wicklow man.

Fiach headed down to the Offices of Leinster Council the next morn and asked for the Boss. Black Fitzwilliam had warned the girl on the desk that if a fellow with a Wickla accent came in to say he was away.

The Girl on the desk knew jobs where scare and did what she was told. Fiach asked if there was anyone else he could talk too but she said 'Whyte was Sick and Lane had Fled' so Fiach left with no more knowledge and was quite annoyed.

He went back to Egans Hostilery for the 'Hair of the Dog' and met a few stragglers from the night before. He told them his story and one Fella said 'maybe you should go to Dubh Linn and down Jones Road on the North of the Town and someone there might know the where abouts of his Cup.

Fiach said he would and mounted his horse and headed for the Capital in a bit of a rage.......To be Continued.....

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 209 - 02/11/2011 19:35:21    1062258

Anyway back in Tailteann Seamus, Paul of the Orchard and Marty of the Red Hand oh yeah and the other two lads where working hard to pick up on the mistakes in O'Moore Country defeat and where training and practicing really really hard. The Two Lads usually sat in the Stand or behind the goals and were told to watch where the Footballs went and to keep plenty od Adams Ale (now called water) out to the Warriors. Seamus spoke to the Purveoyers of the Quill most days and always said things where good and the Warriors were working hard and the Knights of the Top Table were great men indeed.

Slowly but surely the Warriors of the Royal county where putting on Bulk. The supporters who watched them pratice could not wait for the next stage of the Spring Tournament and it was a Jolst in Tailteann with the Men from the Shadow of Ben Bulben.

The Day arrived and t'was a fine Spring Sunday and a decent crowd assembled in Tailteann for the Tournament. The Men of Ben Bulben had a good year the previous year and had got promoted from the 3rd tier and in Connaught games had defeated the Tribesmen and the old Foes Maigh Eo to make the Western Final but had got their wings clipped by the Primrose and Blue of the Rossies. They looked well in the Black and White armour sponspored by Clifford Oil Lamps & Candles (as Eletricity has not yet been invented).

This was indeed a great display while the men of Ben Bulben had an All Star he did not shine and the Royals led at half time. Seamus patrolled the field well and spoke regularly to Paul of the Orchard and Marty of the Red Hand (although Marty's name did not appear on the programme of the Event) He did speak to the other two lads as well especially late in the games when the Royals had the Victory in the Bag.

All where happy in the Royal Camp and once again the Great Fortress of Tailteann had seen another visitor perish. Seamus spoke at lenght to all the Purveoyers of the Quill and indeed to anyone else who would listen and announced all the wheels where begining to turn. Paul of the Orchard and Marty of the Red Hand where close by at all times but the other two lads had a wash and headed for home soon after the final action.

Meanwhile Fiach McHugh O'Byrne was making his way to Dubh Linn. As he passed the Level Plains known as the Curragh of Kildare he spied a fine army in all White armour practicing hard on the Plains. He remarked that they looked well in the White armour and asked a man travelling in the opposite direction who these Fine set of Warriors were. He was told they where the Lilly White Knights of the Short Grass County and he asked who was their Leader and was told it was Prince Kieran of Geezer an Ulster man.

Fiach was a proud Leinster man and was a bit fed up with all these outsiders leading the Leinster Kingdoms, The O'Moores, The Royals and now these Lilly Whites. In truth he was a bit mad too as he wanted his son in law Rory Og O'Moore to be over his home County the Garden County of Wicklow but they had gone to Munster and took on Mick O'Expensesonly to lead them.

He headed on to Dubh Linn but in the evening Sun something glinted brightly near where the Lilly White Knights practiced. He squinted his eyes but could not make out was it was in the distance.....so he wiped his eyes and headed on his journey looking for his Cup .....To be Continued......

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 209 - 03/11/2011 17:53:56    1062766

Upwards and Onwards was the cry of the Royals as they set out for Beal Feiriste to tackle the Safforn Glensmen up the M1 past Dun Dealgain and into the wilds of Ulster. The 3 ameigoes Seamus of the Puffed Chest, Paul of the Orchard and Marty of the Red Hand knew this Country well. It was said the other two lads missed a turn and landed a little late and the team was picked when they reached the Fort of Casement (even though Roger was not born yet) but others said the 3 ameigos took a short cut tru the Mountains of Mourne and knew a secret crossing of River Lagan and got there early on purpose.

The Royal followers travelled in good numbers following the defeat of the Yeats men and as the Glensmen had also come up from Tier 3 an easy victory was on the Cards. The shouts where heard its only Antrim. The Tournament started and the Royals were flying kicking some fine ball and had the Glensmen on the rack and where streching there hapless opponants in every way. Their leader a Big Bawldy Lad from close by Oak Leaf looked forlorn and Banty, Paul and Marty feasted on the the early brillance of the Royals and where seen clapping each other and cheering the Warriors and waving and giving the Thumbs Up to the Royal crowd.

One of the Royal Stars Kevin of the Peirce O'Mahonys got injured and this seemed to effect the other warriors and the Glensmen kicked off some of the shackles as the Royals took their eyes off the Rack and soon started catching up. The half time break came and the Royal Followers said this was good and Seamus would settle the Warriors and get them back in control of the Rack again. But not so and the Glensmen kept getting loose. Liam of Moynalvey looked animated and had words with some of the Warriors, Seamus, Paul and Marty and Barry the 2nd Earl of Dun Doire spoke as well but the Glensmen seen a few weaks spots in the Royals underbelly and drove their advantage home. The Royal Warriors looked Slow and Cumbersome and tried to find inspiration and a badly needed a Leader but not so and once again the Royal where defeated on the Highway away from Tailteann.

The Royal Followers found too that these wildmen and women of the Glens did not want their Coin and said it was no good to them as there was no Kings Head on it so the Royals had to head for home Hungry and worse still P(O)INTLESS. There was a lot of grumbling and rumbling on the way home to Meath.

Banty gave a short interview to the Purveoyers of the Quill and quickly headed for his home in Farney

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 209 - 03/11/2011 19:28:35    1062820

Brilliant stuff, great read. Obviously our chronicler of this epic tale spends more time and energy watching the comings and goings of Neath than he does of Cavan but then there is not a lot happening there. i thought he might be a Meath man in disguise just to stir up controversy but that would be out of the question as no Meath man would ever want to be mistaken for a Cavan man. He is probably a wanabee Meath man from over near the Court of the Kings or just over the Cavan border north of the Old Castle or near the White Gate cross roads. . Where ever he is from, he has plenty of time on his hands and has worn out a few wax candles and quills down but fair play its well put together.

Defender (None) - Posts: 37 - 03/11/2011 20:13:19    1062853

Sorry ...To Be Continued......

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 209 - 03/11/2011 20:17:16    1062860

its a wonder u dunt comment too much on the Cavan forum noelpconnon... ur posts on ur so called tales are mystical, must take ye an age to write em up, or whatever strange book ur getting it from..

lifebuoy (Cavan) - Posts: 628 - 03/11/2011 20:56:21    1062884

its copied directly from a new book called the 'gaa tales of 1911 in 2011' on sales 8th of december nationwide! FACT!

swiller (Meath) - Posts: 9 - 04/11/2011 12:41:47    1063081

These stories are no copy of anything just a true tale of happenings in the Royal and beyond. I suppose while Fables are not as common in the past people at times take time to adjust. I am disappointed as the story is a Factual Fable of something that I have a passing interest in and the reaction of the last poster in saying it is a copy as it most certainly is not.

Read it carefully as it has an under lying truthful story and while at times I struggle with it is meant as no slight on anyone and should be taken for what it is. Each reader has to decide themselves what they take from it.

Sure if it bothers you don't read it. I am enjoying it.

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 209 - 04/11/2011 14:39:12    1063151

Fiach McHugh O'Byrne neared the capital and while Dubh Linn was inside The Pale he found it hard to get past the Keepers of the Gate. He had a pass issused by Leinster Council when he handed over His Cup for all Tournaments in Leinster but the Secruity on the Gate said it was no good in the Capital. They let him in after a while and he headed for Jones Road. Again he found it hard to enter Jones's Road as again the security did not want to let him pass. They had Ulster accents and Fiach by now had enough of these boys and kicked up a stink. One of the Head men appeared and Fiach explained why he wanted in and this Fellow was from Aughrim in Wicklow and knew Fiach and brought him in.

Your man brought Fiach through and and Fiach taught Jones's Road was a fine spot and your boy said that they hoped to expand and make the place bigger sometime in the future. He brought him up to the Head Buck who was known as Finn McCool. Fiach was happy as he knew of this great man and felt he would get his Cup back from him. Finn was a GAA man and did not really want to give up the Cup and decided he needed time for a few reasons. (A) He wasnt 100% sure where the Cup was (B). It was a good cup and he wanted the GAA to hold onto it. (C) Cups where scarce as the Vikings had stolen a good few of them as they fled after the Battle of Clontarf in 1014.

Finn and Fiach made a bit of small talk and Finn could see that Fiach was a bit edgy and while he had no wine to offer he ordered some Tea and put on a few CDs. He had a few good ones and it happened that Fiach's favourite song came on, it was a bit of a coincidence but Finn was a very knowledgeable man that it was no coincidence at all. Fiachs foot tapped to the chorus;

Curse and Swear Lord Kildare, Fiach will do what Fiach will Dare
Now Fitzwilliam have a care, Fallen is your Star Low.
Up with Halberd out with sword, On we go for by the Lord,
Fiach McHugh has given the word, Follow me up to Carlow

The mood became more relaxed and Fiach brought up the whereabouts of his Cup. Finn played for time and said that he remembered that the Sky Blue and Navy of Dubh Linn had played the Royals in the Fort of Parnell outside the Town and that it was a good game and went to over time and Dubh Linn won. It was hard to remember as nobody really talked about it much and the Dubh Linn Warriors had won a Shield that day.

Fiach taught this was crazy as most Warriors had their own Shields or they would not survive in the Battle and what would they be bothered playing for another Shield that was not custom made for them. Finn agreed, still playing for time, as he had asked the Fellow from Aughrim who has brought Fiach in and had also made the Tea to Google up where the O'Byrne Cup was and who won it.

Finn brought Fiach to the next room and showed him the Shield Dubh Linn had won and they both agreed a Shield was a silly competition and a Shield was a silly prize and they Chucked it into the Canal that was being built beside Jones's Road.

Fiach opened up a bit and complained about his own County going for an outside manger and Finn told him that he taught they made a good choice as it was said that the other option Fiachs son in law Rory Og O'Moore was 'Good at sending Loons to Hades' and if he was in control of the Garden County there would not be a team as there was plenty of Loons playing GAA in Wicklow and if Rory sent them to Hades they would get it hard to get 15 players and Fiach kinda warily agreed.

Fiach asked about the Royals and about this Banty fellow that was there leader. He wondered was he interested in Poultry with such a name. Finn McCool said he was not sure but would check it out.... To be Continued......

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 209 - 04/11/2011 15:24:17    1063192

Back in Tailteann the local scribes where not too kind to the defeat by the Glensmen indeed in the Chronicles of Meath there was questions posed as to if the Royals where on the right track at all. Some of The Royal subjects did not want to believe this and others said they knew it from the start and that Eamon the Unlucky should come back. Only one Victory in 3 but they where confident that Tailteann would hold strong against the Northern Invaders..... No not Seamus, Paul and Marty.... but the Men from Tir Connail who where next on the list.

The North West men had a mightylong journey and would travel through O'Neill Country (Tryone among the Bushes) and Through the Kingdom of Farney and it was taught that maybe an ambush could be laid but Long Haired Jim their Leader was one step ahead and they travelled to where the Ash Bournes on the Dubh Linn border and rested on the Saturday as there was some men of Tir Conaill living there.

The Dun na Galls arrived safetly and the Crowd was some what smaller for this Tournament but it was said this was because the North Meath Clann where planning an ambush at Meath Hill and when they learned of Long Haired Jims cunning decision to travel early it was too late to head for Tailteann.

A lot of the Royal Followers who made the journey to Tailteann where sorry the did as the Men of Tir Conaill heaped more misery on the Royals and defeated them soundly and Thus the Great Record of no Defeats in Tailteann was broken and this more than anything irked the Royal Subjects and a few Boo's where heard from the viewing gallery's.

Also with this defeat it seemed promotion to Tier 1 was now nigh impossible and again this not go well with the Royals as this is where they plied there trade for many a year and felt at times rightly so where they should be. But they on this Day where no match to the Warriors of Jim of the Long Hair and Banty admitted his disappointment and stated that the Warriors where focused for the Great Tournament in the Summer and all the training and practice was geared to tha and that the Knights of the Top Table where good men and fully supported him but people wondered did the Other Two Lads. Paul of the Orchard and Marty of the Red Hand said nothing..........To be Continued.......

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 209 - 04/11/2011 17:09:13    1063293

Meanwhile back in Jones's Road Finn McCool and Fiach McHugh O'Byrne chatted on. Finn had an affinity to the Royals because as a boy he had worked down that way for a Wise Old Farmer near the River Boyne called Fionnaengus. Fionnaengus had a love of fishing and later was involved in the Royal Top Table. Indeed after the Royals defeated the Oriels in the Leinster Final a fella had rang Fionnaengus and offered him some Agricultural Emplements and all the Fish he could eat if the Royals offered a replay. It turned out to be a prank call and your man made a full apology after and Fionnaengus was happy with that.

Finn McCool felt he owed Fionnaengus as when he worked with years ago on the farm they used to spend the evenings fishing. The story went…. 'Fadó Fadó in aice abhainn na Bóinne' …….there was a man called Fionnaengus …….who spent his time Fishing for………. 'An Braidain Feastá' (The Salmon of Knowledge).
It was said whoever tasted the flesh of the Fish first who have all the knowledge in the World

One day he the Old Man caught the Fabled Salmon and told Finn McCool to cook it but not to eat a morsal of it. Finn respected Fionnaengus and declared that there was no way he'd let the old man down. He lit a Fire and organised a spit and started to cook 'An Braidain Feastá' He soon had it roasting but a blister rose on the Fine Fish from the heat of the Fire. Finn wanted everything to be perfect for his Master and pushed in the blister with his finger but it was piping hot and burned the Boys Finger and he reacted by putting his Finger in his mouth and therefore was the 1st human to taste the flesh of the Fish and so now like most head men in the GAA knew everything. He could recite the GAA Official Guide by heart.

Fiach asked about his Cup again and said he was going to take it back as it had got no coverage and was not promoted well by the GAA and someone told him it was played at the wrong time of year. He said he would put it up for his favourite sport Cock Fighting. His Favourite song came back on the CD and the two men listened.

See the swords at Glen Imaal, Flashing o'er the English Pale.
See the Chrildren of the Gael beneath O'Byrne's Banner
Rooster of the Fighting Stock, Would you let a Royal Cock
Crow upon a Lilly Rock, Fly up and teach him manners.

Finn said that they were going to develop Jones's Road in the future and the Ban would go and Other Sports would be played there. Fiach asked would there be any chance that Cock Fighting would be part of it but Finn who had tasted the Salmon of Knowledge of knew everything expect who won the O'Byrne Cup told Fiach that Cock Fighting was on the verge of being outlawed and it would be best to leave the Cup with the GAA as the GAA would never be banned. Fiach listened to Finn and respected the man and agreed maybe that would be best.

To be Continued

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 209 - 04/11/2011 19:08:46    1063380

Well if its not I take my hat of too you amazing reading in the and humourous also!

swiller (Meath) - Posts: 9 - 04/11/2011 21:36:33    1063470

Your man from Aughrim that Finn had asked to Google who won the Cup had slipped a note to Finn when he was gathering up the Tea Cups and even though Finn McCool had all the knowledge in the World after tasting the Salmon even he was not sure who won Fiach's Cup.

The Note gave him a leg up and now he knew.

He told Fiach that the Lilly White Knights of the Short Grass County led by Prince Kieran of Geezer had defeated the Men of Oriel and Cooley led by Peter the Fitz of Patrick who was known to have Bad Dress sense as it was said that he wore a Blue Shirt under his Red Armour and St Brigid's Cross. Most had hoped the Oriels would win as they had lost to the Royals and Eamon the Lucky or Unlucky as he was now known in Jones's Road earlier in the year and Peter the Fitz had said that Dick Turpin who also came from fom Ulster (Tyrone) had completed Daylight Robbery on the Oriels. Fitzer was a Leinster man and Fiach felt for him.

Fiach thanked Finn McCool who also told him that he Finn McCool was the Leader of Na Fianna a strong Club in Dubh Linn and that Prince Kieran of Geezer used to play with them and he was a good clubman and a sound fellow.

Fiach thanked Finn for his time and left for the Curragh and it all came back to him and now he knew what had blinded him in the evening Sun as he travelled through The Plains of the Curragh on his way to the Capital….. IT WAS OF COURSE HIS CUP….. He met with Prince Kieran and he saw his Cup was in good hands and was well kept and shined up every day as the White Knights had not won many other Cups in recent years.

Fiach gave him as few tips and talked a bit about his Favourite Sport and that how it might be soon a thing of the past. Fiach bid farewell to Kieran headed home to Wicklow…. To be Continued

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 209 - 05/11/2011 12:39:48    1063561

Back in Tailteann Banty, Paul of the Orchard, Marty of the Red Hand and the Other Two Lads where working the Royal Warriors very hard. The weather was Dry but Cool but things where hotting up for him and at times there where heated discussions before during and after practice and Banty was wondering if the decision not to go to the Warm Lands was a good idea at all as he was not fond of this other kind of heat at all. Still he always praised the warriors and the Knights of the Top Table and said that a win in the next Round of the Spring Tournament could see them back in contention but neither he nor anyone else really believed this.


He said also that Marty's training was hard but was having an effect on the Warriors but the Royal Subjects should not expect wonders overnight and these things came over time. Everyone taught this was reasonable but murmurs that the Tactics and Game plan where causing more trouble than the hard training.

The next Tournament was a big one for a lot of Royals as it was bad enough losing to the Glensmen, The O'Moore's and the Tir Conaill's but next up was the Lilly White Knights of the Short Grass County and they were right next door and many Royals traded Cattle and Women there and the South Meath Clan's would not like to lose to these Boys. Seamus of the Puffed Chest knew this was a big game and talked a lot all week to the Purveyors of the Quill and spoke how fired up both he and the Warriors where. Prince Kieran of Geezer said little as was normal with him and just got on with it.


The Royals travelled in good numbers to St Conleth's Pairc in Droideach Nua and the atmosphere was good with all sides wearing their Colours proudly. On the terrace side the White of the Lilly's shone brightly in the Spring Sun and looked like a big advertisement for Daz or Persil soap powers. They waved their crests which was a funny depiction of a St Brigid's Cross and Shouts of Kill….Dare…. Kill….Dare went up in unision. The Royals with their Green and Gold where not to be out done and they too showed their Crests of the Boyne River, The burial ground at New Grange and of course the newly made Tara Brooch. The Royal hordes brayed back Mee….Add….. Mee….Add.


The crowd settled as the Teams came out and faced each other and late comers rushed to their seats, one of these was Fiach McHugh O'Byrne who was glad to see his Cup was on show under the Stand where Lord Kildare had treated him to Tea and Bread (as Sandwiches had not yet arrived in Eire). Finn McCool had told Lord Kildare who was Chairman of the Lilly's and Napper Tandy their Runai to make Fiach feel important and give him as good seat.

Fiach was brought to the best seats just behind the dug outs and he noted that it was a big crowd and you would not get as good a crowd at a Cock Fight or indeed at an O'Byrne Cup Final.

The Tournament started and it was clear both sides wanted to win. The Royals under Eamon the Unlucky had beaten the Lilly's in Tailteann in the Spring Games the previous year but the Lilly's had played a strong 2nd half in Jones's Road in the Great Summer Tournament and had pulled away late on with a fine performance.

The Royals in latter times seemed to fade late in games and this was something blamed on Eamon the Unlucky and it was something the new management wanted to correct. In the past the Royals had been famous for Strong Finishes …. To be continued

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 209 - 05/11/2011 17:04:22    1063653

Hope thy mighty quill doesn't wear down and thine ink continues to be replenished before the end of this epic saga. It would be great to get a copy for yuletide at one of the many rustic fairs that will take place before the winter solistice.

lilywhite1 (Kildare) - Posts: 2989 - 05/11/2011 19:50:06    1063753