In today’s Hospital Pass, how you know that winter is getting close and the power of numbers in the GAA.
What is the first sign of winter? The day you put on the heating, just to ‘take the chill’ out of the bathroom? The first day you grab your ‘big’ coat on the way out the door? No, the first sign that we are headed into the dark days are the inkling of a row brewing in the GAA.
And here we are, with Sam Maguire still not sure where he will winter, and the boys in Limerick are spoiling for a fight. Yes, the changes that the GAA announced a few weeks back to change – yet again – the format of the National Hurling League, has angered the Treaty men.
They have a case too, as they won Division 2 last year, with the expectation that they would benefit from playing against the top teams in Division 1 in 2012. Instead, they have been left in 1B, as have Wexford, whose brave battle against relegation last year was all for naught it seems.
Last night, clubs in Limerick voted to boycott the new format, with county secretary Mike O’Riordan saying: “We are looking for the support of the clubs to go back to Croke Park and tell them we want to take part in an eight team league or we won’t be competing in the league next year.”
Ah, sure next thing it will be Christmas…
Triskaidekaphobia
As a Joe reader you will of course know what triskaidekaphobia is and it seems the steps of the Hogan Stand are the worst sufferers in Ireland. That no No 13 has ever lifted the Sam Maguire is a truly bizarre phenomenon, one that defies all attempts to explain it.
But there has never been a better chance to end it this week, as Colm Cooper will lead the Kerry parade on Sunday and he sports the accursed number. In recent years Meath’s Colm O’Rourke (1990) and Cork’s Phillip Clifford (1999) both wore the number as captain and both lost.
The sceptical among you will say it holds no bearing whatsoever but any of you out there who have a lucky jersey, or a special pub you must go to before the match, well you know how powerful all this stuff is in the mind.
We don’t know if Gooch is the superstitious sort. He doesn’t look the type to be honest. But if Kerry are losing and you see him swapping shirts you will know for sure.
