The Cats are being careful, not cocky and the demand for flags in Donegal is officially ‘crazy’.
Kilkenny have the homecoming sorted
In light of the kerfuffle that has kicked off in Donegal over their team’s homecoming later this month, it is no surprise to see that Kilkenny have their team’s return carefully arranged.
Considering you have to go back to 2005 to the last time Kilkenny were not in the September showpiece, they have had plenty of practice. And that practice has led to a few changes this time round.
According to the Kilkenny People, this year’s homecoming in Kilkenny city, regardless of the result they hasten to add, will be in Nowlan Park.
The local council are paying the Kilkenny County Board €5,000 to hire out the ground for the official return, with the money going to the players’ holiday fund. Now that’s smart work by the locals.
Anyway, the use of the stadium will ensure the more elderly Kilkenny fans, and small children, will be able to see the team in comfort, rather than in a mad crowd in the city centre. Sounds great, all they need to do now is win the match.
Flags are big business in Donegal these days
The demand for Donegal flags has been officially declared as ‘crazy’ by a man who produces official GAA flags on the west coast.
DJ Daly produces flags and hurleys in Limerick and he has had a mad time keeping up with the demand from the north-west.
“The demand for flags in Donegal is crazy — just mad. I’ve never seen the likes of it in all my years selling All Ireland flags,” says DJ in today’s Irish Examiner.
“We have sent van loads already and our agent in Donegal, Yvonne Morgan, is on the phone at all hours roaring for more to be sent.
“We have ran out of stocks and my supplier in China has dispatched on an extra 10,000 flags which we hope will come into Shannon by the weekend.
“I have never seen the likes of the demand. Of course Donegal haven’t been to a final in 20 years and they are crying out for our flags of all sizes.”
Mayo are in the market for flags too, but not in the same level according to DJ. “The demand for flags in Mayo is also great but, as they were in the final in 2006, there would still be a lot of our merchandise still in circulation in the county.
“I was up in Belmullet already this week calling to shops and they took every flag I had with me.
“But our problem at the moment is ensuring the Donegal supporters are fully kitted out with official flags.”
The good news is that because of the official tie-in, every flag sold by DJ makes a bit for the Association, which is funneled back to the competing counties.
Another win-win, regardless of the result.
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