You’ll never guess who I spotted this morning? Yes, thread regular Brian Fenton makes his first appearance of 2023.
I was at the perimeter of pitch 9 in St Anne’s Park just after 10am this morning watching my older son’s Raheny GAA Ogra training session (4-6 year olds). My younger fella made a beeline towards the bottom gate &, as I briskly followed to stop him careering into Naniken River, I spotted Brian Fenton further along down the perimeter.
Fenton was accompanied by his life partner & their dog & they were talking to two other young couples whose children appeared to be taking part in the GGA activity (I later saw them on the pitch collecting their youngsters at the end of the session).
The Dublin midfield colossus was bedecked in Adidas regalia - runners, tracksuit bottoms, zippy top with hood - & was sporting a yellow beanie hat (brand unknown). His life partner was wearing Dublin training gear & their dog has a red lead.
The second time my younger lad made a break for it & we were again in earshot of the group, I heard Fenton ask one of the lads if he was going to the Dublin match this weekend.
There was much chortling amongst them when yer man replied, “I am in me hole!”
Spotted popular Clonoulty Rossmore Gael Dick Martin in Thurles Shopping centre yesterday as I was dashing in to get a bottle of plonk in Dunnes Stores.
Dick was full of good nature and bonhomie as he conversed with a similarly aged acquaintance. Happy to report that he seemed hale and hearty to my passing eye; I had heard, or possibly read here, that he had been in poor health.
I saw Monaghan legend Conor McManus on Grafton Street today. He was well dressed and unsurprisingly is in good shape. He had a pile of shopping bags which looked to be clothes related. He was walking across the street from Massimo Dutti to the other side checking his phone and then headed in the direction of Stephen’s Green.
Who: Graham Geraghty
Where: Riverside Park hotel lobby, Enniscorthy
When: 10 mins ago
Famous for: Erstwhile racist and getting battered by his missus when urban legend was that the reverse was true
Wearing: New York gaa t shirt, Canterbury trackie bottoms, an impressive ned kelly
Demeanour: Give a shit
Other notes: Graham was strolling into a meeting room just off reception with NY Collegiate GAA in preparation for their match v Dungannon in the third tier of colleges gaa semi final. Prob a comp @myboyblue won a medal in before.
Meeting didn’t start till 9:15 as gaffer was furiously ringing lads to make meeting. Judging by the pints sank last night and the riot act being read to them this morning, New York don’t look in the right place but no better man than Geraghty to turn a huge public negative into an on pitch positive.
Who: Former GAA President Liam O’Neill
Where: Midway Portlaoise
When: Yesterday evening
Demeanour: Very slim nowadays. All business. Rushed in and picked up a few bits from the service station and was gone.
