This is what the GAA is all about…
The All-Ireland football final was the main attraction for GAA fans over the weekend but there was also plenty of club championship action in various counties around the country.
There’s a story from the Clare intermediate hurling championship that we wanted to share with you because it shows exactly what the local club means to a community.
Feakle beat Parteen by 4-10 to 2-12 to win the Intermediate Championship and the trophy presentation was one of the most beautiful moments the GAA has ever seen.
JOE reader Laura Keane explained to us what happened: “The man in the wheelchair (main image) is my Grandfather, Jimmy Lynch, and he has a love for his home place and home club like no other person I know.
“Last Saturday he was finally able to see his club win the Clare intermediate hurling final, which has eluded the club for years. He was thrilled just to see that!
“When the cup was due to be presented, people started calling for him to present it to the club captain, Killian Bane. As you can see from the picture, there’s a barrier which I knew I could not get him over as he has Parkinson’s Disease and his legs had gone numb.
“After explaining this to the club manager Tommy Guilfoyle (well, roaring at him as he was in the presentation area already!) he and another man came down and carried my grandfather over the barrier and up the steps to the presentation area.
“I won’t lie, I was bawling crying! I haven’t seen the man as happy in so long. This gesture made me extremely proud of Feakle GAA club and how they treat all members.”
A big thanks to Laura for sending the story into our Facebook page and to Lauren Guilfoyle for sending on the pictures; we hope the story brightened up your day.
