Meelin lends Mary a shoulder to cry on

A NORTH Cork village with a population of just 600 celebrated Cork’s All Ireland Senior Football Final win yesterday but locals in Meelin spared a moment to console disappointed Newry native, Mary Buckley, who was the only person in the area supporting the northerners.

Mrs Buckley and her husband Pat held a party at their home yesterday which was attended by among others the couple’s sons Anthony, 10, and Declan, 8, both of whom were firmly behind Cork to bring the Sam Maguire cup home.

Mary Buckley, who moved to Cork in the late 1990s having met Cork man Pat at the Lisdoonvarna Festival in 1992, said she was heartbroken at seeing her beloved Down lose out to her adopted home by just one point.

“I am absolutely devastated. I am getting teary eyed. But it was a great match. The second half was brilliant. It was very close. I am sure Down are disappointed.

“They are a good bunch of lads. The family have ignored me since they got the cup! I am hoping Down will be back next year. If they had worn their own colours they would have won.”

Mary added that she truly believed that Down would snatch the Sam Maguire cup from Cork in the final minutes.

However, she was philosophical in defeat saying that Down’s time would come.