No more Rebels and sandwiches
This would be the last time the Rebel County supporters would drive through Main Street en route to Croke Park unless of course the All-Ireland hurling final had ended in a draw.
In just a few weeks from now our bypass would open and all would utterly change. Yes, it was a nostalgic occasion and I pondered over childhood days when we eagerly awaited the return of a victorious Cork team from Croke Park. Not alone were they great supporters but they knew how to celebrate and were good spenders.
The revelry would continue until the early hours as the ringing of the cash register accompanied the air of the Banks of My Own Lovely Lee.
Pints were downed, chunky ham sandwiches devoured and all present were adopted Corkonians for a few merry hours.
While looking out from my vantage point on Sunday morning I marvelled at the changed lifestyle. No steaming carburettors in sight, just quality vehicles, all makes, shapes and colours, transporting the masses, the majority already sporting the red-and-white shirt. Gone were the days when the simple paper cap would suffice. The designer label was now commonplace.
State-of-the-art flags and streamers replaced the home-made type. Children entertained themselves on the journey with mobile phones and the most important stop of all was to use the plastic card at the Banklink machine.
As morning passed and the traffic flow eased I looked forward to viewing the game on TV. Surely it would be a moment to savour - Kilkenny winning three-in-a-row.
However, nostalgia strikes again with the thought that a Cork victory would mean a last chance to savour returning fans in celebratory mood. They came up trumps, and by 7.30pm the first sound of hooting horns was heard on Cashel’s wet and windy streets. Throughout the night they streamed through availing of every opportunity to let us know they were the champions.
Within a few years all remaining towns and villages between Cork and Dublin will be bypassed. The age of progress dictates that. Few will stop to share the flask and sandwiches as the motorway makes for speedy journeys. Car horns won’t bleep. We won’t share in the joys of victory or expression of condolence in defeat. The human touch will be gone. Will it be a lonely trip to Croke Park?
Remember, no matter what your destination, the Cashel of the Kings will provide you with the services you require. Old traditions die hard.
Tom Wood
27 Main Street
Cashel
Co Tipperary
