Paul Rouse: When pride in your county became a fashion accessory

I have a relation who spent much of his 20s in an Offaly jersey whose colours were green, Guinness and gold. Despite the taunts from those less fortunate than himself, he carried himself with great dignity.

The obvious attraction for the public is clear. Boundaries between counties are sacred lines in Irish life, writes Paul Rouse

I have a relation who spent much of his 20s in an Offaly jersey whose colours were green, Guinness and gold.

This was the 1990s, days when Offaly people spent almost as much time in Croke Park as they did in their native parishes.