John Fogarty: Push and pull keep Mark Keane and Oisín Mullin at home

With every appearance Mark Keane has since made for his clubs Mitchelstown and Ballygiblin, the call of home has grown louder.

Ballygiblin centre back Mark Keane wins possession against Clyda Rovers in the Avondhu JAHC Final in Buttevant. Picture John Tarrant

Tue, 18 Jan, 2022 - 07:05

John Fogarty

John Fogarty is the Irish Examiner’s GAA correspondent, with unique insights into the action on the pitch and in the Gaelic games’ corridors of power.

The surreal nature of the 2020 All-Ireland championships will live long in memories but none more so than those of the participants.

After losing the SHC final to Limerick 13 months ago, Waterford players spoke of the disconcerting stillness that greeted them upon returning to their homes that night. After losing by 11 points, to quote the song “And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda”, some of them might have “thanked Christ there was nobody waiting for me” but for others the eerieness compounded their dejection.