Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Division 4 in Rathkeale, but the rules of engagement are the same

I have attended Division 3 and Division 4 games down the years but not as many as I would like to. And every season I vow to try and get to a few more.

AERIAL BATTLE: Robbie Childs of Limerick and Wexford's Gavin Sheehan contest a high ball.  Tom Beary/Sportsfile

For as long as I can remember, I have been on the Division 1 Football League circuit with an occasional diversion to Division 2. As a player, selector, manager and supporter with Kerry, that has been my lot. Similarly, in my work with this paper and RTÉ, that has been the focus. It is not that I am averse to attending games from the lower divisions, basically, this has been my reality. An embarrassing reality if I’m honest about it. 

There have been occasions when I've been on with Paul Rouse on the Examiner’s Football podcast and he would prod mischievously wondering if I had been at any Division 3 or 4 games recently. This led to me squirming and admitting that I hadn’t. To be fair, I have attended Division 3 and Division 4 games down the years, predominantly on that great league final weekend in Croke Park, but not as many as I would like to. And every season I vow to try and get to a few more. Hence, Sunday afternoon I pointed the car for Rathkeale, with my son Rian on board, for Limerick against Wexford in Division 4 with my FRC hat on, to observe the new rules off Broadway.