Dreaming of tomorrow

Thirty five years ago, Martin Ferris committed himself to the armed struggle on the day his father died. Tomorrow he’ll watch proudly as his sons line out for Ardfert in an All-Ireland football final. It’s been some journey. He spoke to Tony Leen.

TOMORROW, he’ll bring vivid life to the imagination of the soul. For weeks, Ardfert’s day in Croke Park has shimmered in front of Deputy Martin Ferris. He’ll try hard today, at the Sinn Fein Árd Fheis, to focus on the here and now; strength of mind will get him through - it always did - but it’s a big ask.

The gleaming black and white club kit, the national anthem, his two sons, Eamonn and Máirtín, on the pitch, another, Cianán, alongside him underneath the vastness of the Hogan Stand. The support in the stands, the neighbours, parishioners and rivals who piled into buses from across North Kerry.