The ghost on the sidelines

Tadhg De Brún’s memoirs will be in the shops soon. If you’re a GAA fan it’s essential for your library – after all, how many people do you know who have worked at 84 All-Ireland finals?

The maddest days I remember were back when we were actually allowed into dressing-rooms themselves after the final whistle of the All-Ireland final. We had to beat our way into the dressing-rooms; whatever county had won you had the impression that half of the county had managed to get into the dressing-room.

YOU KNOW him. He flickers on the edge of your attention when you watch the big games on television; come championship Sunday, he’s glimpsed flanking a winning manager who’s about to share his thoughts on victory.