Pat Spillane is going to have a field day

I CAN’T remember which Ulster final, but it was recent, and in the Sunday Game studio they were jawing about the abject fare on display. With a sense of urgency one northern contributor explained that neither side was there to entertain. That was for circus acts. This was all about winning.

I think he was wrong, but history suggests I’m the romantic fool. In 1987, the Cork team I was part of went to Dublin with their new suits and idealistic notions for an All-Ireland final rendezvous with Meath. We got tarred.

The following year we learned a bit, but this time after a replay, we still went home from a date with Meath with our tails between our legs.