Checking in for warm hotel reception

I WAS never much of a one for All-Ireland night celebrations. The night of the three-in-a-row Nancy and I hired a rowing boat for the pond in Stephen’s Green. I’m a bit like Connell that way, but, more to the point, a lot like myself.

As it happened, we were a few minutes late for the dinner, and instead of allowing me to slip in unnoticed, as I had hoped, the entire function room, including the serving staff, rose as one to afford me a rousing reception.

I was thus compelled, of course, to show due respect for their acclaim, and each time the clapping subsided I made efforts to sit down only for the crowd to redouble their applause just as I neared my seat. In the end, it almost became funny.