Neil Ewing: Ignore the shortcomings and glory in a powerhouse final

Why are we so down on the Tailteann Cup when there's an epic All-Ireland final to relish?

DECIDER: Former Meath player, Paddy O'Rourke, left, and former Down footballer, Conor Deegan pictured ahead of the 2023 Tailteann Cup Final which takes place this Saturday in Croke Park. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

All-Ireland Final week. 80,000 people set to be packed into a sold-out Croke Park. A scramble for tickets beyond the competing counties. Flags and bunting making a first appearance in each county for the first time in too long. Children looking up to new idols. A short motorway trip for both sets of supporters. 

A Saturday afternoon throw-in which will facilitate a festival atmosphere on the streets and in the stands. The opportunity for older heads to make a night of it. The opportunity for families to get home in time for the kids to have half an hour before dark recreating winning scores in their back garden. Followed by a night of these kids dreaming of themselves bringing Croke Park to its feet in decades to come.