Darragh Joyce: ‘I grew up dreaming I’d play for Kilkenny. It is still on my mind’

But on Sunday he will sit down in his Brisbane apartment and haul up GAAGO. Roaring on from Down Under, just as he did during the dramatic Leinster final.

Darragh Joyce of the Lions in action during the 2023 AFL Round 04 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Collingwood Magpies. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

A teen leading the black and amber up the Hogan Stand steps, the dream delivered. One week later shift across to Hill 16 and watch the brother put in a Man of the Match showing as Kilkenny clinch a minor and senior double. Imagine.

Recently Darragh Joyce received a WhatsApp from home. It was a video from a Kilkenny volunteer, ten years on from his minor debut in the 2013 Leinster final. In 2014 he captained his county in the minor decider. The last frontier before green shoots sprouted. Limerick were the coming force. That team contained the likes of Sean Finn, Cian Lynch, Barry Nash, Peter Casey and Seamus Flanagan. Their invasion was delayed but it would not be denied.