Tommy Martin: Provincials  have certainly been better, but they're not dead

Gathering in a provincial town to watch a provincial contest whose meaning is entirely provincial feels like the kind of thing the world wants to move on from, which is a good enough reason not to.

ALIVE AND KICKING: Donegal goalkeeper Shaun Patton celebrates saving a penalty to win the game. Pic Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

That’s that done then.

The provincial football championships folded up neatly and packed into a box in the attic beside the Halloween decorations and West Wing DVDs. Out of the way. Gotten through. No harm done. On with the serious business.