One of the major consequences of a covid world has been a huge change to our sporting landscape. As an avid supporter of Irish sport I have traveled across the world to different events and tournaments with my green jersey to follow the team. It didn't matter which one, any Irish team would do.
At a more local level we have our own sports in Ireland called Gaelic Games which consist of Irish football, Irish hurling and handball for both men and women. In a normal summer I would be following my local team around the country in the quest for the All-Ireland title.
With only 4 in our history it is a famous yearly quest.
Now I can't even go into the town and watch a match as number are severely limited to essential people only and a few close members to the team. Luckily our national tv stations have picked up a lot of the local games during covid to keep us entertained as the usual season has been put on hold. It has gotten me watching amateur teams from across the country and matches that you would never expected to have seen. Hurling is my first love and is a fast and brutal sport that is not for the faint hearted. Full contact and full speed it is the fastest field game in the world and is played loosely to the rules with the match more important than the particulars of officiating.
If the games is flowing, let it flow.
In terms of watching unexpected matches, I was looking at the television last Saturday while waiting for the golf to come on and stumbled into a female hurling match from 2017.
A daytime classic.
To say it would put the premier league to shame is an understatement. It was the All Ireland female hurling final from 2017 played between Kilkenny and Cork, two female powerhouses over the years.
It was played at a pace and ferocity that would have broken Raheem Sterling before he crossed the whitewash. Consisting of two fully amateur sides, mothers, nurses, teachers, doctors, in real life.
They might play in skirts but don't be fooled for one second that they aren't well able to give and take the punishment on the field.
These two teams put on an exhibition in determination and passion to try and win that famous trophy.
I had planned on watching the Irish open golf but was drawn into this gripping match without an inch of give between them. Scores were traded back and forth as well as a few blows between players. The deciding point was a stunning effort from last minute substitute and real life hero now with only seconds on the clock
It finished 10 - 09 in favor of Cork but the quality was something to see and had me watching a women's match three years after the fact.
I think that says it all.
When you want to talk equality in sport I would send anybody out to play among these women and say that they don't deserve recognition for true quality.