Vol 5 No. 133 September 12, 1921 One Halfpenny AMONG THE GAELS AT CROKE PARK. IRISH-IRELAND AT PLAY

The Tongue of the Gael. To live in the true atmosphere of the new Ireland of to-day, to see and to meet the men The tongue of the Gael has supplanted that of the Cockney. People have ceased to ask, as who made that Ireland a possibility, you must they used to ask a few years ago, what was the meaning of that gold ring worn by that go to Croke Park on the day of a final. And for young priest on the sideline seats. Everywhere around you now you see the golden preference let it be the day of a hurling final. Fainne, and you are not surprised to find that more of your neighbours are discussing the You will no longer find the air of the Park – game in Irish than are speaking English. Jones’s Rd. we generally called it then, The spectators, too, have changed for the better. Time was when even the “local Member” appropriately enough – polluted with the would not deign to honour his county by cheering it to victory. Now our T.D.’s are to be harsh, discordant Cockney accents of the Fly- seen by the score. For they know they are amongst their own – they know they are at the Boys shouting the odds. Any of these headquarters of the one Association which first and before all others drew the line gentlemen who still honour us with their between the Gael and the garrison. The G.A.A. has made mistakes and has lost presence have a wholesome respect for those opportunities; but one thing at least it has never done – it has not forgotten that its one quiet, but stern-looking, lads with the white great object is to stem the tide of anglicisation. Some day, perhaps, the historian will armlets. Men no longer go to Croke Park to judge rightly what a debt Ireland owes to the G.A.A. Not a few of the men to whom today make or to lose a week’s salary. the nation has entrusted its future got their earliest training in its ranks. Michael Collins, Croke Park crowds have Thrilling Struggle. Hurler. now become connoisseurs in the And what about the match? It was nothing new to see matter of music. Long It was a grand, a thrilling Harry Boland in Croke ago on the rare occasions struggle. I have seen better Park, with his caman. when we had a band any and more exciting battles, Many a time has his old selections would do. but not often. For half-an- unerring stroke brought Now we must have the hour the result was in victory to the Faughs. But music that breathes of doubt, but after the interval when Michael Collins had the new spirit. And we it was plainly Dublin’s a few preliminary shots got it yesterday, and we game. Above all it was a before he started the showed our appreciation. clean match – few fouls, match yesterday we The ladies, too, have nothing unsportsmanlike. realised that he, too, had kept pace with the times. And Kilkenny took their handled a hurley before. A few years ago the few defeat just as a few years of them who patronised ago they would have taken That left-handed flying Croke Park blushed at another All-Ireland victory. double of his drew a cheer their own audacity. No wonder we are proud of as hearty as the ovation he Probably they came only our national game and of received when he set the because their husbands our players. It is not the teams going. For five or their fiances came. game of weaklings; it is the minutes the fifteen Now they come in game of soldiers. Ireland thousand spectators saw hundreds, and not to see need not fear for the future him no longer a hunted the crowd and to shriek of her manhood as long as fugitive or a Minister of at the clash of the rival hurling survives. Mr. Frank Finance, but a schoolboy camans, but to enjoy the P. Walsh, probably for this at play. And at half-time game, and they know first time, saw a classic we saw him once more Rob Mockler, and Dick struggle yesterday. Now he “on the run” – to his seat Grace, and Daly, and the will no longer wonder why on the sideline, when the rest of the favourites Cork, Tipperary, Limerick, ball came flying in his about as well as the men Clare and the other hurling direction after he had know them. counties are also the restarted the game. fighting counties.