I usually get myself all worked up about these games, so much so that I can't even go to them sometimes. This time however I have used my years of experience to take a different approach. I am just going to go and enjoy the whole experience and hope we can get a win to make it that bit more special. Most of my previous memories of Clones involved plenty of pints and craic with a smattering of football thrown in to the mix for good measure. I was still playing then and knew most of the boys on the team. Now I will be bringing my own kids and the good lady and although I might manage a sneaky pint for old times sake, it will be all about spending special time with the family, about making memories.
As a generation we were very lucky to experience the great days of Armagh football and in particular Clones. The Athletic Grounds were being renovated at the time so Clones was used for our home games and it became so familiar. In hindsight it probably helped us as we were so used to it. I used to get a strange feeling after the provincial series was over as it was the end of the Clones trips for another year. Even worse was driving through it on a rainy day in November and thinking about the sunshine and pints.
So I will regale the family in the car about the great days we had and the massive crowds, in fairness they won't be listening but I will tell them anyway. I would love if this was the start of another golden age for Armagh, everyone deserves that experience. I just hope my kids have a few less pints than me when they are old enough.
On the game itself, I truly have no idea how it will go. We have the team to do it, we know that, it's just can they string two good performances together? We will play our part, we always do. Armagh supporters have no issues with consistency, we have no problem string good performances together. So let's go out there today and do what ever we can to add to the occasion and get behind the team. We could be the difference and with the game being played in our old friend maybe it is written in the stars. The next generation deserve to live the Clones dream too.
Oh and.................... C'Mon Armagh!!!!!!!!