Armagh_paul
Well-Known Member
If you were sat at home watching Armagh or one of your other sports teams lose in the last seconds of a game, how do you react?
Honest answers, it is for my research
Honest answers, it is for my research
There are two defeats that really hurt, because they were games we lost so late.
One of them was the 2005 semi. It always hurts to lose in the last seconds, but the fact that it was an AI semi was doubly worse, and the fact it was themmuns made it 100 times worse.
The other one was the 1992 minor final. I don’t know why but that one seems to annoy me more that 2005. Maybe it was because I was an impressionable youngster (was only in my mid-40’s then). Also, Armagh football was in the doldrums for years, and this was the biggest thing to happen in my lifetime. The fact that I knew one of the lads on the team, and these lads were probably locals to most of us, and to see what they did, putting the county back on the map. 1992 was a great summer, those lads faces were plastered everywhere. We had it in our grasp, and it was so cruelly taken away.
I’m still not over it. Nor 2005.
Which bit?
As a young buck, the 1980 semi final traumatized me badly. One of our best Armagh teams, flew through Ulster and were looking good at half time against the Rossies. As discussed on a previous thread, the wheels came off as a result of an injury to Colm McKinstry compounded by a terrible positional change in taking Brian Hughes out of the full forward line. In the end a 7 point lead at the start of the second half was whittled down to a 6 point defeat. I was shattered-at that young age I couldn't quite process what happened in front of me that day and felt sick to the stomach.There are two defeats that really hurt, because they were games we lost so late.
One of them was the 2005 semi. It always hurts to lose in the last seconds, but the fact that it was an AI semi was doubly worse, and the fact it was themmuns made it 100 times worse.
The other one was the 1992 minor final. I don’t know why but that one seems to annoy me more that 2005. Maybe it was because I was an impressionable youngster (was only in my mid-40’s then). Also, Armagh football was in the doldrums for years, and this was the biggest thing to happen in my lifetime. The fact that I knew one of the lads on the team, and these lads were probably locals to most of us, and to see what they did, putting the county back on the map. 1992 was a great summer, those lads faces were plastered everywhere. We had it in our grasp, and it was so cruelly taken away.
I’m still not over it. Nor 2005.
I remember watching the Donegal match after our defeat in 92, and while I was supporting Donegal, I was just numb during the match.That 1992 final-I was living in the states at the time. All through that summer, my Dad constantly kept me updated about that team and their progress. I remember him always been very enthused about 'young McGrane. Just through those phone calls, I could tell this team had ignited huge interest and excitement. I set out in the early hours of that morning trying to reach the Abbey Pub in Chicago in time to watch the game. Got delayed badly and got into the place just in time to see the Meath goal. The place was packed to the rafters with Donegal folk, and to be fair, a huge groan of disappointment went up from them all when Meath scored-they were genuinely gutted to see us lose. All I could think about was the disappointment there was back home. Mighty craic afterwards though when Donegal won-took bit of the edge off.
Jeez Pat, that's a sad picture.I remember watching the Donegal match after our defeat in 92, and while I was supporting Donegal, I was just numb during the match.
I remember looking at the many Armagh flags (a lot were the old flags from 1977), particularly in the old Canal End, waving out Donegal onto the pitch and cheering them on. And I remember thinking, how does all the Armagh fans have the mental strength to wave them, after we were cruelly beaten just minutes before. I would have been on the steps of the old Canal End, lying sobbing in the foetal position, surrounded by half-eaten ham sandwiches and empty water bottles bouncing off my head. I still think that way even if I see footage of it now, nearly 30 years later.
Feck sake, who started this thread anyway? I need another therapy session. You may give me a lift when you’re going @ragingbull