Back in Dublin – and I’ve hardly felt like I’ve been away. The Irish Times is there on the paper stand every morning at the corner shop, and the city is the same as ever, except maybe the slowly growing roof of Aviva Stadium and the new Samuel Beckett Bridge across the Liffey.
But never mind the views – first things first! I was a bit disappointed it wasn’t a football weekend when I returned, but the hurling line-up – including Dublin and Waterford (AKA the Déise) – soon raised my expectations for Sunday afternoon.
For the past couple of years hurling has become more and more enjoyable for me. Last season I set the Dubs in my top four teams, after Galway, the Déise and Kilkenny (though Waterford should really be first in terms of their progress).
I’ve yet to pick one team to put my support behind – too many mixed feelings, I suppose. But I have no such doubts about football. It’s the green and gold of Kerry for me all the way, regardless of huge disappointment.
And no, I’m not disappointed because the Sam Maguire went to Tyrone last year. I’m disappointed because we threw it away. If the story repeats itself this year, then as God is my witness I’ll pack my bags and go home. But our big win over Dublin last week is a very good sign!
While I was away in Poland, I kept myself up-to-date with Irish news online most of the time. So I wasn’t too surprised by many of the changes that greeted me on my return, like the empty shelf at Eason on O’Connell Street left by the closure of Foinse, the Irish language weekly paper.
My opinion of what is happening in the Irish is already bad enough, it wouldn’t serve much for me to comment. Do I care? Yes, because too many journalists are being deprived of places to work. But I am not disillusioned. I know what to expect in the current climate.
And I’m already well prepared – living frugally in student accommodation with nothing on TV in the evening saves a lot of money.
– Anna Paluch
