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Willie McHugh
HOW appropriate they picked this game to reopen McHale Park. Because, in truth, Mayo’s 2012 championship debut was no more than a glorified pitch opening.
At least those events offered the prospect of a decent challenge match to follow the pomp and ceremony. They were perceived as ‘a pointer to the form’ as those in the know like to call it. A chance to look over a few of the fringe players, so to speak.
But Sunday’s game was as useless to both Mayo and Leitrim as a receipt from a pickpocket. The difference in league rankings was clearly evident even during the unwrapping. Leitrim blew up an early head of steam but Mayo petered it out handy enough.
There was no Rosanna Davidson shortcut around this one. As a contest it went into a coma on twenty-one minutes when Alan Freeman rifled to the roof of the Leitrim net. And it died without last rites when Donal Vaughan soloed upfield in the 30th minute before leaving the embroidering of Mayo’s second goal to Andy Moran.
By that stage those who succumbed to a wager on the bookmaker’s 18/1 odds on Leitrim were realising that a fool and his money are easily parted.
Before throw-in the apron of the main stand resembled a mannequins’ day out with all the suits and casual attire on display. In fairness, Taoiseach Enda Kenny did his bit warming the crowd with a passionate speech, especially pitched for a hometown occasion in Mayo’s main sporting arena.
But, on a weekend when Mayo failed to light one middlin’ bonfire on Bonfire Night, the championship billing that followed was never going to fully ignite either.
Walking down McHale Road about 1.30pm we garnered that notion for ourselves.
The mood was sombre and some patrons approached the ground with the enthusiasm of someone going to the dentist. It was as if the match result was a foregone conclusion. It probably was to everyone except perhaps the brave lads flying the ‘Leitrim for Sam’ banner at the Bacon Factory End.
There’s optimism for you at a time when the towel is already in the ring.
The saviour of the day was the man driving the public address. His lot is normally a mundane enough gig. Save for announcing the teams and substitutes, a lost child awaiting collection behind the main stand, a car causing obstruction or welcoming a few dignitaries on a good day, not much else by way of jerking a crowd pleaser happens on his watch
But on Sunday in McHale Park, Tommy Moran stumbled upon a right gem entirely. Some concerned citizen brought it to his attention that a fellow match-goer had left the keys on the roof of their car. What their rush was we’ll never know, but Tommy must have rubbed his hands in glee on receiving this notification.
And well he might because the announcement generated the biggest laugh of the day in McHale Park. Even the linesman on the near side had a giggle to himself and unless the sun was in our eyes it seemed the little elephant perched up beside the media tower shook her head in amazement at such a woeful memory lapse. One woman walking down the aisle of the stand dived for immediate cover on hearing Tommy’s alert in case she was regarded as the culprit.
Patrons left the revamped McHale Park wondering why they hadn’t opted for the festival in Westport House or given another turn to the hay in the far field. Mayo did everything that was expected of them and so did Leitrim by turning up.
And hopefully the mad dash by the fella who left the keys on the roof of his car will be justified the next day we tog again.
