An avid GAA supporter is off to his 65th All-Ireland Men’s Senior Football final after securing a ticket with a little help from his friends.
Harry Smith has been at almost all the GAA finals since seeing Galway win the Sam Maguire against Cork in 1956 and will now take his seat in the Upper Hogan Stand on Sunday.
The 81- year old said getting a ticket for this final was “the hardest challenge ever” in all his years obtaining the golden passes but added that he is “thrilled”.
The ticket was secured after friends John Heverin, owner of his local pub, Donegan’s in Collon, and bartender Brian Kelly did everything possible to get Harry to the final.
“We rang everyone, and eventually I got a number for someone who was brilliant, once I explained how Harry was a huge fan of GAA football and has attended hundreds of matches nationwide of every county and club team possible over the years,” Brian said.
“The man, who wants to remain anonymous, said to leave it with him and, in fairness, was back to me with a ticket which was purchased between myself and John as a gift to Harry. We are just delighted that we were able to help, and we will see him going now to his 65th All-Ireland final.
“He is like a GAA memory man. Any match and he would nearly tell you the score line and all the players in any year.”
Harry himself said that he wasn’t going to give up hope of a ticket until the end.
“Everyone who I would normally get tickets from just couldn’t get their hands on one for me. I didn’t lose hope. I was going to go up to Dublin on the day and see if I could buy one up there.
“I’m thrilled that Brian and Joe went out of their way to find me one, and I’m so grateful. It was definitely the hardest year to get a ticket. It was almost impossible. It was easier to get tickets to see Dublin against Kerry.
“I’m looking forward to it now. I’ll have a bit of breakfast and get the bus up on Sunday. I’ll have a pint before the match and two after it. It’ll be a tight game and I don’t think I’d like to call it.”
As well as finals, Harry has also attended seven replays, 42 All Ireland Hurling Finals and 32 Ladies All-Ireland finals but admits he didn’t look for a ticket to this year’s Clare and Cork Hurling Clash.
He has also witnessed seven counties – Louth, Offaly, Down, Derry, Donegal, Tyrone and Armagh win the Sam Maguire for the first time over the years.
“I’m not a one-trick pony, I’m a real GAA man and I go to as many games, involving all counties, as I can,” he said.
“I’m originally from Slane, Co. Meath where I won an intermediate championship medal with the GAA club there in 1968, so I follow Meath around the country, but as I’ve been living in Louth for 55 years, I also follow the wee county.
“My wife laughs that because I go to so many matches that if I didn’t turn up at one, it wouldn’t be played.
“I watched my first final at the age of 14 when I saw Galway beat Cork in 1956. I’ve only missed the finals since in 1972, 1980 and of course in 2020 because of Covid-19.
“I’ve got to know many of the legends over the years. I’m good friends with Brian Dooher and the likes of Colm the Gooch Cooper who I’d both class as some of the best footballers I’ve ever seen along with Sean O’Neill of Down, Jack of Shea of Kerry, Dublin’s Bernard Brogan and Brian Fenton and Stephen O’Neill of Tyrone.
