An avid GAA supporter is appealing for help to ensure he gets a ticket to what would be his 65th All-Ireland GAA Men’s Senior Football final this weekend.
Harry Smith has been at almost all the GAA finals since seeing Galway win the Sam Maguire against Cork in 1956 and hopes to be in the crowd to watch Galway again this Sunday, this time taking on Armagh.
The 81-year-old 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.
However, Harry, who lives in Collon, Co Louth, admits that football isn’t exciting anymore and hopes the rules will change that currently allow players to pass the ball back to the goalie.
Originally from Slane, Co Meath, he won an intermediate championship medal with his local GAA club in 1968 and says Meath are his team of choice.
“But as I’ve been living in Louth for 55 years, I also follow the wee county,” he added.
“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.
He added:
As well as a GAA fan, the father-of-four also holds four All-Ireland medals for cross-country running and the former boxer has trained a number of All-Ireland champions, including Brian Grogan and Derek Hickey.
However, he believes football isn’t as exciting as it used to be to watch.
“All you really have to do these days to play football is to run. Players shouldn’t be allowed to kick the ball back to the goalie. It’s too defensive and a disaster to watch.
“In the old days, you’d catch the ball, kick it into the square and it was every man for himself. It’s just not as exciting anymore.
“I don’t mind who wins on Sunday but I’d love to be there to watch the game and feel the excitement of the crowds. And it would be great to get to my 65th final.”
