From Wales to Croke Park by the grace of God

WHEN a person sets their heart on witnessing a sporting event as legendary as the All-Ireland final, nothing can deter them, and in true dedicated fashion, Kieran Keogh, an ardent Limerick fan residing in Wales, embarked on a remarkable adventure to witness Sunday's iconic sporting event, no matter the obstacle in his way.

Hailing from Woodlawn Park on the Ballysimon Road but currently teaching in the UK, Kieran's journey commenced at the crack of dawn, a clock reading 5am, as he rushed to the airport, having secured a last-minute ticket to the highly sought-after match.

The destination was Dublin, and with eager anticipation, he arrived at Bristol Airport with ample time before the 9:15am flight departure. However, fate had other plans in store. A disheartening announcement resonated through the terminal, signalling a three-hour delay that threatened to dash the hopes of not just Kieran, but other fervent Limerick supporters eagerly awaiting their boarding call.

As the hours dragged on, another crushing blow fell upon them - an additional hour's delay. Anxiety surged among the Treatymen as the realisation dawned that they might miss the long-awaited clash of the ash.

The plane touched down on Irish soil with only 45 minutes before Cian Lynch and his team-mates were to take to the field.

Now in a race against the clock, sprinting through the corridors of Dublin Airport, they focused solely on reaching the grounds. “We were going to make it by hook or by crook,” stated the Limerick-native.

With a taxi driver who, according to Kieran, “put his foot down,” to get them to the venue, the sporting fan landed at the Hogan Stand as the team paraded onto the hallowed pitch signifying the commencement of what would soon become a four-in-a-row win for Kiely's team. And that's when the tension really set in!