Feile Fever (10 page)

A
short time later, as Todd and his parents raced across town in a taxi, the Under-Fourteen's Division 1 final had just started.

Mick had taken Jimmy's advice and told all the players that Todd was on his way. This had really helped Danny's morale, and he was determined not to let his team down as he
battled
for every loose ball.

There was a tremendous crowd in the stadium – it was packed full. Most were supporters from both teams, and some were people who had stayed on from earlier games, and the rest of the numbers were made up from GAA enthusiasts who just came down to see the division 1 final –
the big one!

Todd's absence had definitely weakened the side. Little John Watson was playing his heart out in Todd's place, but he was no match in either strength or skill for Chapel Hall's centre half back.

Chapel Hall was leading with a score of 0-3 to 0-1 when suddenly Mick's phone rang.

Mick had a golden rule, never to answer his phone during GAA business. Normally he'd have its volume turned down, and though he'd left it on this one time, he was so wrapped up in the match that he didn't hear it at first.

Jimmy nudged Mick.

‘Your phone!'

‘Not now Jimmy – the match!'

‘It might be about Todd.'

Mick had completely forgotten! As he answered his phone, Jimmy was all ears!

‘That's great!' cheered Mick. ‘Yeah! It's almost half time. Get him in as quick as you can. I'll send Jimmy out to yiz.'

Mick hung up.

‘Nice one, Mick,' Jimmy was rubbing his hands in delight. ‘Oh no! They're after scoring another point.'

‘Todd's outside, Jimmy,' interrupted Mick.

Jimmy turned on his heel and hurried to the exit – the Crokes really needed Todd now.

Jimmy came back up the line with Todd just as the referee blew the half time whistle.

Chapel Hall was leading, 0-4 to 0-1.

Mick called his team over. They were thrilled to see Todd.

Danny walked straight over to Todd.

‘Alright, Todd!'

Todd put his hand out and Danny shook it.

‘Sorry mate!' said Todd, ‘I shouldn't have picked a fight with ya. I was jealous, because you and Mick spend so much time together, and he watches your games …'

‘I'm sorry too, Todd,' said Danny.

‘Enough of that you two,' smiled Jimmy. ‘Listen up!'

Mick looked straight at Little John Watson.

‘Good game, John,' said Mick. ‘Do you mind if I put Todd on for the second half?'

Little John shook his head.

‘I don't mind, your man has my back in bits from climbing all over me.' Then he turned to Todd. ‘Sort him out for me, Todd!'

‘Will do, mate,' smiled Todd.

Unusually, Mick Wilde didn't have too many words of wisdom for his players. Like Larry had said on the Little Croker the day before – it was all about getting to the final. That was the big achievement.

Crokes started the second half of the final match in the County Féile just three points behind Chapel Hall.

They needed a goal if they were to claw them back.

Danny did his best to get the ball up to Todd, but Chapel Hall's defence had really gelled together and they kept the Crokes in their own half for most of the second half of the game.

Only for Crokes' two centre backs playing their hearts out and keeping Chapel Hall from scoring, it would have been the end of the road for Mick's team.

With only a few minutes left on the clock, Crokes had a free kick just inside Chapel Hall's half. Danny stepped up to take it.

Mick turned to the crowd to get them going.

Todd looked over into the stand behind Mick and Jimmy. He caught a glimpse of his parents.

They were waving at him.

Todd turned his attention back to the game.

Danny kicked the ball out wide to his right full forward, Jason Delaney.

Jason lost the ball to his marker, but then bravely won it back for Crokes when he dived at the Chapel Hall's number four and blocked his clearance with his hands.

The ball flew across into the path of Jonathon who had followed Danny's free kick. Jonathon clipped it up into his hands and kicked a perfect pass to Todd who was running towards him.

Todd decided it was time to turn on a bit of magic and show his team mates what he could really do. As his marker closed in on him, Todd turned and sprinted toward goal. The Chapel Hall number six couldn't get near him. Todd fisted the ball to Doyler, who then skillfully fisted it over his marker's head and back into Todd's path.

Todd collected the ball and took one good look at the goal. He took three more paces, dropped the ball, onto his left foot and swerved it around Chapel Hall's keeper.

GOAL!

The whole of the Crokes' section of the
stadium
erupted into cheers and roars of approval.

Todd went on a celebratory run back toward his captain and he and Danny and Jonathon danced in triumph.

Mick couldn't stay easy on the line. He kept looking at his watch and asking Jimmy if he knew how much time was left.

Jimmy was shaking like a leaf. If Mick Wilde was nervous then Jimmy Murphy was hysterically nervous.

Mick noticed the referee looking at his watch too.

‘It's nearly up, Jimmy,' said Mick.

‘Come on the Crokes!' shouted Jimmy. ‘One more point and we have it!'

Those words were like a curse to Crokes as Paul Kiely, Crokes' right half forward, lost the ball to Chapel Hall's left half back. The Chapel Hall number seven sent a long pass up the line to his left half forward who turned Croke's Darren Ward and kicked a low pass into his centre full forward.

‘I don't like the looks of this, Jimmy,' cried Mick.

Now Jimmy was shouting to the referee to blow his whistle.

Chapel Hall's number fourteen stared straight at the Crokes goal and kicked the ball over for a point.

‘Nooooo!' screamed the Crokes' fans, as the Chapel Hall supporters went wild.

The referee looked at his watch one last time, and to Mick and Jimmy and their team and all the Crokes' supporters' disappointment, he blew the whistle. Chapel Hall were County Féile Champions.

Danny bravely held back the tears as he watched the Chapel Hall captain lift the cup.

Todd threw his arm around Danny.

‘Sorry if I let you down, Danny. I should have been here for the first half.'

Scott and Sarah were walking toward them.

‘It's sound, Todd,' smiled Danny. ‘You're a deadly player. We probably wouldn't have got to the final without you.'

‘Thanks, Danny,' smiled Todd.

‘You should make up with your da,' said Danny.

‘I will,' said Todd, and then he walked over to meet his parents and gave them both a hug.

Danny could see that the warmth they used
to have as a family had returned.

Danny looked over to Mick who was running around patting all of his players on the
shoulders
and giving hugs to the ones that were really upset.

Todd's right
, thought Danny,
he is a great father, and a great coach.

Just as Danny was jogging over to them, Todd turned and called out to him.

‘Hey! Danny, mate? Trinity's crazy about ya mate. All she did was talk about you all night!'

Danny smiled and gave Todd a big thumbs up.

Then the Littlestown Crokes' captain joined the rest of his team-mates in their last few moments on this magnificent pitch, knowing in his mind that this was a big day that the team from the Little Croker would never forget.

JOE O’BRIEN is an award-winning gardener who lives in Ballyfermot, Dublin. He is the author of the first book about GAA player, Danny Wilde,
Little Croker
. He is also the author of the popular
Alfie
Green series for younger readers.

Have you read the first book about GAA player Danny Wilde?

Little Croker
by Joe O’Brien

Available in all good bookshops or from
www.obrien.ie