Inside Track: How Charlie would have loved Leinster Final day

Memories were revived and tears shed on the day of the Leinster senior final. For many of the older Louth set, the win of 1957 came into focus.

For others, it was the occasion, the magnificent parade, the game and the result. At times, it was near impossible to avoid becoming emotional.

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Just what would Charlie McAlister have made of it all can only be imagined by those who knew of his association with teams over the years and his passion for the Wee County.

No one in the near-66,000 at Croke Park had a poor view of what was unfolding on the field – it’s that kind of stadium, that no matter where you’re positioned, you see everything,

Charlie, however, had probably the best seat of all, watching from on high. What he must have made of it can be easily guessed. He was in Croker on many of the disappointing days, nothing to compare with early July 2010.

The semi-final win that year was special. It gave Louth a place in the provincial final for the first time in half a century, and supporters wanted to celebrate by being out on the field immediately after the full-time whistle.

The heavies said no – no encroaching on to the field. (It was like that on Sunday week last, and what a shame. It’s one of the great sights to see thousands on the field forming a semi-circle around the presentation area, their county’s colours flying high.)

But that day, after the defeat of Westmeath, Charlie was determined to throw an arm around Paddy Keenan and his team. The heavies were having nothing of it; a couple of them brought Charlie to the ground.

“Get away from me”, said Charlie, “we built this place”, which was a reference to the time in 1913 when the returns from a tournament final in which Louth played Kerry were so great, the GAA was able to purchase the grounds, which is now Croke Park.

Charlie went relatively unscathed because on hand was Séamus O’Hanlon. The Clansman, who had also broken the cordon, made sure what was shaping like a most unequal battle would go Charlie’s way.

My thoughts were with Charlie as the teams paraded the length of the field, winning the adoration of all in red-and-white. He’d have been in his glory being among the players, and if still in the post of kitman, which he held for years, would have enjoyed it even more.

Let’s hope there’s a Croker ringside seat for him on further occasions this year.