Following Dublin's 0-8 to 0-4 win against Derry back in March, Joe Brolly told 2FM's Game On that he would no longer be attending his county's games due to the brand of football being played.
I don't miss a Derry match but I refuse to go anymore. I just think it's an affront.
In that interview, where he directed that Mickey Harte should "fuck off and play behind closed doors" he also called defensive tactics "footballing myxomatosis" and identified Jim McGuinness as patient zero.
Brolly clearly had a change of heart in the interim regarding his policy for attendance of Derry games. The All-Ireland winner was at Celtic Park on Sunday to see his native county beat Down by a point. He even flagged that he would be present in his Sunday Independent column.
In spite of everything, this morning I will dig out the old number 13 shirt and go to Celtic Park with a spring in my step. Drink a few pints with old comrades beforehand. At the throw-in, the hair will rise on my neck and I will cheer until I am hoarse.
Even though it is a triumph of hope over reality, I am still prepared to take a chance.
Reevaluation regarding his stance on the current state of Gaelic football was not forthcoming however.
Gaelic football used to be an escape from the daily grind. Now, it is part of the daily grind. Formulaic, repetitive and exhausting.
Picture credit: Oliver McVeigh / SPORTSFILE
