Saturday’s game at Davitt Park between Antrim and All Ireland champions Tipperary was a spectactle with 4 goal and 46 points scored overall. Great skill and determination on show from both sides in a top class game that entertained us all.
However the day was all about Davitt’s. After all the work that Tommy Shaw and his committee have put in over the years to make their dream a reality it would have been a great shame if Storm Ciara would have spoiled the party, but thankfully she followed the female pattern of being suitabley late on her big day. The threat of the storm had no effect on the fans and they turned up in great numbers, sitting on the grass bank as if it were summer. Our visitors were fantastic. The men from Tipp were always courtious and accomodating and the way they stayed out on the pitch aftewards signing autographs and posing for photos was incredible. The All Ireland champions created a lot of good memories in West Belfast. The Antrim players also played a bit part of course and like their Tipperary counterparts they were top class. I left the field with big Seamie Callinan after the Tipperaryman had granted all requests for pics and autographs and on the way down the steps there was Neil McManus still doing the same.
The Davitt’s stewards were on top form all day, helping with every request and always beaming with pride at just how good their new pitch and facilites looked. It was their day and they rightfully proud.
These four firemen from Belfast International airport were there to see their work colleague Michael Bradley in action. They claimed they had to do all his work during the week so he would be in shape for the game 
Enda O’Sullivan from Nenagh Co Tipperary, the home town of the late Fr Alec Reid whom the cup for yesterday’s game was named after. Enda is the PRO for the Tipperary footballers who were playing Derry on Sunday in the NFL Div 3 but came up a day early to cover the hurlers because of the Fr Reid’s connection 
Ruairi Og fan Ciara Campbell stormed into Davitt’s yesterday claiming the storm was named after her. Thankfully the other Ciara held off her visit until the game was over 
These hurling fans are a hard lot. There was rumours of a storm approaching but it didn’t phase them as they sat on the grass banks watching the action 
James McNaughton breaks through for the second of his two goals 
Tommy Shaw threw the ball in so hard that it beat the Tipperary and Antrim midfielders
