There are several rules one
should abide by in order to have a good time and make sure you go down well
with the natives whilst having a book launch in Cork.
Never side with anyone with the surname De Valera (making
sure to mention the knife he had lodged in Michael Collins back.)
Never side with anyone in the footballing fraternity with
the surname McCarthy. It may have been one man leaving Saipan and we did fine
without him but try telling the Rebel Army that Mick was in the right over Mr
Keane.
Most importantly – when a Corkman asks for a pint of
stout you NEVER buy him anything with the surname of Guinness!
My visit to our nearest neighbours last Friday was a joy.
Over 3,500 had turned up at Turners Cross earlier in the night to see Tommy
Dunne’s side fall behind to an early goal, only to overcome a stubborn Longford
Town team to eventually win 3-1. At
half-time I presented City’s Chairman with a copy of the book and was well received.
Having mentioned Esther & Deirdre of Bobs Catering in the book I was thrown
a hug of elation for keeping to my promise of sticking it in the book and
witnessed a phone call to Bob from the chipper whilst an annoyed 60-something
frowned on me holding up proceedings, thus delaying his salad burger.
The Evergreen is a REAL football pub. Though there are
four different bars surrounding Turners Cross and all supporting the Rebel
Army, it has the real feel of it. Memorabilia on the wall. City scarf’s and
shirts adorning the bar and the Top Four Trophy, a highly competitive trophy
played for (no prizes for guessing here folks) back in the day the now proudly
rests behind the counter.
Though my book was a reason to pop your head in the door,
I wasn’t fooling myself who the real star was. Damien Richardson is revered in
the city by the Lee. Having left the club after many arguments with clubs
owners in the mid-nineties “Rico” came back to lead Cork City to the 2005
League of Ireland Championship, taking the title of the last day of the season
with a 2-0 win over Derry City in front of 8,000 at Turners Cross. It would be
the last competitive game in front of The Shed – could Cork City have ever wished
for an ending with a bigger fairytale ....well perhaps only if Roy Keane had
been in the starting eleven.
After Damien spoke, a couple of fans had a Q & A, I
got up to do my little bit.
I didn’t say much...I didn’t need to
“It’s lovely to be here in the People’s Republic of Cork”
I must have sold another 10 books on the back of that!
But I genuinely meant it. Cork people are, well, so damn
nice! From rounds of drink being shouted, and looked after, by the owners, to
being ushered into the corner of Dave Barry, Theo Dunne and Jackie Morley as
they talked about glorious days gone by.
Before I left I ordered Plunkett Carter & Gerry
Desmond..two great clubs historians a stout ... I bought Guinnness .... I was
soon corrected...the whole night could have tumbled in on me!
I’m ashamed to say I let drink behind me...but only long
after closing time.
I can’t wait to come back!
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