Once upon a time there was a Kingdom in North Leinster proud of its GAA history and while never setting the world alight did strike fear in most ememies. They won the title of Champions of Ireland in 1939, 54 and 67 but then a Little Gereral called Sean of Dunboyne (The Wizard) was given the title of commander in chief of the armies and he who was famous for herbs and potions gained 4 more successes in a 12 year peroid '87,'88,'96 and '99. Things flagged a bit but as different men where tried as Sean of Dunboyne stepped down after 23 years, Eamon lasted a year and then Colm of Seneschalstown stepped in but without success.

It looked as if an outsider Luke from somewhere to the South would step in but just as it appeared he might ascend to the throne he was beaten off at the last minute and Eamon the Lucky was appointed to the hot seat.

Eamon was regarded as Lucky but had guided Meath to a title and the good subjects of the Royal Kingdom where happy to give him a chance and in the Great Tournament. He josted his way to a semi Final via the back door and the following year managed to lead the Royal Kingdom to silverware The Delany Cup as neighbours Louth lost out in as dramatic a fashion as Cu Cuaillain had defeated Fheridia a short time before over the almost as important Brown Bull of Cooley.

In the Autumn early Winter when all great changes occur Eamon the Lucky was not so Lucky when the Royal Subjects gathered and voted him out.

Anyway the serch went out for a new commander and Liam of Moynalvey was favourite having Guided the sleeping giants from the Hill of Tara to victory in the Local Tournament in October and was regarded by all as a good leader.

Liam of Moynalvey had been part of Sean of Dunboyne's set up and his Broad Shoulders had held the Royal set up together on the Tournament field many times and have the respect of most of the Royal Subjects............ To be continued

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 204 - 30/10/2011 15:14:31    1060555

Perhaps if we went down on bended knee and apologised for the shameful way we treated the one you call Eamonn, and promise never ever to do anything like that again he might just take us back, he's our only hope....

Ex_Pat (USA) - Posts: 186 - 30/10/2011 15:43:29    1060573

u r an attention seeker

lifebuoy (Cavan) - Posts: 628 - 30/10/2011 15:49:11    1060581

Meanwhile to the North of the Kingdom of Meath the Territory of Farney had battled hard to gain a Title and while in the past had won the Champion of the Red Hand but in recent times had no trophies to show. They had an outspoken leader with a nick name most Fowl and he had done great work in rising the Farney Star. He had overcome a major obsticle in becoming their Leader and as he came from the South end of the Territory had overcome the Northern Earls of the strongholds of Castleblaney Scotstown and Clontribret to Lead the Farneys for 7 years.

He too was removed not unlike Eamon the Lucky by the Farney hordes and he cast his eye south wards to the vacant seat in the Royal. He managed to get on the short list but was not considered a likely contender as Liam of Moynalvey was on everyones lips.

He traveled a few times to the Great Fortress of Tailteann to meet with the hireachry in the Royal Kingdom travelling by different routes at times through anotherland the Kingdom of Breffni but the bridge at Boyneabout South of the Garrison town of Dun na Ri collasped and while it was announced that it was because of the Heavier Horses now used to carry goods to the Capital the word locally was that some of the North Meath Clans did not want him traveling that way through their lands.

The North Meath Clans where wary of these visits and they where suspicious of anything that came from Farney and while the ex Farney leader was from west of the towns of Carickmacross and Crossmaglen the had a saying of people from that area. 'From Carrickmacross to Crossmaglen their are more villians than honest men'

Banty made himself know to the elders of the Royal Court and had a plan. He had noticed that Meathmen in the past bore great strong limbs wiith muscely legs and Broad Fore Arms but in recent times this had disappeared and He had a man from Further North in the Kingdom of ONeill had could restore this trait. He also had anotheR Ulster man Paul from Armagh who it was fabled knew all about Gaeilic Games that telling him anything about the Games was like throwing Apples into an Orchard.

The Farney man knew he needed a Royal helper to have a chance to replace Eamon the Lucky and he travelled to the Medivial Town of Trim to meet Liam of Moynalvey to see could he get him on his team, knowing too that time was running out as the Royals needed a leader in place befoe the Spring Games.......To be Continued

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 204 - 30/10/2011 18:36:29    1060681

Is this guy looking for a book deal ?? Cause he won't get one

swansong (Meath) - Posts: 94 - 30/10/2011 20:32:51    1060760

Following the meeting in the Medivial Town of Trim where Liam of Moynalvey and the Ulster Cheiftan known as Banty a pact of convience was formed. The Meath man was unsure that while he had competed well in the Local Tournament's and had watched Sean the Wizard in Action he wondered how he would fare outside the Royal Kingdom in the Bigger Tournaments. He was also excited by Banty's ready made team of Paul of the Orchard and Marty from the Red Hand Country of O'Neill most especally was curious in how Meath men would emerge from the promised Harsh Winter with stronger Legs, Flat Hard Stomachs and the Return of the Broad Fore Arms as he had been of this Kit and Kin when he himself was a collasses in the Armies of Sean of Dunboyne. Banty too was happy as he headed back to the Kingdom of Farney as the 2nd part of his plan was now a reality and while he still had to gain favour of the Royal Subjects of Tailteann he was confident with Liam of Moynalvey as his helper he had a great chance.

Late in the moon of Samhain a meeting was called by the Elders of the Royal Kingdom to decide who would be the Leader for the Tournaments of the year Two Thousand and Eleven and a great debate ensued with certain factors for and others still totally against. King Barney held court well and the Scribes of far and wide took notes with the Fine Quills. Banty indeed was well know to the Scribes and he regularly held court with them while in Change of the Farney's and was know as a man who spoke his mind.

The Debate went long into the night and with the word of the Harshest Winter on record looming and the nearing of closing times in the Local Taverns and Ale Houses near their homes the Royal subjects pushed for a vote on the matter and Banty (Also know as Seamus of Corduff or Seamus of the Puffed Chest) , Liam of Moynalvey, Marty of the Red Hand and Paul of the Orchard with the proviso that another Subject of the Royal Kingdom would also come on board where given the task to led the Royals into the Great Tournament's when Winter had passed.

The Royal Subjects left Tailteann cheering 'Hail Banty (and Liam) our New Leader(s) happy in the knowledge that they would be home before the Snows came and of course before the Taverns closed as Yule tide was almost upon them....... To be Continued.

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 204 - 31/10/2011 10:07:20    1060859

Your tales of honour, heroism and disappointment surrounding our kingdom intrigue me great scholar. Do go on...

Selwyn (Meath) - Posts: 195 - 31/10/2011 13:00:42    1060928

Ha Ha ..... "Seamus of the puffed chest" :)

brilliant stuff,

keep them coming!

NAIL_BAR (Meath) - Posts: 457 - 31/10/2011 14:00:16    1060963

Sir Types-a-lot, You are indeed a Nobleman and a Scholor and a Prince among men! May the forces or the Gods be with you.

Boarderboy (Meath) - Posts: 92 - 31/10/2011 15:08:56    1060993

So it came to pass that an outsider the 1st ever (Although Luke from somewhere to the South had come close) was to lead the Royals and with the on set of the most severe Snows and Frosts ever to hit the land Seamus called all the Royal warriors to Tailteann to comense the special training that Marty of the Red Hand was to deliver. Liam of Moynalvey was an interested and willing student and watched with great enthusism as the training unfolded.

With Yule Tide closing in the Royal Subjects made merry and huddled in the Traverns and meeting houses and idle chatter as to what cost this great change in Royal Football would cost but the Knights of the Top table had been all almost to a man reinstated at the Convention held outside Navan in the Palace of Simonstown.

Seamus also announced that a Tournament would be ran close to the Fine Castle in the Town of Trim where Royal would fight Royal and people could pay Gold and Silver coin to watch these great Warriors in action and they would wear White Collars and no armour.

This entriged the Royal Subjects and with Marty of the Red Hand training methods aclaimed to be progressing well they flocked in great numbers to the Ford of Bridge of the Knights in Trim to watch the event. This indeed was a great success and there was no doubt that the Royal Warriors indeed seemed to responding to the new training methods. The Royal Subjects headed away from Trim happy and with the New Year celebrations next on the list to look forward to the Traverns and Ale Houses of the Royal Kingdom where busy but it was noticed that in the Medivial Town of Trim there was no Firework Celebrations that Year as the Harsh Winter and the down turn in the ecomony began to hit home.

Around that time Barry the 2nd Earl of Dun Doire (the 1st was Tommy Dowd) was installed as the 2nd Royal helper and this pleased all as Barry like Liam of Moynalvey possesed a Celtic Cross something that Banty or indeed any one from the Kingdom of Farney had in their posession..... (except their womenfolk)......To be Continued......

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 204 - 31/10/2011 15:37:29    1061008

excellent.

lilywhite1 (Kildare) - Posts: 2973 - 31/10/2011 16:36:09    1061041

Is that you Blackadder?

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 31/10/2011 17:12:27    1061050

All seemed well in Tailteann as Barry of Dun Doire settled in and him and Liam of Moynalvey being natives of the Royal County had a close assocation. They did notice that Banty did ask them to bring their Celtic Crosses with them to the trainings in Tailteann and liked to look at them and seemed very interested in these items. This unsettled Barry of Dun Doire and Liam of Moynalvey and they gaurded these prize possessions closely and at times left them in their homesteads and did not bring them to Tailteann.

The Royal Subjects still wondered of the cost of all this Training and although costings appeared in Parchments of the Day written by the Fine Purvoyers of the Quill and this seemed to please all. Banty too had announced that no Expedition to the Warm Lands would take place which at that time was common among other Kingdoms and indeed had taken place under Eamon the Lucky.

This was regarded as good bonding for the Warriors but Banty wisely stated that no such trips would take place and if they did it would be maybe on the Sabbath and/or the day before the Sabbath and would be held in the Royal Kingdom (or very close to it). He also said that went the Great Tournaments occured usually the weather was not that hot.

Again the Elders and the Royal Subjects where happy to hear this as the down turn was on everyones mind.

Soon the Spring Tournaments was close and the Great Warrior Fiach McHugh OByrne of South Leinster put up a Trophy for the Leinster Kingdoms to play for. He taught it was a long a name and spoke to Lord Kildare and Diarmuid McMurrough and while Lord Kildare 'cursed and sweared' they agreed to call it the O'Byrne Cup. Fiach had hoped that maybe when the Tournament was on he might get a few lads to 'Follow him up to Carlow'. Fiach did not really worry about Gaelic Games and was more into Cock Fighting.

The Kings of Leinster made a decision to allow 'certain gatherings of scholars' later known as 3rd level Institutions' into the competition and this took some warriors away from the Kingdoms but they still had plenty to work with. Banty, Liam, Barry, Marty and Paul put out teams and won a game and lost afew but nobody really noticed and at the end of the Tournament someone won it but nobody really remembers. Banty was glad this Tornament was over and never did follow anyone up to Carlow and kept well away from Fiach............. to be continued

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 204 - 31/10/2011 18:03:20    1061078

The Real Spring Tournament was nigh and it was announced The Royals where ready but still where working hard with Marty of the Red Hand on a severe training regime and this might affect them in the Early Part of the Year. The Royals opponants in the Spring where the Men of Tir Connall, The Yeats men from the Shadow of Ben Bulben and The men from Marty's home Kingdom the Red Hand O'Neills who where all to be welcomed to Tailteann for games.

While the Royals had to travel to the Slieve Blooms to take on the men of O'Moore, a short trip past the Curragh to the Lilly White Knights of the Short Grass County.

Also They then had two trips outside the Province (although the Royals at that time had their own province called Meath but had no real opposition here as to the West there was another Meath with West added to it and a part of Biffo land around the Bog of Allen was all it included) The GAA decided to do away with the province of Meath and call the whole lot Leinster. It would leave in handy for Semi finals.

Sorry about that little history lesson but the Royals also had to travel North to the Glens of Antrim not such a long jorney as it used to be with the new Highway completed and again a trip North to the Oak Leaf County.

Murmors of unease came from the Great Palace of Tailteann but people said it was just rumour and nobody passed much remarks as the Subjects of the Royal Kingdom where eager for a win on the Highways as Eamon the Lucky in the previous year had made Taileann a great fortress and had defeated all comers in the 4 Spring Games but had lost all 3 games on the Highway's and Byeway's for that matter.

Banty had drawn a short straw in only 3 home jolsts but He, Paul of the Orchard, Marty of the Red Hand and the two Royal helpers had good hopes as had the Elders and the Royal Subjects and the shout went up let the Games begin...............to be continued

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 204 - 31/10/2011 18:04:21    1061080

We will have to put this book of tales on tonight's bonfires. And maybe a halloween version of a Cavan scarecrow to represent the author!

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 31/10/2011 18:41:00    1061095

This indeed Glasagusoir is a true tale and a couple of footnotes are Eamon the Lucky was in certain areas now been refered to as Eamon the Unlucky. Fiach McHugh OByrne was dissappointed with the Crack in Carlow and went to the Final of his Cup was seen talking to another man of Ulster and the word was that it was to do with the Flight of the Earls from Lough Swilly later that year. And while cock fighting was not popular in Meath it was known to take place in parts of Ulster.

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 204 - 31/10/2011 19:10:21    1061113

If noelpconnon could illustrate his allegorical narrative then it could be called the Gaelic football version of the Book of Kells.

lilywhite1 (Kildare) - Posts: 2973 - 31/10/2011 19:17:47    1061120

He better hurry up and finish the story. There is a winter publishing ban which comes into force from midnight. Penning these sordid tales thereafter is punishable with knuckledusters.

GlasagusOr (Meath) - Posts: 1348 - 31/10/2011 20:05:22    1061155

Tis a mighty long tale and I hope t'will be suited now the the long dark nights which are upon us........ Throw another log on the fire Wench.... Right now I must go and hunt some deer as I am low on ink and vittles and the young 'uns need feeding.

noelpconnon (Cavan) - Posts: 204 - 31/10/2011 21:09:24    1061194

Boarderboy

Sir Types-a-lot, You are indeed a Nobleman and a Scholor and a Prince among men! May the forces or the Gods be with you.

Think your missing whole point here, 'Sir' hadn't come to to the Kingdom of Midhe yet. This is the stuff of a High King, chieftains, taoisigh etc. Penned by Monk scribes. Not Robin Hood

rath_togh (Meath) - Posts: 740 - 01/11/2011 12:16:14    1061344