The All Ireland Hurling Final at Croke Park saw the official launch of The Gathering 2013 and if Ireland as a country could deliver ten per cent of the excitement and emotion that the Minor and Senior Finals served up then surely nobody who does ‘come back’ will be disappointed.
An attendance greater than that at the Olympic Stadium in London saw the first draw in a Senior Final since 1959 after a game that swung one way, then the other, saw massive hits and missed frees but which was ultimately decided by the last attacking puck of the game.
From a sporting perspective it was as fair as the draw in the minor game that preceded it.  From a financial perspective for the GAA it was golden.
The revenue from a full house replay would exceed €5 million, or €2,500 for every GAA Club in the country though a suggested reduction in ticket prices, to be revealed on Monday morning will reduce that sum.
From outside the Association came mutterings that it was all a fix.  Such rubbish should be pushed straight back by reference to a replay of the game or indeed the fact that teams evenly matched can be allowed to remain so on the scoreboard as well as on the field of play.
The last final that went to a replay also involved Kilkenny and on that occasion they lost, to Waterford.  Galway will take heart from that.
The decision to hold both games replays on September 30th was only made possible by the Ladies Gaelic Football association agreeing to move their finals back a week.  This does have repercussions for the six teams involved in three finals and for the club sevens tournament that takes place in support but it was a decision taken quickly and with little fuss.  The attraction of playing in Croke Park comes of necessity with terms and conditions but the benefit outweighs the logistic challenges.
RTE’s budget for outside broadcast may need to expand but the revenues will too.  The commitment of Centra, Guinness, Etihad Airways and Electric Ireland to making the most of their Championship support will do so as well but after a day like Sunday, few will complain.
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