Early in the pre-season I went to Mick Malthouse with a special request. I asked him for permission to attend my sister’s wedding in late July. Mick is a great family man and indeed the Collingwood Football Club is a family first organisation.
Mick had no hesitation in granting me my wish. Barring a crippling injury list I was off to Ireland on July 26th. Thankfully we have been most fortunate with injuries of late and despite the importance of the Round 18 match against Brisbane, I set off the night after the emphatic Round 17 win v Carlton.
I had mixed feelings as I embarked on the marathon thirty-hour trip to my home town 20,000 kms away on Ireland’s north-east coast. Obviously I felt a little anxious leaving the Club at such an important stage of the year, but I was very confident the boys would get the win over the Lions. I was also worried that missing out on playing for the AFL and VFL was going to jepordise my chances of returning to the side for the end of the season and finals. It will be a great challenge for me to get back into a very good, in-form side.
When I had my first layover in the ever-growing Arabian city of Dubai, my thoughts soon turned to Ireland and my sister’s wedding. It had been four long years since I spent a summer in my mother land. The thought of the long, warm evenings and relaxed atmosphere of people enjoying their holidays got me through the final few hours of the journey and after a brief stop in Birmingham, I was in Dublin and ready for the week ahead.
The first few days I spent recovering from the flight and catching up with my friends and family. One of the first things I did was visit the grave of my Uncle Michael, who sadly passed away from a heart-attack just two weeks earlier. Michael was a wonderful man and a great supporter of me and my Australian adventure.
He was a great sportsman, starring in the boxing ring and on the GAA Football field. He loved training and I trained with him as recently as last Christmas. His enthusiasm and intensity while training (running, ground circuit, boxing pads) at 44 inspired me. Unfortunately he suffered a massive heart attack in late June and passed away peacefully the following month. Rest In Peace Uncle Michael.
The night before the wedding, I cramped in a training session with my local football club, AN Riocht. I had forgotten the differences in the training between Gaelic football and AFL. We trained for an hour focusing on sharp, intense sprint, agility and speed work two days before the boys were due to play a league game.
The session was more a reflection of a pre-season morning at Gosch's Paddock than a pre-game preparation routine. I was blowing a bit, but all the boys were conditioned to this game’s specific training. It was good to see the lads I grew up playing with again and I wish them all the best in a season they have started so well.
Then came the big day on Thursday the 30th of July. My sister Mary Ellen's wedding day. Mary Ellen is 25 and a physiotherapist. She was marrying a local fella, Paul Magee, whom she had been getting to know for four years. My family has always been there to support me so it was my turn to be there for my only sister.
A typically unpredictable day, weather wise, greeted us as we converged at the local chapel just a mile up the road. But as the service finished the sun came out and the fun began. The reception was held in a picturesque town just south of the border. All of my extended family was there and it was great to catch up with lots of them.
After all the speeches and a beautiful meal the band started playing. The work out I had on the dance floor with friends and family was almost as intense as a training session with Butters at the club! It truly was a great day and one that I will not forget in a hurry.
I thank Mick and the Club for allowing me to be there and wish Mary Ellen and Paul a long, happy life together. On Saturday morning (GMT) I watched the Collingwood v Brisbane game from the comfort of my own living room. It was great to see the boys finish the game so strongly and consolidate a top four position.
Two days after the wedding I was Melbourne bound again and ready for the challenge of getting back into the senior side as we look to play long into September.
Marty
