ONE evening last week this writer was having a "quiet pint" in Christy Carr's pub above at Leonard's Corner on the South Circular Road. As I was quaffing my pint, two young men came in, one of whom I recognised immediately.
They were asking if the pub or the publican might be willing to buy, for a certain sum, a framed colourful photograph of the Wexford team which won the All-Ireland Hurling Final in Croke Park last September in spectacular and colourful circumstances.
Their visit was inspired by a desire to generate funds which would be used to send that great Wexford team on a sunshine holiday. They were, not to put to fine a point on it, hawking the picture around to try to create some tangible reward for a team which had written a new chapter in the glorious history of hurling.
Quite honestly, I was saddened and embarrassed.
To think that these young men and many others like them had been pushed into a situation where they felt they had to take such action disturbed me.
And this in a pub festooned with photographs of Galway hurling teams and painted outside in maroon. I am pleased to say that they were greeted with courtesy and the usual generosity so typical of the place.
In this space last week, in my own pompous way, I admonished the GAA on their attitude to professionalism and the dangers which, surely, lie down that road.
Now I feel that the GAA needs to address its attitude to its dispersal of the funds which it generates. A few years ago the captain of the Kilkenny team, Eddie O'Connor, suggested from the victory rostrum at Croke Park, that the GAA should give him and his teammates a sunshine holiday.
It was an injudicious remark yet there was validity in it and it is something which must now be addressed by the high-powered committee which has been set up to investigate and report on the whole "amateur ethic" within the GAA.
Within the past few years the GAA has made wonderful strides as an organisation and in the promotion of the games under its control. Croke Park itself is a glorious expression of the GAA's efficiency and dedication.
Within the past few years, including this one, the association has benefited enormously from the huge numbers attracted to the games. The All-Ireland football final replay between Meath and Mayo brought in an extra £1 million at least. More Power to Dermot's elbow.
In those circumstances, and given the changing times, it may have reached a stage where players, dedicated organisers and mentors should be recognised for the benefits they bring to the association.
Nobody wants a situation which would involve players being handed a cheque on the victory rostrum at Croke Park or anywhere else. There are no players who would accept a cheque or a brown envelope instead of the Sam Maguire of Liam McCarthy Cup
That is not to say, however, that some acknowledgement of the commitment made cannot be expected or accepted.
When those two young Wexfordmen came into my local pub they did so precisely because of their commitment to their friends and their teammates. They were proud to do it.
What is being suggested here is that they should not have found it necessary to do it. Surely the GAA should put an arrangement into place which would make trips around pubs unnecessary.
The GALA has made enormous strides in recent years in regard to sponsorship at club, county and national level. Surely it would be possible for the GAA, at national level, to set up a fund which would allow successful teams to draw down payments to treat themselves to a decent holiday.
This would not discourage unsuccessful teams from competing. On the contrary, there would be an added incentive for teams to succeed.
Every indication is that players do not want to be given money for playing. The notion is ludicrous and unworkable. No doubt the GAA as a body has sniggered into its collective sleeve at the chaos in "open" rugby.
Complacency should not be allowed to set in, however. Nor should a situation be allowed to continue where people have to traipse around public houses in a bid to generate funds to give successful teams what we all believe they have earned.