Stephen was somewhat more coy and he said with a wide grin –
“God, I didn’t think I’d be getting help from a Westmeath woman on today of all days!”
“You better pray that Westmeath win so,” Aoife replied.
Yvonne then interjected –
“You’d want to watch her or she’ll tip ya out of that chair. Say one bad thing about Westmeath.”
The small group burst out into laughter.
Soon, they had reached an exit point onto a standard footpath, but descended onto the road when they saw the large crowds all decked out in the maroon of Westmeath, and the green and gold of Kerry walking along it in the direction of Croke Park.
Aoife could hear that Yvonne and James had started chatting away behind them.
“What stand are you in Stephen?”
“The Hogan Stand. I think they have a special wheelchair area.”
“So, are we. We’re in the Lower Stand”
“Looking forward to it? I guess with Kerry winning everything, you’ve been here loadsa times!”
“This is actually my first time here. ‘Twas a long drive, wouldn’t do it often.”
He strained to look backwards. Aoife felt her heart flutter as she looked into his warm, blue eyes. She reckoned that he was in his mid thirties, just like herself.
“Yeah, I’d say it was. What part of Kerry are you from?”
“Tralee.”
“Oh, lovely. Heard so much about Kerry, have always wanted to visit it.”
They were now in the shadow of the stadium.
The place was jammed full of people all excitedly talking to one another.
“I can take it from here Aoife, thanks so much. I think we have to get a lift up to where we’re going,” James said with a wide smile.
Stephen interjected –
“We can’t wish you luck though.”
“We understand.”
With that, they parted ways.
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