Nature Under Pressure
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| Surge in corncrake population |
During our youth during the haymaking season the krek-krek of the corncrake was a familiar sound. In recent decades their number has declined enormously as well as the locations that they are still to be found in. A couple of weeks ago there was an encouraging headline in the Sunday Independent which went; ‘Huge surge in corncrake population for second year in a row’. While the word ‘huge’ is used it refers to an increase in number from 185 recorded in 2013 to 230 in 2014. Apparently the most hospitable places for this bird are the islands off the west coast from Tory down to the islands off Mayo and Galway. Apparently meadow cutting has been the bane of the corncrake and I assume that silage cutting is no different. Farmers in some places have been encouraged to cut from the middle of the field towards the outside to give the bird the chance to escape. I have seen no evidence of this practise. However I hope to hear the ‘krek-krek’ of the corncrake again soon.
Another species in decline and I have not noticed many this summer is the honey bee. The bee plays a hugely important role in natural ecology. While the production of honey is one role the major role is in the process of plant pollination. Now I am not knowledgeable in all of this but from the television programmes I have seen it is of major significance. Come to think of it I haven’t heard much of the cuckoo either this summer. Maybe I need to go to Specsavers.
GAA Sports Review Nationally
One might have thought that sport would have been a side issue for these notes but they continue to roll off as each week-end produces more drama. Watching the first half of Mayo V Kerry was frustrating as the old Mayo symptoms emerged on cue. However they came out in the second half with courage and determination for one of the best halves I’ve seen from a Mayo team for a long time. It was uplifting and deserved that they emerge as victors. However in the drama of the final minutes a draw was probably regarded as justice. Another loss for Mayo, in those closing moments, would have been devastating and heart-breaking. And of course no county is better at the late surge than Kerry who deserve credit for their late rally also. While Cillian O’Connor got ‘Man of the Match’ my option would have been Aidan O’Shea who performed heroics as he seemed to carry Mayo-and some Kerry players also- on his broad shoulders.
It is a pity I suppose that the replay has to take place in Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds. However it will be a great boon for the city and could generate an atmosphere unique to itself. Corporate GAA are suggesting that it is a kind of ‘big games on tour’ kind of thing which I think is flippant. I am not so sure that Limerick will favour Kerry as they are so used to playing in Croke Park it is more a home ground for them. I feel that Mayo are a better balanced side while Kerry have a number of top players as always. Kieran Donaghy showed a great and appetite in his short but telling cameo on Sunday last and he will probably be there from the start on Saturday. I imagine the road to Limerick on Saturday will be akin to the one some of you might remember from 2006 when Roscommon won the minor All-Ireland replay in Ennis, just one long traffic jam. So if you are thinking of going to this unique occasion perhaps an overnight or two in the City of Culture would be the way to go.
While Donegal are just the side to rattle Dublin’s cage I cannot see them overturning the hot favourites in Croke Park on Sunday.
GAA Sport Locally
Boyle seniors gave their senior league status for 2015 a big boost with a deserved victory over Strokestown in the Abbey Park on Saturday evening. Against Pearses on the previous Sunday it would be difficult to nominate a Boyle player who had a good game. From Saturday it would be hard to nominate a Boyle player who had a bad game. There was much to admire in the high fielding and movement and general play of all participants. One catch by Evan McGrath was a throwback to earlier decades and Evan had a fine game. Unfortunately he received a hand injury and I wish him a speedy recovery. It is nice to see the young guns of the fine under-age teams of recent years coming so much into the frame. This coming Sunday evening they play Castlerea in the Championship to decide the final quarter- finalist and Boyle are in with a good chance here. The game is in Strokestown at 6.15 p.m.
After last Saturday’s game a seat in memory of Eoin Lavin was unveiled in the Abbey Park and it was fitting that Stokestown with whom Eoin’s teams had so many tussles down the years were there to witness and be part of a poignant occasion.
On Tuesday evening, a little by accident, I happened on the second half of a Boyle v Eire Og U 16 game in the Abbey Park. Eire Og were in a commanding lead for the most part but a late surge by Boyle earned them a draw. While all this is fine I was happy to be there to witness one of the finest goals I’ve seen scored in the ground and as a fellow might say, I’ve seen a few. There was a second excellent one also but it was overshadowed by a goal of power and majesty taken by Cian McKeon. While I am not familiar with this team another fine committed player on Tuesday evening for Boyle was young Deery.
tconboy1@eircom.net
Forest View,
Boyle,
Co. Roscommon
Mob: 086 816 3399
