We might be starved of intercounty football this summer but that doesn't mean that the GAA's greatest rivalries have gone away. Down on Achill Island, a beautiful act of Dublin-Mayo sledging has taken place.
With its spectacular views and tranquil remoteness, Achill has always attracted its share of blow-ins from the Big Smoke. Relations between the two counties are currently somewhat strained at the island's main golf course. Dubliner Jim Quigley was elected president of Achill Island Golf Club for 2020. One of Quigley's duties involves overseeing the design of the fixtures calendar and Quigley has assured his presidency will be remembered with one graphic design flourish.
The cover of his 2020 fixtures book includes two shades of blue and five stars, a blatant tribute to the Dublin five-in-a-row team. Club PRO Alan Gielty has confirmed that the layout was a deliberate tribute to the Dublin football team after an image of it went viral on whatsapp.
The booklet was printed in February and distributed to all members of the club. The club's connections to Dublin are quite strong. Kevin McManamon's parents are members of the club, and Phil Harnett, the captain of the ladies team, is based in Dublin but from Mayo.
Gielty, a publican on the island who was also president of the club last year, said the cover of last year's fixtures guide was maroon, though no one seemed to notice that.
"Some people are taking it as a joke, and some aren't," Gielty said. "It was done in a lighthearted manner. Some people think it's great. Others are disgusted. People are going to be like that."
