As the vast majority of us know, you first holy communion is big deal in our young life. Leaving aside the religious implications, and even leaving aside the money, first communion is an undoubted milestone in the life of an Irish child.
You get your suit or dress on, you get your first pair of black shoes (we won't talk about the growing appearance of shiny white runners) and there's a big party afterwards. Nothing messes with the sanctity of the day. Except a Connacht Junior football final between Mayo and Galway.
The Junior final was the precursor to Galway vs Leitrim in the Senior Championship on Sunday. However, that timing was far from ideal for Mayo's Barry Leonard. The cornerback was due to line out in Carrick-on-Shannon at 1.3o. His daughter, Kathlyn, was due to make her communion in Lahardane Church at 11.30. Something was going to have to miss out.
Cue some creative thinking. Leonard checked if the match could be put back to give him time to get to Carrick-on-Shannon. Understandably, it couldn't be done because of the need to kick off the senior game on time. So the only option left was to go to the priest.
I asked our local priest, Fr John Reilly, if Mass could be brought forward half an hour to 11am. He had no problem but it could only be done if all the other families involved were happy to change.
Bring forward a communion mass? Unprecedented stuff, but all ten families agreed, the photographer was called in early and Leonard was able to see his daughter's big day and play a part in Mayo's 1-12 to 0-13 win.
After that it was back to Lahardane for the communion dinner and the party.
[Examiner]
