While the world begins to get into a panic about Ebola, Joe Brolly has used his column in this week's Gaelic Life to inform us that we have a disease much closer to home that is the 'greatest danger to Gaelic football in over 100 years.'
Indeed, it seems as though Brolly is set to throw in the towel and declare the sport dead from the virus, which has spread from patient zero, the Glenties football club in Donegal, to take over nearly all of football.
Brolly explains:
When Jim McGuinness introduced football into Ireland in 2001, it initially caused shock and nationwide anger, not to say panic. But we were powerless to stop it, since as even black lads from Senegal quickly realised, it was winning matches.
He of course references this year's All Ireland final as a perfect example of how 'Footebola' has destroyed the game but the crux of his argument is the current state of club football in Ulster and particularly in Donegal. His main point of reference; a recent match between St Michaels and Glenswilly which finished 1-4 to 1-2.
To be fair to Brolly, anyone who has had to suffer club games across the province will attest to just how dour these matches can be. But his apocalyptic tone is slightly over-the-top. It seems all is lost:
I suppose we shouldn't complain. Gaelic football has had a great run of it for almost 130 years. Sooner or later a Jimmy McGuinness was bound to come along. But in bringing success to his own team, he has destroyed the game.
The Derryman issued a call-out for anyone who disagrees with his over the severity of the Footebola epidemic, to come and see for themselves at this year's Donegal county final. Although he warns 'make sure you wear protective clothing.'
You read his full piece in this week's Gaelic Life or in their online edition for just €1.17.
