'A fabulous homecoming' - Uachtaráin O Fearghail

Paul Fitzpatrick

He may have been slightly hoarse after a momentous few days but when The Anglo-Celt caught up with newly elected GAA Uachtaráin-Tofa Aogán O Fearghail, he was back to normal. That’s if the Drumgoon man’s life will ever be normal again. After the resounding vote of confidence he received at GAA Congress last Friday evening, and the magical welcome home to Cavan and Maudabawn on Sunday. Fearghail begins a new chapter with universal support. “It was a great weekend and a fabulous homecoming,” he said, describing the homecoming in Maudabawn as the highlight. “It was way beyond expectations. There was never a crowd like that there ever before. It was great to see people from neighbouring parishes, the Roscommon secretary was there, the Armagh chairman, the Monaghan chairman… Every house in the parish was there, and I’d know every house. It was just unreal, it was brilliant.”
What made it extra special was the presence of O Fearghail’s parents, Katie and Aidan, who are soon to celebrate their 68th wedding anniversary. “They’re both advanced in years now but they are very alert and they are always there for me and very aware of everything that I have been doing,” he smiled.
As the people of Drumgoon rejoiced, it all sank in, he said. “To see the bonfires! It’s an old tradition and it’s rarely done. There are different times in the parish when that would have happened. It was just fabulous, the fires on Drumgoon Bridge, where they used to burn when anything major would happen, and two on the hills and the whole way along the route from Gallonray House and at the old dolmen, it was just incredible.”
Given the large groundswell of support, he will enter office as President in February 2015 with a strong mandate. “I’m working in my classroom now. Although I have my first meeting with the Director General of the GAA today at four o’clock…” Life-changing, for sure... Full coverage in this week's Anglo Celt