Marty Clarke off to a good start in Ireland

[daicos35]

My dad is from Belfast and with Marty Clarke returning "home" I have taken a small interest in the Irish gaelic footy. Seems Marty has had a good restart to his footy career with the round ball in Co. Down, so good luck to him, thought you may be interested.
http://www.downgaa.net/
I'll try and upload a couple of pics

[daicos35]

Got the story text here:

The Barretts Sports Lighting Dr Mc Kenna Cup has been well and truly endorsed by the Down faithful who turned out in their thousands to watch the boys in red and black open the campaign with a convincing win on a score line of 1.17 to 0.8. The result will undoubtedly please the new Management Team led by James Mc Cartan.

The new look Down line up meant business from the first whistle and were relentless in seeking a win from their first Dr Mc Kenna Cup game. Ambrose Rodgers captained the team and played a starring role at midfield, constantly displaying his ability to both command the air and cause damage on the turf.

Although QUB were beaten convincingly in the end they did cause Down some problems throughout the game. The most encouraging aspect for Down fans, however, was that arguably Queens best player was Bryansford man Joe Ireland, who was impressive throughout.

Newer faces to the Senior set up, Sean Parr and Paul Greenan also performed well and gave a committed performance throughout.

Many fans will testify that they were there to see one man in particular…… Marty Clarke. He didn’t disappoint those who were there to see the return, he sprayed passes about Páirc Esler like he’d never been away and took his penalty assuredly. Down fans will enjoy seeing Martin ply his trade in the coming year with the round ball as opposed to the oval.

We now look forward to Wednesday night when our Senior side will face last year’s Ulster Finalists Antrim, again at Páirc Esler.

Come along on Wednesday night and enjoy the entertainment provided by our lads in a rejuvenated Dr Mc Kenna Cup.

[Albow]

I always feel slightly annoyed when I hear about Marty Clarke. Then I feel a little bit annoyed at myself because he is only doing what he wants, but then I think about all the time we put into him, and then I think well he was an international rookie no harm, and then I wonder why I am typing out my inner monologue in a forum..............

Good onya Marty

[MagpieMad]

[fence-banger]

Thanks for posting this. Really happy for him.

[Kingswood]

[HAL]

What is that feeling like? Why are you bit annoyed at him or herself. I see. doing what he wants but then he or she think about all the time we put into him and then he or she think well I was an international rookie no harm and then he or she wonder why he or she is typing out his or her inner monologue in a forum is doing what he wants but then he or she think about all the time we put into him and then he or she think well I was an international rookie no harm and then he or she wonder why he or she is typing out his or her inner monologue in a forum ? Why can't you do hate him for that?

[Trezegol]

I've got a feeling the club took a stance from rd.12 onwards to not play Marty in the seniors knowing full well that he would be departing at the end of the year.

He did not hide the fact that he was homesick, so there was no point playing the guy. If he had continued to play seniors throughout the year, he would have been taking the spot of someone who genuinely wanted to be there.

[Dave The Man]

[Dragme]

Looks like he is ready to burst through his top. Much more developed upper body than the rest of the guys he is playing with.

I suppose that doesn't matter so much as he won't need the upper body strength in a game that has no real tackling.

[bennymac1]

this link might intrest yous aswell folks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBt4HxxQ7Vw

[Dragme]

Thanks bennymac1.

Geeze. They need to work on the crowds.

[Dr Pie]

I would expect Marty to be a superstar now that he is back playing Gaelic. He has always had a prodigious natural talent, now he can bring to County Down a whole level of professional skills that he learned at Collingwood.

I am sorry he is not still playing with us but I wish him luck at his native game. I wonder how many of the people who bag him for becoming homesick and returning to Ireland had to resettle in a different country at the age of eighteen?

[Pied Piper]

^ I'd say those who are bitter at never being good enough to play elite sport themselves never actually had to make the same sacrifices to do it. The closest they can get is to live vicariously through those that do. Then they've got a focus for their bitterness when those players don't live up to expectations, or share the same dreams.

I'd take Marty Clarke back anytime, but now he's gone I can only wish him the best in getting what he wants out of life. When you're 18 certain opportunities come your way and you take them, but you don't necessarily know at the time whether it's for you or not, you can only suck it and see.

[MagpieMad]

lol bitter, like you know what people are feeling.