Michael Egan - Declan Kirby: GAA Star: Over the Bar

Declan Kirby

GAA Star

Over the Bar

Michael Egan

Gill Books

Contents

Chapter 1

The New Teacher

It felt weird for Declan to be back in school. Since he had taken part in an underage All-Ireland Gaelic football competition during the summer, it felt like hed had barely any time off. He was so exhausted after all those matches, he felt like he needed a month of sleep.

But only two weeks after his team won the tournament, he was starting sixth class. It felt like the shortest summer ever!

As soon as he walked into the classroom, his best friend, Stewy, was there to greet him. Since hed played with Stewy all summer, it was strange to see him wearing a school uniform instead of a jersey.

You all right, Dec? Stewy said.

Grand. Good to see you, Stew, Declan said, sitting down at the desk beside him.

Hey, man, Big Mike said from behind. Did you have a good summer? Well what was left of it, I mean.

Yeah, it felt like we had a week off!

I know, Stewy said. But look on the bright side: do you know who we wont have to see anymore?

Eh, who?

Ms Murphy! he said. He was so excited, he practically squealed.

Oh yeah! Big Mike said, breathing a sigh of relief. Well, shes not gone completely. Shes just teaching in the other prefab.

That means we have Mrs Healy, Declan reminded them. All the old students said shes dead sound. She makes you work hard, but shes fair. Never raises her voice unless someone actually deserves it. Unlike Ms Murphy. I dont think there was ever a time when she didnt roar at us.

Em guys, someone said from behind them. Declan turned to see Samus. Although Samus had been in the class for years, Declan didnt know him that well. He seemed like a nice guy, but he didnt play football, so Declan never had much of a chance to speak to him.

I dont mean to interrupt, but were you just talking about Mrs Healy?

Yeah, Declan said. Why?

Did you not hear?

Hear what?

She left the school, Samus said. Got a job somewhere else. We have a new teacher.

What? Seriously? Stewy said. Why did the best teacher have to leave? Why didnt this happen to Ms Murphy last year?

Relax, Declan said. We dont know anything about this teacher. Samus, do you know who it is?

Yeah, he nodded. Mr OFlaherty.

Hey, Big Mike sniggered. Thats the same name as that crazy coach.

Em, yeah. Thats our new teacher.

WHAT? Stewy yelled. I heard that guy was nuts!

How do you know this, Samus? Declan asked.

My dad bumped into him during the summer, and he mentioned he was taking over for Mrs Healy. And hes not crazy. Hes just passionate. He really, really, really likes sports. Like a lot.

I didnt even know he taught, Big Mike said. I mean can he?

Guys, youll be fine, Samus reassured them. Mr OFlaherty is great. Just behave and youll have nothing to worry about. And dont speak out of turn. Or be too loud. Or quiet. He hates that. Oh and dont look him right in the eye.

This guy sounds scarier than Ms Murphy, Stewy said.

Get to your seats! a voiced barked from the door. In marched Mr OFlaherty. A giant of a man, his head almost touched the door frame as he entered the room. The chatter stopped in an instant and the students all dived to their desks. Mr OFlaherty took a moment to scan them all. Samus wasnt kidding. His eyes were piercing, like a falcon seeking prey.

Their new teacher then took a big step forward, his huge frame nearly eclipsing the whole whiteboard, the ground underneath him almost quaking.

Next, he opened his mouth and belted out the national anthem: Sinne Fianna Fil, at faoi gheall ag irinn

Declan and Stewy exchanged puzzled looks before the whole class joined in, trying their best to recite it perfectly. If they made a mistake or forgot a part, they might suffer the fury of Mr OFlaherty. Declan would have this teacher for the rest of the year, so he needed to make sure he made a good first impression.

As they finished, Mr OFlaherty gave the class another piercing stare. English books. Out. Now.

Usually, a new teacher would introduce themself and ask the students to talk about themselves a little bit. There was none of that with this guy. He was all business. As the class worked through their books, no one dared misbehave or talk back.

When the bell rang, the class headed out for their first break. As Declan was about to go out the door, Mr OFlaherty stopped him dead. Declan Kirby! he yelled, pointing to him.

Yeah? he said nervously. What did I do wrong? He didnt speak to me for the whole class.

Mr OFlaherty fixed him with his eyes. You and I need to have a very serious chat.

Chapter 2

Trophies

Follow me, Mr OFlaherty said. Before Declan could say anything, the teacher strode out of the room, marching with determination. As Declan followed him down the corridor, he was racking his brain trying to figure out what Mr OFlaherty wanted. What made Declan more anxious was that this was happening on the first day back.

Declan noticed that Mr OFlaherty had suddenly stopped and was staring at one of the schools trophy cabinets. Although there werent many, they seemed to captivate Mr OFlaherty, especially two discoloured trophies on the far left. He gazed at them with a strange mix of happiness and sadness. Declan didnt know what had got into him.

Is everything okay, Mr OFlaherty? he asked.

Hurling is such a beautiful sport, isnt it? Mr OFlaherty said passionately. Possibly the greatest team sport on the planet.

Declan didnt know what the teacher was going to say, but he definitely didnt expect that.

A wonderful medium, indeed, Mr OFlaherty continued. To show an exhibition of strength and character. An honourable way to partake in organised combat where the bravest and most skilful are the ones that triumph!

Declan had no idea where this conversation was going, so he didnt know how to respond.

After an awkward silence, Mr OFlaherty turned towards Declan and took a step forward.

You see that pair there? he said, pointing towards the grubby trophies. We won those for hurling back to back.

You mean the team you coached won?

No. When I was your age, my team won, he said, pride filling his voice. It was the best feeling ever. My coach was John Buckley. A fine man. Not just a great mentor on the field, but he knew what to say to you. He said this one thing that Ill never forget. When we held that trophy, he said, A trophy is not something to gloat about; its something to aspire to. And with that mentality, our team pushed ourselves even harder and won again the following year. Phenomenal feeling.

Declan waited a moment for his teacher to continue, but Mr OFlaherty trailed off as if lost in thought.

Em, then what happened, sir?

That was it, he answered with a shrug of his shoulders. I won my last match here while in sixth class. I moved onto secondary school and just assumed Mr Buckley carried on coaching. I came back here years later, yknow, travelling down memory lane. Only then did I learn that Mr Buckley had retired immediately after I left. With him gone, the hurling was finished. This place took hurling so seriously back in my day. And now look. Our trophies are collecting dust. Could you imagine that happening to your trophies, your achievements, in years to come?

Yeah, Declan said. Thats crazy.