I blogged about Ireland’s Bloody Sunday some time ago. In a nutshell, on 21st November 1920, in reprisal for IRA assasinations earlier that day, British military forces went along and sprayed bullets around Croke Park in Dublin where the Dublin team were playing Tipperary at Gaelic football.
15 were killed or fatally injured, and many wounded. Amongst those killed was Michael Hogan, the Tipperary captain.
Last weekend was 100 years since those landmark events. The provincial Gaelic football finals were played, amongst them the Munster final Tipperary v Cork. Tipp hadn’t won the Munster championship since 1935, i.e. 85 years ago – Kerry (especially) and Cork habitually fight it out amongst themselves.
It was written in the stars that Tipp would win, which they duly did, thus honouring their former captain who was taken too soon.
And another strange coincidence occurred. That year, 1920, the provincial champions were:
Munster – Tipperary
Leinster – Dublin
Connacht – Mayo
Ulster – Cavan
That was how they finished last weekend as well.
Back On The Rock 
I am always amazed at how little I actually know when I read your blogs, Roy. I consider myself an educated woman but you are full of fascinating stories and facts that are always new to me:).
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To be fair Kristine, Gaelic football is played only in Ireland and in a handful of Irish enclaves around the world. I don’t think you’d be expected to keep up to speed with it 🙂 Bloody Sunday and the War of Independence however has resonated loudly down through the last 100 years and the UK and Ireland can never be best pals.
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My heart goes out to all those who put so much work into commemorative occasions such as these…if it were ANY OTHER YEAR! There it was – such a significant event and….. well it DID get a mention and some coverage on the News – wedged between Covid and Brexit and US politics… and of course all of us stuck at home anyway and unable to mark the day outside our 5km zone.
Some coincidence with the Provincial results though!!!!
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Well, being Ireland there will be another commemoration opportunity anytime soon Marie, what a tragic history the country has. Yes, even as a Cork supporter I had to raise a cheer for the Tipp lads.
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