Feile Fever Read Online Free Page A

stadium, and that meant getting to see areas he would not normally see. He was looking forward to it so much that he couldhardly sit still in his seat.
    Todd was sitting behind Danny and Splinter. There wasn’t a peep out of him for the whole journey until the coach turned down Russell Street, heading for Clonliffe Road and he saw the enormous, magnificent stadium.
    â€˜WOW!’ he gasped.
    Danny jumped up on his seat and turned to Todd.
    â€˜It’s savage! Isn’t it, Todd?’
    â€˜I reckon!’
    As the coach turned off Clonliffe Road and into St Joseph’s Avenue, all thirty boys were looking in one direction only – upwards! The colossal size of the stadium was breathtaking.
    Danny felt a tingling sensation rush through his entire body.
    It must be amazing for the players , thought Danny. I’d feel like a gladiator arriving at the Coliseum if I was going to play here.
    Danny’s thoughts were rudely interrupted by Splinter’s left elbow.
    â€˜Wake up, Danny. We’re getting off now.’
    As Principal Dunstan and Mr Breen tried to organise the boys, Billy Stapleton caught everyone’s attention by announcing that a train was passing by – they were right beside the railway line.
    This was to Danny’s great disappointment.
    â€˜Are you off your head, Billy?’ he laughed.
    â€˜What? It’s the train!’
    â€˜A train!’ repeated Danny. ‘Forget about the train will you, and turn around and look at what’s in front of you.
    Not only Billy, but every single boy in Danny’s class turned around and looked straight ahead.
    â€˜That’s the best stadium in the world lads, and it’s ours and all you’re interested in is a train. Get real will yiz. Over there to the right is Hill 16, and–’
    Danny probably would have given the whole history of Croke Park if Principal Dunstan hadn’t interrupt him.
    â€˜Very good, Mr Wilde. If all fails you could lead the tour today.’
    Danny just grinned and calmly followed the others from the back of the line. He had made his point and everyone had got the message.
    There were two men sitting behind the counter in the reception area. One was fairly young and the other older. As the class from Littlestown piled in through the doors, the two men looked at each other and smiled as if to say, here we go!
    The tour was arranged for eleven, but it was only a quarter to now, so everyone was given a small booklet of the museum floor plan, and Principal Dunstan told them that they could have a little look around at the ground level while they were waiting.
    At once, everyone split up into their small groups of friends. Todd stuck close to Danny and Splinter. Billy Stapleton, however, didn’t bother sticking with a group. Billy was well known for enjoying his own company.
    â€˜Horses make better company than people,’ Billy often said.
    â€˜Look at all those medals!’ said Splinter, pointing over to a glass case on a wall in the reception.
    The three pals pressed their noses against the glass, gazing at a big display of county and all-Ireland medals that a player called Jimmy Doyle had won.
    â€˜D’ya know this bloke?’ asked Todd.
    Splinter shook his head and turned to Danny expectantly.
    â€˜Nope!’ answered Danny. ‘He was a hurler for Tipperary. ‘Not my game, Todd.’
    The rest of the class had scattered far around the museum, but Danny wasn’t in such a frenzy. He wanted to take it all in. He was well impressed with the set up. There were large projector screens showing films of football matches, as well as small television screens slotted into the walls.
    He didn’t mind if he didn’t get to seeeverything today. Sure my da can bring me another time, he thought.
    Just before eleven, Principal Dunstan and Mr Breen started rounding up boys from all corners. The tour guide – the older guy from behind the desk – introduced