Feile Fever Read Online Free Page B

himself. He seemed to be a nice man – not grumpy or sour faced, but friendly and enthusiastic. He led everyone out of the museum and into a cinema area.
    â€˜I’m going to show you all a short film, lads. It’s called A Sunday in September , but before I turn it on, you’re probably wondering what these chairs and microphones are for?’ Then he smiled, ‘This is also where the disciplinary board meets!’
    Splinter looked at Danny.
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜You know when you make it onto the Dubs’ team?’ smiled Splinter.
    Danny nodded.
    Splinter just laughed, then nodded towardthe seats with the microphones.
    â€˜Get lost!’ laughed Danny. ‘I’ll never end up in here.’
    The film only lasted for about ten minutes. It was clips of two All-Ireland finals in 1997. Kerry versus Mayo in football, and Clare versus Tipperary in hurling.
    Although there was great atmosphere and great play in both matches, Danny kept looking over toward the guide as if to say, When are we going to see the Dubs?
    Splinter giggled a little, and nudged Danny.
    â€˜Look at Todd,’ he whispered.
    Todd was getting into the film in a big way. For the first time since Danny and Splinter had known him, they were now getting to see a different Todd – one who was really enjoying himself and letting himself be enthusiastic.
    Todd was leaning forward in his seat and clenching his fists. He didn’t care what teams were playing. He just loved the whole excitinggame that was unfolding in front of him, and when the play suddenly slowed down and a loud heartbeat noise pounded from the speakers all around the cinema, Danny thought Todd was going to keel over.
    After the film, the guide led them out through a door and into a huge concrete tunnel.
    â€˜This is the service tunnel,’ he said. ‘I need everyone to keep to the far right as we are walking . There are quite a few vans and cars in today, so please be careful.’
    Principal Dunstan backed that up with a stern look at each and every pupil.
    â€˜Are we going out to the pitch?’ Danny asked. He couldn’t wait to get out there.
    The guide nodded. ‘We’ll get there. We’ve a few things to see first.’
    As Danny walked in line along the walls of the tunnel, he wondered why they were being brought this way. It was kind of boring.
    What’s so special about this? he thought.
    His answer came quickly.
    The guide stopped at a corner of the tunnel, and pointed into another tunnel.
    Danny could see the pitch!
    â€˜Animal!’ he announced.
    â€˜Every corner tunnel that leads into the pitch has a name,’ said the guide. ‘This one is the Mohammed Ali tunnel.’
    â€˜But he’s a boxer!’ laughed Splinter.
    Principal Dunstan gave a terrifying growl at Splinter. Splinter stepped in behind Todd.
    The guide told them that Mohammed Ali had fought in Croke Park in 1972, and that was the tunnel that he walked through into the arena.
    Danny got the message. The tour had already started in this concrete service tunnel!
    The next corner tunnel was named after U2 because they played the first concert in Croke Park.
    The tour was starting to get better as the guide led them into the player’s lounge, to show them the famous Waterford CrystalChandelier. Danny would never have thought he could be interested in a chandelier, but this one was made of thirty-two crystal footballs and seventy-two crystal sliotars – he even thought he wouldn’t mind having something like it in his own house!
    Todd turned to Danny and Splinter.
    â€˜You Irish really take this GAA seriously!’
    Danny nodded with pride. Todd was starting to get the GAA bug. Danny just knew it.
    As they were led back out of the player’s lounge and into the concrete tunnel again, Danny couldn’t hold back any longer.
    â€˜Are we going out to see the pitch?’ he hounded the guide.
    The guide laughed.
    â€˜I