A former Armagh player and his family have painted their pub orange and white in a show of support for this weekend’s All-Ireland final.
Sean Devlin (70) from Bracknagh was part of the Armagh team that lost to Dublin in 1977.
Back then his father had painted Devlin’s Bar in the Orchardmen colours to cheer on the team as they headed into the final. Now his daughter, publican Aisling, has decided to carry on the tradition, which took two full days to complete.
Their devotion to the team does not stop there. Sean told the Irish News he’s travelled over 3,000 miles to be home and support the team this weekend.
“I’d recently travelled to Canada see my son who was playing a semi final championship for Durham in Toronto,” he explained. “I was looking forward to the following week with him but then Armagh got through to the final so I had come home early.”
Sean has a framed photograph of the 1977 county team hanging up in the pub beside a signed Armagh jersey from when the county won the All-Ireland in 2002.
He fondly recalled how he landed his opportunity to play for the team.
“In 1977 I was in London when Armagh had beat Cavan in the quarter final so I came home asked if I could go on to panel.
“I honestly never thought I would get to actually play in the final then a fortnight before I scored a point and then I started to think I was in with a chance. Later I was sitting in the dug out and the boys said the manager was looking me, that’s when I knew I’d made the team.”
Sean played for the Armagh Harps from a young age and has been a lifelong Armagh man. He said the whole community has come together and a great excitement is spreading through the town.
“We have only had four All Ireland finals in my lifetime and this weekend is a long, long coming - over 20 years. There’s a terrific buzz in the city
“I think playing in 1977 would be a very similar experience to today. I’d say what makes this team different is the guys are far stronger and well trained. I do genuinely believe they will win on Sunday and my advice to the players would be to enjoy every moment. There are some great players and they play a defensive game. This last while Armagh have truly played some great football.”
Armagh take on Galway at Croke Park with a 3.30pm throw in on Sunday July 28.
