Afterwards the Clare team brought Jesse down to meet the boys, and of course Davy Fitzgerald.
“It was amazing, talking with Davy was great. We obviously talked hurling,” said Jesse. “All of the guys on the team were great. A lot of them were younger than me though, which was a little weird.”
As his vacation was winding to a close Jesse found himself in Dublin where a man named Maurice hooked him up with the St. Brigid’s GAA club. The club has been serving the communities of the greater Dublin area since 1932, and today this very active club boasts a combined 65 teams at all age levels in Hurling, Football, and Camogie.
To cap off his trip, Jesse had it on the calendar to catch the Annaghdown club in action at a match that Friday. He’d planned on being a spectator, but an already great ending to a week turned into a once in a lifetime opportunity when he was told that he’d be playing in the match the following day.Sure enough, he played 15-20 minutes of the match at mid field with the Annaghdown hurling club intermediate team.
“Needless to say I was blown away by that,” exclaimed Rapkin. “It was crazy, everything was so fast, one touch has never meant more than when I was playing in that match,” said Jesse. “I got a few touches myself and made a couple great pass plays.”
Rapkin’s own words sum up the sentiment that can only be felt by someone who has played this great sport, “I've never felt so blessed to be playing hurling as I did when I was training and playing during this trip.”
What a terrific experience it had to be. We’re lucky to have such a great ambassador for our club who can help build the relationships that will strengthen hurling’s future in the States. No doubt Jesse has returned with more than a few new friends to show for it as well, and a lifetime full of memories.
Jesse with Michael Geoghegan, MHC friend and host, and Annaghdown GAA County Development Officer