Emmet Roberts writes to Santa with his wishes for 2013…
Dear Santa
That time of year again. Hard to credit that 12 months ago I put pen to paper and while I guess you are a busy man, the gifts under the tree didn’t quite float my boat. Still, all cold water under the bridge and now here we are, you and me and I’m prepared to let bygones be bygones and, truth to tell, I’m a sentimental guy so Christmas just ain’t Christmas without me penning my wish list to you. The more things change……………….
First off, even though you have a beard and require of lot of faith investment, I’m not expecting miracles, no wine into water and no mullockers into silky half forwards. But, a little less heat and a little more light would be a nice little present to slip into my sock instead of a rubbery Satsuma. You know what I mean, don’t ya? Less screaming headlines and more considered analysis. Less fat and more meat, as the waitress said to the Chef. . And if there’s room left then why not drop a little surprise in as well? Not telling you you’re business but a drop or two of consistency and a dram or more of sweet honesty would be ok with me.
Just to warn you, I’ve moved the tree to the other corner of the kitchen; kinda like moving the goalposts but needs must. After mature reflection I guess I was a little greedy with my demands. I mean, winning Division 2 and promotion up to the big boys was a tad ambitious in the first year but in fairness I didn’t think a Leinster Under 21 hurling title was a bridge too far but maybe you misunderstood me and thought I meant football. Still, you can’t be right all the time.
Anyway, I’ve enough bags to be carrying without adding to the load with my box load of disappointments so we’ll leave last year and move on. We are, afterall, where we are. And I don’t want to be a Grinch. So for next year I’d like a serious tilt out of getting of the Division that is akin to the Somme on a wet day. And yep the Dubs are there and John Allen and his Youth Storm Troopers are there but make it so, as Captain Jean Luc Picard might say on the way to another adventure. And please give us home wins and a few more heads in the stand.
And if, under the tree, I unwrap a package filled with confidence, determination and absolute commitment that we each do what we can and wish others the best in what they can do I’ll be a happy little bunny. And happy well beyond Easter at that. Wondrous would it be that you have a spare little elf who likes the feel of a caman and the beauty of the low ball and fancies a year or two of a career break. Yea, I know, I’m getting greedy again.
Anyway, I hope you and the family are in good form. And I want you to know that I have been as good a boy as I could have been. Ok, there was the odd outburst on the side line and the occasional bout of less than parliamentary language and there were days when despair and disillusionment kicked and bullied hope and desire but I’ve been doing my best.
Thanks, Santa.