The GAA championship have produced some fabulous games throughout the season. My Cork household was all geared up for the semi-final between Cork and Limerick. Six of us took our seats high up in the Hogan stand.

I always find the height disconcerting for a few minutes, until I find my equilibrium. Diarmuid is the same. He hates heights. The other four Corkonians – Tim, Philip, Colm and Elaine – settled in anticipation of the game. It was a cracking one with the extra time an added bonus.

Banter from near us provided constant amusement. “An open road in front of him and he dropped it!” “The clown every time!” Colourful language and constant, passionate commentary adds to the occasion.

As a neutral, I watched as Cork faded and Limerick’s hunger increased. The save of Séamus Harnedy’s potential goal by Limerick goalie, Nickie Quaid was a magic moment for the Treaty men. It was all over for my folk. Their disappointment was soon followed by admiration for both teams.

As the referee was stretching out his hands after blowing the final whistle, Tim and Philip were reaching theirs in congratulations to the Limerick men directly behind them. That’s the characteristic thing about the GAA supporters: they feel completely part of the team.

My thoughts were with Breda Quaid, mother of Nickie. We trained together in the Munster Institute many moons ago and are related too. Whether it will be Galway or Clare against Limerick; it will be a cracking final.

Rain at last

Back at base, the rain has started to bring promise. Last week we had several misty, damp days. The drought management programme continues. It must include daily a note to self: “Do Not panic!” There is no knowing what the autumn will bring. It is fair to say that the drought has been broken. Within days the fields were greening up. In fact, the response was phenomenal.

Here in Woodside, the rain started to fall: 10ml on the first day, then 10ml the next. It was a start. The temperature suddenly dropped and the shorts coming through the wash were folded and put away. I found myself looking for a cardigan to go out to the clothes line. We haven’t got anything like enough rain as yet. There have been misty spells and it all helps, but we need more.

Looking for more rain continues to make us spoil sports. People who are not involved in farming just do not understand the volume of moisture that’s required for grass and crops to grow.

I have been going to the same hair stylist at Darcy’s in Ballincollig for years. Michael and I have great chats about farming. He is far removed from agriculture. I try very hard to educate him on the happenings on a dairy farm. On my last visit a few weeks ago, I was explaining the consequences of the drought and how much it was costing to buy in feed for the cows to supplement the diminishing grass.

He was on board with sympathy but wanted the rain to fall at night. I assured him that we farmers would be OK with that too. Once the rain started, I was surprised to get a text saying: “Hope Tim is happy with the rain now.” I answered explaining that we needed much more. There was a quick two-word retort! (Suffice to say he was having none of it.) As far as he was concerned, he wanted the sunshine back. He is not alone.

Catch crop

The contractors had been stood down for a while. There was absolutely no point in putting in grass seeds or anything else in our area. Once the rain was on the way, it was time for action. It was all systems go, picking stones and land levelling before setting 15 acres of rape to out-winter the heifers. It had gone too late for kale.

The winter first-cut silage is safe in the pit and we hope it will stay there. We envisage that there may be a two-week period where the baled silage will be finished and the supply of grass will not be adequate for the cows. It might mean opening the pit. We do not envisage having any surplus grass to cut, as the emphasis will be on building grass cover for next spring.

This is the kind of planning that is necessary. Grass needs fertilizer, heat and moisture to grow adequately. It will take a while to correct the moisture deficit, but the recovery has well begun. The weather forecast indicates that good weather will return. All point to good grass growth.

The cousins are due from London, so it’s full steam ahead in the kitchen too.