Freddie has been biding his time and now that time is here as County Armagh rises up to roar: The Show Must Go On!
And in every corner of the county, fans have whipped themselves into a creative frenzy, all going Ga-Ga for Geezer and his boys as they work to weave A Kind of Magic of their own!
The Freddie in question will be a familar sight to many. And just like his flamboyant and famous namesake, will be commanding centre-stage for what should be an incredible six days of a build-up to Sunday’s Croke Park showdown.
It is now 10 years since Armagh was chosen from which to start the third section of the Giro d’Italia, one of the world’s most famous cycle races, which would take competitors from our own city to Dublin, before continuing across Europe.
At that time, there was a real buzz to be witnessed and enjoyed.
And Armagh’s own John O’Callaghan, who owned Fabrigate Ireland, decided to put his thinking cap on and see what he would do to mark the occasion in 2014.
The result was, of course, Freddie – a huge metal sculpture of a pink-clad cyclist racing for all he was worth!
Freddie has not gone away; indeed, he has been visible to motorists day and daily passing along towards the Killylea Road, where he has been in storage.
Sadly, John O’Callaghan, a master craftsman, like his work, truly unique, passed away just two years ago.
But his grandchildren and great grandchild decided they wanted to do something in his honour and bring Freddie back to all his glory. And what better occasion for that than Armagh contesting their first All-Ireland final in 21 years.
Granddaugher, Chayenne Lavery, told Armagh I : “We decided to get together and give Freddie a little makeover for the All-Ireland final as my granda would have been all over this.
“When we saw Armagh get through to the final we just knew that Freddie needed to have a little glow up as my granda would have been all over this final and would have loved the buzz within the town.
“He would have stopped everyone everywhere and told them to go up and get a photo with Freddie.
“So we thought it would be nice to do him up to cheer on the boys this weekend!”
A few of the grandchildren and great granddaughter – Chayenne, Ayeisha, Megan, Ben, Mia, Daisy, Ellise, Ollie, Charlie, Shanse, Nylah and Kolson, alongside his stepdaughter Joanne – got together on Sunday morning and made a start.
So well done and what an honour in John’s memory – we’re sure you’ll agree that Freddie’s looking fab!
It really is all happening out there.
And if the scenes across Ireland’s one fair county are anything to go by, it’s safe to say that the fans have a plan and are themselves pulling Sam-thing special out of the bag!
Indeed, standing stationary comes with great risk around Armagh these days, for anything and everything is being painted Orange and adorned with buntings and flags galore.
Take a look at our pictures – they can’t tell the whole story but can give a great glimpse of what it means to be from Armagh right now.
We hope their energy, excitement and enthusiasm ends in euphoria for all.
For an All-Ireland final win is a win for everyone – the enhanced media profile for Armagh, the economic spin-offs and the lesson it teaches youngsters coming up… With hard work, commitment and a determination to succeed, dreams can – and do – come true. Just ask any of the players.
Some are too young to even remember watching Armagh’s moment of glory in 2002 but they have grown up with it, lived it, breathed it through those that were there.
Now it’s time to step out from history’s shadow and shine once more.
So, all that remains, as the song says, now, bring on Galway and it’s “On with the show!”
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