I wanted to get that feeling of camaraderie on the day before the game.

They are going to do everything they can to win this game.

I play this game for the camaraderie, but most of all because I am able to hit people and get away with it. I like knowing that I can hit a man and it hurts him and I can get away with it. I can't do that on the streets. Football is a violent game, but it brings me peace. The field is my sanctuary.

Coming into this game, we talked about being more energized, more enthusiastic and have more camaraderie, and that was the most important thing. All the things we didn't see in the first game -- outside of the stats -- we just didn't have enough energy and enthusiasm. We didn't have that and that is the stuff that is going to get you out of a lot of bad situations and put you in a good one.

I would not hurt you, little man,' he said.

'I think that I got the disorder in Mullingar,' I explained. I knew that I had gained his confidence and that the danger of violence was now passed. He then did something which took me by surprise. He pulled up his own ragged trouser and showed me his own left leg. It was smooth, shapely and fairly fat but it was made of wood also.

'That is a funny coincidence,' I said. I now perceived the reason for his sudden change of attitude.

'You are a sweet man,' he responded, 'and I would not lay a finger on your personality. I am the captain of all the one-legged men in the country. I knew them all up to now except one—your own self—and that one is now also my friend into the same bargain. If any man looks at you sideways, I will rip his belly.'

'That is very friendly talk,' I said.

'Wide open,' he said, making a wide movement with his hands. 'If you are ever troubled, send for me and I will save you from the woman.'

'Women I have no interest in at all,' I said smiling. 'A fiddle is a better thing for diversion.'

'It does not matter. If your perplexity is an army or a dog, I will come with all the one-leggèd men and rip the bellies. My real name is Martin Finnucane.'

'It is a reasonable name,' I assented.

'Martin Finnucane,' he repeated, listening to his own voice as if he were listening to the sweetest music in the world.

I missed the game,