So Farewell Then Castlehaven

It was an emotional night. 18 men fought long and hard with style and panache, energy and verve and still the scores were level, until finally a golden goal saw the bibless scrape home with a 6-5 victory.

The quality of the match was a fitting end to our current tenure at Castlehaven.

Josh Waitzkin once wrote, "The key to pursuing excellence is to embrace an organic, long-term learning process, and not to live in a shell of static, safe, mediocrity," and there was not a single player there tonight, who did not play with these words etched in his heart, who has not improved since these games have started, and, indeed, there was not a single player there who has flinched from showing commitment and passion.

Those words go for those regulars too who have graced the Castlehaven pitch but could not be there tonight.

As we move now to Regent's Park, it is invidious to rate and rank individuals, instead we can all hold our heads up high.

As we move pitches, it is fitting to remind ourselves of the ancient Eastern adage: "Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water."

E.J Thribb (17.5)