But the Cats of Kilkenny were even more sensational as they sealed a see-saw sizzler by a single point at sardine-tin packed UPMC Nowlan Park on Super Sunday.

And one would like to think that despite some great scores by both sides it was the sideline ball by master craftsman TJ Reid that was the difference between the South East neighbours at the end of a blockbuster that would top the bill at any theatre of sporting dreams.

Kilkenny was awarded a line ball on the left hand track to the Wexford goal in the second half.

Up stepped the son of the Shamrock; he wielded his camán and with a beautiful stroke he landed the sideline ball, or a ‘cut’ as we called it in Fatima Place many moons ago and the sky-bound sliotar sailed gracefully between the sticks of the Wexford goal.

That was one of the highlights of a beautiful game that ebbed and flowed just as brilliantly as the Three Sisters, the Barrow, Nore and Suir wearing their best bathing gear and nestling delightfully in the sunshine of the sunny South East.

There were many suspects on both teams for the score of the game but the nearest to TJ had to be his team mate, Graigue Ballycallan’s Billy Ryan who cracked a magnificent overhead point as Kilkenny completed a second half Renaissance after a mediocre first period that fell short of its own high standards.

ELEVEN MARKS OUT OF TEN

The head-to- head would surely have brought 11 marks out of 10 from lovers of a game that when played at its best would be a rival for any brother or sister sport in any corner of Planet Earth.

The clash of the ash was arguably the best hurling exhibition cum battle of wits, wisdom and wiles with a dash of courage, conviction and passion thrown into the cake for real taste.

Paddy Deegan, TJ Reid, Richie Reid, John Donnelly, David Blanchfield et alia… You could have put all the names into a hat on the second half performance and pick out a worthy winner regardless of who it was. 

Paddy Deegan, the Arnold Schwarznegger of the local game got the nod. He was superb and would have moved O’Loughlins GAA Complex to the opposite side of the road using a pickaxe and a wheelbarrow should the occasion have demanded such a gargantuan act. 

ALL OVER BAR THE SHOUTING

When Kilkenny flashed six points ahead edging towards the final whistle and a few bars of a song from the Fat Lady it looked all over bar the shouting of the near 20,000 crowd.

But in hurling you never count your chickens until Father Time has his clock run down, including injury time.

It was then that the Wexicans showed their mettle for real magic and will to win, as, egged on by a passionate army of arguably the best supporters in the land (along with Kilkenny aficionados of course!) they slowly but surely whittled down the Cats’ lead until the dying seconds of four minutes of injury time.

Soon there was only the puck of a sliotar between the teams and a Wexford player was in possession a short distance from the Kilkenny goal when the referee mercifully blew the final whistle to signal the end of a showdown to rival The Battle of the OK Corral.

WEXFORD EARNED CONTINUED RESPECT

In losing by a single point the visitors earned the continued respect of a packed Nowlan Park. They had once more shown their true colours with a display of skill and courage that lacked nothing except three points to bring home with them to New Ross, Fethard-on-Sea, Enniscorthy or wherever.

And like true Wexford lovers of hurling the Wexican players and supporters took defeat on their Lee Chins.

Wexford are down but not out and the true grit and determination that they displayed on Sunday could yet lead to greater things as the championship edges to a climax.

As for Kilkenny, the Cats and their followers must have been tickled skinny. Following a topsy turvy first half in which the team never really hit top gear, the second half brought new life, even more courage and skill and lots of bottle to show off real Kilkenny hurling.

SHAVE THE HAIRS OFF YOUR BACKSIDE

My thoughts after the game brought me back to the utterings of the late Bags Keating and his words to an enquiring housewife after he had sharpened a garden clippers for her.

Is the clippers sharp now Mr Keating, the good lady asked.

So sharp it would shave the hairs off your backside, was his reply.

The game was as close as that.

The post Wexicans lose by a Cat’s Whisker appeared first on Kilkenny Press.

The 36 teams will travel from Cork, Kerry, Clare, Mayo, Dublin, Offaly, Carlow, Cavan, Limerick, Laois, Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny will also be I action.
The teams from England are from Yorkshire, Bristol, Hull and Birmingham.

There will be over 400 players in the battle for honours and the equally important social night out is in Paris Texas on the Saturday evening.
It all goes to goes the importance of well-being and health and fitness for adults who wish to continue playing sport into their ‘forties and ‘fifties.

The action gets under way in O’Loughlin Gaels this Friday (March 1) from 7.20pm, with the Kilkenny ladies 40s team of Marble City Mayfairs taking on Cork Cougars for the Seamus Walsh Cup.

And straight after are the Kilkenny men’s 40s team up against WEBBA from the UK, with new recruits James Butler and David Keane added to the local line-up.

The Lar Murphy Memorial Cup is at stake for the eventual winners in this category.
There will also be underage boys and girls Kilkenny Star teams playing beforehand.

The bulk of the games are on Saturday, spread across O’Loughlin Gaels, Loreto and St Kieran’s College halls from 9am to 5pm.

The finals then take place in the same venues on Sunday
You can check out their website and Facebook page for more details, www.kilkennymasters.ie
Entry is free and all are encouraged to go along and enjoy the action.
In addition, there will be a Wheelchair Exhibition game between the players of the South East Swifts basketball team in St Kieran’s hall at 12.50pm on Sunday.
Swifts were narrowly beaten in the IWA National Cup Final played in the National Basketball Arena, Dublin. Have a look at how Pat O’Neill and his team manage to weave their way round a court on wheels.

Marble City Hawks Ladies National League team will provide a catering service at each venue to help fundraise for the club.

Sponsors are Paris Texas Bar, Pembroke Hotel, Clune Tech, Langtons Hotel, House Of Stoves, Sport Ireland (Age & Opportunity), Basketball Ireland, St Canice’s Credit Union, Pat Carroll’s Bar, Hennessy Sports, TJ Reid Health & Fitness, Infocus Opticians, DJSolutions.ie, moonbehindthehill.ie and drawinginc.ie

The post Paris Texas hosts basketball festival appeared first on Kilkenny Press.

The unofficial Lord Mayor of Paulstown, king of local pugilism Ollie O’Neill and Jimmy Walsh, boxing guru of Bridge Street, Callan were joined at the hip.

They devoted every spare minute of their time, and much more, to the boxing clubs they loved. 

The friends, both of whom were talented boxers were inseparable, united by mutual loyalty fostered by an innate friendship that was born out of a fountain of admiration that prospered and was akin to a cradle to the grave relationship encouraged by love of the same sport.

The common denominator of the inseparable lifetime friends was the art of amateur boxing to which Ollie devoted his life and Jimmy, at age 91 continues to shower on Callan Boxing Club, his spiritual home for decades.

For our Lords of the Ring the popular sport has for decades been the dynamic duo’s pride and joy, a passion second only to their beloved families.

There was always mutual respect between the pair both of whom championed fair play and sporting ethics.

Sadly, a great friendship was fractured with the passing of 63 years old Ollie, father of Paulstown Boxing who would have been 64 next August.

Ollie, a champion of the ring in his early years was used to winning with courage, character and excellent boxing skills.

But despite a gallant fight to beat illness Ollie’s most important battle was to prove to be his last. He fought the good fight but alas it wasn’t to be. He refused to throw in the towel but sadly it was time to say goodbye.

The one he desperately wanted to win was to prove a bridge too far and to the grief of his wife Carmel; proud boxing sons Darren, Aidan and Daniel, Ollie passed away peacefully.

That his funeral was akin to a State burial was no surprise. Ollie, a true gentleman was hugely popular and highly respected not only in his own club Paulstown BC which continued to thrive under his stewardship but throughout the regional and national boxing clubs.

A member of a proud boxing family, Ollie always enjoyed the support of his loving wife Carmel who was forever by his side.

That his sons Darren, Aidan and Daniel were top class boxers really pleased Ollie, the undisputed father of local boxing.

Darren was perhaps the better known pugilist and was hugely successful but brilliant fighters too were his battling brothers; all three boys were adored by dad Ollie who delighted in their ring escapades.

A peripheral interest when it came to any comparisons with boxing, Ollie also gave unselfishly of himself as a referee of Gaelic Games and was regarded as a top class official.

Ollie’s remains reposed at Hehir’s Funeral Home in St Canice’s Parish in Kilkenny City before removal to his beloved Kellymount, Paulstown home town.

Aptly, his huge funeral cortege set out from Paulstown Boxing Club to the local Church of the Assumption after which burial was at the New Cemetery following Requiem Mass.

Paulstown Boxing Club will always be a wonderful legacy to a man who unselfishly devoted himself to a club with which he was in love a club which with the high standards set by Ollie will forever and a day continue to be among Ireland’s finest.

Ollie may be gone from us, but his name will never die.

He is survived by his wife and sons; brothers Andrew, Jim and Joe; sisters Bernie, Teresa, Margaret and Angela; daughters-in-law Alison, Sinead and Niamh; grandchildren Jack, Mia and Ada; nephews and nieces.

Ollie will rest in peace knowing that his lifelong friend Jimmy Walsh will pray for him every day for as long as he has a breath in his body.

Genuine friends never part. They only take a break.

The post Lords of the Ring appeared first on Kilkenny Press.

He said his piece when interviewed on KCLR radio.

I would lean even stronger on the button of criticism by calling the nonsensical farce where the sliotar was carried over the St Thomas’s goal line for a ‘certain score’ as diabolical.

For an organization that may view its set-up as professional in all aspects of the game of hurling except in paying talented and heroic hurlers for their wonderful entertainment skills, the GAA mess bordered on shoddy admin shamateurism which should be bullet-proof.

On a turbulent day of biting cold, lashing rain and wild wind, the GAA let itself down in the worst possible way.

It failed to show respect to those who are the artisans and hod carriers of the hurling game of the future while perhaps concentrating too much on ensuring that not even a mouse could sneak in without paying digitally.

In other words the homework was done to ensure that administration generally, like having the pitch in pristine condition and that volunteers were at their posts thereby ensuring that the coffers would get the boost that was vital, deserved too.

But not being capable of deciphering when a ‘goal’ was not a ‘goal’ smacked of the kind of preparation by a conscientious soldier who brushed his or her uniform, polished his or her boots and then failed to tie his or her laces.

It is as simple as that.

Granted, Hawkeye was in good form when a possible point that oozed uncertainty amongst umpires was decided by a confident ‘níl’ or ‘tá’ decision.

But when it came to a possible match-changing decision, deciding whether or not a ‘goal’ was a ‘goal’ or was not, there was organized chaos and regardless of who likes it or not, it must be said; it also ended in a brutal injustice.

The world and its mother could see that a defender had fallen over the line, dragging the sliotar with him.

What ensued resembled a scene from the Keystone Kops or Laurel and Hardy. 

Yes it was funny in a crazy way too but certainly not for O’Loughlin Gaels players, mentors and hordes of devoted club supporters.

Hawkeye had paid deserved attention to possible points that caused uncertainty but the only goal of the afternoon, a legitimate score, proved to be the elephant in the room.

What happened?

Umpires were alert but human error meant that they missed out on what really happened. In fairness, they should not shoulder the blame as they are not asked to be judge and jury on whether a point is a score or a wide.

Hawkeye is your only man or woman in the latter department.

The referee seemed to place his trust in the umpires and without any real fuss the goal was not given.

Ultimately, it is those on the ladder of power in the GAA, an organization that we must acknowledge, does brilliant work for Gaelic Games, should be answering the awkward questions.

Was it a case of fail to prepare; prepare to fail?

O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Club was not the only loser. The GAA certainly had egg on its face. 

No one spotted the fly in the ointment and so a game that was exciting entertainment despite the fuss that Storm Isha kicked up was thrown into utter confusion.

On an occasion that was shrouded in a no goal controversy that should have been handled like a storm in a tea cup is now a festering sore that someone must come up with a cure for. 

You can ask O’Loughlin Gaels supporters, the pain is a belly-acher and may take years to cure.

In the meantime perhaps it would be wise to brace Hawkeye for any possible goal line controversies.

Granted, the horse has bolted, but the stable door is still ajar. 

Hopefully someone will have the balls to slam it closed.

The post OPINION: GAA scores own goal in final fiasco appeared first on Kilkenny Press.

Phenomenal soccer talent Paul McGrath is arguably the greatest ever player to wear the Republic of Ireland jersey.

The great irony is that he graced the world soccer stage while nursing two wonky knees which were so fragile that he could not train at times before English top flight clashes.

Carrickshock and Kilkenny hurling hero Richie Power Jnr is our local miracle who battled through years of pain in a wonky left knee to help blast the black and amber to eight senior hurling All-Ireland titles.

Like Paul, a soccer wizard who started his career with League of Ireland Club St Patrick’s Athletic of Inchicore, Dublin the Powerful Richie, a magician with a hurley refused to bow to excruciating torture as he battled through the pain barrier. 

His love of family, the game of hurling, his county and country fuelled his blazing hurling guns.

That his Herculean efforts, inspired by love helped to Power Richie to the pinnacle of a game for which he has insatiable passion, was achieved by a devoted amateur sportsman is an extraordinary achievement at a time when money rules in so many global sports.

Paul McGrath may not be a cousin or indeed related in any way to our undoubted king of skill and courage but the pair just may have been joined at the hip of fearlessness in their pursuit of success.

Paul was prepared to risk his limbs for his beloved Republic of Ireland and for professional soccer giants Manchester United and Aston Villa at different times.

Regardless of the pangs of pain Richie was always ready to take up his bed and walk, as it were, not for his glorification but for neighbours and neighbours’ children in his native Hugginstown, all of whom eat, sleep and drink the game of hurling.

On the pitch both athletes have shown remarkable true grit and courage. Off the pitch their lives were not always a bed of roses either.

Both had their demons. Paul fought with alcohol while Richie was tormented by gambling. 

Both showed remarkable resilience and admirable fighting spirit as they won their respective wars.

Paul now lives happily in Wexford and Richie laps up family love with his nearest and dearest.

Hurling means everything to the extended Power family, his loving mother, brothers and sisters, his partner and perhaps very specially his dad Richie Snr who like his son of the same name wore the Kilkenny and Carrickshock jerseys with sensational pride.

The Richies and fellow aficionados continue to toil with pride at the coalface of Carrickshock GAA, founded in 1928, a monument to love of place, togetherness and pride in the parish.

A book launched in Langton’s, John Street on Wednesday, ‘Power: A Family Memoir’, penned by father and son, the two Richies, supported by journalist Dermot Keyes and published by former Meath Gaelic Football star Liam Hayes is a refreshing insight into a loving Power Clan and all it stands for.

It chronicles the passion of local hurlers, the volunteers from proud local families that keep the hurling show on the road, a Carrickshock GAA Club that encourages camaraderie and community spirit that may forever be at the heart of a hurling stronghold in the bowels of South Kilkenny.

Speakers at the launch included former GAA President, Nickey Brennan and Tom Murphy, chair Carrickshock GAA Club. Liam Hayes was master of ceremonies. The book was launched by former Kilkenny hurling icon, a master of midfield excellence, Frank Cummins.

The book, great value at €20 is on sale in urban and rural shops and in Kilkenny City bookshops.

The Battle of Wounded Knee was a massacre of Larota Indians by US Army Troops in South Dakota in 1890.

In more recent times Richie Power and Paul McGrath won their Battle of Wonky Knees with a mix of bravery and skill that is an example to all young sportsmen and women.

The post Brave heroes win Battle of Wonky Knees appeared first on Kilkenny Press.

In 1966 Kilkenny lost the All-Ireland to Cork although they were red hot favourites. Cork won by 3:9 to 1:10. 

The newspapers the next day were full of talk about ‘the year of the sleeping pill’. It was the first year players had taken them before an All-Ireland final. 

There was lots of smart comments afterwards that the Kilkenny players took them too late because they hadn’t fully woke up until after the match.

After losing the All-Ireland the Kilkenny team returned home from Dublin on the train. 

At the station the great Kilkenny goalkeeper Ollie Walsh got on board the luggage car and started driving it around the platform. Most of his teammates were amazed he was not arrested. 

Dunne in

In 1979 after Kilkenny beat Galway in the All-Ireland hurling final Fan Larkin rushed off the field in to the dressing room to tog in. 

A clearly startled Mick Dunne went into the Kilkenny room just minutes after the match to prepare later for a live interview only to see Fan already fully clothed. 

Clearly Fan had missed the presentation. Dunne asked him why he was in the dressing room so quickly? 

‘I have to go to Mass Mick,’ replied Fan in a matter-of-fact voice.

The rivalry between Kilkenny and Tipperary down the decades has produced many great quips. 

On RTÉ’s Up for The Match All-Ireland preview in 2014 former Tipperary captain Declan Carr said he could never sleep the night before an All-Ireland final and suggested that if you could sleep you were not properly up for the game.

Former Kilkenny great Michael Kavanagh was immediately asked if he slept the night before a final. He replied: ‘It depended on who we were playing. If we were playing Tipperary I slept like a baby.’

Fast Cats 

In 1988 Kilkenny minors, were giving Galway an almighty hammering in the All-Ireland semi-final. 

At one point late in the game the Cats were bringing on a sub. They were taking their time about it to the frustration of the Galway fans. Eventually one shouted, ‘If ye don’t hurry up he will soon be overage!’

Love Story

Not all the Cats’ fans were appreciative of Cork hurling. Before the 2006 All-Ireland final between the counties one Kilkenny fan unfurled a huge banner of Derek Lyng in Urlingford which read ‘Our Lynger can beat 15 langers.’

Put Your Sweet Lips A Little Closer to the Phone

Kilkenny legend Richie Hogan retired recently. He was one of the most skillful hurlers the game has ever seen – even in Kilkenny. 

He had an embarrassing moment when he thought he was leaving three romantic voice messages singing to his girlfriend, but instead sent them to Colm Parkinson/ Last February Richie explained to me: 

‘I actually am quite a good singer. I was doing a bit of work in the Middle East and my girlfriend kept ringing me at maybe 8 or 9 o’clock (Irish time) and the time difference was five hours so it was like 1 or 2 o’clock in the morning. 

So I said I’d leave her a message when I get up. You know when you’re kind of half awake at five or six o’clock in the morning and when a message does come up on your WhatsApp, you click it just to see? 

I was trying to wake her up early but it kind of backfired because my three songs ended up on Colm’s voicemail. I would love to have seen his face when he listened back to them!’

John’s new book is available in all good bookshops now.

The post Sleep walkers beaten in All-Ireland Final appeared first on Kilkenny Press.

Based in the heart of our city the race, which has stunning Kilkenny Castle as a backdrop, will see triathletes from all over Ireland swimming, cycling and running their best on Sunday, July 16.

This year’s race is sponsored by Manicle Property Insurance Claims (MPIC). Established in Kilkenny in 2012, MPIC provides a property claims management service to clients nationwide. 

MPIC is an ideal sponsors for this year’s triathlon – Seán Manicle and Cora Hennessy are long-standing members of Kilkenny Triathlon Club.

“Having been involved with the club since the start, this is a great opportunity for us to give something back,” said Cora. 

“While triathlon is an individual sport the club has a wonderful community, with people of all ages involved. 

“At Manicle Property Insurance Claims our philosophy as a business is ‘how can we help’,” added Seán. 

“For us, that was a match with the triathlon club’s ethos, as it is always there helping people. That’s why we came on board as race sponsors – it makes for a great partnership.”

The race begins with a 750m downstream swim in the Nore followed by a 20km cycle which takes participants out into Kilkenny’s idyllic countryside before looping back to the Castle Park for a 5km run. 

The course is testing, but offers a challenge to the experienced triathlete and beginner. There is also a try-a-Tri option, which has a 350m swim.

Part of what makes the event such a hit with participants is the friendliness of race day. Kilkenny Triathlon Club prides itself on being a hands-on club – members volunteer on the day, offering help to ease any last-minute nerves and to ensure everyone enjoys the day.

None of this would be possible without the help and support of the event partners and sponsors.

For all who enter this year’s race, Manicle Property Insurance Claims has provided a special bonus prize. Three lucky people will win a race kitbag.

That’s not all – to recognise the efforts of the volunteers, a fourth kitbag will be raffled between KTC volunteers.

“It takes a lot to run an event for any club,” said Cora. “I think it’s hugely important that we show our appreciation for the volunteers and all they do. 

“The one thing people always say about the duathlons and triathlons in Kilkenny is that they are run and marshalled so well. 

“People are always so friendly and encouraging, and they bring an element of safety and clarity that makes the day run so good.”

For more on the Triathlon, or to sign up for this year’s event while there is still time – there please visit www.kilkennytriathlonclub.com

The post Triathlon tingle edges closer appeared first on Kilkenny Press.

U9: Lauren Malone, Robbie Geraghty, Reese Hetherington, Kayden Mackey.

U10: Kate Malone, Shane Buggy, Cillian Brennan, Joe Crennan and
Ethan Renwick, Shay Geraghty.

U11:D. Malone.

U12: Cara Maher, Zara Renwick , James Bourne.

U13: Connor Holohan, Darragh Crennan.

U14: Daniel Bourne.

U15: Laura Gamble.

There were seven athletes whose performances placed them in the medals.

James Kelly continued his rich vein of form winning gold in the Senior Men’s 5km race.

At U11 Aoibhinn Malone won bronze in Turbo Javelin; a feat achieved also by Laura Gamble at U15 Long jump, Joe Crennan at U10 80m, Darragh Crennan U13 Shot Putt, and Daniel Bourne U14 1500m.

Daniel’s diversity is indicated by his additional 80m success, where he won silver. Zara Renwick also won silver in U12 200m.

The second stage of the Track & Field is on May 14.

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To be fair to the hurlers of Kilkenny and Galway they did their best to stage a classical outdoor drama for supporters of the Cats and the Tribe.

The state was brilliant. The outdoor arena was in pristine condition. But while they did well for the time of year both sets of performers still failed to cut the muster with their respective fans.

Yes the teams did serve up some exciting fair and yes there were times when the game threatened to develop into a thriller.

For whatever reasons, reasons that are no doubt now well known to team bosses Derek Lyng and Henry Shefflin, the best made plans of mice and men too often had a piece missing from the jigsaw.

Supporters will have returned home with mixed feelings. Galway could have won. Kilkenny should have won.

Consensus has to be that the dress rehearsal went reasonably well. What happened in UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday will hardly be mentioned should or rather when the teams meet again in the Leinster Final later in the season.

Agatha Christie’s work of detective fiction Cat Among the Pigeons should bring a thunder and lightning encounter that will test the mettle of both counties and perhaps lead to an All-Ireland Final.

God is good.

The Devil can break hearts.

The post Piece missing from jigsaw appeared first on Kilkenny Press.

Kilkenny showed more bottle than Cork and deservedly won a place in the National Senior Hurling League Final.

Our Cats, including several hurling interns, showed continued improvement as they took the game to the Rebels, bossed proceedings for much of the tie and showed real courage as Cork staged a late rally.

Ironically, it was a second half spat between several players from both sides that got most supporters on their feet.

The battle was more of a side plate than a main course as much of the pushing and shoving was a Handbags at Dawn affair.

But there were a couple of clips that led to a Cork sending off and yellow cards for a few others.

Kilkenny seemed content to hold on to their respectable lead but despite being a man down Cork pushed the attack button and when the visitors scored three successive points without reply one sensed squeaky bum time.

The inexperienced Cats found it difficult to ‘kill’ the game but the calming influence of home goalkeeper Eoin Murphy was priceless.

The Cork rally proved to be too little, too late and Kilkenny deservedly eased to a final joust with All-Ireland champions Limerick.

The big match will be in Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday week. Limerick, 8/11 at the time of writing, to win another All-Ireland will start favourites against a very fit and willing Kilkenny that is a tempting 8/1 to win the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

The Kilkenny team selection may have a big say on what way the cookie crumble. Will the Cats bring back the experienced Shamrocks lads et alia for the showdown?

Only time will tell. In the meantime happy supporters should have good fun guessing.

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