Cats are back in a league of their own
Rival fans enjoy intense game as Kilkenny pip Tipp to silver
“THE Cats are back,” announced the voice over the tannoy as the kings of hurling, Kilkenny, slew their old foes Tipperary in a game which saw divisions among families.
There is nothing quite like the sporting rivalry between the two neighbouring counties which seems to have only intensified over the years.
And though Tipperary played an impressive game, going ahead early on and firing on all cylinders, there just wasn’t enough left in the tank for a win against the Cats in the National Hurling League final.
As the writing was on the wall approaching full-time, a large number of Tipp fans couldn’t take watching their team lose on enemy turf, so they left Nowlan Park, heads bowed.
For this was a bitter loss indeed.
Small children, already dyed-in-the-wool Tipp fans, huddled close to their parents as they realised defeat was an unfortunate part of sporting life.
But for Kilkenny families, the triumph was almost worth more than a lottery win.
Some of the younger members of the family of Kilkenny forward James Maher smiled and congratulated him as he celebrated his team’s win.
But, of course, they weren’t 100pc committed to the sentiment because they are from Cloughjordan and yesterday they wore their Tipp blue shirts with bitter pride.
Elle Kennedy (17), a cousin of James, said: “We are very happy for James but I’m annoyed Tipperary didn’t win.
“There’s a rivalry within the family because James plays for Kilkenny and our mother supports Kilkenny but it’s all a bit of fun really and James played amazing.” “Up Tipp,” shouted Shay Óg (9), another cousin of James, as he attempted to hide his mother Helen’s Kilkenny jersey.
“My jersey was robbed before I came down today,” said Helen, who was elated at the Cats’ win and “so proud” of James. “My children tried to hide my Kilkenny jersey but it hasn’t worked. I’m Kilkenny through and through,” she laughed. Grandfather John Morris, from Kilkenny, took his grandchildren Sean (12) and Conor Lawton (10) to the game because it’s a “family tradition” he
never forgets to fulfil. His father had been a medic for the Cats and from the age of five John had fallen under the team’s spell.
He dreams one day of his grandsons, already keen hurlers, playing for the team and “carrying on a proud tradition”.
“What we saw here today was an exhibition,” John said.
“We were born with hurling in our blood.
“From the time we got out of the pram, the small ball was there and we were given presents of hurleys and of sliotars. We took it up from there.
“It’s a passion in Kilkenny and I hope my grandsons carry it on.
“We are a close family. My other two grandsons are off with my wife to the pictures. They are enjoying that as we enjoyed the sunshine, our scores and our maestro TJ Reid.
“I’ve seen all the great players down the years because I’ve been watching since I was five.
“My father, Paddy Morris, was a medic for Kilkenny. We used to come over here in the late 60s.
“He’d have his medical bag with him and I’d see the players tog out.
“Those were great memories I’ll cherish always – just like today,” added a delighted John.