Another link to ’Blayney

FAIR PLAY to the Castleblayney hurlers who produced a super show in the recent AIB All-Ireland Junior Club final in Croke Park, with the Monaghan side leading hot fancies Dunnamaggin of Kilkenny for a long time before succumbing by 1-17 to 1-13.

We highlighted the Duffry Rovers connections of their star forward, Fergal Rafter, prior to the decider, and he certainly lived up to his potential with an impressive nine-point haul.

Lining out at right corner-forward, the son of Martin and nephew of Louis and Joan picked off six scores from frees, one from a ’65, and two from play.

And another Castleblayney/Wexford link has been highlighted by one of our regular readers, Seamus Mooney, a native of Monaghan.

He tells us that, in 1959, ’Blayney were the county league and championship winners, and one of their key players was Kilkenny native Frank Cullinane who was stationed in the area as a Garda.

Of course, Frank, went on to serve for many years in Wexford, and his sons, Ray and Tom, were prominent hurlers with Faythe Harriers and footballers with the Volunteers.

Ray also represented Wexford in Minor and Under-21 hurling, while Frank’s grandchildren are currently actively involved with various Clonard/Volunteers ladies’ football teams.

Frank, Fergal’s father Martin, plus many others from the ranks of Gardaí, Customs Officers, army, agricultural and teaching personnel brought their hurling skills to the border town and joined up with enthusiastic locals to ensure the small ball game is alive and well.