Martin’s tipped to retain title
My county hurling final memories stretch back to 1973
NOTHING BEATS county final day, and as we face into Sunday’s joust between our two best club teams I admit to always feeling a little nostalgic at this time of year.
My first memory of attending a Senior final was way back in 1973 which, being almost 45 years ago, defies my youthful looks.
The ‘70s and its finals were a hugely defining period in my love for the game. That ‘73 final is best remembered for one of the greatest Tony Doran goals being brought back for a free and a narrow defeat for a Mick Butler-less Alley to that wonderful four-in-a-row Rathnure team.
I remember sitting as an eight-yearold in the old Bellefield dressing-room close to the road fully inconsolable and fully appreciating for the first time that a losing Alley dressing-room was a tough place to be.
The ‘75 final was a huge contrast, with Jim McCleane’s early goal setting the trend for what was an unexpected Alley victory over Oulart.
Though the cup was retained in ‘76, it was overshadowed by the sad passing at the match of Tom Butler, a great Alley man and friend, which served to put winning and losing very much into perspective.
Mickey Foley’s save from Seamus O’Leary’s sizzler was the turning point in ‘77, and the memory of Paudge Courtney’s
80-yard solo in ‘78 stands out for me when the Rapps created probably the biggest upset ever to dethrone the Blackstairs men.
1979 brought us the trilogy, and I will never forget ‘Stella’ Walker’s genius over
the three days along with an altercation at half-time.
It occurred right in front of me at the entry gate to the field and as a youngster I could just look on in awe as giants and legends ‘Big Dan and Big George’
exchanged pleasantries before the halftime cuppa.
The dramatic last-minute goal brought the Wexford town men to the promised land in ‘81, and I found myself parading beside Oulart in ‘82 looking over at Mick Jacob, Tom Byrne, P.J. Harris, Pat Dempsey et al wondering how in God’s name did I end up here.
Life is made up of memories, and hurling has played a huge part in mine.
St. Martin’s and Gorey will create their own memories this weekend and it’s a final I am looking forward to.
At first glance the Piercestown men seem outright favourites and deservedly so, but few finals are secured easily.
Tomás Codd’s men have done tremendously well to overcome their injury issues during the year and have been very comfortable reaching the final.
Their physical strength was one of the stand-out factors from the semi victory, and they will be boosted by the probable starting return of Rory O’Connor.
Their defence has been excellent with Willie Devereux, Patrick O’Connor and Aaron Maddock leading from the front, and Jack O’Connor is a man that Gorey will have to come to grips with if they are to push this to the wire.
Whether they go with their normal defensive set-up will be interesting, or possibly pushing Eoin Molloy over on the brilliant Ciarán Lyng will be a consideration, but certainly a repeat of the
semi-final concession of goals would damage their chances irreparably.
The game will hinge on what Gorey bring to the table in their first final. Will they perform like Limerick throwing caution to the wind, or maybe get caught up with the occasion being the town’s first final ever?
I drove through Gorey at the weekend and there is an incredible buzz in the town, and their young, exciting team has been a tonic this year and great for hurling.
They have a brilliant young manager in Willie Cleary and a forward line led by Conor Mac which can throw a game on its head in seconds.
There is no doubt that this forward threat would be lessened considerably if Cathal Dunbar does not play, and his availability or otherwise will have a huge bearing on the north county men’s performance.
My gut feeling is that with a full pack this could be a game to remember, with both teams favouring 15 on 15 and an open style of hurling.
The Martin’s have injury worries in Willie Devereux and Paudie Kelly but have coped comfortably thus far with anything thrown at them.
I feel it might be a bridge too far for the townsmen in their first final to dethrone the champions, and my feeling is that the Bob Bowe Cup will rest in Piercestown for another year.