For the first time in his Kilkenny career, Eoin Cody has had to take part in Kilkenny pre-season training. Successive long, trophy-laden winters have meant that, thanks to Ballyhale Shamrocks, he was always otherwise engaged while his fellow Kilkenny panellists were in the middle of it. But defeat to O’Loughlin Gaels in last month’s county […]

2 years ago

Whenever his father Patrick called, usually of a Monday or a Tuesday, Joey Holden knew that, unless he had his homework done, there was no point in picking up. Patrick wanted to talk hurling and that was that. Who played well and who didn’t. How they stayed looking at this lad and how they didn’t […]

3 years ago

Ballyhale Shamrocks 1-16 Ballygunner 0-16 The kings are still the kings. Ballygunner had their year, they had their moment but, for now anyway, until next time, it’s exactly as it was. Ballyhale Shamrocks remain untouched. Pat Hoban told us afterwards that this was just another game, he told us that this was the same as […]

3 years ago

Ballyhale Shamrocks 1-21 James Stephens 2-11 14 men? Is the hunger still there? Can they quieten this Village crowd? Can they what. Ballyhale Shamrocks turned up this Sunday to win their fifth Kilkenny senior hurling championship in a row and they did it with what must be one of their greatest second half performances ever. […]

3 years ago

Ballygunner 2-17 Ballyhale Shamrocks 1-19 Ballygunner have done it. Ballyhale have been Ballyhaled. Where do you even start? The Kilkenny club must have been looking up the steps of the Hogan Stand when, with injury time up, with a two point lead to hold onto, with a ninth All-Ireland club title within smelling distance, Harry […]

4 years ago

Ken Hogan remembers the ‘céad míle fáilte’ the Tipp boys used get down in Wexford and he can’t help but think that those were the days. Hogan played in a very different era to his son Brian and as he compares the past and the present, apples and oranges come to mind. That’s not to […]

4 years ago