Hurling hits historic high in Himalayas

THEY don’t encounter too may puc fadas in the vicinity of the Himalayas, let alone the top of the world.

The world’s highest peak is more used to fluttering flags than soaring sliothars. But shortly after 6am Irish time yesterday morning, Gerard McDonnell from Limerick brought the spirit of the GAA to Mount Everest when he sent a ball flying above 29,000 feet, far higher than any All-Ireland hurler has ever dreamed.

After a punishing climb and summoning his last reserves of strength, he stood aloft of Everest, an area no bigger than a snooker table. Then, displaying the kind of ferocity that DJ Carey would have been proud of, he swung his hurley wide and launched a leather sliothar into history.

An hour and a half before, Gerard’s team-mate Mick Murphy, from Cork, became only the second Irishman ever to place his nation’s tricolour on the summit.

The news of their dual success brought jubilation from other members of the Irish 2003 Everest expedition, among them team leader, Corkman Pat Falvey and Hannah Shields from Derry, one of two women on the team. Hannah had to turn back when she became too exhausted to continue and Pat was forced to retreat within a whisker of the summit when severe weather made the going treacherous.

“There is nowhere in the whole world I’d rather be today than standing in the teeth of the wind at the summit of Everest,” roared Mick Murphy over the radio to Base Camp.

A vigil had been kept throughout the night by Clare O’Leary, a doctor at Cork University Hospital. She had to abandon her summit hopes three days ago when she caught a stomach bug. Also cheering the success were expedition supporters John Joyce, Kevin Hughes, Anne Kellagher and Carol O’Leary, Clare’s sister, along with team liaison manager John Joyce.

At his home in Cork, fellow expedition member George Shorten, also a doctor at Cork University Hospital, was equally pleased with his friends’ success. “I’m delighted for Mick and Ger. Mick is as strong as an ox and I’m particularly thrilled that he made it because back in 1993 he was very close to the summit when a storm drove him back.

Although disappointed he had to come home last week after becoming gravely ill on the mountain, George is proud to have been part of the team.

“Every single member pulled together from the very start. Even when I was sick I was never left alone for a minute. I remember waking up in the medical tent one night to find Pat holding my hand, Hannah massaging my back and Mick lying nearby on the floor. Mick stayed with me for more than 20 hours and never left my side. You don’t get that kind of comradeship among most Everest teams.”

Both Mick Murphy and Gerard McDonnell descended safely yesterday from the summit to Camp Four, a resting stage 3,000ft from the top.

This year, a record 1,000 climbers are attempting to reach the top of what the Tibetans call Chomolungma, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s first ascent.

*To get the latest on the expedition, www.irisheverest2003.com