It’s old hat for Cats but Galway up for day in the sun
On the eve of the All-Ireland showdown between Kilkenny and Galway, both counties are gearing up for the final in their own way.
For the Cats, it’s a case of been there, done that. After al,l it’s been just 12 months since they were last in this situation.
Having won eight All-Irelands since 2000, they barely have time to take down the bunting before it’s going back up.
For Galway, it’s a different story. Last in the final in 2005 and before that in 2001, they lost on both occasions and haven’t won an All-Ireland since 1988. It’s been a long 24 years and the county is determined to have its day out, no matter what happens tomorrow.
One omen that might be going in favour of the Tribesmen is their choice of mayor. Galway have only won four All-Ireland titles and current mayor Terry O’Flaherty’s late mother, Bridie O’Flaherty, was the city’s first citizen when Galway bridged a 57-year gap winning the crown in 1980.
“She was so proud of that, it was such a wonderful occasion,” said Mr O’Flaherty. “It was so long since Galway had won it and everyone got wrapped up in it.”
Should Kilkenny turn the tables on Galway and record yet another All-Ireland win tomorrow, Laura Heverin might be advised to take an unscheduled holiday.
The home economics teacher is a native of Clonberne outside Glenamaddy in Galway but teaches at Grennan College in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, of all places.
Until yesterday her secret wasn’t widely known, but yesterday parents and others saw Laura arrive for work in her Galway colours so her cover has been blown.
“Last year I had my Galway jersey on when we had county colours day, because obviously I don’t have a Kilkenny jersey, but I don’t think people really noticed,” she said. “But now the competition is on.”
She previously taught in Ferrybank on the Kilkenny side of Waterford city, and has been working in Grennan College for the last two years, where the students will undoubtedly give her an earful if their teams win tomorrow.
“They’re all looking forward to it. I’m telling them we’re going to win and they’re saying: ‘Bring it on.’ ”
Of course, Galway have already beaten Kilkenny in this year’s championship but at the time, there was no mileage for Laura in terms of slagging potential: “I was going mad because we were on school holidays at the time so I didn’t get the chance. So if we do win I’ll be looking forward to Monday and wearing my Galway jersey again.”
She confesses she wasn’t the biggest hurling fan in the past but things are changing fast: “Now that Galway are playing Kilkenny, it’s upped the ante.”
As with every All-Ireland, the hunt for tickets in both counties has been feverish. Traditionally, tickets for the hurling final are easier to lay your hands on than for the football final and this year is proving no different.
In fact, swaps between the hurling counties and those involved in the football decider Donegal and Mayo are proving popular.
Luckily, the GAA is keeping an eye on touts, and spokesman Alan Milton warned fans that any tickets bought on touting websites will be cancelled.
“It’s the same problem every year when we get to the All-Ireland finals where demand outstrips supply,” he said. “However, with the explosion of online selling like eBay and social media, it’s obviously more active. It’s something we do actively police and any tickets on touting websites the GAA are made aware of, where the section and seat number can be established are automatically cancelled.
“So we are just advising people that if they buy from an untrustworthy source, the ticket may have been cancelled and they will not gain admission to the stadium,” he said.
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