Convicted hurler held grudge for 25 years

A grudge held for 25 years by a hurler over being denied a place in a North Cork final which led to him attacking a man last year was described by a judge as a moment of madness in an otherwise blemish-free life.

“I believe he will never be in court again, and he has suffered as a result of his mistake,” Judge Olann Kelleher said as he gave William Higgins, who is now 53, the benefit of a dismissal under the Probation of Offenders Act.

Higgins was convicted a month ago for of assaulting publican and former Kildorrery selector, Tom Walsh, and his wife, Noreen, after a drawn junior hurling final on Oct 21 last year at Páirc Uí Rinn.