Divided clans chasing victory

Throw a sliotar across a field in the vicinity of any of the communities which nestle against the Kilkenny/ Tipperary border and you’re likely to hit someone who supports one county but is married to, works with, or is friends with, someone from the other side.

Take the Bolgers, who live in Poulacapple on the Tipperary side, and are a classic “mixed marriage”, in hurling terms. Jackie Bolger is originally from Mullinahone, also in Tipperary, and has been linked with the club of Eoin Kelly and Paul Curran all his life; while his wife Tina Bolger is from Callan.

“I’m Tipp, very much so, and she’s a Kilkenny woman,” says Jackie Bolger.

Now married over 30 years, the couple did move to Callan at one stage.

“I spent six years plotting a plan to get her back over the border,” he laughs. “We’re back over 20 years now. When Kevin was born, my son, I didn’t mind it the first couple of years, but when he started to hurl, it was important for him to move on.”

It’s a common feature of the build-up to matches involving the two counties. “Everyone on the road is Kilkenny and Tipp. Even the school, in Poulacapple, is completely festooned in both black and amber and blue and gold.”

Tina describes herself as “a true cat” who was “dragged across the border” by her husband. “I wouldn’t shout for them [Tipperary] for anything.”

This has been a week or two, since the identity of the finalists became known, of “great slagging”, Tina says, and that’s set to peak between 3.30 and 5pm tomorrow.

“I’m going to watch it here at home and I have a few coming here and I’ll have a barbecue.”

Some of her guests will even be Tipp fans: “I’m well able to handle them!”

As for the action itself, she doesn’t hesitate: “I’m thinking that Kilkenny will win. I think we’ll have the edge but I’d say it will be a good match.”

Further south, in Sean Treacy Park in Carrick-on-Suir one black-and-amber jersey is sported by brave Michael Hayden, who is proud to say he’s from Assumption Place in Kilkenny city.

He said the atmosphere in the estate is “absolutely brilliant,” with much slagging and plenty of crack expected tomorrow afternoon. “At the end of the day, everyone will be on the road and come Sunday evening the whole place will be full. Kilkenny, Tipp, they’ll all be here.”

Some reckon little Sophie O’Brien brought the county luck in 2010 and her sister will do the same this year.

“Lily was born on July 5, it’s a great sign,” said mum Amy Harris in the proud housing estate which will party tomorrow night — no matter what the result.