'The electricity can be unreliable': Hurling fans in Uganda hope power holds up for final

As fans from around the world prepare for the All-Ireland hurling final, one diehard Cork supporter will be wearing his trademark sombrero and cape after securing a coveted ticket

John Conroy and some fellow Clare men who are volunteering with an Irish-founded hospice charity in Jinja, Uganda. 

From the banks of the Lee to the source of the Nile, GAA fans from around the world are eagerly awaiting tomorrow’s All-Ireland Senior Hurling final showdown between Cork and Clare.

GAA superfan and Rebel county legend Cyril Kavanagh (pictured below) was ironing his iconic cape as he prepares to hit the road for Croke Park, while diehard Banner fans in rural Uganda are hoping for a reliable power supply so they watch the game online.

With the frantic scramble for tickets set to continue into the early hours of Sunday morning, Cyril — known around the country for his trademark sombrero and Mexican cape — managed to secure his ticket on Thursday afternoon.

“I’ve been told I’ll be sitting close to the GAA Ard Comhairle section,” Cyril said.

When asked if this means he’ll have to wear a suit, he quipped: “I’ve been wearing the sombrero and cape to matches for 51 years.

I take them off for nobody

However, for nine Clare supporters who are volunteering with a hospice charity in Uganda, securing a reliable power supply was the main concern ahead of tomorrow’s big game.

Michael Cusacks’ clubman John Conroy is the among the group working with Rays of Hope Jinja Hospice this summer in Jinja, about 100km east of Kampala, at the source of the mighty Nile on the northern shores of Lake Victoria.

Cork GAA Superfan Cyril Kavanagh gets his match kit ready, joined by his grandchildren Alex and Ben O'Driscoll. Picture: Larry Cummins

Mr Conroy, a yoga and GAA coach who was involved in the Banner footballers’ backroom team for several years, has set up Nile Óg Cusacks GAA Club.

He was coaching kids yesterday, many of whom have special needs — including 28 deaf children — in nearby Iblanku.

“We’re teaching them the ‘Lovely Rose of Clare’ too,” he joked.

“They can all play football and we are working on their hurling skills. We have Muslims, Christians, Islamic kids, and orphaned kids, it’s a real cross-section.

It’s very inclusive and they are all enjoying it

“We have a TV screen lined up for Sunday. The place where we’ll be watching has electricity, but it can be unreliable and can cut out from time to time.

“We’ll be hoping it holds up during the match, which we plan to have on the phone and cast onto the screen.”

Youngsters from Inniscarra GAA club, home of Cork captain Sean O’Donoghue, give a big send off for the Cork team in tomorrow’s All-Ireland Senior Hurling final against Clare. Picture: Eddie O’Hare

Meanwhile, Tánaiste Micheál Martin — who has spent most of the last week in East Africa — confirmed he will be in Croke Park on Sunday because “this is DNA stuff” as a Cork supporter.

In Addis Ababa on the final day of his four-day trip to Ethiopia and Kenya, Mr Martin said: “I think this Cork team has given us tremendous happiness all year by the style of their hurling and their commitment.”

Singling out Séamus Harnedy and Patrick Horgan for special praise, Mr Martin added: “I think, for certain players on that team, we would love to see them win this one.

“I think they have every chance of winning it, but it will take from the first minute to the last minute.”