Hurling should get own funding, says Kelly

THE GAA is optimistic that the Government is prepared to give formal recognition to the game of hurling by grant-aiding it as a separate entity from Gaelic football.

Speaking at the Liam McCarthy Cup celebrations in Co Cork at the week-end, GAA president Seán Kelly made it clear they weren’t happy with the situation that has prevailed in the past whereby they were treated the same as rugby and soccer in the disbursement of grants to the various sporting bodies.

“We have two games,” he commented.

Pointing out that they were in the process of finalising their submission to Sports Minister John O’Donoghue - and recognising the importance of doing so before the planned Cabinet re-shuffle - he said they had received a very positive response from the Government.

Mr Kelly made his comments in the course of his formal address to the winning captains and representatives of the past 83 All-Ireland hurling winning teams - since the Liam McCarthy Cup was first presented in 1921. He said the championship to date had been highlighted by some outstanding games and he looked forward to Cork and Kilkenny providing a fitting contest in three weeks’ time to bring the curtain down on a great year.

Liam McCarthy was born in London to Irish parents - his father coming from Ballygarvan and his mother from Bruff in Co. Limerick - and a deep involvement with the GAA in the English capital prompted his decision to present the trophy for the senior hurling championship.

A number of his descendants were present at a luncheon in Carrigaline Court and later at the formal presentation of Waterford Crystal replica cups in the Ballygarvan GAA grounds. His great grand-son Michael was the recipient of one of the replicas.

A number of prominent captains of recent times were absent, with Conor Hayes and Anthony Daly -members of a select group of seven who captained two winning teams - away on holidays. A Kilkenny open day meant that Noel Skehan, Brian Cody and DJ Carey were unable to travel.

Organised by the GAA’s Social and Awards committee headed by Cork County Board Chairman Jim Forbes, it was planned to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the death of Christy Ring. Described by Mr Kelly as the greatest hurler of them all, he recalled his unique distinction of captaining three winning Cork teams.

The oldest captain present was Cork’s Connie Buckley, who led the 1941 winning team. The only other survivor from the forties to personally receive his replica was Pat Stakelum (1949). Captains from the following decade who were in attendance included Jimmy Finn, Jim English and Frankie Walsh. Other hurling greats present were Eddie Keher, Jim Treacy, Jimmy Doyle, Ray Cummins, Charlie McCarthy, Joe Connolly, Liam Fennelly, John Fenton and Thomas Dunne.

Liam Fennelly, another dual captain, was the first to be presented with the current Liam McCarthy Cup (in 1992). That was after the original cup was taken out of commission.

In the 83 years since the cup was first presented, Cork and Kilkenny were each winners 21 times, followed by Tipperary (16), Limerick and Wexford (5 each), Galway and Offaly (4 each), Dublin (3), Waterford and Clare (2 each).

*Guests included Ulster Council Chairman Michael Greenan, Leinster Chairman Nickey Brennan and Munster Chairman Seán Fogarty.