Heroes & hopefuls

IT'S LATE November, chilly night in Gowran, another evening of drudge, of trudge through the sludge after more weeks of heavy rain, for 23 of the parish's finest. But no one's complaining.

The club, Young Irelands, from one of the smallest parishes in one of the smallest counties in the country, are still in the championship, facing the might of multiple All-Ireland-title winners Birr on Sunday.

Yes, Kilkenny is one of the smallest and less-populated counties in Ireland, making their achievements nationally far more impressive than those of either Cork or Tipperary.