Cats still have to pay price to holiday
Every pub in the Marble City was packed on Sunday night, on Monday for the incredible homecoming, even last night, as the city settled down and came to terms with the glory. The place was rocking to the rhythm of victory, every man, woman and child apparently in town, determined to have fun.
Langton's in John Street is where both teams finally togged out on Monday evening. They should have been exhausted after their efforts of the previous day, the previous evening, the previous night, but they weren't.
If anything, they were energised by the same adrenaline that saw them crush Clare. Training since last November, 10 months of intense effort, this was party-time. As Eddie Brennan said on Monday to Martin Comerford on the open-top bus, don't sleep, sleeping is cheating. And did they party. People talk of the Mardi Gras festival that was Tea with the Bishop compared to what was going on in Kilkenny.
A little like this Kilkenny squad, it was mainly a young people's affair. Scattered in little groups in the various adjoining party rooms, the players were being lauded and feted by admirers and grateful fans.
But here's the thing, lads. There's support, and then there's real support. They've won the All-Ireland, but the season isn't yet quite over for these Kilkenny lads. Even as they paraded the McCarthy Cup down John Street, around to the market, plans were afoot for one last physical effort. This Sunday evening, 7.30, Kilkenny Greyhound Stadium, eight players will go to traps in a sponsored run. Eight All-Ireland medal winners, eight heroes; Andy Comerford, Derek Lyng, Michael Kavanagh, Henry Shefflin, Brian McEvoy, JJ Delaney, Eddie Brennan, Noel Hickey, one lap of the track, a special race for charity. The cause? The Kilkenny Supporter's Club.
After entertaining nearly 80,000 fans in Dublin on Sunday, after months of hardship and self-sacrifice, unsalaried, training like dogs, these guys are now in a position where, to pay for a holiday for themselves, they have to continue to put themselves out. It is an absolute disgrace.
Kudos to John Mackey, the main man behind the Kilkenny Supporter's Club, for his hard work, his innovative thinking in fundraising for the lads. But he shouldn't have to do this. The very least Croke Park should do for its All-Ireland finalists is foot the tab for a decent holiday for all four teams, including decent 'expenses'. Of course, they won't.
There are decent people in Kilkenny who look after the players, guys like Eamonn Langton, whose appreciation of what these lads do for commerce in his city is the direct opposite of what they get from Croke Park. But now the team, the panel, needs some real support, from real supporters. Apart from the special race among the lads (which, if I'm any judge, could be an interesting exercise on its own), there is a full card of racing. Entry is a mere five. Sponsorship from pubs and businesses in the county would also be appreciated, on the card.
Contact Radio Kilkenny, who will have the details.
On another note, another charity, the annual GOAL challenge is on tonight, 6 pm, Nowlan Park, Kilkenny versus county champions O'Loughlin Gaels. Full-forward for O'Loughlin's? A man who really lives up to the slogan, not men but giants, former Ireland and Munster rugby captain Mick Galwey (other commitments allowing).
In the corner, but only for a few minutes, this eejit, and promised an unmerciful hiding from Michael Kavanagh, with Philly Larkin waiting his turn. Still, it's a disgrace these proud men have to rely on charity for a holiday.
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