Cats had paws in Dubs’ Féile win
Kilkenny selector Michael Dempsey is a brother of Castleknock’s Margaret Farrelly and the former Laois footballer arranged for fellow mentor Martin Fogarty to travel to the Dublin club a few weeks prior to the tournament to impart some advice.
Dempsey also organised an ice-bath session for the Dublin youngsters prior to their semi-final defeat of Offaly’s St Rynagh’s at Nowlan Park.
Cody himself chipped in with some words of encouragement after watching Castleknock defeat St Rynagh’s in Tullaroan where his was one of a number of James Stephens houses playing host to Cork’s Blackrock.
Two late points eventually secured the win against the Offaly side in what was the match of the weekend and GAA president Nickey Brennan said afterwards that it was the best game of U14 hurling he had ever seen.
“Brian said that it was the best game of U14 hurling he had ever seen as well and he gave the lads a great speech in the dressing room before the final. That really motivated them,” said team selector John Kilkenny.
Castleknock’s defeat of Limerick’s Ahane in the final saw them emulate Kilmacud Crokes’ success of two years ago but their victory is, if anything, an even more noteworthy achievement.
Founded just nine years ago, the club this week received planning permission to build a clubhouse and grounds beside the Castleknock Hotel and Golf Club and hope that some of the teams that have stayed there in the past, including Tyrone, will avail of their facilities in the years to come.
At the moment though the club has no clubhouse and yet caters for over 800 boys and girls on public ground while also running four adult teams in both codes. Despite those circumstances, success has been a regular visitor although last Sunday’s was the pinnacle so far.
Dublin county secretary John Costello was part of a large crowd on hand to welcome Nick Boland’s team and its 1000 supporters back to the parish on Sunday evening.
“I think the lads were more excited by the police escort they got from the toll bridge back to Castleknock,” said Kilkenny.
“They were happier after that and there was such a buzz around when the bus got home.”
Kilkenny played in the inaugural Féile with a Tipp club while on holidays there in the early 70s but, he confesses he had no idea that the weekend would go so well eventhough his side beat Naas, Durlas Óg and Toomevara prior to the tournament.
“We knew we had a decent team but, it is like my mother always said, you would be afraid of the Newlands Cross syndrome.
“Once Dublin teams go past the crossroads you just don’t know how they will perform.”
They went on to beat two Kilkenny teams and the Clare champions before accounting for Blackrock, St Rynagh’s and Ahane; further evidence if it were needed of the game’s renaissance in the capital.
With the county’s underage success finally filtering through to the senior level, the future looks bright for Dublin hurling but Kilkenny believes there are still battles to be won if their potential is to be fulfilled.
“It has improved but the situation still needs to be looked at, especially once they get to 14 year’s of age. Dublin still needs to get it’s act together. Good hurlers usually make good footballers. Good footballers don’t necessarily make good hurlers.”
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