Gort star Harte looking to avenge pain of the ’80s

GORT are determined to continue Galway’s remarkable record in the All-Ireland club hurling championship, according to star attacker Aidan Harte.

Galway clubs have won ten of the last 20 All-Ireland titles but Harte said Gort’s failure to claim national honours after they captured a brace of county titles at the start of the 1980s — when his father Josie was corner-back — will be a driving force.

Gort were defeated in the 1982 All-Ireland semi-final by James Stephens and two years later reached the final when they beat Midleton. The final took place the following day when Ballyhale Shamrocks, who had also won their semi-final the previous day against Ballycastle from Antrim, prevailed after a replay.

Manager Matt Murphy, who was corner-forward for Gort then, said that it was a regret that they did not win the All-Ireland.

Murphy said: “We drew the short straw, having to play the Munster champions in Limerick on the Saturday and then having to go to Birr the following day and take on the Leinster champions,” said Murphy.

Gort dethroned All-Ireland champions Clarinbridge by 0-17 to 1-12 on Sunday and Harte, who scored 0-5, said they would now turn their attentions to the All-Ireland series.

“We will enjoy our county final win first but we owe it to the men who were so unlucky not to win in the early ‘eighties to have a right go at winning the All-Ireland. A good few of the guys’ fathers were playing then and it would be a great way to honour them.”