Hurling on a winner as preacher Paudie O’Neill spreads gospel

Today, in Portlaoise, former Tipperary coach Paudie O’Neill will have divided loyalties, part of his heart lying with both Clonmel Commercials and Ballyboden St Enda’s. As always, he’ll see the big picture, the health of the game. As he must in his role as chairman of the Hurling Development Committee.

Even for a man who lives a full life, Paudie O’Neill has a particularly full and interesting day ahead.

This afternoon he’ll unassumingly take a seat in the stand in Portlaoise and observe the All-Ireland club football semi-final from that most unique of positions: a proud Clonmel man that won multiple county titles with the Commercials before dedicating much of his adult life into helping make Ballyboden St Enda’s one of the strongest dual clubs in the country.