Niall Gilligan still going strong (at 40)

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.

And so, Niall Gilligan goes again. This evening, in a Cusack Park dressing room in Ennis, ‘Gilly’ will lace ‘em up again, pull on the saffron and blue of Sixmilebridge and begin his 23rd season of senior club hurling.

The smell of deep heat, the feeling of tension in the air, the “excitement and giddiness” afterwards if they can get one over on old rivals Clarecastle. That’s why he’s back, at 40 years of age, for another crack.