Paddy Prendergast: 'The Normans were serious workers. That influence is still there.'

Paddy Prendergast played in five senior All-Ireland finals between 1978 and 1987. Three fell against Cork, two against Galway. He was captain for the loss to the Westerners in 1987. But he has Galway to thank for his best ever performance with Kilkenny.

HARDY CAMPAIGNER: Paddy Prendergast of Kilkenny in action against Cork. ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

Paddy Prendergast’s hurling career with Kilkenny gathered two main threads: the red of Cork and the maroon of Galway.

A Clara clubman, he played in five Senior Finals between 1978 and 1987. Three fell against Cork, two against Galway. He was captain for the loss to the Westerners in 1987. This man turns admirably pithy: “The best thing about that year was that Neal, our youngest lad, was born on the day of the Leinster Final.”