Favourites Woodstock chase their first national pennant

GALWAY is bracing itself for a shindig to beat all shindigs should Woodstock capture the Bulmers Pierce Purcell Shield over the next couple of days.

The 11-year-old Ennis club is seeking its first national pennant as indeed are today's semi-final rivals Loughrea, as well as the other qualifiers Moyola Park from Castledawson and Castlewarden from Co Kildare.

Woodstock would seem to be the front-runners for the champions' title. One of their team members is Michael O'Brien, a man known throughout the country where traditional Sean Nos music is concerned. He is a magnificent entertainer and not a bad golfer either, a point he has proven this year in his all-conquering partnership with Liam McInerney.