West Tipperary Senior Hurling Final Match Programme 1997 Cumann Luthcleas Gael - Tiobraid Arann Thiar C(rnche Ceannrus lomrunt SlnSeQR Pairc Ui Laocha, Caiseal-- 24 Lunasa, 1997 v. ~ ~ {6) hl ~~'t()) l l ~~~\c i Reiteoir: Sean 6 Riain Tosmi: 6.45 p.m. ~,J' /JO~ Runal. Wishing Kickhams Wishing the Kickhams the Best of Luck Best of Luck from ... THE Heffernan's CAPITOL Dundrum Grocery, Drapery, Foolwear, CINEMA School Unilorms Now in Slack THURLES Phone: (062) 7tt14 Best wishes to Kickhams Best wishes to team Both Teamsjrolll . .. in the West Final from . ... DUNDRUM The Hive VETERINARY Lounge CENTRE BALLYDINE Jor (II/ your Veterill (lry Supplies We cater for at Keenest Rates Weddings, Functions and all occasions Tel: 062·71355 Contact Philip or Nellie Fax: 062 · 71000 Mobil e: 088·589338 at 0504·42272 ~============~2 ~------------· FAILTE Cathaoirleach Coiste Tiobraid Arann Thiar n behalf of the West Board of the GAA, I would like to welcome the Senior Hurling teams of Cappawhite and Kickhams to OCas he I for the 1997 Carew Investments West Senior Final. This is the most important fixture in our divisional GAA calendar and I hope we get a game deserving of the occasion. In welcoming the teams and their mentors, I should also like to extend a hearty cead mile failte to all our patrons and wish them an exciting and enjoy­ able encounter between the two sides. I want to give a special welcome to John Carew of Carew Investments, the spon­ Sors of our Senior Hurling Championship. This is the first year the Board has sought sponsorship for its championships and leagues and.t is extremely thank­ ful to the many who have come forward with sponsorship. The Board would like to express thanks to all its sponsors and on this occasion to Carew Investments for the very generous sponsorship. In thanking the sponsors I would like to appeal to all our patrons to give our sponsors the support they deserve. This is the first time since 1987 that Leahy Park, Cashel has played host to a West Final. It will appear strange to many that what is probably the premier venue in the division hasn't been used for the premier fixture in a decade. This has been due to Cashel's success in that period. contesting eight of the ten finals played. But, It is also due to the practice in this division of rotating the final in about ten different venues, regardless of whether the venue is central for the competing teams. In the paslten years only four teams, Cashel, Clonoulty, Cappawhite and Kickhams have contested the Senior Final. There is a strong argument for selecting a number of venues to host senior finals. Although in danger of gelling a belt 01 a hurley, I would like to state that the number should be limited 10 Cashel, Golden, Dundrum and Cappawhile. TOday is the first time since 1984 that Cappawhite and Kickhams have clashed in a West Final. On that occasion Cappa were successful and were in the middle of a great period of club strength which brought them Divisional success in 1983, 1984,1985 and 1987, plus county success in the lalter year. Twice since then. in 1989 and 1991, they have contested the final without success. In contrast, Kickhams have had no success. Their last victory was in 1960 and defeat has been their lot in six finals since then, 1962, 1977, 1984, 1988, 1993 and 1995. As I have said before, the worm has to turn sometime and there is a respectable bOdy of belief that today will be the day and that Kickhams Will shake off the 3 frustrations and defeats of so many years. Whatever the outcome, the hurling must be the winner and the game must be contested within the rules of the game. That is why the referee is such an important person in interpreting the rules and protecting the players. John Ryan is refereeing his first senior Final today and the Board has the fullest confidence in his ability to fulfil his role . with everyone's co-operation we can have a very enjoyable game, which can be remembered for all the right reasons. Finally, a special word of thanks to our PRO, J.J. Kennedy, Secretary Jerry Ring and all who contributed to the production of this programme, especially our advertisers. Sea mu s King, Cathaoirleach, Coiste Tiobraid Arann Thiar O'Neills Cashel Ltd. liThe new & used car specialists & 4 x 4's" CO RK R OA D, CASHEL, CO. Tlrl'ERARY T EL (062) 62888. FAx:(062)62544 Guaranteed Used Cars & Commercials Always in Stock THIS WEEK'S SPE CIAL 1994 Rover Discovery Commercial· Blac Met. - As New Price £12,750 Cappa for the West Best of Luck to BookY our The Kickhams from . .. 1998 Wedd in gs a nd get WOODLANDS Spec ia l Considerati on ca ll 10 NURSING ll\cctorp T!)ousc HOME T!)otcI Plw"e,06 -71266 DUN DRUM Good Luck 10 Good Luck to Kick/wills Bolh Tem/ls from .... }i"01I/ .... Maher Dom Fuels Browne B AR & GROCERY C ASHEL KNOCKAVILLA ~======~5 ~------- JOHN CAREW INVESTMENTS Sponsors of the West Senior Hurling Championship Today's West Tipp senior hurling final will always be a treasured memory for whichever side wins, but it's also an historic occasion for the division. It's the 68th West Senior Huriing Championship but the very first to carry the name of a commercial sponsor - John Ca rew Investments. With sponsorship now the norm in sport it was inevitable that the West Division would eventually follow the trend. However when the West Board sought sponsorship earlier in the year they could hardly have banked on finding such a suitable backer. Their search paid a rich dividend when John Carew threw his moral and financial weight behind the Division's premier competition. John's willingness to back the West Championship is indicative of his interest in the games and his native Division. Formerly from Dundrum and now living in Cion mel, he has had years of involvement with the GAA. While in Dundrum he was deeply immersed in the Kickham Juvenile Club, and St. Mary's, Cion mel, are now the beneficiaries of a similar involvement. Carew Investments have earned a popular reputation as Investment Brokers of the highest calibre. They offer impartial advice on Life Assurance, Mortgages, Pensions, Lump Sum investments etc., dealing with all the leading financial institutions. Drawing on a deep well of experience they can negotiate the best possible deal for their clients with all the major money lending establishments. Brokerage is in the family genes. John's late father, Patrick Carew, was a Cashel based insurance broker for many years stretching back to the fifties and his son, John junior, at present works with Royal Liver in Cion mel. The West Division was indeed fortunate to lind such a backer for its hurling championship and in return readily urges its patrons to support our sponsor - John Carew Investments. 6 West Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Fin al Kickhams 15th or Cappawhite's 6th by Leonard Fitzgerald For many years Knockavitla Kickhams stood in majes­ tic isolation as outright leaders in the West Senior Championship table and thereby embellished a domi­ nance in the grade against all existing opposition. Since the 1960 showdown they have suffered a drought 01 success and have wailed anxiously to ban­ ish the longesl famine in the Divisional Championship. If Ihal is to be made possible, Joe McGrath and his troops will need all their reserves to break that baron spell. This Kickhams outfit are warriors of a new generation and are no strangers to West Senior Final appearances. 1993 and 1995, both defeats to their arch rivals Cashel. teft their brave efforts lorn with anguish and uller disappointment at falling at the final hurdle. Surly now, their hunger for success is at a climatic high! For Cappawhite its a whole new ball game with a band 01 youth their greatest asset and their rebuilding process yielding much promise. Eugene O'Neill, Thomas Costello and Pat O'Neill are presently hurling with supreme maturity with the confidence and discipline of players ten years their senior. Its a mixture of youth and experience that the big question is, have they the greater hunger and determination to carry the day? Cappawhite's last final appearance was in '991 at the expense of a Tommy Grogan inspired Cashel. Tommy pointed ten placed balls on that occasion. There are only seven of that Cappa side present in loday's panel. John "Fox" O'Neill, the bearer of 4 West Senior medals is the tactician at the helm. He first took charge in 1993 with a squad that required a huge boost of confidence. In February 1997, he decided upon the radical approach to improve their Illness level with the inclusion of a top-class fitness instructor and regular work-out sessions in the University of Limerick to accelerate fitness levels. His motivation was to be rewarded. He instilled a killer· instinct which was absent in previous years. This was most evident in their second half performance against bogeymen, Cashel, where a combination of pure heart and determination was sufficient to defeat the King Cormacs. Cappawhite are coming of age and it's mainly due to the ability of current Tipperary panelist and scorer-in-chief Eugene O'Neill who has been justifying his immense ta lent in his performances thus far. His tally of 3-8 against GoldenlKilfeacle in the opening round gives a clear indica­ tion that he's the source to all Cappa's game plans.