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TThhee WWhhiissttlleerr oonn tthhee DDiittcchh GGuuiinnnneessss -- tthhee HHaannddppaassss 225500 Celebrations Henry Shevlin after scoring ’s second goal against Celebrations Waterford in the 2009 All Ireland Semi-final Photo:: SPORTSFILE FEATURE From the heart ISSUE 15 Aug 10th 2009 2 Martin White a Centurion

Kilkenny’s Martin White has seen every senior Kilkenny All Ireland medal winner since their first winin 1904 in the flesh. He also won 3 senior medals himself in 1932, 1933, and 1935. In this interview for the Black and Amber DVD he talks about his life and times in the Kilkenny jersey.

Was there much hurling around when you were growing up? In every parish there was a recognised hurling field. You had men hurling in one part of it and boys in the other and boys at school would use that field at lunch time as well. There was a field belonging to my father - God be good to him - on the old homeland. That field was always recognised as the hurling field. All the hurlers used to go there especially in the summer evenings. On Sunday evenings there could be 40 men there and teenagers. Then in another part of it you had all the youngsters and they were hurling away and then up in the other corner you had the handball alley.

Where did the idea for a handball the floor and side walls. Where a rural area was Kilkenny’s first win in an All Ireland alley come from? concerned it was fairly good you know. You could Final was in 1904 you have seen all hurl for a while and then you could go up and play those players in the flesh? It was built by local labour against the gable end handball and vice-versa. Then there was another of of an old farmhouse. My father got a crowd of crowd that played skittles alongside the ball alley. The Feis in Kilkenny was always a free day for lads together and they drew the sand, laid down everybody and everybody went to the Feis because FEATURE From the heart Martin White ISSUE 15 Aug 10th 2009 3

President Mary McAleese with Martin White there was Irish music, step dancing and always a hurling match. A man named Mick Bolger a teacher with the Christian Brothers and Ned Purcell, - Ned wasn’t a Kilkennyman but he was a KILKENNY-ALL-IRELAND HURLING CHAMPIONS-1922 great man in the Gaelic League - they were the two Back Row: Peter Dunne (Mascot-arms crossed), Bill Walton (Manager), Ballyfrunk Creamery (with cap), Jack men who got the idea that if they got the old team Rochford (Trainer), Mick Heffernan (with hat), players only, , Bill Brennan, Ned Purcell (Offi - that had won in 1904 and the team that won the cial), Eddie Dunphy, , , , Mick Brennan (no jersey). All Ireland in 1922 - played in 23 – to play in the Middle Row: Paddy Parsons (with hat), Sean Gibbons, Martin Lalor, , Paddy Donoghue, Wattie Feis in 1924 they would get a great crowd. Sim Dunphy (Captain), Mark McDonald, Jack Holohan, Paddy Glendon, Miss Gorey, , Mick Dalton Walton, Drug Walsh and all those lads trained Front Row: Martin Egan (With hat), , , , Pat Ayleward, Mickey Whelan. hard for that game. Now there were some of them who were gone beyond training but they togged played 4 All Irelands with them, so they got their committee. They had oodles of housing and if the out nevertheless. The place was packed out and way. But it was the Feis committee that won out on day was wet they could hold the competitions they had tin cans and so on making all the noise. the day. inside. St James Park it was a pitch that was always It was a really enjoyable day I don’t think the dry because it was sandy. Then when they moved captain from 1904 Ger Doheny played that day. I Where was the game played? to Nolan Park, Dickboro took it over. know that Sim and Drug and the Doyles and Dick Grace played with the old fellows. The new fellows The Feis was held on the same grounds as the Who were the great players on the wanted him but the old fellows said that he had hurling pitch. It all belonged to the show 1922 team? FEATURE From the heart Martin White ISSUE 15 Aug 10th 2009 4 They were in and they were sent home and then they were brought in again which was a mistake. Billy Barry and Wedger Brennan (Martin), they were from they city. They should have let them sleep in their own beds. were the better team but Kilkenny were a better team than they showed on the day. Do you remember many of the the Cork team?

Sean Óg was captain and Ballyhayes as they used to call him, Eudie Coughlan’s brother was in the goal and , Jim Regan, Dinny Barry Murphy, Eudie Coughlan, Paddy Delea and “The Hawker” Grady. The30’s was a great decade for Kilkenny, Martin!

The declaration rule in 1925 meant that players could now play for their county of birth rather than their county of residence. In that year Mattie Power, , Tommy Leahy, they all played with and I think played with them too because Dan was working in Dublin at Brian Coady and Tommy Walsh visit Martin White on his 100th birthday. Photo: Sportsfile the time. They all declared for Kilkenny and he was in the army. There were a You must say that Dick Grace was number one. Kilkenny were beaten by Cork in 1926! couple of young fellows comming like Jimmy He scored the goal that beat Tipperary. I think he Walsh. Jimmy didn’t play in 31 which was a scored 2 goals that day from wing half back. There The Tipp team went off to America. They were mistake – but I won’t say who made the mistake - was Watty Dunphy, Neddy Dunphy from supposed to be home but they went off to It wasn’t a hard run through Leinster because , John Roberts, Paddy Donoghue, Dexter California or some place and the Munster Dublin were a bit denuded then because of the Ayleward (Pat), he played with Dublin afterwards, Championship was late. I know that Kilkenny were players declaring. We played Wexford in the first Paddy Glendon, he was left corner back and Bill brought in and they stayed in a hotel in Kilkenny round down in New Ross and I remember Mattie Kelly. Bill was from Ballyragget, he played with and trained during the day. It didn’t suit many of Power saying to Peter Reilly what kind are the Dicksboro. the players. They were from a rural background. young fellows. “Don’t worry about the young FEATURE From the heart Martin White ISSUE 15 Aug 10th 2009 5 fellows” Pete said. Wexford wern’t good and I remember Mattie saying get the first score after half time. That was his motto every time and we beat Wexford easily and came through Leinster. Then you had Galway in the semi- final!

Yes we had Galway in the semi-final played on a very wet day. We benefitted from the declaration rule. Dublin had too many players all together and it wasn’t fair. When the guards started, O’Duffy was very keen on gaelic games and any fellow that was any good if he made the size he got into the guards. He brought the Clare fellows the Rourke’s, “The Fowler” McInerney, Jack Gleeson they were all in the guards and then the other man then in charge of the army the Clare man he brought up a whole lot of lads into the army. Martin Power was one, and all those fellows weren’t getting any matches at all until the declaration rule Cork and Kilkenny parade before the 1931 All Ireland Final came in. Galway had a good team in 1931 of course was playing midfield and Mick Finn. They were a great asset to Galway. Eudie Coughlan, Balty Aherne and Hawker Grady centrehalf at the time but I wouldn’t have minded had been there for a long time and they had a lot getting another chance on him. I might have You met Cork in the final the year of of skill. People started to talk about the match and handled him differently. the 2 draws! those that wern’t there came the second day. I don’t know if there was a bigger crowd the last day You suffered a few injuries for the last because a lot of people hadn’t money. In the rural game! The first game – as hurling was at that time - was areas the shopkeepers were a bit annoyed that all a great game. It was recognised as an improvement the money was being spent going to the matches. on previous years. A lot of skill had come into it. Lory wasn’t playing. He suffered a few broken The half back line of Dinny Barry Murphy, Jim Where did you play yourself that year? ribs the second day. Dick Morrissey who could Regan and of Carrigtwohill, that line I was centre forward on Jim Regan. I wasn’t good have won a match on his own as he had a great was there the whole time. The half forward line of enought for him. Jim was recognised as the best hurling brain, if he had been on the whole time FEATURE From the heart Martin White ISSUE 15 Aug 10th 2009 6 Kilkenny didn’t class themselves as favourites because they knew many of the Clare players. They knew John Joe Doyle, Jack Gleeson, Tom Burnell O’Rourke, Considine, in goal. There was Jim Houihan a half back that they ran a single train carriage for down from Dublin to the Munster first round game against Limerick in 1933 to Thurles. We were going to mass in Gardiner Street and Jim was coming up. Paddy Larkin said to me “Wait until you here this now. He is going to say that they are going to win. He never sees defeat.” We were talking for a little while and Paddy said to him “Jim are ye going to win today.” Jim said: “As shure as so and so is pointing to the ground we will beat ye.” Kilkenny captain Jimmy Walsh with the McCarthy Cup after the He was a great hurler. He played a match in the 1932 All Ireland Final. Clare captain John Joe Doyle is on the left. morning at 11.30 with the Army Metro in the Dublin Championship. They put on one wagon and a train for himself and Christy O’Brien of the first day we could have won it. If he had been might have held him the third day but he might Clare. in the second day we could have won it. He got not either. Clare gave us a fright that day. We led them by 7 hurt in the first game and never played again after points at one stage but they came back and only that. Paddy Larkin was out for the final too so we Talk about the Kilkenny Clare final in for Padge Byrne making a save from Tull lost 3 very important men. On the final day 1932. Considine. I know the goalie was there but his Kilkenny were holding Cork pretty well and a ball chances of stopping weren’t as good. Tull had a went down the left wing and 2 Kilkenny men went great left side. Padge came from nowhere. I got to for it and what ever happenend the ball passed In the semi-final Galway were I think 14 points know Tull well afterwards. He always maintained both of them and Paddy Delea got it and scored a ahead and they got another point after half time. he got a push in the back. goal. There were 11 Blackrock players on the Cork But Tull Considine started and he kept blowing team including Paddy Delea. If Paddy was from balls into the net like nobody’s business and Clare any other club he would have been taken off after won the match. Mick Gill “May the Lord have Part 2 of Martin White’s interview will be in next his displays the first 2 days which wasn’t his form. Mercy on him he could never live down that week’s issue. We had a Billy Dalton who played left full back. He match and he used to say to me “Martin he said if felt he wouldn’t hold Paddy Delea so his clubmate we had won that match we would have beaten you You can watch Martin White’s interview on Dinny Treacy was brought in. But Delea beat us. I fellows.” We met them in the final. After the 3 YouTube (HURL0044) am not saying it was Treacy’s fault. Billy Dalton matches in 1931 Kilkenny were favourites. OFF THE BALL ISSUE 15 Aug 10th 2009 7 Guinness 250 Celebrations in Croke Park

Guinness offer an incredible opportunity to 250 fans ahead of the scramble for All Ireland tickets

2009 has been a truly remarkable year for Guinness and the GAA. Both organisations are celebrating significant milestones in their respective arenas: Guinness celebrating 250 years since Arthur Guinness first signed the lease on St James’s Gate in 1759, and the GAA celebrating 125 years since the Association’s establishment in Thurles in 1884. To celebrate this incredible year, Guinness has teamed up with the GAA and The Last Word on Today FM to offer 250 lucky hurling fans the chance to win an extraordinary prize for the GAA Hurling All Ireland Senior Final on Sunday 6th September. In what can only be described as a truly unique giveaway, 250 fans, 125 from each county playing in the final, will be special guests of Guinness on Pictured at the photocall are, from left, John Mullane, Waterford hurler, Stephen Lucey, Limerick hurler, Ken - All Ireland Hurling Sunday. There will be 25 neth Morris, Kilkenny supporter and James Woodlock, Tipperary hurler. Photo: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE winners from each county, and each winner will be invited to bring four friends along to the hurling their chance to prove it! this summer, Guinness wanted to celebrate all that final, making it a grand total of five tickets per Throw-in for this unique prize will be at 6pm on is great and unique about hurling, and its winner! Friday 7th August on The Last Word on Sport on supporters. What better way to celebrate, but to To enter, fans simply need to prove how much Today FM so be sure to tune in for that. For now, bring 250 wholehearted and passionate fans to they know about their county hurling team! As the all competition details are available on the GAA headquarters for the final.” advertising says, ‘A County Will Rise’ but what dedicated Guinness Hurling website, Hurling supporters are great at coming out in Guinness wants to ascertain is just how much any www.guinness.com and on www.todayfm.com huge numbers to support their counties so it’s fan knows about their team - hurling supporters Speaking about the competition, Barry fitting that Guinness can offer them this great are known to be passionate and unrelenting when Fitzpatrick, Guinness Brand Manager, said, “When opportunity as part of our 250 celebrations,” he their county is chasing Liam McCarthy and this is we started out on the road to Croke Park earlier continued. OFF THE BALL ISSUE 15 Aug 10th 2009 8

On the big day, each winner will make their own Hurling All-Ireland Senior Final day. Full competition details will be announced on way to the Guinness Storehouse to prepare for the The Last Word on Sport on Today FM on Friday 7th match build up. Here they will watch exclusive All those entering the competition must be over August. footage of their team’s path to the final, whilst 18 years of age and those attending with the The closing date for entries is midnight on Friday enjoying some pre-match hospitality. Everyone will winner must also be over 18 years of age. Should 28th August. be transported from the Storehouse to Croke Park, any winner arrive on the day with a person under Winners will be selected by an independent to arrive for the start of the minor match, in the age of 18, they will not be given a ticket for the panel on Monday 31st August and announced on sufficient time to savour the occasion that is GAA game. Proof of Age ID will be required. Wednesday 2nd September. OFF THE BALL Some Rules of Hurling Explained ISSUE 15 Aug 10th 2009 9 What exactly is a handpass in hurling?

From the GAA Official Guide - Part 2 (2008):

RULE 4 - TECHNICAL FOULS 4.2 To throw the ball. The first 2 goals in the 2009 Kilkenny Waterford semi-final were made by handpasses. PENALTY FOR ABOVE FOULS - Above: Henry Shevlin to . Free puck from where the foul occurred, except as Right: to . provided under Exceptions of Rule 2.2. Important Terms and Definitions – Football and In essence, Hurling referees have to apply a leave the player’s possession in the process. Hurling Football rule as we don’t have one of our own. The Most handpasses are mere flicks, with no closest we get to a definition of a hurling handpass “definite striking action” being observable by the HANDPASS: is contained in the second last sentence of the naked eye. Many modern players have probably When in possession, the ball may be struck with definition of the “Football and Hurling” never being forced to handpass the ball properly in the open hand or fist - provided there is a definite HANDPASS above: In a onehanded pass, the ball their whole career. This is especially the case when striking action, with the striking hand not being in shall be released from the hand before being struck the flick is affected when the hand is positioned contact with ball before delivering the strike. In a by the same hand. above chest height or normal elbow elevation, two-handed pass, the ball may be struck off a So how many modern hurling handpasses either above the shoulder or when on the ground holding hand by the other hand, or released and possess this quality? Strictly speaking, not many. usually. struck. In a one handed pass, the ball shall be A good number – a majority? - of handpasses in It takes a very strong referee to adjudicate the released from the hand before being struck by the the inter-county game are throws/flicks, pure and handpass strictly, something that seems to be same hand. The releasing of the ball, when used, simple. How many times can the ball be clearly outside the remit of almost all referees at the shall be considered an integral part of the seen to leave the hand of the passer before being moment. hand/fisted pass. struck with the same hand, or in a small A good handpass is a useful skill, something that That’s it! So what exactly is a throw in Hurling? proportion of instances, with the other hand? The is as proficient an exponent of as Again the rulebook isn’t very clear if we use the latter being a skill I only observe from a small anyone else in the modern game. A flick isn’t and definition of a handpass above, which seems to be number of (mostly Kilkenny) hurlers in modern devalues our game mightily! clearly Football-specific only. times and is legal as long as the hurley does not OFF THE BALL ISSUE 15 Aug 10th 2009 10 St.Mary’s Rasharkin Celebrate 100 years of Gaelic Games in the parish

aturday 18th July 1909 St. Olcan’s Rasharkin played their first ever hurling match against STir na nÓg, Loughgiel at McLaughlin’s Cor - ner. The visiting side won that day on a score line 3-7 to 2-3,. These two sides met again 100 years later on Saturday 18th July 2009 at Dreen. This time it was St.Mary’s Rasharkin versus Loughgiel Shamrocks and 100 years later it was the same re - sult, Loughgiel winning on a scoreline 3-15 to 1-13. This was a very unique occasion for our club and was attended by some very special guests, Uachtaran Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Christy Cooney accompanied by his wife Ann was present to witness this great milestone and unveil a plague commemorating the first ever Rasharkin team. County Chairman John Mc Sparran and our club Vice President Canon Murphy also took part in proceedings. This was the new GAA president’s first visit to an Antrim Club and his second visit to an Ulster Club since taking office. He arrived at Dreen shortly after 4.00pm where he was welcomed at the entrance gates by Club Chairman Brian O’Neill and a guard of honour featuring players, supporters, managers, committee members etc. Christy and Alan Milton then had a two hour questions and answers session with a cross section of club and Christy Cooney with Club Chairman Brian O’Neill OFF THE BALL ISSUE 15 Aug 10th 2009 11

Club Chairman Brian O’Neill welcomes Christy Cooney at the gates of Dreen parish groups in the club rooms. After attending evening mass in Rasharkin he returned to Dreen for the Centenary re-match. One of the founding members of St.Olcan’s Rasharkin was a 22 year old man called Anthony McMullan from Tamlaght, two of his six sons Vincent and Dermot made the trip up from the south to participate in this occasion. Vincent from Dublin accompanied by daughter Annette through the ball Referee Francis Traynor with two captains Rasharkin’s Michael Hasson and Loughgiel’s Odhran McFadden in at the start of the game and Dermot from Kilkenny accompanied by daughter Sarah from Duirmuid Quinn, Thomas Doherty, Eamon McMullan the gap was down to five points mid presented the club with a perpetual cup in Kelly, Brendan McMullan and Decky McKay left way through the half. Paudie McFadden put the memory of their father. the half time score 2-8 to 0-5. game beyond Rasharkin with a brilliant goal after Amhran na bhFiann was beautifully sung by Turlough McGarry, Declan Gillan, Ronan eighteen minutes. Therese Tunney accompanied by Patrick Tunney, McFadden and Brendan McCarry showed great This was a good competitive match played in Clare Kelly and Meghan Rafferty at the start of the skills in the second half for Loughgiel. After four good spirit thanks to both teams who entertained match.Loughgiel got off to flying start with two minutes Rasharkin’s Duirmuid Quinn flicked the large attendance. Thanks also to referee Francis goals inside the first eight minutes from Brendan home a good goal and with further points from Traynor, linesmen, Gusty Crawford and Cormac McGarry; Rasharkin fought hard and with scores Thomas Doherty, Decky McKay and Thomas Hasson OFF THE BALL ISSUE 15 Aug 10th 2009 12

Christy Cooney unveils the plaque listing the first ever team to play games in the parish of Rasharkin

St. Mary’s Rasharkin Hurling Panel Although an event such as this took a lot of effort from various people throughout the club certain individuals deserve special mention for their contribution to this celebration; Anthony McMullan through his research for the Club Book found the vital evidence of the first ever Gaelic activity in the parish in the Irish News in 1909 and it was he who was the driving force behind this occasion, Michael J Hasson was instrumental in organising the arrival of Christy Cooney, Mary McMullan played her part in sourcing and facilitating Anthony McMullan’s family along with producing the commemorative programmes, Terry Hasson who once again proved himself as the ever reliable - man on the mic. St.Mary’s Rasharkin would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all those who helped organise, clean up the facilities at Dreen and those who participated in this special event which will undoubtedly go do as a momentous Loughgiel Shamrocks Hurling Panel day in the history of our club. Words and Photos: Paul Hasson OFF THE BALL ISSUE 15 Aug 10th 2009 13

Read the reports of the weekend games and watch hurling Shane Walsh, Waterford, shoots to score his side's first goal. in the 2009 All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final, highlights and interviews every week on Kilkenny v Waterford, Croke Park, Dublin. Photo: SPORTSFILE www.hurlingworld.com