All Ireland Hurling Final:
Guinness All-Ireland SHC Final Kilkenny 2-19 Limerick 1-15
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER It was a cracking atmosphere at Mahony & Sons Irish Pub at the UBC campus when a crowd gathered to watch the All-Ireland Hurling Final on September 2.
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LIMERICK SUPPORTERS - BACK: Jack Downing, Anthony Weir (Tyrone), Paul McGuane (Meath), and Michael Lombardi. FRONT: Tom O'Flynn (Limerick), Nessa Downing and Catherine O'Sullivan (Limerick).
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There was tension and an air of expectancy as everyone sat glued to the large television screens waiting for the Setanta satellite telecast to begin.
At Dublin's Croke Park it is estimated that some 83,000 people were on hand to watch Limerick and Kilkenny do battle for the honour of hoisting the coveted Liam McCarthy Cup.
Ireland's President, Mary McAleese, shook hands with each member of the Kilkenny and the Limerick teams as everyone stood to attention, this was followed by the Irish national anthem. Then a loud cheer went up in the pub and the game was on!
There were actually more Limerick fans than Kilkenny supporters at Mahony's. Jimmy Speiron, a resident of Richmond, B.C., who has Limerick and Dublin background, told me that he heard that three quarters of the fans at Croke Park were also Limerick fans.
Jimmy has an amazing memory for dates, times, places and players. He can recall events which took place over 30 or 40 years ago - anything to do with Gaelic football or hurling. He's a source of information on the Gaelic games.
The Limerick fans were hoping for a miracle. They had hopes of finally triumphing over the relentless Kilkenny Cats. Limerick went in to the game buoyed by their recent victory over Waterford and were hoping for a great start against Kilkenny.
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KILKENNY SUPPORTERS - (L-R) Edel Forristal, Mark Downey and Colleen (Forristal) Ring.
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But it soon became apparent that the Cats were once again living up to their reputation. Kilkenny was nine points ahead at the end of the first 10 minutes. A lot of teams might have been shattered at that result, but Limerick didn't give up. They fought back throwing everything they had at Kilkenny.
If you'll pardon the pun, the Kilkenny Cats really are really the cream of the hurling world. In this match they were more like tigers in their quest for the coveted Liam McCarthy Cup. Since 1887 they have hoisted the trophy over 30 times, and this year was no exception.
In the Minor All-Ireland Hurling final the score was Cork 1-11 and Tipperary 3-14.
For the early risers, Mahony & Sons had a delicious breakfast/brunch available. The food and service were superb. I enjoyed their creamy home-made Irish potato and leek soup with lean smokey back bacon...soup to die for. It's really a meal in itself.
Meath-born Mark Downey whose father is from Kilkenny was also at Mahony's to watch the game. He was the only man wearing the Kilkenny colours. On a number of occasions, he peeled off his jersey to allow others to be photographed wearing the Kilkenny colours.
Mark is also a well-known Irish entertainer in Vancouver. You can catch his show every Friday night at Mahony's during the month of September, and every Thursday at the Wolf and Hound Pub.
The All-Ireland Senior Gaelic Football Final is on September 16 and will again be shown at Mahony & Sons Irish Pub. For more information, call (604) 827-4444 or visit: www.mahonyandsons.com.
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CHRIS MAHONY of Mahony & Sons Irish Pub holding a hurling stick (wearing Mark Downey's jersey).
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LIMERICK SUPPORTERS - sisters Maggie and Sarah Coll with Brendan Mulcahy, a visitor from Kilmallock, Limerick.
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ENJOYING THE HURLING ALL_IRELAND - (L_R) Justin Kenny (Mullingar) and Fred Fortune (Limerick) who made the lettering on his shirt and cap.
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ENJOYING THE HURLING ALL_IRELAND - (L_R) Justin Kenny (Mullingar) and Fred Fortune (Limerick) who made the lettering on his shirt and cap.
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