One of the Best All-Ireland Hurling finals in Years

ENJOYING the All Ireland Hurling at Mahony's are (L-R) Maurice Eviston, Jimmy Speiron, John O'Flynn and Tom O'Flynn.

FIVE TIPPERARY fans glued to the televised All Ireland Hurling match at Mahony & Sons Irish pub. Standing beside them (far left) is bartender/owner Pete Mahony.

WATCHING THE ALL IRELAND Hurling are (seated L-R): Tipperary fan Eamonn Bourke, and ardent Kilkenny supporters the Roche family - father Pete, with sons Peter and Ed, and mom Margaret.

By JOHN O'FLYNN

VANCOUVER - Chris Mahony welcomed 75 eager fans at the door of his family's establishment at the University of British Columbia in the early hours of September 6 and all were treated to one of the best All-Ireland Hurling finals in years.

Kilkenny and Tipperary played a riveting match where the teams drew level on a number of occasions in the first half and both counties demonstrated championship form.

At the break there was a buzz throughout Mahony and Sons that a thriller of a second half was to be certain.

Newly arrived Tipperary fans to Vancouver, Sinead Devaney and Eimear Gleeson, were among a large number of supporters who felt their county was now within grasp of a Kilkenny knockout.

Tipp came out storming and gave every indication that momentum was on their side but then had to play almost 20 minutes with 14 men following the dismissal of Benny Dunne.

Their efforts to deny a "four in a row" victory by Kilkenny fell by the wayside, when two Kilkenny goals shattered their confidence in the 63rd and 64th minutes for a 2-22 to 0-23 victory.

North Vancouver's Tom Field and Richmond's Jim Speiran had nothing but praise for the Kilkenny keeper, PJ Ryan, who pulled off some stunning saves.

Both felt he should be the man of the match along with Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny) as a close contender. The extended family of Peter and Margaret Roche (White Rock) were over the moon with the Kilkenny victory and loudly led supporters in post-game celebrations.

A number of Galway fans stayed on to watch the previously recorded Minor match that preceded the Senior Final where Galway beat Kilkenny 2-15 to 2-11 to make up for Galway's loss last year to the Cats.

All eyes will be fixed on Mahony and Sons for the September 20 LIVE All Ireland Football match between Kerry and Cork being shown at 7:30 AM. The Minor Final between Armagh and Mayo will be recorded earlier and shown after the Senior match.