19 January 2009
Triple All Ireland hurling champions Kilkenny have conceded home advantage in their Walsh Cup semi-final with Antrim. Brian Cody and his charges will travel to play the Glensmen next Sunday 25th January at 2pm in Casement Park.
The conditions of entry into the Walsh Cup were that the non-Leinster counties would be obliged to travel to all matches, irrespective of the draw. As such, Antrim would have been expected to travel to Kilkenny for next week’s semi-final.
However, a phone-call between Brian Cody’s right –hand man Martin Fogarty and joint Antrim manager Terence McNaughton yesterday evening raised the possibility that Kilkenny might agree to travel. Further calls between Antrim, Kilkenny and Leinster Council officials brought about this extraordinary change.
Welcoming this gesture, Antrim chairman John McSparran stated this as a hugely significant act of magnanimity on behalf of Kilkenny. “There was no obligation on Kilkenny to do this at all, yet the good relations that have been established between various personalities in each of the counties has brought this about. This is a wonderful opportunity to promote hurling in Antrim and Ulster and is certainly something we are most appreciative of. I only hope that all children who have any interest in hurling are given an opportunity to come to Casement on Sunday and witness this great team. I would also hope that their parents can facilitate this and would ask that all Antrim supporters make a big effort to come to Casement to welcome Kilkenny”.
Leinster Council president Seamus Howlin was also full of praise for this decision. “I know Kilkenny are serious about promoting the game of hurling beyond their own county and to be honest, this decision does no surprise me. This is typical and is something we come to expect from Kilkenny and there is no doubt that this is a wonderful opportunity to promote hurling in Ulster”.
As defending Walsh Cup champions, Antrim will face a Kilkenny team determined to avenge the Saffron’s ambushing of the Cats last year. Antrim will still be without the Cushendall players as well as Eddie McCloskey and Cormac Donnelly, neither who are currently available. Nonetheless, to have an opportunity to play against this team of modern day legend is something that every young hurler would aspire to and not enough can be said to praise this wonderful act of generosity from Kilkenny.
