Both Lismore and Ballygunner have book ed their places in the senior hurling final, which will take place in a few weeks’ time.

Lismore got past neighbours Ballyduff, who themselves got past near neighbours Tallow in the quarter final.  That, by all accounts, was a close match.  I’m glad to say that my own brother (and son of former Waterford All-Irleland goalkeeper Ned Power) managed to keep a clean sheet on the day, but victory was not to be theirs, so we’ll have to wait for next year.

Although Tallow have been competing at senior level since, they have not won a senior county title since 1985.  It’s extraordinary fact but that last victory was the second part of a unique 2-in-a-row.  Since then, no trophy at senior level.  Was it a case of the best talent to come along in a generation simply growing up or did the momentum that had been building up over the previous 25 years peter out?  Sport is strange and cruel.  Some days, nothing happens, other days, everything goes right.

“My Father: A Hurling Revolutionary, the life and times of Ned Power” is out on paperback at the end of November 2009.  Click here for further information, pre-order and excerpt.

In another excerpt from the hurling book “My Father: a Hurling Revolutionary”, we get an insight into some of what it was like growing up in Dungarvan in the 1940s.

The hanging-out place and the meeting place for children in Dungarvan at that time was ‘Quann’s’. This was a large field that belonged to a family named Quann and which was situated on the coast on a vacant site which is now rather fittingly occupied by a sports centre. This was where youngsters spent their time and this was where the budding GAA star would hit his first sliotar.

‘We spent a lot of time there,’ says Seán. ‘We made our own sliotar. I’ve forgotten how it was made but we had to make one – this was during the war, you see. We used to play ‘score and three’, where one person went into goal and then when you scored three goals, you got a chance to go in.’

If a child wasn’t at home, then he was to be found at Quann’s. Where is so-and-so? He’s down at Quann’s. Let’s all go down to Quann’s. Are you coming to Quann’s?

My father’s best friend growing up in Dungarvan was a boy called Patsy Burke. He was also good friends with Patsy’s brother Michael, but my father and Patsy were bosom buddies, spending much of their youth playing ball of one sort or another at Quann’s, Dad being the most keen on sports. My mother often quotes Patsy Burke as an adult saying to my Dad: ‘Jesus, Power, it’s no good going for a walk with you because as soon as you see any kind of a ball, you’re off after it!’ The Burkes had a grocery shop and through this connection, my father was fortunate enough to have a rare supply line of occasional goodies, which, according to Eileen, he was always prepared to share with his siblings when he got home.

Just where my father’s love of sport came from, I’m not so sure. There is simply no history of any of my father’s ancestors or relatives being interested in sport. Although Seán was keen on hurling for a time in his youth, he never pursued it and in any case, he did not have the 24-hour passion that my father seemed to have for sport from early childhood. Whether it was kicking a ball against the door of the family home with both feet, keeping it going for hours or walloping a makeshift emergency-ration sliotar with Patsy Burke or Matty Fitzgerald down at Quann’s (which, apparently, was also an excellent venue for developing your skills at keeping the ball low, because if you hit it too high, you lost your ball to the Atlantic Ocean), his interest in sport was as single-minded as it was unique amongst the members of his extended family.

Seán remembers his obsession with sport extending to listening to the results of the soccer matches on the radio: ‘To me, it didn’t make any sense at all because the name of the guy who had the ball was all that was mentioned in the commentary… Nobody said anything else at all! It was boring – the complete opposite to Micheál Ó Hehir. And he’d listen intently to this because he loved all sport.’

A lot of his love of hurling was nurtured and developed while at secondary school. At the CBS, Brother Murray had a very positive effect on him, both from the educational point of view as well as the hurling one. In any case, my father seems to have always been a conscientious pupil – his academic discipline and prowess seemingly a reflection of his white-shirted neatness and organisation at home – from primary through secondary school. One schoolmate from primary school and secondary school was Davy Hourigan: ‘There were about 36 or 37 of them in that class,’ he says, ‘and about half of them went onto secondary school and it ended up being nine going on to complete the Leaving Cert.

‘Ned was a great fella in school. He had great life in him – he was a pleasant, bubbly type of guy. He was a very good student, very diligent and he was one who meant to get on. We had a good hurling team in the Christian Brothers and he was a good hurler. Of course, we only knew him as an outfield hurler then when he used to play in the half-forward line.’

Davy also pointed out to me that although our new Republic was aspiring to offer free education for all its citizens, a proper education was still the preserve of the better off except where the Christian Brothers stepped in to provide education that was as close as possible to free. One pound per term, according to Davy, was all that was asked by way of a fee (a very modest amount even in those times) and ‘they didn’t ask for it again if they didn’t get it.’

My Dad never forgot the education that he received from the Christian Brothers and the powerful spiritual and sporting training that he also received from them. I believe that these years had a profound and positive influence on the paths he chose in later life. He acknowledged a lot of this in a piece that he wrote in the Dungarvan Leader in April 1996 in which he lamented the disappearance of the Christian Brothers from Irish life:

This saddens me because I’m a Christian Brothers’ product and retain many happy memories of the Brothers of my native Dungarvan, a school which was among the first to be established and from which the order was forced to withdraw a few short years ago. They dominated the educational scene down through those intervening years, such a significant period of our history and their influence on our careers was incalculable… I never forget the Brothers. Whatever I am or whatever I have achieved is due mainly, after my parents, to the wholesome Catholic Irish influence of the Brothers.

Another pal in secondary school who completed the Leaving Certificate the same year as my father was Rory Wyley. When I caught up with Rory, he had already cycled 55 kilometres that day and had recently returned from a trip to South America with his cycling club companions, where he had suffered a fractured pelvis as a result of a fall from a bike. He told me that he used to sit beside Davy Hourigan for the inspiration that he offered in the field of maths. He also told me a lot about cycling. Oh, and that my father was a great sportsman in school and a conscientious student.

The Powers appear to have had a happy upbringing in Dungarvan, but if there was one place they liked being even better it was at their Auntie Bridie’s in Affane – a quiet townland between Cappoquin and Dungarvan. Their aunt was married but did not have any children of her own, so she lavished attention on her nephews and nieces from the town. Brendan described it as ‘an oasis’, where there would sometimes be as many as six of the Dungarvan gang accommodated under their aunt’s roof. My dad’s sister Mary loved going to Bridie’s and described the place as ‘wonderful’. On the evening they had to go back home from Affane, there would be a family rosary. Mary remembers trying to get through her prayers with a big lump in her throat from the heartbreak of leaving behind the haven of Auntie Bridie’s.

“My Father: A Hurling Revolutionary, the life and times of Ned Power” is out on paperback at the end of November 2009.  Click here for further information, pre-order and excerpt.

Brian Cody launched his own hurling book at the ploughing championships the other day.  I’m dying to read it myself.  It should make for a fascinating read.  Anyone with even a passing interest in GAA and hurling will want to buy it. I heard from someone who did queue up to get herself a signed copy but the queue was too long so she had to abandon her quest.

You talkin' to me, Morrisey?

The fascination that the public have with Cody is what makes him tick.  How does someone continue to motivate a team to keep achieving?  How does he motivate himself?  The technique involved and the hunger that drives him are, I think, the two principal things that we want to be party to.  His recent performance with Marty Morrisey was curious to say the least – a mask slipping or a bit of book-promoting devilment at the expense of one of our national broadcaster’s most eminent servants?

Waterford GAA and Waterford hurling have achieved nothing near the glory of our more illustrious Noreside neighbours.  When victory does occur for the Deise hurlers over Kilkenny in championship hurling, it is as rare as it is sweet.

On the occasion of the last time that Kilkenny lost an All-Ireland final to Waterford back in October 1959, the celebrating was intense. The day had been hot for the time of year, with temperatures of twenty-three degrees (global warming my backside?). At the post-match function at Malahide, the Deise men were in rare form.  A society columnist with the Evening Herald, was amongst the press corps at the Grand Hotel that night. In his ‘Going Places’ column, he captures the exuberance of the evening:

“‘Beating Kilkenny is worth two All-Irelands’, Matt Maloney said triumphantly. Matt is secretary of the most over-worked Waterford Reception Committee. That remark is not meant incivilly. It is only a statement of fact: 1938, 1948, 1957 and twice this year. ‘May I quote you?’ I asked. ‘In heavy type,’ said Matt…. Kilkenny has long been a Waterford bogey. And yesterday the bogey was well and truly laid. Hence the particularly intense jubilation… The London–Irish party to the number of 30 or so joined the Waterford revellers and in their good fortune. And squeezing the last sweet drops of reminiscence from a splendid day the entire party was listening raptly to a recording of the last, fateful 10 minutes of play. As if to intensify the rapture of it all they ran a colour film of the 1957 game. ‘You may think this is something,’ said Matt, ‘but it is nothing to what will happen in Waterford to-morrow. You should go down.’ And maybe I shall do just that very thing.”

It’s not hatred, of course, but simply healthy rivalry.  Here’s another example of it:  A couple of years ago, the Irish cricket team had performed some miracles in the world championships in the Caribbean by beating Pakistan, before exiting the competition.

Kilkenny in action?

A reporter from British sports television hijacking operators Sky was despatched to speak to some of the plain people of Ireland to see what they made of it all.  The Sky man asked one passer-by if he was now going to switch his allegiances to England now that Ireland were out of it.  The Irishman said no and that he “couldn’t do that”.  But why not? the Sky guy persisted.  “After all… we always support Ireland if our team are knocked out early.”

“Well, you know… 800 years and all that.”  said the man, who was a Waterford man it must be pointed out.

The satellite hack shook his head in disbelief and finally pleaded:  “Are there any circumstances in which you could see yourself supporting England?”

The Deise man paused for a moment and then said:  “Maybe if they were playing Kilkenny.”

“My Father: A Hurling Revolutionary, the life and times of Ned Power” is out on paperback at the end of November 2009.  Click here for further information, pre-order and excerpt.

Diarmuid O’Flynn – the sports writer writer with the Irish Examiner – brought out an interesting book last year named “Club, Sweat and Tears” (I felt fierce stupid altogether but I kept thinking that it was called ‘Blood, Sweat and Tears’ for ages until I read the cover more carefully).

It’s the remarkable story of Newtownshandrum – the club of Ben & Jerry O’Connor – and its author is a Ballyhea man, from Newtown’s most bitter rivals.  Small clubs doing huge things always makes for great reading and it did remind me of the story of my own home town of Tallow.  They never reached the heights that Newtown did. Their big chance was in 1985 when they lost by a single point to Kilruane McDonaghs from Tipperary, who were to go on and win the All-Ireland final that year.

But Newtown seems to be an even smaller place, so their achievements were all the more remarkable.  O’Flynn has an easy style, a passion for hurling and keen eye for relevant detail.  If reading the life story of former Waterford goalkeeper Ned Power isn’t your thing, then you could do worse than pick up this book.

“My Father: A Hurling Revolutionary, the life and times of Ned Power” is out on paperback at the end of November 2009.  Click here for further information, pre-order and excerpt.

Before being let go, taking on journalism on a full-time basis and writing a hurling book/ memoir/ biography about my father Ned Power, I used to sell houses for a living.

One of the very first properties I sold was to an American of Italian extraction named Fred Caruso.  He lives in the American mid-west with his wife ellen.  I didn’t know it at the time, but it was an extraordinary, danger-filled story that brought him from being a Italian New-Yorker who couldn’t see the point in leaving New York (let alone the USA itself) to being an Irish citizen with his own little home in West Cork.

It was the dying tradition of conscription that forced his hand in the early 1960s.  His country called him at the barrel of a gun, as it were and he reluctantly boarded a plane as Private Caruso, bound for an American army base in Germany.   But the plane carrying him and many others crashed into the Atlantic.

Lucky to survive, he was taken ashore in Ireland where he was “re-born”.  He eventually ended up marrying a lady of Irish origins and was led by the hand of fate to his natural spiritual home.

His memoir – “Born Again Irish – O’Caruso” – is a well written account of his rollercoaster ride of an experience.  His taught journalist style comes through and its an entertaining read.

For more information or to order a copy of the book, click here.  Hurling book it ain’t, but it’s great stuff nonetheless.

“My Father: A Hurling Revolutionary, the life and times of Ned Power” is out on paperback at the end of November 2009.  Click here for further information, pre-order and excerpt.

Fifty years ago, it was the turn of the Waterford senior team to go to Croke Park in search of All-Ireland glory.

This year, it was the junior camogie team that gave it a lash against Offaly.  Here’s how it panned out…

Waterford’s dream of All Ireland glory was dashed by an experienced Offaly side in Sundays All Ireland Junior final in Croke Park.

Experience played a significant role as Waterford started very nervously in their first ever appearance at Croke Park even though a magnificent save was made by Waterford goal keeper Aisling OBrien from a penalty which was awarded to Offaly five minutes into the game. But Offalys third appearance was very apparent as they were 1-11 to Waterford’s 0-4 at half time.

The second half began with a much improved Waterford side, with all girls giving it their all and the nerves seemed to have settled. After four minutes of the second half Patricia Jackman hit the roof of the Offaly net from an accurate pass from Lismore’s Nicola Morrissey which left only six points between the sides which gave hope to the Deise side.

Offaly goalkeeper made two magnificent saves which denied Waterford’s Karen Kelly two certain goals. But on the 48th minute a well taken Siobhain Flannery goal played a significant part in Offaly’s win as it urged on the Offaly side in which two minutes later another Offlay goal hit the back of the Waterford net. But determined Waterford never gave up and kept on fighting to the bitter end with an Aine Lyng goal on the 56th minute, but prove too little too late. The final score Offaly 3-14  Waterford 2 – 8. All in Waterford are proud of this bunch of girls who gave their full commitment to training since last November and made history as they were the first ever Waterford camogie team to contest an All Ireland final in Croke Park. Waterford camogie  is up with the best of them in the country as the three County teams who entered the All Ireland Championship in their grades contested an All Ireland final in 2009. Panel; A. OBrien, V.Gafney, S OGrady (Cpt), K.M Hearne, G.Kenneally, M. ODonnell, S. Kiernan, M.Murphy, C. Raher, S. Curran, K. Kelly(0-2), N. Morrissey (0-2), P. Jackman (1-1_, A. Lyng (1-3), A. Breathnach.Subs used; J. Simpson for S. Curran, A. Kelly for A. Breathnach, M. Russell for V. GafneySubs; N.Ryan, L. Prendergast, A. Cummins, R. Whelan, R. Heylin, M. Heffernan, L. Whelan, P. Cunningham, D. Fahy.

“My Father: A Hurling Revolutionary, the life and times of Ned Power” is out on paperback at the end of November 2009.  Click here for further information, pre-order and excerpt.

As it was with the All-Ireland hurling final, so it was with the football final:  The perennial favourites have stuck to their experienced guns and come through.

Cork will be wondering at what might have been while Kerry were the ones who showed how its done – put the head down and stick to the task at hand.

The one positive (and not the only one) that Waterford hurling can draw from their experiences is that they have adapted that sort of attitude to matches – the one of rolling up the sleeves and keep working to the final whistle.  The loss of Justin McCarthy as their coach has left them a little rough around the edges – they were a much more polished team with him in charge – but if that issue of their play can be addressed, then they will be a force to be reckoned with next year.

Now that there’s virtually no more inter-county fun to be had for the rest of the year, it’s the season of talking about it all and observing how the county finals pan out.  After that, it’s the run-in to Christmas and hurling books.

“My Father: A Hurling Revolutionary, the life and times of Ned Power” is out on paperback at the end of November 2009.  Click here for further information, pre-order and excerpt.

In 2005, Dickie Roche – a former Waterford goalkeeper and Mount Sion club man – brought out a hurling book that makes essential reading for anyone with a strong interest in Waterford hurling and GAA.

A Story of Hurling in Waterford

entitled “A Story of Hurling in Waterford”, It’s a painstakingly compiled record of all the championship campaigns of the Waterford county hurling teams, as well as the county finals.

Not only does it give the relevant scores of each game, it also gives an account of the matches themselves.  Here’s an extract, for example, from the year 1963:

“After the heavy defeat in the 1962 Munster Final, Waterford were keen to get back for another crack at the title.  They played Limerick at Thurles in the Semi-final.  Waterford lined out without Tom Cheasty and lost Austin Flynn through injury during the game.  With a good all round performance they ended up with a six point win 2-15 to 3-16.  The scene was now set for a repeat of the 1962 final with Tipperary and the good news was that Tom Cheasty and Austin Flynn were fit to start this game.  The game itself was a tense struggle with hard knocks given and taken on both sides.  Tipperary had the better of the first half and held a two point lead going into the break, 0-5 to 0-3.  The second half started with Tipperary adding another point but at this stage Waterford brought on M. Dempsey at centre field and things began to go their way.  Phil Grimes was in  great form from placed balls and soon Waterford were in front, Grimes weighing in with eight of Waterford’s eleven point total.  Tipperary had a goal disallowed and had some close in frees saved by a very solid Waterford defence and held on for a three point win. There were no goals scored due to good goalkeeping from e. Power (i.e. Ned Power) and R. Mounsey (Tipperary).”

A simple idea – to catalogue all the matches that have mattered over the years of Waterford hurling but no-one had done it until this former Waterford All-Ireland goalkeeper did it himself.  One of the best hurling books you’ll ever read!

“My Father: A Hurling Revolutionary, the life and times of Ned Power” is out on paperback at the end of November 2009.  Click here for further information, pre-order and excerpt.

There are as many hurling books as there are hurling skills, with more emerging at the end of every year.

Ned Power himself identified over 120 different identifiable skills in the game of hurling.  This was part of a process that was started by Donie Nealon, Des Ferguson and Fr. Tommy Maher in 1965.  Ned joined the team of men with the “right stuff”.  The Americans had their space programme.  We in Ireland had our feet more firmly rooted on the ground, dealing with stuff that really mattered.

So all the hurling books in the world don’t make a difference if you don’t have the basics, broken down into components of information that can be then taught and passed on to others so that they too may be able to enjoy and perfect their skills; so that the quality of the game is increased throughout the country.

“My Father: A Hurling Revolutionary, the life and times of Ned Power” is out on paperback at the end of November 2009.  Click here for further information, pre-order and excerpt.

The Irish biography, sports biography and GAA biography are three separate categories of book that are popular, particularly in the all-important run-up to Christmas.

A book about the Waterford hurler Ned Power is one that covers all three, but what are the characteristics that typify the Irish biography?

The one word that comes to mind when talking about the Irish biography seems to be “misery”.  There is a long, miserable list of sad stories that start off with a miserable beginning steeped in extremes of poverty and barefoot hopefulness.  The story then moves on to tell how the hero overcame such shortcomings and went on to become something special, something that rose above the seemingly impossible circumstances.  It’s a story of the triumph of the human spirit.  And there’s a picture of the author on the sleeve, wearing an expensive mohair suit, sitting in his large American home with a pipe in his mouth for literary-legend effect.

But not all Irish biographies are stories that go from destitution to riches.  For someone born in the 1920s in Ireland, there is always going to be a certain amount of poverty thrown into the mix, but these were times when material possessions were the preserve of the few in any case so most people would not have seen it as poverty because they had nothing to compare it with.  There were no Jones’ to keep up with and it’s only in looking back that the poverty emerges in retrospective relief.

From Abject Rags to Riches

Frank McCourt has a lot to answer for but I suppose that his was a miserable upbringing nonetheless.

So, Irish biographies can certainly speak of a simpler past, if not a poverty-stricken one.

“My Father: A Hurling Revolutionary, the life and times of Ned Power” is out on paperback at the end of November 2009.  Click here for further information, pre-order and excerpt.