IT was 40 years ago this summer when Limerick hurling finally showed signs of recovery, and hopes sprung aloud throughout the county that perhaps finally we might have a team that would see our proud hurling tradition hoist the Liam McCarthy Cup anew, a feat we hadn't completed since the great "Mick Mackey" and gang did it for us back in 1940.
While they were impressive en route to that year's Munster final, they were matched against a Tipperary team that had powered through the 1960s being regarded by many a hurling enthusiast as being the greatest hurling team of all time.
Needless to state, of course, that Tipperary were huge favorites on the day.
The game was played at a drenched Fitzgerald Park in Killarney, and because of the poor playing conditions nothing much was expected in the way of style or, for that matter, scoring.
Tipp and Limerick are bitter rivals when it comes to hurling, and the poor playing conditions were quickly tossed aside from the onset. It was tit-for-tat and score for score, with neither team willing to give an inch.
There were periods of the first half when Tipp looked rattled, and it seemed noticeable to those in the stands that Tipperary had greatly underestimated the hurling prowess of their upstart neighbors.
Babs Keating will mostly be remembered for his amazing heroics in that year's All-Ireland final against Kilkenny, when in the closing stages of that game he kicked off his shoes and socks to the sidelines. Babs was absolutely brilliant against Limerick in the second half, and he gave an exhibition on how the great game should be played by showing both firepower and deft skill, along with an unyielding willingness for victory. He ended the game with a very impressive final scoring tally of 3-4.
The game will also be long remembered for its climactic finish. Both teams were still locked together when Tipperary were awarded a 70 ( 65 ).
When Francis Loughnane, the great sharp shooter from Roscrea, stepped up to take the 70, the referee told him that this was to be the final play of the game. The rain was pelting down and Francis was summoned to the sideline and asked that he get a towel to dry his hurley.
A Tipp mentor then ran onto the pitch and took Loughnane's hurley from him and started to dry it. Everyone in the park saw the towel drop to the pitch, but what everyone didn't see was the dry sliothar being dropped beneath the towel and the soggy one that would never have made it 70 yards being picked up along with the towel.
Loughnane proceeded to bend and lift, and he struck the dry ball dead center of the posts and Tipp were victorious with the final score Tipperary 4-16 to Limerick's 3-18.
The year 1971 is still known in Munster as being the one of the dry ball. I was 11 years old when that match was played.
Growing up in east Limerick and not a stone's throw from the Tipperary border, it was a bitter pill to swallow, especially knowing how the game ended. For many years I looked upon that day with scorn and with not much respect for my Tipperary neighbors.
It was years later, when I grew to realize the genius that it took to orchestrate such a cunning move, and it was then when I figured out that the mark of a champion is not always shrouded with honor.
That was 40 years ago. Where have the years gone to?
Pat Greene
Brooklyn, New York
Friday, June 17, 2011
Wake Up Cormac!
THE only reason Cormac MacConnell's column about Sarah Palin in last week’s issue would "get him into hot water" becomes obvious in his third paragraph wherein he utilizes The Almighty in a way that is sinful before all practicing Christians.
Indeed, I'm not surprised after returning from Ireland and hearing the name of God bandied about without hesitation or guilt. Having said that, I'm also amazed at how poorly informed he and many Irish people are when it comes to the American election process now going on. Here in America, the economy and unemployment are at the top of the list. We Americans (both Democrat and Republican) are looking for a viable candidate with good administrative experience.
Palin, while a nice person, doesn't meet the criteria to save a nation brought down to its knees by the current administration (whether you like it or not). The press has been so mesmerized with Palin that it can't see the forest through the trees.
The people of America have become really ticked off at many abusers in government, and we already gave the first indication with the last election both on federal and state levels. Those results were a sheer rebuke of Obama's socialist policies that don't work here.
We see where Obama has been in constant campaign mode even after being elected. He's surrounded himself with buffoons who don't know their butts from their elbows.
Sorry to correct Cormac, but his view is blurred by the true realities of what's going on here. There are good candidates out there who could whip Obama both in debate and at the polls.
Now about to rise to the occasion are Romney, Santorum, Cain, Gingrich, Pawlenty, Perry, Bachmann, etc. Cormac's “West’s Awake” has been sleeping, and I do hope his west is now awake.
Ed McGovern
Palm Harbor, Florida
Indeed, I'm not surprised after returning from Ireland and hearing the name of God bandied about without hesitation or guilt. Having said that, I'm also amazed at how poorly informed he and many Irish people are when it comes to the American election process now going on. Here in America, the economy and unemployment are at the top of the list. We Americans (both Democrat and Republican) are looking for a viable candidate with good administrative experience.
Palin, while a nice person, doesn't meet the criteria to save a nation brought down to its knees by the current administration (whether you like it or not). The press has been so mesmerized with Palin that it can't see the forest through the trees.
The people of America have become really ticked off at many abusers in government, and we already gave the first indication with the last election both on federal and state levels. Those results were a sheer rebuke of Obama's socialist policies that don't work here.
We see where Obama has been in constant campaign mode even after being elected. He's surrounded himself with buffoons who don't know their butts from their elbows.
Sorry to correct Cormac, but his view is blurred by the true realities of what's going on here. There are good candidates out there who could whip Obama both in debate and at the polls.
Now about to rise to the occasion are Romney, Santorum, Cain, Gingrich, Pawlenty, Perry, Bachmann, etc. Cormac's “West’s Awake” has been sleeping, and I do hope his west is now awake.
Ed McGovern
Palm Harbor, Florida
Stop Using Shannon
THE use of Shannon Airport by U.S. troops on their way to and from the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan has gained a good deal of coverage recently primarily thanks to the WikiLeaks stories in the Irish Independent.
The new program for the Irish government says Shannon Airport should only be used in accordance with international law, and since the Hague Convention of 1907 which has been a cornerstone of law says neutral states cannot allow their territory to be used in a war (no U.S. Army planes land in Zurich Airport), the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) expects the Fine Gael/Labor government to live up to its promises.
Please visit www.globalintelligenceforum.com which promotes a conference on global intelligence (???) from July 11-13 in Dungarvan. The speakers include a former director of the CIA and many others.
Since the decisive majority of the people of the U.S. and Great Britain want to see the end of these wars, PANA in opposing them since 2001, sees itself as the most pro-U.S., most pro-British (their people, that is) in Ireland.
If the new Irish government refuses to enforce its own agreed program, it is it, not PANA, that is anti-American, anti-British.
Roger Cole,
Chair, PANA Dublin, Ireland
The new program for the Irish government says Shannon Airport should only be used in accordance with international law, and since the Hague Convention of 1907 which has been a cornerstone of law says neutral states cannot allow their territory to be used in a war (no U.S. Army planes land in Zurich Airport), the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) expects the Fine Gael/Labor government to live up to its promises.
Please visit www.globalintelligenceforum.com which promotes a conference on global intelligence (???) from July 11-13 in Dungarvan. The speakers include a former director of the CIA and many others.
Since the decisive majority of the people of the U.S. and Great Britain want to see the end of these wars, PANA in opposing them since 2001, sees itself as the most pro-U.S., most pro-British (their people, that is) in Ireland.
If the new Irish government refuses to enforce its own agreed program, it is it, not PANA, that is anti-American, anti-British.
Roger Cole,
Chair, PANA Dublin, Ireland
Zip It Cormac!
HE’S at it again. Cormac MacConnell, writing from 3,000 miles away, never a resident of the U.S. (as far as I know) yet still pontificating on Sarah Palin.
Guess what, Cormac? You think you’ve got a right to weigh in because the U.S. president is the leader of the free world, as you say, but if I were you I’d worry about what’s going on in your bankrupt country first and foremost.
The leader of the free world didn’t cause the greed that resulted in your banks going bust and the value of your real estate falling through the floor.
The leader of the free world isn’t the one who’s responsible for causing another brain drain in your country which will result in yet more emigration.
You’ve got a heap of problems right at your doorstep, Mr. MacConnell, so butt out of our election and worry about cleaning up your own country. You might not like Sarah Palin, but guess what? No one here really cares. American voters will make the decisions about her political future, not you or any other smart-mouthed armchair pundit living an ocean away.
Paul McCarthy
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Guess what, Cormac? You think you’ve got a right to weigh in because the U.S. president is the leader of the free world, as you say, but if I were you I’d worry about what’s going on in your bankrupt country first and foremost.
The leader of the free world didn’t cause the greed that resulted in your banks going bust and the value of your real estate falling through the floor.
The leader of the free world isn’t the one who’s responsible for causing another brain drain in your country which will result in yet more emigration.
You’ve got a heap of problems right at your doorstep, Mr. MacConnell, so butt out of our election and worry about cleaning up your own country. You might not like Sarah Palin, but guess what? No one here really cares. American voters will make the decisions about her political future, not you or any other smart-mouthed armchair pundit living an ocean away.
Paul McCarthy
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Spread the Blame
MR. James V. Burke, in his letter "Real GOP Agenda" in last week's issue, gave us the absolute and final truth about the originators of evil and injustice in America, if not the whole world. They are none other than Republican politicians and free enterprisers.
On the other hand, he implies that there is no way you can be a good Christian unless you support public sector unions or any union backed by the Democratic Party.
The good Christian aspect of Mr. Burke's position is intriguing because I believe that the seventh commandment is very much at play here. Buying Democratic politicians with union dues in return for gold plated contracts on pension rights, exorbitant health care benefits, work rules where workers can't get fired and having the entire unsustainable cost passed on to the taxpayers is nothing more than legalized stealing.
The seventh commandment, as far as I know, doesn’t make any distinction between legalized stealing and plain old fashion stealing. The only difference is a fellow on Wall Street could wind up in jail while the legalized stealer retains his good name and gets reelected.
However, in Christian terms, God has not been fooled nor has the good Christian.
The Democratic left wing politicians in Albany, headed by Assembly Democratic Speaker Sheldon Silver, were able for years to keep secret their outside incomes and clients they represented before the state. They had passed a statute to actually allow them to do this. Another good example of how to be a good Christian.
Mr. Burke says in his last paragraph that industry has always treated the federal government like a cash cow at the expense of the taxpayers. Does Mr. Burke not realize that he just hoisted himself on his own petard with that statement?
Since the federal government is not some inanimate object but a group of elected politicians where the Democratic Party held majority rule unbroken for 40 years, I think I can logically conclude that these politicians sold their integrity to the captains of industry and thereby allowed the federal government to be turned into a cash cow, as Mr. Burke claims.
It takes two to tango. There is no one way street here.
When all is said and done there is enough blame to go around many different groups. I think sharing the blame and the responsibility for wrongdoing is better than pointing fingers with the holier than thou mentality.
John Rogers
Voorhees, New Jersey
On the other hand, he implies that there is no way you can be a good Christian unless you support public sector unions or any union backed by the Democratic Party.
The good Christian aspect of Mr. Burke's position is intriguing because I believe that the seventh commandment is very much at play here. Buying Democratic politicians with union dues in return for gold plated contracts on pension rights, exorbitant health care benefits, work rules where workers can't get fired and having the entire unsustainable cost passed on to the taxpayers is nothing more than legalized stealing.
The seventh commandment, as far as I know, doesn’t make any distinction between legalized stealing and plain old fashion stealing. The only difference is a fellow on Wall Street could wind up in jail while the legalized stealer retains his good name and gets reelected.
However, in Christian terms, God has not been fooled nor has the good Christian.
The Democratic left wing politicians in Albany, headed by Assembly Democratic Speaker Sheldon Silver, were able for years to keep secret their outside incomes and clients they represented before the state. They had passed a statute to actually allow them to do this. Another good example of how to be a good Christian.
Mr. Burke says in his last paragraph that industry has always treated the federal government like a cash cow at the expense of the taxpayers. Does Mr. Burke not realize that he just hoisted himself on his own petard with that statement?
Since the federal government is not some inanimate object but a group of elected politicians where the Democratic Party held majority rule unbroken for 40 years, I think I can logically conclude that these politicians sold their integrity to the captains of industry and thereby allowed the federal government to be turned into a cash cow, as Mr. Burke claims.
It takes two to tango. There is no one way street here.
When all is said and done there is enough blame to go around many different groups. I think sharing the blame and the responsibility for wrongdoing is better than pointing fingers with the holier than thou mentality.
John Rogers
Voorhees, New Jersey
Respect for Victims
THE recent appointment of Ms. McArdle as a Sinn Fein adviser in the Stormont Assembly has caused a great deal of controversy and debate within the media and amongst politicians at home and abroad.
It has divided opinion as to whether it is morally right to appoint ex-prisoners to profile positions. It has re-ignited the debate around how we deal with the past and reinforces the need to find a mechanism to start dealing with our past.
More importantly, it has shown that if you scratch the surface of victims and victims’ survivors, their wounds are still extremely raw.
I empathize with the Travers family and can understand their feelings regarding the appointment of the person involved in the killing of their loved one in 1984 as a special adviser at the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure.
However, I am of the opinion Ms. McArdle should not resign from her position. I do not say this lightly as I myself lost my mother at the hands of the Ulster Volunteer Force in 1979. After having shot her they then attempted to murder my grandmother and aunt in our family home while my 12-year-old brother was present.
One of the most controversial yet significant parts of the Good Friday Agreement was the early release of prisoners. Public opinion was divided on this issue but we accepted it as part of the conflict transformation process. Ms. McArdle was and still is part of that process.
I do understand how difficult this appointment must be for the Travers family to accept. Issues like this become more complex when as a victim you are directly affected by them. Memories do not diminish with time.
It has been repeated again and again that we should put the past behind us and move on. Ms. McArdle is a part of that past as is the Travers family, as is my family and hundreds of other families.
It has become apparent since this story was released by the media that the aftermath of the conflict is very much a live issue and one which up until now has yet to be dealt with in a proper manner. There has been a collective failure in finding a way forward.
It is within this context that we now need to find a way to deal with the past in a sensitive and inclusive manner. The politicking of victims’ issues needs to end, and serious debate needs to begin on how to acknowledge the wrongs of the past for all our sakes.
Do they await the death of the conflict generation in the hope the issues die with them rather than deal with the here and now? I wonder!
Josephine Larmour
Belfast, Northern Ireland
It has divided opinion as to whether it is morally right to appoint ex-prisoners to profile positions. It has re-ignited the debate around how we deal with the past and reinforces the need to find a mechanism to start dealing with our past.
More importantly, it has shown that if you scratch the surface of victims and victims’ survivors, their wounds are still extremely raw.
I empathize with the Travers family and can understand their feelings regarding the appointment of the person involved in the killing of their loved one in 1984 as a special adviser at the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure.
However, I am of the opinion Ms. McArdle should not resign from her position. I do not say this lightly as I myself lost my mother at the hands of the Ulster Volunteer Force in 1979. After having shot her they then attempted to murder my grandmother and aunt in our family home while my 12-year-old brother was present.
One of the most controversial yet significant parts of the Good Friday Agreement was the early release of prisoners. Public opinion was divided on this issue but we accepted it as part of the conflict transformation process. Ms. McArdle was and still is part of that process.
I do understand how difficult this appointment must be for the Travers family to accept. Issues like this become more complex when as a victim you are directly affected by them. Memories do not diminish with time.
It has been repeated again and again that we should put the past behind us and move on. Ms. McArdle is a part of that past as is the Travers family, as is my family and hundreds of other families.
It has become apparent since this story was released by the media that the aftermath of the conflict is very much a live issue and one which up until now has yet to be dealt with in a proper manner. There has been a collective failure in finding a way forward.
It is within this context that we now need to find a way to deal with the past in a sensitive and inclusive manner. The politicking of victims’ issues needs to end, and serious debate needs to begin on how to acknowledge the wrongs of the past for all our sakes.
Do they await the death of the conflict generation in the hope the issues die with them rather than deal with the here and now? I wonder!
Josephine Larmour
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Shameful Journalism
THE Irish corporate media's coverage of the Windsor visit could not be described, no matter how broad a definition used, as “journalism.”
Those that produced such one sided, sycophantic reports should hang their heads in shame. It exposed once again a complete lack of any credible mainstream media outlet willing to critically examine or question the political establishment line.
Their “journalism” consisted of article after article parroting the “consensus” of how great the English monarch is, how great this visit would be for us all and how anyone who questioned this consensus was a political dinosaur filled with hate and bitterness.
None dared break the consensus and report on Gardai (police) intimidating protesters, stealing posters and banners or throwing the national flag in refuse trucks as they effectively banned it from our capital city.
There was no media questioning as to whether the tens of millions of euros spent on this visit would have been better spent elsewhere, such as in our hospitals and schools or for special needs assistants and carers.
Silence on these issues was the consensus. Instead we heard a narrative of a little old lady and her husband who were in Ireland to promote peace and goodwill.
And no “journalist” dared ask the obvious question -- what exactly is it about this anti-democratic, sectarian, war crimes apologist who lives a life of privilege based on the exploitation of her “subjects,” that has the leaders of this so-called “republic” almost wetting themselves with excitement at the prospect of being in her company and bowing and scraping before her?
Anyone dare to hazard a guess?
Gerry Casey
Co. Sligo, Ireland
Those that produced such one sided, sycophantic reports should hang their heads in shame. It exposed once again a complete lack of any credible mainstream media outlet willing to critically examine or question the political establishment line.
Their “journalism” consisted of article after article parroting the “consensus” of how great the English monarch is, how great this visit would be for us all and how anyone who questioned this consensus was a political dinosaur filled with hate and bitterness.
None dared break the consensus and report on Gardai (police) intimidating protesters, stealing posters and banners or throwing the national flag in refuse trucks as they effectively banned it from our capital city.
There was no media questioning as to whether the tens of millions of euros spent on this visit would have been better spent elsewhere, such as in our hospitals and schools or for special needs assistants and carers.
Silence on these issues was the consensus. Instead we heard a narrative of a little old lady and her husband who were in Ireland to promote peace and goodwill.
And no “journalist” dared ask the obvious question -- what exactly is it about this anti-democratic, sectarian, war crimes apologist who lives a life of privilege based on the exploitation of her “subjects,” that has the leaders of this so-called “republic” almost wetting themselves with excitement at the prospect of being in her company and bowing and scraping before her?
Anyone dare to hazard a guess?
Gerry Casey
Co. Sligo, Ireland
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