20 August 1998 Edition
Sportsview: Waterford agony as Cats purr
Kilkenny 1-11, Waterford 1-10
Kilkenny's legendary tradition seemed to portend victory all along despite the gallant play we have seen from Waterford throughout their eventful season.
Having gone 35 years without seeing a Croker All-Ireland and played their hearts out in a dramatic season, Waterford were hoping for a happy ending to the most romantic hurling story of the season. But then, the Kilkenny Cats are known for crushing such dreams with a certainty and innevitability which has given them that legendary status.
Although winning the toss, Waterford's management considered, quite wisely, that playing against the tumultuous wind in the first half would give them time to settle their young nerves, as yet unaccustomed to such monumental pressures. This was a testing time for the resolve of a young team, playing their neighbouring county, a machine that would prove the most difficult match of the season, win or lose.
A crowd of 50,856, engulfed mostly in the blue and white of Waterford, watched as both teams fought not only each other, but also the ungovernable wind that forced the notoriously accurate DJ Carey to miss five frees, blustering uncontrollably away from the uprights. ``The wind was fierce difficult. I was trying to look for the far post, the near post, every post. It just wasn't coming off for me in the first half,'' he said.
Waterford did not settle well in the meterological onslaught of their second half. Their first score of the half came sixteen minutes after the resumption and was of little comfort or even prophetic of further advances. Most efforts made seemed hopeless against the gale as Waterford's shots, passes and runs seemed fatally inhibited. Fans gained courage with a goal scored 13 minutes from the final whistle, but alas it was not to be.
Kilkenny's `keeper Willie O'Connor played a stormer and furnished a confidence which would drive the county forward. Carey and others in the team were full of praise for their colleague, but commented: ``Still, I don't want to give Willie too much of a big head now `cos he's inclined to get it fairly easily!''.
As Kilkenny enjoyed the prospect of yet another All-Ireland final, Waterford's lads collapsed, dejected and devastated at the outcome of their titanic struggle. But, they had done their county proud and can take comfort in the potential of their future bids for glory. A team mostly in their early to mid twenties, they showed a determination and resolve this year that did not die last Sunday and will surely spur them on to better luck next time.
Tall Ships come to Dublin
The Cutty Sark tall ships race is renowned throughout the world as one of the most popular and sought after (by venues) annual events in the maritime calendar and will this year be gracing inner city Dublin with a festival atmosphere that will hopefully be of some benefit to deprived local communities.
Thirty one other cities had competed for this final leg which has been hosted in recent years by Amsterdam, Oporto, St Petersburg, Gothenburg, Edinburgh and Copenhagen, all of whom have experienced huge boosts to local tourism as a result.
One of the most positive aspects of the race is its emphasis on the involvement of young people. At least 50% of crew members on each vessel must be aged between 16 and 24, with approximately 3,500 crew in total on board 100 ships, including Ireland's own Asgard 2. Some class A vessels are up to 380ft long and will be a very attractive spectacle as they arrive in Dublin Port where they will remain on display from 22-25 August, berthed in the River Liffey between Talbot Memorial Bridge and the East Link.
Amongst the events that will entertain up to 250,000 visitors daily (a staggering turnout) is a parade of crews and bands from the berthing area to Dublin Castle on Sunday 23 August. Also, on the same day, 2FM's ``Beat on the Street'' is expected to be held in the display area.
Tall Ships Dublin Ltd., a non profit company formed to manage the event, has said that an increase in employment should occur in the area as a result of the event and, most importantly, have urged all contractors attracted by the display to ensure that local community employment is a priority. Street parties, localised festivals and competitions will hopefully help improve the image of a much maligned area and create an atmosphere of festival. Hopefully also, the wealth created by such a massive event will be of greater benefit to the local community than mercenary business people there for the weekend.
By Michael Pierse
Kilkenny's legendary tradition seemed to portend victory all along despite the gallant play we have seen from Waterford throughout their eventful season.
Having gone 35 years without seeing a Croker All-Ireland and played their hearts out in a dramatic season, Waterford were hoping for a happy ending to the most romantic hurling story of the season. But then, the Kilkenny Cats are known for crushing such dreams with a certainty and innevitability which has given them that legendary status.
Although winning the toss, Waterford's management considered, quite wisely, that playing against the tumultuous wind in the first half would give them time to settle their young nerves, as yet unaccustomed to such monumental pressures. This was a testing time for the resolve of a young team, playing their neighbouring county, a machine that would prove the most difficult match of the season, win or lose.
A crowd of 50,856, engulfed mostly in the blue and white of Waterford, watched as both teams fought not only each other, but also the ungovernable wind that forced the notoriously accurate DJ Carey to miss five frees, blustering uncontrollably away from the uprights. ``The wind was fierce difficult. I was trying to look for the far post, the near post, every post. It just wasn't coming off for me in the first half,'' he said.
Waterford did not settle well in the meterological onslaught of their second half. Their first score of the half came sixteen minutes after the resumption and was of little comfort or even prophetic of further advances. Most efforts made seemed hopeless against the gale as Waterford's shots, passes and runs seemed fatally inhibited. Fans gained courage with a goal scored 13 minutes from the final whistle, but alas it was not to be.
Kilkenny's `keeper Willie O'Connor played a stormer and furnished a confidence which would drive the county forward. Carey and others in the team were full of praise for their colleague, but commented: ``Still, I don't want to give Willie too much of a big head now `cos he's inclined to get it fairly easily!''.
As Kilkenny enjoyed the prospect of yet another All-Ireland final, Waterford's lads collapsed, dejected and devastated at the outcome of their titanic struggle. But, they had done their county proud and can take comfort in the potential of their future bids for glory. A team mostly in their early to mid twenties, they showed a determination and resolve this year that did not die last Sunday and will surely spur them on to better luck next time.
Tall Ships come to Dublin
The Cutty Sark tall ships race is renowned throughout the world as one of the most popular and sought after (by venues) annual events in the maritime calendar and will this year be gracing inner city Dublin with a festival atmosphere that will hopefully be of some benefit to deprived local communities.
Thirty one other cities had competed for this final leg which has been hosted in recent years by Amsterdam, Oporto, St Petersburg, Gothenburg, Edinburgh and Copenhagen, all of whom have experienced huge boosts to local tourism as a result.
One of the most positive aspects of the race is its emphasis on the involvement of young people. At least 50% of crew members on each vessel must be aged between 16 and 24, with approximately 3,500 crew in total on board 100 ships, including Ireland's own Asgard 2. Some class A vessels are up to 380ft long and will be a very attractive spectacle as they arrive in Dublin Port where they will remain on display from 22-25 August, berthed in the River Liffey between Talbot Memorial Bridge and the East Link.
Amongst the events that will entertain up to 250,000 visitors daily (a staggering turnout) is a parade of crews and bands from the berthing area to Dublin Castle on Sunday 23 August. Also, on the same day, 2FM's ``Beat on the Street'' is expected to be held in the display area.
Tall Ships Dublin Ltd., a non profit company formed to manage the event, has said that an increase in employment should occur in the area as a result of the event and, most importantly, have urged all contractors attracted by the display to ensure that local community employment is a priority. Street parties, localised festivals and competitions will hopefully help improve the image of a much maligned area and create an atmosphere of festival. Hopefully also, the wealth created by such a massive event will be of greater benefit to the local community than mercenary business people there for the weekend.
By Michael Pierse