Father Reid Festival of hurling

Senior hurling challenge: Antrim 2-15 Tipperary 4-19

THE kid’s hurl looked no bigger than a dessert spoon as he bounded down the Whiterock Road with his father to see the All-Ireland champions in Corrigan Park.

In all its winter splendour, the sun roared over the Black Mountain to make silhouettes out of father and son as they quickened their stride along the ancient cemetery walls.

This was no ordinary Sunday.

The Tipperary hurlers were in town, snared in the sunny bosom of west Belfast, to remember and honour one of their own: the late Fr Alex Reid, a key player in the Peace Process.

Patrons flocked to the ground yesterday to catch a glimpse of Michael Ryan’s Allstar cast.

It was the same at Woodlands Park on Saturday afternoon as hundreds of children were invited to meet their heroes.

After bagging 2-5 in Tipperary’s 10-point win over hosts Antrim yesterday, Seamus Callanan was substituted with a few minutes to go.

Rather than disappear into the sanctity of the crowded Tipperary dugout, the man mountain granted every single request for his signature and ‘selfie’ from behind the wire before he even contemplated putting on a track-top to keep the cold at bay.

There is some terrain still untouched by corporate tentacles.

The velvet surface of Corrigan Park felt like one of those rare places yesterday.

Michael Ryan was overwhelmed by the “exceptional” welcome the Tipperary hurlers received over the weekend, and left the city enriched for the experience.

“We really enjoyed it,” Ryan said.

“We were at the function yesterday evening in Culturlann and it was eye-opening for us.

“We were obviously aware of Fr Alex Reid but the extent to which he impacted society up here was revealing.

“And it was great to be a part of that. We were honoured to come up and participate.

“We were at the celebratory Mass this morning [in Clonard Monastery]. I think it’s really great for our young fellas to realise a Nenagh native came up here and worked so hard for everyone in society. I just think it’s a great story.”

After yesterday’s eagerly contested challenge game, the gates at pitchside were flung open and the Tipperary hurlers were in no rush to leave the field. “It’s the very same as at home,” said Ryan.

“The kids love it. It’s an important role; these players are role models for the next generation of kids and I think it’s no different up here in Antrim. It ticked every box for us – hearing the history and the connection through Fr Alex Reid and getting our work done.”

With the throw-in delayed by 15 minutes to allow the crowds to get in, the Antrim hurlers formed a guard of honour for the All-Ireland champions as they galloped onto the field.

But, from the opening exchanges, it was clear the hosts weren’t going to be in awe of their illustrious opponents, who’d travelled with nine of the team that toppled Kilkenny last September.

In fact, Antrim led 2-8 to 0-8 at the break with Ciaran Clarke and Paul Shiels finding the net in the 27th and 28th minutes.

Giving away serious height and weight advantages, Antrim more than held their own in the opening 35 minutes.

Young Stephen Rooney had the dubious honour of shadowing Allstar corner-forward John McGrath and did a sterling job.

And it was also a day to remember for St Enda’s, Glengormley cornerback Ruairi Diamond who was unfazed by the famed blue and gold jerseys.

Simon McCrory, Antrim’s granitelike wing-back, hurled superbly, while on the other flank Conor McKinley (right, with Tipp’s Andrew Coffey) fired over a raking score as the first half drew to a close.

Conor Johnston, Conor McCann and Neil McManus played with typical verve and invention in Antrim’s forward line.

Ronan Maher and Seamus Kennedy certainly had their hands full early on containing the trio.

“We were trailing here by six points at half-time,” said Ryan. “We took it very seriously. If you were listening at our dressing-room door at half-time you would have heard a few expletives about the way we were playing.”

With dented pride, Tipp emerged for the second half – bolstered by the appearance of Brendan Maher and Michael Cahill – and managed to claw back the deficit in double-quick time.

In their first attack of the second period, Callanan raced clear to find the net and John McGrath’s clever lob a few minutes later levelled the game.

The in-form Clarke kept Antrim in touch from placed balls but once Paudie Greene found the top corner of Antrim’s net in the 50th minute Tipperary went through the gears.

Callanan notched his second major of the day three minutes later.

Although Antrim were out of the game, they s h o w e d resilience in defence to keep the All-Ireland champions within 10 points of them.

“It was a great workout for us playing the All-Ireland champions,” said Antrim joint-manager Terence McNaughton.

“As we said before the match, we never came here to worry about the scoreboard – it was about our performance. We played very well in the first half and our work-rate was good but at that level once you make a mistake you’re punished for it.

“They’re All-Ireland champions – we’re playing division three. But I’m happy with the progression we’ve made over the last few weeks.”

The only negative of the day was the news that Neil McManus suffered a fractured cheekbone in the early stages of the second half.

But the Cushendall man refused to allow a few stitches and a broken bone to ruin his day, commenting later that he was “having a blast out there – and that’s the most important bit”. 

••• Fantastic article by Brendan Crossan - Irish News