Category: 1980’s

Match Programmes

A selection of some Match programmes from a range of games I’ve attended over the years although there are many many more…The first one shown here is the team selection from the 1972 Final between Kilkenny and Cork. I attended my first All Ireland Final in the 1960’s

League Final Win 1986

A number of Articles on the National Hurling League win of 1986. Kilkenny beat Galway comprehensively by 3-11 to 2-5 to take their 7th title and their 3rd of the 1980’s under Manager Pat Henderson. 9 of the double double team of 1982-83 lined out on the day with Ger Fennelly scoring 1-47 in the campaign.

Things were looking good for the remainder of the year following this win. Kilkenny had a strong run in Leinster overcoming both Wexford and Dublin before defeating Offaly in the Final by 4-10 to 1-11, helped by a hat-rick by Liam Fennelly. This was the knock out era when a loss meant that your county was out of the Hurling Championship until the following year.

However a nasty surprise lay in wait at Thurles in the All Ireland Semi Final, when Kilkenny perhaps complacent from their good run were at the receiving end of a similar scoreline from a resurgent Galway. Shocks are rare in Kilkenny hurling and this was one of the more disappointing days of the 1980’s with much grumbling among hurling purists about the introduction of 3 man midfield tactics by Galway Manager Cyril Farrell.

In hindsight this was the emergence of Galway’s great team of Joe Cooney , Tony Keady, Gerry McInerney etc. They would meet again in the All Ireland Final of 1987.

1984 – 3 in a row dashed

A game that should have been a formality turned into an epic encounter described with passion in Raymond Smiths book ‘the hurling immortals’. Pat Henderson’s team were aiming for 3 in a row – the first since the early 1900’s and in the Centenary year of the GAA too for added measure. Hurling fans began to anticipate the prospect of a mouth watering 3 in a row All Ireland bid versus their 1982 and 1983 opponents Cork – and on Munster turf in Semple Stadium.

Alas it was not to be – a succession of pre match injuries to 3 key members of the double double winning defense gave Wexford the boost required to take the game to the Champions. Despite the handicap and falling behind by significant margins twice within the game, Kilkenny produced a valiant 20 minute comeback in the second half to level the game. A chance appeared for a point which might have turned the game in Kilkenny’s favour but this was lost and Tony Doran ended Kilkenny dreams with a last hoorah.

Meanwhile in Munster, even more drama was to be played out in one of the greatest Munster Finals of all time where Tipperary laid the foundation for their re-emergence as a hurling power with a defiant performance against Cork. Tipp looked winners with 5 minutes to go but as with Tony Doran v Kilkenny, Seanie O’Leary broke Tipp hearts with a late pounce and it was Cork who eventually went on to be crowned Centenary champions.

Frank Cummins

Frank Cummins article from the 1986 Kilkenny GAA Yearbook. Winner of 8 All Ireland Senior Hurling medals including 7 in the same position at Midfield. Frank Cummins played for Ballyhale / Knocktopher before moving to Blackrock in Cork for work purposes.

A powerful athlete, consistent performer for almost 15 years, and close contender for greatest ever Kilkenny midfielder along with Michael Fennelly.

Pat Henderson

Article on Pat Henderson from 1977. Pat Henderson played Centre Back and has been mentioned numerous times when the subject of all time greatest Kilkenny Backs is discussed. He won 5 All Ireland medals as a player with Kilkenny. Like Brian Cody, He then turned his hand to management guiding Kilkenny to All Ireland victory in 1979 against Galway aided by Eddie Keher. He was the manager for one of Kilkenny’s best loved teams – the All Ireland double and League double winning team of 1982-1983

Noel Skehan

Article on Noel Skehan from the 1984 Gaelsport Annual. Before the emergence of the Great Kilkenny Teams led by Brian Cody , Skehan held the record for the most All Ireland winning Medals.

Playing in the full back line on the 1982 and 1983 winning teams just in front of Noel Skehan was Brian Cody, who would go on to become the most successful Hurling manager in history.