Rambles

What a year it has been for the hurling game, with Kilkenny going top of the roll of honour. It's a fact that Kilkenny have won every all-Ireland since 2006, when Brian Coady came to Castlecomer to open the Wellie Race and seek some advice from the Powley lads on their winning ways. What a joy to see Erin's Own winning the County Final and regaining their rightful status as a senior team for there is not too many Parishes can boast of 2 senior teams.The Powley slashers had a kind of a disappointing year, having had no game last year, due to an outbreak of (blue tongue). They were awarded the title this year on a technicality. They were given a walk over when the Culchies failed to field due to reasons unknown. The Powley boys had been eagerly awaiting this contest, with a great hunger, having trained so hard under the lights at Brophy's Bridge (thanks to Skehana Electric Light Company). There was no expense spared training this team, every member was on mael for three weeks), so when we left the Corner House on Saturday evening prior to the game nothing was going to stop us, not even (sign posts) as we headed for Cavan. In fairness all the players behaved themselves admirably on the Saturday night come Sunday morning and most got to their beds before 6am Sunday morning we attended at Crosskeys Church where we were invited to go to the loft to join the choir (they must have heard us serenading the previous night).On leaving the Church we headed straight for Killnaleck for the business in hand, to retain the title of all-Ireland seanos hurling. We were accommodated in the vintage tavern, to make final preparation for the battle ahead. It was there that we met our local culchie representative John Bolger, who was in great voice along with a horse dealer from Crutt, by the name of Keating. Rubs, lotions and especially potions were the order of the day. Spirits were at fever pitch when a representative of the field committee appeared in the door way and declared Dr Plunkett Park was unplayable due to flooding. "Water will not stop us ", was the reply from manage Jimmy Carroll, " Ill have ye know I remember '47, the game must be played," so with the help of a loy digger Paddy Boyhen from Mullingar, (he won the all-Ireland loy digging championship at the Ploughing Match in Cuffesgrange).We made our way to the dressing room and togged out. Paddy took to the field, and in a short time dug a couple of drains and relieved the flood. We took to the field, but the opposition failed to appear. The referee blew the whistle, threw in the ball and with a couple of overhead strikes, the last coming from John Bolger the ball ended in the net, the green flag went up and we were awarded the game. Not to disappoint the large attendance that had come to see the old skills of the game we played a bit of exhibition stuff between ourselves. As we left the field I overheard a local say in his Cavan accent.........

" T h e s e P o w l e y b o y s a r e s o m e m e n w i t h a c a m a n."

HI Mickey Billhooks