GALWAY MAY have done a number on Kilkenny already this year in the hurling championship but at least one supporter of the black-and-amber is hoping the Galway men will be breakfasting in Heartbreak Hotel come Monday morning.
Myles Kavanagh is among the more colourful of the many colourful Cats supporters when it comes to the All-Ireland final build-up and on Sunday he’ll be donning the Elvis Presley garb for which he’s become famous in the Marble City. “It’s the 35th anniversary of Elvis’s death and Kilkenny are going for their 34th All-Ireland,” he said yesterday. “On Sunday morning I’ll say a prayer to The King!”
Well known around the southeast for his Elvis impersonation act, the entertainer has three favourite songs from his idol – The Wonder of You, which could be dedicated to manager Brian Cody; Suspicious Minds, aimed at anyone who doubted the Cats after their “mauling” at the hands of Galway in this year’s Leinster final; and Burning Love, which he has for all the hurlers. “I’m hoping Galway will be All Shook Up on Monday and they could be staying in Heartbreak Hotel,” he said with a laugh.
In relation to that surprise defeat at the hands of Galway earlier in the year, Elvis/Myles has a succinct warning: “There’s nothing as dangerous as a wounded Cat . . .”
Up in the area of the city known as The Butts, traditionally one of the most colourful parts of Kilkenny when it comes to the now annual task of supporting the hurlers in their All-Ireland build-up, Ann Duggan reflects on her emotions during and after that rare, and comprehensive, Leinster loss. “Shocked. Absolutely shocked. So were the Kilkenny team. They don’t like losing and they’ll be there to fight and they will fight and it will be physical. But it won’t be dirty.”
Cat lovers are “a bit more cagey” than in other years, she said, as a result of Galway’s Leinster success, and maybe that has prompted an outbreak of flags and colour in parts of Kilkenny which normally remain unfussed. “You’d see it now in streets which have never put up bunting. They’re all trying to get into it now and do their bit,” she says, before adding: “The town [city centre] is a disgrace, as usual.”
Speaking of arguments, one threatened to break out in the last few days over this year’s homecoming arrangements on Monday night. Traditionally, the panel paraded in an open-top bus from the railway station through the streets before finishing at the Market Yard car park. This year, however, health and safety advice have led to a change, which will see the (triumphant or otherwise) journey begin at Kilkenny Castle before heading down The Parade, onto Rose Inn Street across the bridge and up John Street, onto the Dublin Road and across to Nowlan Park for the speeches.
According to Mayor Seán Ó hArgáin “quiet negotiations” between the borough council, gardaí, safety experts and the GAA led to a decision with which most are happy. “We couldn’t stand over anything that might put anyone in danger,” he said.
GAA colours: Baad for sheep:
GAA supporters have been urged not to paint farm animals in county colours for the All-Ireland
hurling and football finals. The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says it causes stress to animals. The number of farm animals, especially sheep, displaying the county colours increases approaching final day, but the society's chief executive, Noel Griffin, has urged fans to be conscious of not harming animals. "We don't want to be killjoys but the most important thing is to
ensure that the animal is not put under undue stress."
DECLAN ROONEY