Weeshie's Week

Sporting Memories from 2010

December 28th, 2010
by Weeshie Fogarty

Believe it or not but when I sat down to pen a few sporting memories of the past year at the request of our Roscommon Sports Editor Paul Brennan I never imagined in my wildest dreams as I gather my thoughts that a musical instrument I heard for the first time had remained etched in the memory. And it's all associated with one of the greatest sporting events of the past year. The World Cup held in South Africa and that never to be forgotten sound of that afore mentioned musical instrument. The Vuvuzela. I can clearly recall the first match I settled down to watch on the box and that amazing constant droning sound that emanated from the TV. What was it? It sounded like a massive swarm of bees, or was it some fault on the line. I was quickly informed of what was happening as the commentator launched into a vivid description of the history and importance of this instrument to the traditions and culture of South Africa. The atmosphere was electric as we witnessed the World Cup giving to the world a new and beautiful musical instrument. I was captivated at the sight. It was unbelievable to see thousand of South Africans young and old raise the Vuvuzela and make sounds the likes of we never heard before. However for me once was enough and while it was fascinating and unique images of being at an All Ireland final in Croke Park and having thousands of Vuvuzela blaring all day is unthinkable. So the gift of hearing is for me a sporting memory of the past year. And by the way Spain won the cup.
 
Kilkenny 1-18, Tipperary 4-17
This magnificent final proved to one and all hurling is the greatest field game in the world. It was one of the most enthralling games I have ever seen and has been described as the greatest final ever played. Can you disagree with that? I must admit at being bias anyway as I have strong Tipp blood coursing through my veins. My father grew up on a farm outside Cahir and my grandfather indoctrinated me with the great names of the county in the fifties as he read passages fro "The Nationalist", the Tipp equivalent to this paper. Names like Tony Reddan, John Doyle, Pat Stakelum, Sonny Maher, and Mick "Rattler" Byrne were always on his lips. So this year three goals from Lar Corbett helped Tipperary stop Kilkennys "drive for five". Amazingly Kilkenny won their last twenty one matches. The Premier County were the better team on the day and with Henry Shefflin coming off after 14minutes the Cats never looked like winning. Vivid memories of Kerry's loss when going for five-in-a-row in 1982 were on most Kerry minds. A cracking final and a memorable one.

Dr Crokes were head and shoulders above all others here at home and their semi-final win over South Kerry was an absorbing clash. The South kerry came from away behind at half time to come within two points of The Lake side Boys. Brian Sheehan's free kicking from ridiculous long range distances were extra special.  Then we saw Colm Copper at his best as he guided, directed and led his side to the final. His goal against Austin Stacks in a superb game was the crucial score. I have written here numerous times since their campaign began in Kerry that it was the most evenly balanced Croke side I have ever seen.  The biggest tests still remain.

Katie Taylor that brilliant boxer from Bray is one of my sporting heroes. If a male boxer had achieved what Katie has we would never hear the end of it. Never had we a boxer with a record to compare with this. This year she won her third successive World title in Barbados, was voted best boxer in the world and she picked up another gold in the European Union Championship in Hungry. And all these titles have been won away from home on foreign soil. Ladies boxing is now an Olympic sport and barring injury and loss of form Katie will be hot favourite to win gold in London.  Staying with boxing another hero for me in 2010 was the Limerick super Bantam weight Willie "Big Bang" Casey. He comes from a travelling family of twenty two children. He won the European title two months ago. I wrote about him here recently. Well he is now vacating that title and getting a shot at the World title in March in Dublin. Last Thursday I spend a memorable evening in his company together with his wife Mary. We were visiting those two beautiful children in Keel Saoirse and Liam Heffernan who are battling that awful Battens Disease. It was a moving experience and we were warmly welcomed by Mary and Tony Heffernan, two exemplary parents. In an extensive lengthy interview to be broadcast on Terrace Talk in the New Year Willie talks about his life and time and why he believes his boxing success will help others. One of his brothers died from drug abuse. It's a captivating uplifting and inspiring story of one man rising from poverty to fight for a world title. A real boxing fairy tale and a great memory of the past year.

You don't have to play golf to be an avid follower of the game, staying up for all hours of the night to follow the great tournaments around the world. And this year the brilliance of Graeme McDowell was a source of great pride to all Irish men and women. He became the US and Wales Open Champion, winner also of the Andalucie Masters and the Chevron World Challenge and he capped it all as he sank the putt to help win the Ryder Cup. But the Major win at Pebble beach was easily one of the highlights of the past year. He together with Padraig Harrington and Rory McElroy are set to give us many more hours of absorbing late late TV viewing.

Too much to remember and too little space to write about as I recall a multitude of glorious memories. But finally on a strictly personal basis I was delighted to see my own club Killarney Legion regain their Division one status to the county league. When I was awarded the PPI National Broadcaster of the Year Award as I represented Ireland's greatest local radio station, Radio Kerry at a gala function in Kilkenny I was very conscious of representing my county against the other thirty one.  This helped ease the pain slightly of losing two dear brothers Dermie and Geni to cancer. Both died during the past year within weeks of each other.  Also the massive three year project I undertook with my great friend Christy Riordan, C/R videos, that of chronicling the lives of all Kerrys winning captain finally came to fruition. I believe the four hour DVD "Secrets of Kerry-A Captains Story" will stand the test of time and be accepted as one of the great historical "documents" on Kerry football.  Another year has passed, I have had the privilege of writing here in the pages of The Kerryman on a weekly basis attempting to bring something different to the reader and I appreciate the fact my sports editor Paul Brennan has always given me more or less free reign to cover whatever topic I wish.  A happy and healthy New Year to all readers and here's hoping the Colm Cooper will bring the Sam Maguire Cup back to Ardshanavooly in his home town of Killarney.



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