Munster Express Online

■□■ View More Photos

The Gods were definitely smiling on the village of Kill on Sunday, 27th December as the local GAA Club got the best day of Christmas weather-wise for its annual Long Puck competition in and around the County Waterford village. There was a fantastic turnout with 140 teams participating, helping to raise funds for the host club’s new dressing-rooms development.

In its 8th year now, this annual event continues to attract the punters without much sign of abating. This year’s winners – not for the first time – were the Ballygunner trio of Johnny Kearney, Chris Ryan and Tommy Power with 53 shots.

They were closely followed by Dunhill’s Colm Keane, John Walsh and Mary O’Loughlin on 55 pucks, while the ladies prize was won by Gaultier’s Trish and Una Jackman and Aisling Flood on 76 pucks.

The longest puck-out of the village was won by Dunhill’s Tyrone Costelloe which was manned by Brendan Gallagher, while no less than six players got the ‘ball thru the barrel’ at the halfway point. (Thanks to Micheal Gerard Queally for looking after this.)

The ‘Cuchullain of Kill’ novelty event was a great hit for patrons before they set out on their route and while no one managed three out of three, five hurlers managed two. Which as the song says, aint bad!

This year’s route was a new one and it went down very well indeed as the teams were brought past Gardenmorris, Georgestown, Ballyristeen and finished at Paddy Cap’s cross where Jimmy Guiry and his assistant Darren Power ferried the teams back by bus to the Community Centre. Here the ladies looked after everyone with a smashing meal followed up by tea and biscuits.

This gives us the opportunity to thanks Dawn Meats, Eoin Dunphy Fruit & Veg, and Musgraves for their sponsorship of the food. Also to Chris Connolly of the Seahorse Bar and Restaurant in Tramore for his professional help and catering; to Edmund Murphy for transporting the grub and his help all round the Community Centre; to the ladies – Anne Murphy, Breda Flynn, Pauline Kirwan, Bernie Queallly, Tracy Casey, Aoife Mooney and Joan Power – who were invaluable to the success of the day.

Before people were fed they were treated to hot toddies and soup at the midway mark by Tom and Hannah Power and Noeleen Holden. Thanks again lads.

Kill GAA Club also extend thanks to all the stewards for their help on the roads, especially non-members of the club – people like Jack Duggan, Bernard Casey, Nicholas Power of Waterford County Council, Paul Kirwan, Gaby Power and Yvonne Power for the work at Cuchulainn. It was much appreciated by all.

Thanks also to Shelly and Julie on the entry cabin, well done, no problems or complaints as usual; to Clem Jacob Hire for all his equipment, we appreciate it so much and we hope you enjoyed the day; and to John Roche of Bonmahon Joinery who never leaves us down with the use of the cabin – thank you John.

Later in the night the club held a raffle for prizes sponsored by various people: 1st prize of a weekend of two in the Castlerosse Hotel, Killarney (Sean Power Harvey Travel) was won by Eddie Murphy, Dunhill; 2nd prize of dinner for two in Granville Hotel was won by Lorena Mooney; 3rd prize, a Tony Browne-signed jersey, was won by Davy Mulcahy Snr, and 4th prize, a John O’Shea-signed Man Utd jersey was won by the Nire’s Owen Wall. All winners will be notified in due course.

The committee would also like to thank the following as well: Toner Electronics for their use of amplification; the Order of Malta for their presence; Padraig Dunphy for the hot punch for the starters on such a cold day; WLRfm and Matt Keane in particular for giving us valuable air time; Marie Whelan and Tracy Gallagher at the finish line taking in the scores – thankless work but necessary.

Last but by no means least, you the public, the players and clubs who year in year out support us, we are grateful. Without you there would be no Kill Long Puck.

There will be Presentation Night this Friday, 15th January in Dunphy’s Bar.