Sunday was an emotional day in Semple Stadium.
Early in the morning news filtered through of the death of Thurles Sarsfields stalwart Mickey ‘The Rattler’ Byrne at the age of 93.
A minute’s silence was observed ahead of the county senior hurling final, with Thurles seeing off the challenge of a Kiladangan on a scoreline of 0-27 to 1-15.
It was joy upon joy for the likes of Ronan and Padraic Maher, who won an All-Ireland with Tipperary last month – younger brother Ronan was the star of the show – sending a 70-metre sideline cut through the posts for the score of the game.
It was Ronan’s older brother and Thurles captain, Padraic, who produced the best moment of the afternoon however, when he brought the daughters of the late Jack Griffin, Isabelle (8), Larragh (10) and Emma (5), up the steps of the New Stand with him to collect the Dan Breen Cup.
Griffin was a senior selector with Thurles when they won the 2015 county title but he passed away suddenly less than a year ago. His death shocked the club and the town, so Maher’s gesture towards Griffin’s family were warmly appreciated by all.
“A lovely thing that Pádraic brought them up,” Sars coach Paddy McCormack told the Irish Examiner.
“[Griffin’s] mother-in-law was there today and his wife, too. The pain never goes away, we were all friends with Jackie, we all hurled with him coming up along.”
After the game, Maher remembered Rattler also.
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On the latest episode of the GAA Hour, Wooly chats to new Meath boss Andy McEntee about the flawed Dublin Championship and catches up with new Clare joint manager Donal Moloney. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
