Students look to precedent

Hurling UCD's Walsh Cup runUCD will attempt to make history this weekend when they take on All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in the final of the Walsh Cup. It gives the Dublin college a chance of winning an intercounty title for the first time in 87 years.

Back in 1917, the UCD's club's predecessors won the Dublin hurling title and under the rules of the time had the right to represent the county team. Although players from other clubs could be invited to take part, Collegians - as the collective was called - had a strong university presence, including legendary Clare goalkeeper Tommy Daly, Joe Phelan from Kilkenny and Wexford's John Ryan.

The team was captained by Charlie Stuart, a brother of future GAA president JJ Stuart. This was at a stage when players couldn't play for their counties unless they were residing there. Not a single member of the side was from Dublin.

In what the current team may choose to see as a portent, their predecessors defeated Kilkenny 5-1 to 4-0 in the Leinster final before going on to record an unexpected win over defending champions Tipperary by 5-4 to 4-2 in the All-Ireland final.

It will be a busy weekend for UCD coach Dave Billings, who is also a selector with the Dublin footballers, who play Mayo in the National League on Sunday. Saturday's match will start at 2.0 in Kilkenny. The venue is still to be decided.

Like the 1917 team, UCD have no Dublin players. But whereas 87 years ago the county had the choice of a huge influx of players from outside the city, the current situation is of the college's own making.

"We decided that we wouldn't ask the Dublin players to play," says Billings, "so that they could be free to play for the county. There was only one player in question, because Philly Brennan's away and it was agreed Stephen Hiney would play for Dublin. It was one of the reasons we didn't go into the football (O'Byrne Cup): I didn't want to complicate things any further."

One team member whose dual aspirations have been in the news recently is Limerick's Stephen Lucey. On this occasion he gets to play both codes, as the day after the Walsh Cup final he will be available for the county footballers when they make the trip to Cavan in the National Football League.