SEPTEMBER 3RD, 1973:Kilkenny lost their All-Ireland hurling crown in 1973 to underdogs Limerick, for whom it was the first victory since 1940. Although the winning margin was decisive, 1-21 to 1-14, it was an exciting game by all accounts, with the sides level on eight occasions until Limerick scored what turned out to be the critical goal. Donal Foley reported on the match, played in steady rain, and the GAA's wider cultural practices of the time, in this front page piece.
The Gaelic Athletic Association has gained another adherent in the person no less of president [Erskine] Childers. Yesterday, at Croke Park, at the All-Ireland Hurling Final, he saw Limerick beat Kilkenny and afterwards he said: “This was the greatest game I’ve ever seen all my life and I’m speaking of all games.” It was Mr Childers’s first visit to Croke Park to an All-Ireland Hurling Final. Every dedicated hurling supporter in the crowd of 58,009 would tend to agree with the presidential verdict.
This was hurling at its most splendid. The sod was greasy and slippery, but the 30 men involved defeated all the elements and with sheer skill, pace, courage and style, produced a game that was a joy to watch.
Kilkenny, deprived cruelly through injury of four of their greatest players, never stopped in their efforts to establish their supremacy. Through almost all the 80 minutes of play the scores alternated in a near bewildering fashion. At half-time a mere two points separated the sides.
Kilkenny started the second half in confident and excellent fashion. Within minutes they had scored three points and were just ahead, but Limerick were determined to win. The uncanny skill of their midfield players, [Richie] Bennis and [Eamonn] Grimes, coupled with their near frantic enthusiasm eventually established their unquestioned supremacy. In the last 20 minutes only one side was destined to win.
All-Ireland hurling day in Croke Park is, of course, much more than a mere sporting occasion. There are political undertones. If there are still innocents in Ireland who do not believe we have had a change of government in the last year, they would have been faced with stark reality yesterday.
The former president, Mr de Valera, was on his accustomed front bench, but this time one felt he was present as the boy from Bruree in the county of Limerick, where he first caught his own camán. He was an unexpected visitor, and the crowd gave him the warmest reception of the day.
Mr [Liam] Cosgrave, taoiseach, led a team of practically all his ministers. The absentees were Dr Garret FitzGerald, minister for foreign affairs; Dr Conor Cruise O’Brien, minister for posts and telegraphs; Patrick Donegan, minister for defence, and Mr Justin Keating, minister for industry and commerce.
Cardinal Conway came from Armagh and was supported by a goodly team of his hierarchical colleague. He was given a musical salute by the Artane band. His colleague, Archbishop Morris of Cashel, accompanied the president of the GAA, Dr Donal Keenan, onto the pitch before the game started. It was learned that a Church of Ireland dignitary had been invited, but did not attend.
There were other interesting people there, like Senator Guinness (Lord Iveagh), John Mulcahy, the American millionaire, and US admiral Byrd.
The Artane Boys’ Band entertained the crowd with its usual elegance and the New York Police Band was also there. Once again, one wondered why. This is an authentic Irish occasion – a great occasion of our own unique Irish sport, and so it should remain. There are other occasions when our American friends can be given their opportunity to demonstrate their skills.
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