WHILE most folk avoid that ominous number 13 like a dose of foot and mouth, Castlerosse small ball Captain and big ball President-elect Sean Kelly cherishes it like mother s milk.
He wore it proudly on his Kilcummin gaansaí for years, and it did him no harm atall atall.
He was elected to the supreme GAA office on April 13 - so - when he sat down with the Castlerosse folk to pick his Captain s day, he plumped straight away for July 13th - and what a day it turned out to be! he sun only glowed like honey over this most picturesque little track as members and guests went to post in the inaugural Castlerosse Captain s Prize.
I had the privilige of playing with the genial Castlerosse Hotel manager Danny Boy Bowe, and I declare here and now that if I ever die and go to that celestial golf club in the sky, my first request of Pedro at the gate will be to be able to hit the orb for all eternity like Danny Boy himself - and better still - do it offa a 17 handicap!
It was one of those normal days for Danny that the rest of us mortal scrub-bers only dream about. Bang- bang --bang! A dozen putts on the first lap - a blank on the 16th, and then a glorious chip and 3 inch putt on the 18th for 45 points and utter joy - would you believe 24 on the front nine? It surely was, and Danny was truly delighted with his historic win. These are great Waterford days. Well done fella!
Results
1.Danny Boy Bowe 17, 45 pts. 2. Rebel star Jer Murphy 18, 44 pts. 3. Scartaglen s John Murphy 20, 43 pts. 4. Representing Wexford, Deputy Sheriff Matt O Neill 17, 41 pts. 5. From just across the road, (with a mighty haircut) Alan Ryan 11, 39 pts. Guests: When I saw the long De La Salle Belfast legend from Glenflesk, Bro Leopold Spillane out on the track I felt all the guests were only playing for the silver spot, but once again I got it wrong. Ballyheigue s Pat Reidy did the bizz with 41 pts. Results:
1. Eircom s Pat Reidy 17, 41 pts. 2. Young Ross hot-shot Anthony O Carroll 14, 40 pts. 3. Rathmore s almighty big-ball full-back Mike Sullivan 19, 40 pts. Luvly Ms Noreen O Donoghue took the ladies prize.
Repaired Upstairs
After the battle all the warriors repaired upstairs for a splendid din-dins and Captain Sean s big brother Fr. Seamus, all the way from Venezuela, open proceedings with grace in Spanish.
If he did, Chairman of the Board and MC for the day, Con Horgan replied in Spanish. Captain Sean then gave the blast of the coupla focals before breaking into the second official language. He had kind words for the retiring County Board secretary ony O Keeffe, and wished him well in his new post as boss man in The Green in ralee.
Declaring himself a sunshine golfer Sean mentioned two people he went to for advice about his decrepit game. Not beating about the bush Fossa s Mick Clifford told him to give it up , and Long Leopold declared he was standing too close to the ball - after he hit it! All down the stairs then, and, as the setting sun headed west, there was heavy-duty small ball and big ball crack and the coupla deorums.
All around there was palpable joy and appreciation of Captain Kelly for the day, the year past and the historic year to come.
Well done Castlerosse - off to a stunning running start!
