5.
Memories of a golden age of 1980s hurling will be recalled later this year when the Kilkenny double-winning teams of 1982 and 1983 reunite for a special celebration. Hard to believe, but it is 40 years since Kilkenny won back-to-back All-Ireland and National Hurling League titles in 1982 and 1983. Members of both panels will come together again to recall their glory days at a reunion in Langton’s this September. The winning run began in April 1982, when Kilkenny scored a 2-14 to 1-11 victory over Wexford in the National Hurling League final which was played in Croke Park. Ironically, Kilkenny played that year in Division 1B, winning promotion to Division 1A the following year. That result created expectations of championship success and Kilkenny started impressively in the Leinster semi-final, beating Westmeath 7-31 to 0-13. Offaly, who beat Wexford in the Leinster quarter-final that year, were Kilkenny’s opponents in the Leinster final. They were also the reigning All-Ireland and Leinster champions. The closeness of the exchanges and the tightness of the marking meant that the game was always going to be low scoring. Offaly were 0-12 to 0-9 in front with six minutes remaining when a Dick O’Hara delivery towards the Offaly goal appeared to be going wide. The Offaly goalie Damien Martin was shepherding the ball over the line when Liam Fennelly flicked it across the square to Matt Ruth, who finished it to the Offaly net. Martin and Offaly were adamant that the ball had gone wide. TV pictures were inconclusive, but Kilkenny were not complaining. That goal tied the game and Kilkenny summoned up two final big efforts with points from Ger Fennelly and Billy Fitzpatrick to win by 1-11 to 0-12. In the All-Ireland semi-final Kilkenny overcame Galway on a score of 2-20 to 2-10 to qualify for the All-Ireland final. Cork were Kilkenny’s opponents in that final which was played in Croke Park on September 5. The Rebels comprehensively beat Waterford by 5-31 to 3-6 in the Munster final and were warm favourites
6.
Memories of a golden age of 1980s hurling will be recalled later this year when the Kilkenny double-winning teams of 1982 and 1983 reunite for a special celebration. Hard to believe, but it is 40 years since Kilkenny won back-to-back All-Ireland and National Hurling League titles in 1982 and 1983. Members of both panels will come together again to recall their glory days at a reunion in Langton’s this September. The winning run began in April 1982, when Kilkenny scored a 2-14 to 1-11 victory over Wexford in the National Hurling League final which was played in Croke Park. Ironically, Kilkenny played that year in Division 1B, winning promotion to Division 1A the following year. That result created expectations of championship success and Kilkenny started impressively in the Leinster semi-final, beating Westmeath 7-31 to 0-13. Offaly, who beat Wexford in the Leinster quarter-final that year, were Kilkenny’s opponents in the Leinster final. They were also the reigning All-Ireland and Leinster champions. The closeness of the exchanges and the tightness of the marking meant that the game was always going to be low scoring. Offaly were 0-12 to 0-9 in front with six minutes remaining when a Dick O’Hara delivery towards the Offaly goal appeared to be going wide. The Offaly goalie Damien Martin was shepherding the ball over the line when Liam Fennelly flicked it across the square to Matt Ruth, who finished it to the Offaly net. Martin and Offaly were adamant that the ball had gone wide. TV pictures were inconclusive, but Kilkenny were not complaining. That goal tied the game and Kilkenny summoned up two final big efforts with points from Ger Fennelly and Billy Fitzpatrick to win by 1-11 to 0-12. In the All-Ireland semi-final Kilkenny overcame Galway on a score of 2-20 to 2-10 to qualify for the All-Ireland final. Cork were Kilkenny’s opponents in that final which was played in Croke Park on September 5. The Rebels comprehensively beat Waterford by 5-31 to 3-6 in the Munster final and were warm favourites
7.
Memories of a golden age of 1980s hurling will be recalled later this year when the Kilkenny double-winning teams of 1982 and 1983 reunite for a special celebration. Hard to believe, but it is 40 years since Kilkenny won back-to-back All-Ireland and National Hurling League titles in 1982 and 1983. Members of both panels will come together again to recall their glory days at a reunion in Langton’s this September. The winning run began in April 1982, when Kilkenny scored a 2-14 to 1-11 victory over Wexford in the National Hurling League final which was played in Croke Park. Ironically, Kilkenny played that year in Division 1B, winning promotion to Division 1A the following year. That result created expectations of championship success and Kilkenny started impressively in the Leinster semi-final, beating Westmeath 7-31 to 0-13. Offaly, who beat Wexford in the Leinster quarter-final that year, were Kilkenny’s opponents in the Leinster final. They were also the reigning All-Ireland and Leinster champions. The closeness of the exchanges and the tightness of the marking meant that the game was always going to be low scoring. Offaly were 0-12 to 0-9 in front with six minutes remaining when a Dick O’Hara delivery towards the Offaly goal appeared to be going wide. The Offaly goalie Damien Martin was shepherding the ball over the line when Liam Fennelly flicked it across the square to Matt Ruth, who finished it to the Offaly net. Martin and Offaly were adamant that the ball had gone wide. TV pictures were inconclusive, but Kilkenny were not complaining. That goal tied the game and Kilkenny summoned up two final big efforts with points from Ger Fennelly and Billy Fitzpatrick to win by 1-11 to 0-12. In the All-Ireland semi-final Kilkenny overcame Galway on a score of 2-20 to 2-10 to qualify for the All-Ireland final. Cork were Kilkenny’s opponents in that final which was played in Croke Park on September 5. The Rebels comprehensively beat Waterford by 5-31 to 3-6 in the Munster final and were warm favourites