OTD: Ireland's most skilled young hurler is right here in Kilkenny

KILKENNY HAS MOST SKILLED HURLER
Ireland’s most skilled under-14 hurler is a Kilkenny boy.

Thirteen-year-old Pat Ryan from Flagmount, Gowran won the distinguished honour from over 30 opponents at the national finals of the Féile na nGael in Cork recently.

He completed a range of 30 skills to the satisfaction of the judging panel headed by former Glen Rovers and Cork hurler Christy Ring.

On the Saturday at Cork, Pat was gathered with rest of the competitors at the Nemo Rangers grounds. By the end of the day only six of these hopefuls were left.

All the boys were tested in three aspects of blocking and catching, returning, doubling, delivery and the placed ball.

Also at Leeside for the Féile finals were the Kilkenny CBS. They represented the county in the under-14 competition and finished runners-up.

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U-21S RETAIN COUNTY CROWN

Kilkenny won their third Leinster hurling crown at Carlow on Sunday when the under-21 side, All-Ireland title holders, easily disposed of Wexford by 3-14 to 0-8.

The Vocational Schools and St Kieran’s College have already won Leinster and All-Ireland championships.

Though Kilkenny have only attained prominence in the under-21 in the past two years - up to then Wexford were the dominant force in this championship - they stamped their authority on this game at Dr Cullen Park at an early stage.

Six of the side - Kevin Fennelly, Ger Henderson, Brian Cody, Ger Fennelly, Ger Woodcock and Billy Fitzpatrick - won under-21 All-Ireland medals last year. Bobby Sweeney, full-forward on Sunday evening, came on as a sub in last year’s final.

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BATTLE FOR JOBS FAILS

A total of 2,612 jobs were approved by the Industrial Development Authority in 62 different firms in the South-East region - but only 34 of these jobs were located in Co Kilkenny.

This was revealed in the annual report of the Industrial Development Authority which is published and shows that over the last year Kilkenny fared very badly indeed in the battle against unemployment when compared with other counties in the South-East.

However, the IDA report is hopeful about the future and points out that ‘during the year further efforts were made to attract a new industry to Kilkenny City.

The IDA is currently at an advanced stage of negotiation for a major new project here’.

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