King Henry carries Olympic Torch in Croke Park

Legendary Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin took to the skies at Croke Park this morning, as he carried the Olympic Torch into the stadium and onto the roof of the Hogan Stand.

The Ballyhale man was the second torchbearer to run with the famous flame in Dubin today. In total, just 40 people carried the torch in the short space of time that it was in Ireland.

The 10-time All Star was the only representative of the GAA to be selected for the honour – an extraordinary accolade in itself. He entered the stadium through the Jones Road main entrance, before then holding aloft the torch 44 metres above the pitch on the new skyline walkway.

Speaking after the event, Henry said that it had been an unbelieveable moment for him personally.

“Just the whole experience – the flame, the torch – it was an amazing experience,” he said.

Few Kilkenny people have had the distinction of bearing the iconic torch, and eight-time All-Ireland winner now has a replica torch to keep as a memento of the occasion. All going well, he will be returning to Headquarters in the coming weeks, with different business at hand.