Up here in Balls Towers, the lives of Kilkenny hurlers often seem distant. We admire their unwavering commitment to all-out victory and annihilating lesser hurler counties in a modest kind of way but truth be told, there wouldn't be more than 7 Kilkenny hurlers that we could identify on a night out in Langton's. Which is why we were intrigued to see Richie Hogan out of the black and amber stripes at Croker yesterday, masterminding the success of the Belgrove Boys hurlers in the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol finals. As the photos below show, even youth hurling gets his fires burning.
In the heat of the battle, hurl in hand, Richie Hogan demands more from his players.
Richie Hogan gives the team talk. Notice that the Belgrove #12 is taller than Richie Hogan.
Pat Gilroy looks on, learning from Richie Hogan.
Afterwards Richie Hogan celebrates with the triumphant Belgrove Senior Boys and helps to lift the cup. He is psyched!
But don't forget the agony of the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol finals. Seán Sarsfield of St. Pius, Terenure looks devastated after his side lost yesterday.
All photos by Paul Mohan/Sportsfile
