Hurling frenemies: Limerick and Kilkenny pals gear up for final
FRIENDLY competition is good for the soul.
For the All-Ireland final, best pals Sophie Cusack Ryan and Dylan Kelly will be putting their friendship aside this Sunday.
The best friends-turned-rivals met in 2018 during their transition year play, Mamma Mia - where the Corbally native, Sophie played Donna's daughter, and Dylan turned into a priest.
Ahead of the final, Sophie is tired of hearing her best friend singing Kilkenny's praises.
“I hate him this week,” she laughs. “I guess we're rivals.”
Over the years, the pair have been to matches together. But the last one they attended left the Corbally native feeling a bit sour.
“Kilkenny won in 2019. I don't like to admit it, but they did. We weren't sitting together, but I remember seeing him after the match and him being smug about it - even on the whole bus journey home. I'm still a bit sour after the day,” she notes.
For Dylan, the experience was slightly better.
“It was a great match. The drama over extra time added a touch,” he recalls. “Last year, I went to the final myself, I haven't seen Kilkenny win a final since 2015.”
Even though Sophie admits she doesn't know about the “technicalities of it,” what she likes about hurling is what makes it so special. “I like the atmosphere of the game and I like supporting Limerick, they're class,” she says.
This year, while Dylan will be supporting Kilkenny in Croker, Sophie will cheer on the boys in green at home.
As they prepare for a clash of green and white and black and amber, the pair share their predictions. Dylan believes Limerick will score 2-23 and Kilkenny 2-27.
“I don't think that's going to happen,” Sophie replies. “Limerick 3-22, Kilkenny 2-18.”