BIG READ: Memories from Kilkenny of those making the long trek to Dublin for the All-Ireland

A lifelong ambition to travel by train to an All-Ireland hurling final was realised earlier this month.

Having listened to the stories of those who even cycled to the great occasion, the journeys so far had varied immensely, from the very first trip by bus from Moloney’s of Skough.

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In between, they included short walks or bus hops in Dublin, by car from home and on the Bearna Gaoithe Club Busses.

The ultimate trips were of being escorted into the bowels of Croke Park on the Kilkenny team bus that contained the Brian Cody-led championship winning gladiators, piloted by Kavanagh’s Jim Power and Jimmy Tone.

With no horse in the race, this time differed vastly from the first visit on a very wet day in 1971 to see Kilkenny do battle with neighbours Tipperary when the paper hats ran clear of colour on Hill 16.

Careful not to show wardrobe allegiances and with a natural feeling for the underdog, the days journey to the station in Thomastown passed near the homes and resting places of the families ancestors in the parish, Kilmoganny and Jerpoint.

Rolling through the luscious green landscape that seamlessly changed from undulating hills to fields of flowing corn.

It flew smoothly across the plains of Kildare with horses, cattle and unsaved hay, as the first signs of city life appeared around Adamstown.

With the train well occupied in Thomastown, where red and white was the pre dominant colour, more hints of saffron and blue appeared along the way and it was standing room only as it arrived in the capital.

On the way, the only repetitive sound was ‘Seachain an Bearna/ Mind the Gap’ approaching every stop.

As buses, taxis and shanks mare gave options into town, the Luas left the sardine tin in the halfpenny place, as potential passengers could only look in at the intermediate stations.

Joining the buzzing throngs on O’Connell Street, for one of the real joys of the match day experiences, the walk up to the pitch, saw the first and only competitive edge appear.

It occurred on Summerhill Parade approaching the rear of the Cusack Stand, as the hats, flags and banners sellers verbally jousted and almost jostled for the best of the sales display railing spaces.

After watching a game for the ages, viewed from just above the Con Houlihan zone at the Canal End, the ebbs and flows and intensity on the pitch and in the crowd were almost heart stopping.

Full time, brought the initial confusion of extra time, or not, that was only confirmed in the small print on page five of the programme.

To go, or not to go, to catch the last train was the big call, and sure you couldn’t go and leave an epic hurling encounter.

As half time in extra time had only further whetted the appetite, the announcement that all trains would leave 30 minutes late gave options for getting home, if a good run could be made to the station.

On the final whistle, as the Banner men celebrated after an 11-year break, the mass exodus of the mainly blood and bandages clad supporters began for Heuston Station.

It was now a battle of shoe leather against the clock and the Liffey’s flow.

Barely back on board and with less than a third of the mornings arrivals present, the train rolled out from the city station 12 minutes before Croke Park’s forecast and seven minutes before the Iarnróid Eireann’s announcement ran out on the four faced timepiece overlooking the platform area.

On the now almost deserted train of passengers of two emotional halves, elated and deflated, the banter was both muted and excited as the personal memories and chances were relived.

Seated nearby, as the next station approached and Mind the Gap rang out again, an elated supporter from Sixmilebridge who was re-planning the families Tramore holiday break to include the Ennis homecoming, related that he had not heard the safety phrase for over 40 years, since his days on the Elephant and Castle, London Underground line.

The final act of a brilliant days outing and rail journey after disembarking at the station, that had lots of cars awaiting their owners return was to get bainne for the breakfast and to relax for the replay and review of the game with our own Jackie Tyrell and Paul Murphy.

The day had not only filled an ambition as the ever giving hurling well had delivered another game from the gods and memories that will be long remembered.