Special presentation to last surviving founding member of Windgap hurling club (1954)

A special presentation was made to the last surviving founding member of the Windgap Hurling club in 1954 when Seamus Fleming - then an eighteen-year-old - was part of the group that got Windgap on the road at the gable wall of O’Sheas Pub.

Seamus was accompanied by his son Jim and Windgap player’s brother John, nephew Tommy and the next generation Aubrey and Calun, niece Catherine Fleming Lynch and son Oliver. Delighted with the presentation from the cathaoirleach Michael O’Shea, Seamus recalled the night with Seamus Horgan, Jimmy and Geoff Butler, Ned Fitzpatrick and the late club stalwart and uachtaráin Dan Phelan whose family members Seamie and Judith were the drivers of the event.

Also the collection of half a crown apiece when wages were around two pounds to get the first ball. The only one available whilst playing in Walsh’s field, its life was prolonged as Aggie Fitzpatrick was continually stitching it.

In addition the selection of the first of red and white as the club colours that were then borrowed from Carrick Davins with Kilmoganny's blue and white being chosen as the reserve set.

Having played with previously with Carrick Davins and football with Kilmoganny, Seamus recalls Windgap’s first game against the Carrickshock number two team in Callan and the club dances in the Ashgrove Hall with the Piltown Ceillí band. Seamus was selected at corner back to play minor football with Kilkenny in another era in Baltinglass when Paddy Grace was the county secretary.

Having never met together, the first task for the players was to move out the sheep that occupied the shed and the fifteen jerseys were used by.

On the night Seamus brought along hurl he used. It was made by Ned Fitzpatrick in 1960 with its finish honed by a piece of glass for the want of a spokeshave.

Married to Bridie with a family of Jim, Liam and Anne Marie and grandsons playing with Raheny Seamus.