When Hurling Fans Go Wrong

11th Sep 2003

When Hurling Fans Go Wrong - Part 1

   There's nothing at all wrong with going over the top on the decoration front when your team reaches an All-Ireland final. This week flags and banners are hanging from many Cork homes and cars in support of Donal and his men and you would expect the same in Kilkenny a county which feels it is justified in feeling proud of its history in Gaelic games....well hurling anyway.

   At times like this, for GAA fans everywhere there is a line however, which when crossed takes one from being a passionate supporter to being simply insane. You will find many of these fans at poorly attended NHL league games in the middle of winter whose daily dose of John's Wort anti-depressant is dictated by the scoreboard at full-time.

   Because of their low profile in every other aspect of life outside hurling it is difficult to answer the following question: Do Kilkenny-onians have taste?
It is not in the remit of the People's Republic Of Cork to comment on the architecture and decor of property outside the county bounds in general but have a sconse off this gaf up close.

   A small section of the entrance wall into the farm yard is strangely dedicated to "Rebels". Across the way there's another comedy classic "Cork - Get out of that one". It would be interesting to find a book on Kilkenny humour and decode the joke. The occupants felt was so funny they had paint it on their walls so we'd love to know.

   But that's not all! Besides the effort of climbing up on the roof to paint the chimney and painting Kilkenny sponsor Avonmore on both the gable end and boundry wall, every player on the Kilkenny panel has been given a specially allocated space on the front wall of the house for his surname. Mmmm Classy. The names are arranged in an unsurprisingly random manner with white background and black lettering.

Let this be this is a warning to all Cork fans who journey to the game on Sunday. Please be careful and stay together in large groups. Should Alan Browne be the man to hoist the McCarhty cup Kilkenny fans will be extremely volataile.Do not provoke or taunt Kilkenny fans at any time. Do not feed Kilkenny fans or pet them and remain at a distance greater than arms length (inclusive of the length of a pint glass) at all times.
We'll see you all at the other side of the weekend.