Mooncoin were the deserved winners of the Ray McKenna Memorial tournament which took place in Páirc Uí Mhurchú on Saturday last, 11th February, beating Boden in the final. The real story of the day however was the participation in the tournament of four clubs that were intimately entwined in Ray’s life, the quality of the hurling played and the friends and family who attended in his honour. Supporters and family from Ballyboden, Round Tower, Faughs and Mooncoin turned up in large numbers which reflected the influence and impact that Ray had on all who met him. Kilmacud Crokes’ man, Gearóid Mac Gabhann, was in attendance and offered the opinion ‘if you loved hurling, then Ray loved you.’ Evidence that that love was reciprocated was seen in abundance on Saturday as teammates, opponents, friends and family enjoyed the occasion and took the opportunity to swap yarns and stories about Ray from down the years.
Games were competitive and played with a ‘bite’ of which Ray would definitely have approved. Christy Browne, a Galway referee and a great friend who played with Ray in Towers officiated in the final, while another old friend of his, Dave O’Donovan refereed the semi-final.
Many people commented on the fantastic condition of the pitch in Páirc Uí Mhurchú, and great thanks are due to Vivian Ruddy, Frank Brooks and Dónal Regan for their work in preparing the pitch. Thanks are due also to the Communications Committee and the Hurling Committee in Ballyboden and to all those who umpired, managed the scoreboard and otherwise ensured a very well-run tournament. Euro-General, SuperValu Knocklyon and Falconer Hurls from Pilltown in Kilkenny sponsored drinks, snacks and tournament prizes, and we are very grateful to them for that. Molly Conway’s rendition of Amhrán na BhFiann before the final was the icing on the cake and contributed to a great occasion.
It was a family occasion for the McKenna and O’Toole families as ‘Boden were captained by Ray’s son Eoin, who came back from Australia for the occasion, and Faughs were captained by Ray’s nephew, Emmet. By coincidence, Laoch na hImeartha was Paul Hennebry from Mooncoin who, as it turned out, is a cousin of Ray’s mam, Kitty.
Ray’s wife Patricia, his daughter Róisín and son Eoin, along with his parents Kevin and Kitty, siblings, aunt and cousins all enjoyed what was an emotional day and took comfort from spending time with Ray’s friends, reliving great memories and enjoying the hurling.
Click on the link for photos compliments of Miriam Doyle
