The Cian Durkin U15 Hurling Tournament has been played for the last 10 years at Ballyboden St Endas to honour the memory of a great corner forward.What better way to honour a hurler but by hurling!
More than 100 hurlers gathered from Ballyboden, Athenry, Castlecomer, Naas and Mallow. Because James Stephen’s had to pull out at the last minute, Ballyboden divided their resources and played two even teams.
The hurling was of a high standard and at times heated, red cards, yellow cards, rows on the line, no hard feelings and so it should be. Hurling needs to be hot and passionate.
Naas beat the loyal and gallant Mallow in the plate final. Ballyboden managed to draw with themselves in the shield final in a match that will be remembered for the friendly flaking and hitting off the ball.
Athenry beat Erin’s Own in the Cup Final in a high quality game with the magnificent Quirke of Athenry awarded Player of the Tournament.
Cian was much more than just a hurler, he was also part of a loving family, a friend of many and a member of a great club and community.
On May Bank Holiday Monday, a community gathered to honour Cian’s memory, by hurling, nurturing with tea and sandwiches and buns and cake, volunteering as linesmen, umpires and car park attendants, making speeches and drinking pints.
As always the day was tinged with sadness and perhaps so it should be. But there was also joy and fun and craic and laughter.
Cian now has a baby brother, a future corner forward? Maybe this is what life is all about……remembering and honoring hurlers who’ve left us for what they’ve given us and for what we’ve learnt from them, hurling as hard as we can in the present, within the arms of a community, hurling now as a gift to the hurlers of the future.
It is the duty of the living to remember and honour those who’ve past. On May Bank Holiday Monday 2016 in Ballyboden, Naas, Athenry, Castlecomer and Mallow, Cian Durkin was remembered and honored.
Many thanks to Miriam Doyle for the great photos. For more photos, see here