Republican News · Thursday 13 March 1997

[An Phoblacht]

Spice Boys!

By Sean O'Donaiel

The townland of Killane has always held a special place in Wexford hearts - it was from here that `Kelly the Boy'' began his 1798 heroics and the Rackard hurling dynasty started their hurling heroics here. Now it's been revealed that Spice Girl Emma Bunton has her roots here, although it's doubtful if she'll be wielding a hurl or a pike in the near future.

It's been a great year in Wexford, what with Bishop Comiskey back in town, the herculean goings-on of Ivan Yates and the Russian beef, and the All Ireland success. The Spice Boys were still in celebratory mood when they tackled Galway in the first round of the league in Wexford Park on Sunday. Over 9,000 souls turned up to honour their heroes in their first competitive outing since last year's glory days and some say there were more beer bellies then yellow bellies to be seen.

Galway has been awash with hurling talent for 10 years now but they're in danger of becoming ``a league team'' and they lived up to that billing with a comprehensive seven point defeat of Wexford. Joe Cooney and Michael Coleman were the only veterans in maroon but they were joined by the towering Liam Burke, who dominated midfield with Cooney, and this laid the foundation for victory, along with the promising Kevin Broderick who scored four points from play.

Wexford aren't exactly 100 percent fit and ``What's the Storey Martin'' who recently went under the knife, couldn't save the day with his late introduction. Still, they're getting their medals next week and it'll be away with the beer glasses and out with the pikes after that.

Tipperary have their own Spice Boy, Michael Lowry, an avid hurling fan, who saw his county side give away presents as easily as Ben Dunne, and in this case it was goals with goalie Brendan Cummins letting two goals slip by him to set up battling Offaly for a two point victory. Still Tipp' will be impressed with new finds Aidan Flanagan and Brian Gaynor.

Limerick could have been mistaken for ``Vigi's'' with their hurling sticks and ``Drug Free Zone'' message on their jersies and were fortunate to pip Kilkenny, who seem to be taking the league seriously this year. Their forwards let them down, bar young Niall Moloney who bagged 2-2, and looks like he could be the next Christy Heffernan.

Elsewhere Clare defeated Laois and Antrim were sickened when losing to an improving Meath side in a Division Two tie.

Ger Cunningham played his 100th match for Cork, who devoured hapless Westmeath by a whopping 30 points and London Town's return to Division Two was marked by a loss to Waterford.

Finally Cavan, who gave up playing three years ago, after the busdriver refused to play again, had a winning re-entry to Division Four defeating Leitrim by four white flags. Word has it they've decided that they've a better chance of success in hurling and they've even gone into training as a result.

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