I was in Tipperary last Wednesday. Dad was out feeding the cattle. I watched him getting up and down off the tractor, going about his business to the backdrop of slowly turning windmills.

This time last year he was in Cork with us, recuperating after his surgery for stomach cancer. It is phenomenal how well he has done since then. It was a very tough and lonely journey for him. That morning, it was nice to see him going about his everyday business. Last year we could only hope for his return to health. This year it is reality.

He was doing what a lot of elderly farmers, both men and women, were doing that morning; the odd jobs around the yard that keep the show on the road. Their value is immense to family members but also to the welfare of the animals. They are on the spot in recognising the ailing animal or broken fence about the place. We often take these things for granted.

My niece Áine’s pony was in the plot next to the kitchen window. Her name is Tick Tack. She’s a beautiful roan colour with a long star on her snout. Her long tail and mane were blowing in the wind; evidence of the young girl’s grooming talents. She was grazing and every so often she’d take off for a canter. Grandchildren, nieces and nephews all provide interest and delight. Being involved in their pursuits keeps us all young. I had picked the right time to visit. Conor, my nephew, was due to play a hurling match at 1.30pm that day. Hence, dad was getting all his ducks in a row to be free to enjoy the match.

GAME PREPARATION

We had an early lunch and wrapped up well for the game. The game was about eight miles away in the JK Bracken’s GAA grounds in Templemore. It was a Harty Cup game and all-important in the eyes of a young talented hurler like my nephew Conor.

He had explained to me the night before: “Kay, this is it. If we don’t win this, we’re out of the Harty. It will be all over. We have to win!” He went off to bed to get the necessary sleep, and with a plan to have chicken and pasta for lunch before the game. He was lucky enough to play with the Tipperary minors last season, gaining great experience of coaching, eating healthily and managing injury and so on.

We drove into the GAA grounds in Templemore through the narrow little laneway opening on to the side of the square. “You would want to be a local to be able to find it,” I commented to dad. We parked and headed into the stand so as to have our backs to the wall. We were glad of the shelter from the cold.

There was a sparse scattering of people around the perimeter of the field. A few more trickled in and men began to assess the chances of both teams. Then a few busloads of students from CBS Thurles arrived. Their youthful energy was evident in the banter as they passed through to the bottom of the stand. They were obviously delighted with the afternoon off to support their team.

St Joseph’s CBS Nenagh was the opposing team and their supporters filed in also. Other schools were there too. Soon, CBS Thurles, in their white jerseys, were running on to the field.

Conor Bowe is the captain, which is a huge honour for him. He gathered a sliotar on the 21-yard line and niftily put it over the bar – a statement of intent! I’ve seen Conor play a few times and I’d love to be able to attend more of his matches but we’re just too far away in Cork.

As the team came out, the voices rose around us. Conor Bowe’s name was being mentioned often: “A great hurler. An ability to dig out the ball. A gifted player.” It’s funny how that makes a relative feel. I could feel the goose bumps rising on my skin. I was just delighted to be there to see my nephew playing in a Harty Cup game.

The Thurles lads were striking up a chant. It was hard to decipher the words but it certainly included “mighty, mighty Thurles”. Their efforts added to the atmosphere. The CBS lads formed a tight circle. Their teacher, Theo Lloyd, pushed into it to give the lads his final words of wisdom.

It was 1.30pm and still no sign of the Nenagh boys coming out. The referee seemed to agree with us because he went in to call them. When one is watching a match, you see all these little things. Then the game was on.

GAME ON

Conor was wearing number 27 and he has a distinctive yellow helmet so he’s easy to spot. Dad kept me informed as to where he was playing.

“He’s out in the half-forward line … he’s gone in full forward …” And so it went. It was a good job I had him to keep me appraised because, in truth, Conor Bowe was all over the field.

“Come on Bowe, drive it on,” someone shouted. Both teams gave it their all. There is nothing like watching these young players who are fearless in pursuit of the ball. They are an absolute joy to witness and when it includes the nephew, sure what more could an auntie want! I know I was certainly watching some future Tipperary hurlers who will bring us great enjoyment in time to come.

CBS Thurles took an early lead. The Nenagh lads fought back hard and cut it down to two points, which was the way the game ended. CL