 |
Athena Media - Radio Podcasts
A selection of radio podcasts produced by Podcasting Ireland and Athena Media, from radio documentaries for NewsTalk, BBC radio 4 and RTE Lyric FM. Language: en-us Genres: Personal Journals, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
Field of Dreams - Club Heroes
Wednesday, 17 March, 2010
The clash of the ash and the pride of local clubs. It's been a golden age for Portumna GAA and its legendary hurlers, All Ireland Club Champions for the last two years and pushing for a third title in 2010. In Club Heroes we meet the champion hurlers of Portumna and find out why, for many players, a club victory is even more important than a county title. As team player Leo Smith puts it 'for a small town like Portumna theres a great buzz around the place. I mean you've grown up with these guys. You'd die for each other out there. It means so much to be out there and representing your club, your county, your province.' In this radio feature we hear the story of Portumna from the players themselves, a story of brothers, like the famous Canning brothers including team captain and corner back Ollie Canning. It's been a golden decade for the club which is now considered one of the most successful teams in the country. The senior hurlers have just celebrated their 3-in-a-row county victory and are aiming for another 3-in-a-row in the All-Ireland Finals. Given that the Club only gained senior status in 1992 its success has been phenomenal. In this special documentary we meet senior team manager, Johnny Kelly, captain Ollie canning and players Leo Smith and Eoin Lynch. For Ollie the bond between the team players is as close, if not closer, than brothers. 'I know if any of the lads where in trouble I'd stand up for them same as I'd stand up for the brothers'. The spirit that binds them together is, they say, more than sport, its about family, locality and belonging. The sense of pride when they bring home the cup is often better than All Ireland county titles. 'Its what we dream about since we were young lads' says Leo Smith 'hurling together in the under 10, under 12. Running out with your club mates that's what it's all about'.
