A footballer and hurler of unquestionable pedigree, Conor Ferguson holds strong views on Gaelic near and far. One aspect of Gaelic games which never ceases to amaze outsiders is the extent to which the sport is dominated by families. A footballing family who epitomise all that's best in the game are the Fergusons of Kells. In terms of footballing honours alone they hold the unique distinction of having five All-Ireland winning football medals between them; father Des 'Snitchy' holds two for his exploits with Dublin in the 50's, Terry also has two playing with Meath in '87 and '88, while Barry holds one as a squad member from 1987. In short, so much are the Fergusons in love with Gaelic games that on one occasion six of them, Rory, Barry, Pearse, Diarmuid, Terry and Conor lined out for Kells in a senior hurling match. One member of the clan, who has given the best part of his relatively young life to his local club, Gaeil Colmcille, and lined out for Meath in both hurling and football, is 33-year-old, Conor Ferguson. Although never having won a much coveted All-Ireland football medal, Conor, has captured his own fair share of local honours. He holds two intermediate hurling medals, one junior hurling medal, two division one league medal, one Senior Football Championship medals, an O'Byrne Cup medal and an All-Ireland Minor B Hurling winners souvenir. Conor, who works locally as a carpenter/building site foreman, is modest about his own achievements in the game, but generous in his praise for his opponents. "The toughest player I've ever come up against would have to say is Joe Hayes of Tipperary. He was a very hard player to mark," he said. As a dual player; he takes up his position in midfield in hurling, Conor has a love for both codes, but a special affinity for hurling. "I would have to say hurling is the most skilful game there is. It is a fast, exciting game more so than football. It is also a brave, hard game," he said. The Meath Gaelic Games enthusiast was initially reluctant to name his favourite player of all time. "In football the best player to take the field in the past twenty years would have to be Kerry forward "Mikey" Sheehy. He was an outstanding player and he won eight All-Ireland winning medals, which speaks for it self. In recent times I'd pick Maurice Fitzgerald of Kerry for his ability to score with either foot. The other player that impressed me most was Matt Connor of Offaly. In hurling, it would have to be Frank Cummins of Kilkenny or Jimmy Barry Murphy of Cork. I'm also impressed by the skill of any of the Clare hurlers. At local level in hurling Paddy Kelly of Kiltale was a great servant to the game," he revealed. Coming from such a staunchly GAA background, Conor, not surprisingly mentions his own family as having the biggest influence on his career. "I suppose I was always going to be involved in football and hurling because of the tradition at home. It was only natural that I would take up a hurley or play football," he said. As far as televised matches go one game stands out in Conor's mind as being particularly memorable. "In terms of excitement the four games involving Meath and Dublin in 1991 were the best games of football I have ever seen. As far as games I've played in I would have to pick the Meath Senior Championship final in 1991 as the most rewarding," he said. A forward looking footballer he is conscious of the need for progressive change within the GAA. "In football the players have moved on and become fitter and better competitors. There are some very good referees around but a lot of them haven't moved on with the times. What I would like to see in referees is a greater consistency," he insisted. Coming from a family of All-Ireland winners Conor admits to being slightly envious of his brother's success. "Yes, I am a bit jealous of Terry's two All-Irelands. Who wouldn't be. To win an All-Ireland medal is the ambition of every player, and for me never winning one is my biggest regret in the game," he disclosed. A loyal and long serving member of Gaeil Colmcille, he is confident Kells can once again experience the good times. "We have the players and the talent, all we really need is greater commitment and sacrifice," he said. When it comes to the Meath Senior Football team Conor is similarly optimistic, and feels strongly that glory days will return. "Meath are as good as any of the leading counties in the country at the moment. What they didn't have this year was the hunger to win. Kildare were by no means that much better than Meath in the Leinster final, but they had the hunger to win which Meath lacked. I believe Meath will soon be back," he insisted. An astute observer of Gaelic games at local and national level, Conor, has praise for Gaeil Colmcille's rivals. "As far as the clubs in Meath that I admire I would say Navan O'Mahony's in football and Trim in hurling. Both clubs are well organised and talented. O'Mahony's record in football speaks for it self," he said. On the subject of Sean Boylan's future as Meath manager Conor admits to having nothing but sympathy for the Dunboyne herbalist. "Sean has achieved great things for Meath down through the years. It would have been wrong for him to be forced out because of the Kildare result. He'll know himself when the time is right to go and only he should make that decision," he pointed out. Very much a modern day Gaelic games enthusiast the Kells native has played both soccer and rugby at a competitive level. Such an experience, has, he said, made him appreciate Gaelic games all the more. "I've played rugby for Navan and soccer for Kells and have to say that neither game can match Gaelic games for commitment or excitement. While I like rugby as a contact sport nothing can match hurling for skill or excitement. A strong supporter of Croke Park's new multi-million pound stadium he has mixed views on the vexed question of whether soccer should be allowed there. "I would have no strong objection to rugby being played in Croke Park because it is after all an All-Ireland body. The day the Irish soccer team take the field as a 32 county united organisation is the time I'd call for Croke Park to be opened to them, but not until that day," he insisted. An articulate and well read individual he admits to having little time for some of the national sports media. "Tom Humphries of the Irish Times and sports reporters in Ireland on Sunday do an excellent job covering Gaelic games, but there are certain journalists who haven't a clue how Gaelic games should be played. Humphries is a particularly good journalist because he always speaks his mind. The Sunday Tribune is also good for sport," he said. Certain big names of Gaelic football and hurling hold little attraction for Conor, as he explained. "When Jason Sherlock started off the media played it up for all that it was worth. The reason they did so was because he was a soccer player turning to Gaelic. He was a very over rated footballer, and if he was as good at soccer as was said in the media then he would probably be a full-time professional in England by now," he concluded. A true Ladyof the game Kay Gogarty has followed Meath teams through thick and thin, and as BRIAN THORNTON found out, she has a wonderful story to tell. You see them at every Meath match both hurling and football, particularly at unfashionable national league games in darkest and coldest November. They normally keep a low profile, don't shout or scream too loudly, but remain implacably loyal to the Royal County whatever the result. They are in short the exact opposite of the cliched fair weather fan; the type who only show an interest in the glamour games of August. A veteran, steadfast Meath supporter with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of gaelic games is Kathleen "Kay" Gogarty of Canon Street, Kells. Kay is probably the most committed supporter that Meath has ever produced. She remembers Meath matches of the past like they only happened yesterday. Her earliest memory of watching Meath was as a young girl in 1938, when her brother brought her along on his bicycle to Croke Park. GAA headquarters in the late 1930s was a very different place to the modern day multi-million pounds stadium, as she explained. "I can remember going early to Croke Park so we could get a place close to the side line. In those days there was a huge crush to get into Croke Park. There was hardly any limit on the amount of people let in, so as you can imagine you had to fight your way in and come early. There certainly weren't seats everywhere like there are today," she pointed out. A camogie enthusiast in her youth she has a particular affection for hurling, particularly the modern version of the game. "I played camogie when I was young at Navan Technical School and I suppose you could say that made me interested in hurling. My late husband Paddy played hurling for Kells alongside Harry Lappin, that goes back a long time. I love to go to hurling games involving Meath or Gaeil Colmcille but the county haven't really made the type of break through they'd have wanted to," she said. As Secretary of the Meath Association in Dublin from 1949 until 1964; she worked with C.I.E. in the capital, Kay, retains a wealth of footballing memories. Win, loose or draw the Association provided successive visiting Meath teams with meals, a ceili and a general enthusiastic send off. The reaction of Meath teams was, as she recalled, particularly receptive. The winning All-Ireland Meath team of 1949 were a great team and had some real gentlemen on it, they really appreciated our efforts. I can remember Kevin Smith from Kells, Paddy "Hands" O'Brien and Paddy Dixon, they were all great footballers and lovely people to meet. I can also recall travelling down to Shannon to see Meath off when they went to New York to play," she said. To this day she holds a unique collection of news cuttings charting Meath's footballing exploits from the 1930's to the present day, including an old edition of the Irish Echo in New York dating from 1951. Asked to name her favourite and best ever Meath player of all time she is initially hesitant. "I wouldn't compare today's football teams with teams from the 40's and 50s. Modern teams are fitter and more professional in terms of training and prepartion, but I would have to say that Martin O'Connell was marginally better than players from the past. O'Connell, when he played for Meath in the 1980s was a great player. He really made the difference at the end of the game, and was an excellent ambassador for Meath. P.J. Gillic Terry Ferguson, Colm O'Rourke, Colm Coyle and Bernard Flynn were all very good. Paddy 'Hands' O'Brien, Peter McDermott, Micheal Grace of Kells and Jim Carney from Oldcastle were all outstanding players in their day," she insisted. A key fan of hurling Kay admits to being disappointed with Clare's eventual elimination from the 1998 All-Ireland series. "When you think of the players and effort they put in they should have been rewarded. I hope they win in 1999, because they deserve a break," she said. When it comes to hurling stars of the past she singles out Christy Ring for particular praise. "I remember seeing Christy Ring or Ringie as he was known then playing in a Munster final in Limerick. He was a bit of a disappointment that day, but he was an outstanding hurler most times he took to the field," she pointed out. The current Meath hurling team, had, she said, many talented players, but had gone off form recently. "Paddy Kelly and Pat Potterton were two good players, but they all seem to have gone into decline recently," she said. Meath's Leinster football final defeat at the hands of Kildare wasn't unduely disappointing for the Kells woman. Victory and the Sam Maguire would, she predicted, soon return to the Royal county. "I was delighted for both Mick O'Dwyer and Kildare that they finally were able to beat Meath. It was bound to happen and who can begrudge them their success. Meath didn't play as well as they can play and when Brendan Reilly was sent off Kildare always looked winners. With a bit of luck Meath can win again in 1999. Kildare had the greater hunger this time," she pointed out. Long standing manager Sean Boylan remained, she said, the best man to lead Meath to further All-Ireland success. "Sean has done great things for Meath. Only he will know when it's time to call it a day. His record is very good, all Meath need is a bit of luck," she explained. When it comes to footballing tactics and style, Kay, admits to preferring old methods. "Yes, I know teams like Kildare have been successful with the hand pass, but it makes football look more like basketball. I'd much prefer the old catch and kick style which was used so successfully in the 80s," she said. At local level Kay keeps a close eye on the fortunes of Gaeil Colmcille, who she feels will eventually make a greater impact in Meath senior football. "In the 1980's Terry Ferguson was very successful for Meath. It's only a matter of time before Kells get a couple of more players on the Meath team," she said. A staunch GAA enthusiast she has little sympathy for the idea of international soccer matches being played in Croke Park. "The GAA have provided facilities free of charge for every small parish, village and town in Ireland. Why should they turn around and hand over their stadium to a rival code like soccer. The soccer people should have their own ground and pay for it themselves," she concluded. Kells' All-Ireland champions 18-year old Karl Browne and Peter Reilly, who is a year younger, recently won the All-Ireland minor doubles handball title. Noel Shine interviews two young men with wise heads. N.S What was the highlight of your handballing career in 1998? P.R Winning the All-Ireland minor doubles title with Karl and then representing Ireland at the British handball 'Fives' championship in Blackpool. K.B The same here but I'm proud of the U17s singles title I won at the Waterford Crystal Irish Nationals as well. N.S How did you first get involved in handball? P.R I suppose like most kids who live near the handball club in Kells I started playing because it was there, and people like John Boy Molloy and Peter Reilly encouraged me and others with potential to progress and stick with it. K.B I live near the club as well and my dad (Patrick) and brothers all played through the years. N.S Do you play other sports? P.R Not now, but I used to play football with Kilmainham and was the captain of the Kells U13 hurling team that won a county final a few years ago. K.B No. Because to play handball at this level you have to be injury free. So contact sports are out ... anyway I don't have the time between training and gym work. N.S How rigorous is your training regime? P.R Its tough but I enjoy it. We have competitive games of one type or another nearly every weekend of the year. So you would want to enjoy it! K.B We probably train 2/3 nights a week together and with Tommy Sheridan in a normal week. Coming up to a major tournament that goes up to five nights a week with some light bench work in the gym. Drink (alcohol) is out. N.S So what encourages this level of dedication? What do you get out of handball? P.R Well we're just back from Blackpool in England where we represented Ireland. So, you know it's great travelling and obviously meeting all kinds of great characters playing for their countries as well. The camradarie is great because it's a minority sport but regardless, representing your country is great for your self esteem. K.B The travel aspect is great. I've been to Canada at the World Handball Championships. I was beaten in the singles final by Paul Brady from Virginia in Cavan! Imagine going all that way to be beaten by a guy from down the road! But we love the game and get a buzz from winning major competitions. N.S What are the attributes of a good player in handball? P.R You need a good 'eye' for the ball and a never say die attitude, and you need to be aerobically fit regardless of the shape you're in. But you do need to be injury free. All handballers are conscious of that. K.B You need to be a good 'reader' of the game and 'tough' psychologically so you can hold your nerve if your opponent establishes a big lead, and likewise have the nerve to 'kill' the game when you're on top. N.S How do your individual styles complement each other? P.R I run around like a blue ass fly until the game is over and play from the right hand side of the court. K.B Peter is a great 'retriever' in that he's one of those players who'll go for every ball, as against being not a dog! He can read the game very quickly. He would be the worker in the partnership but with me playing from the left of court I would be the stylist. We been together since U16 level. NS How do you think handball could be popularised? PR It should be made more TV friendly and receive more attention from local press. There should be more Open Tournaments for juveniles where they can receive game experience outside of their own locality. K.B I think handball is dying out and this will continue until coaching at every level becomes more widespread. We're lucky in Kells the facilities here are second to none. Walter O'Connor and Tom Sheridan are available for coaching but elsewhere the story is sad! TV coverage is virtually non-existent and ultimately this effects, sponsorship and creates a funding problem. NS What ambitions have you got for your future in handball? PR To win some senior titles, maybe go to play in America professionally, come home and work in sports management or some aspect of the leisure industry. KB To go play in the US for a while. You can potentially earn $20,000 in major competitions at the highest level. I would obviously wish to remain injury free long enough to capture a senior title. NS What advice would you give to kids interested in playing? PR Don't smoke, watch your diet, get in the court and try it! KB The rewards, as regards physical fitness and mental alertness are enormous and gender is no barrier in what is after all the only real Gaelic game with an international dimension. So I would encourage everyone to give it a try or at least get involved in some form of physical fitness. Peter and Karl and students in The College of Further Studies in Cavan studying Sports and Leisure Management. Tweet

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