Tipping home for the final
September 03, 2010For many they will make the relatively short trips from places like Bennettsbridge, Tullaroan, Gowran and Piltown in Kilkenny, while in Tipp they will come from all corners of the county from Borrisokane to Ballyporeen and Mullinahone to Ballina.
They will travel in thousands as Kilkenny supporters cheer on their side in the quest for an unprecedented five-in-a-row, while their neighbors and fierce rivals would revel in the opportunity to stop the Cats from achieving such an historic feat.
However, the supporters will not be confined to the borders of their respective counties and they will come from far and wide, while for one New York based Tipp Gael, it will be an annual pilgrimage to GAA headquarters on the first Sunday of every September for the past 30 years.
Moyne-Templetouhy native Pat Costigan is a true GAA supporter as he has not missed an All-Ireland senior hurling final for 30 years now and for this All-Ireland Special of Hogan Stand, we speak to Pat about his love of the game and his even greater love of the blue and gold jersey.
There is currently a competition running to find the best GAA supporter in the country, while if the criteria extended beyond these shores, then Pat would certainly be a strong favorite to take the title.
Despite, residing stateside for a total of 38 years, Pat's interest in the small game has never waned and he has been involved in the Tipperary hurling club for many years, holding the position of President from 1970 to '72. He also served as the President of the Tipperary N & B Association of New York in 1996 and 1997.
The tireless work he has done for the club was recognized in 1999 when he was guest of honor at the banquet to celebrate his involvement with the Tipperary GAA club.
"It was an honor to be recognized by the Tipperary GAA club and the Tipperary Association in New York. I have been involved in the club in some capacity throughout the years," Pat said.
"I left Ireland in February of 1962. I came back in 1973 but returned to New York in 1983. I have been here ever since. New York is my home now and I love it out here, but I cherish returning to Ireland every year."
"Hurling in New York is struggling at the moment, there are only three senior teams playing. A great drive has been made at the underage level in recent years and it is clear to see the beneficial impact it has had on football. We are now putting an emphasis on Hurling, but we will still promote football. Hurling is a far more skillful game in my opinion, but I believe the more effort you put in the more you will get in return."
"Of course out here, you have to contend with a number of other sports which doesn't help. The kids here pick up a wide variety of American Sports at school level. We're hopeful that things can get back to the way they were when I first came to this country."
Pat revealed that the facilities are there to cater for top level games following a major redevelopment plan at the Gaelic Grounds in New York.
"Over $3 million were spent on the Gaelic Grounds and you now have the finest of pitch we ever had. All we need now is for hurling to reach the levels of before."
The Tipperary native admits that travelling home for the All-Ireland hurling final has become an annual pilgrimage and he is looking forward to this year's decider more than most for obvious reasons.
"I haven't missed an All-Ireland hurling final for the past 30 years. It is one of the, if not thee greatest sporting events in the world and it's even better when your own county is in it."
Pat is a proud Tipperary man and played with his beloved Moyne-Templetouhy in his younger days. He won a county final with Moyne-Templetouhy in 1961 and the New York Senior Championship with Tipperary in1962. He can appreciate what it would mean to defeat Kilkenny in the final.
"I think every Tipperary fan would give anything to stop Kilkenny from achieving the five-in-a-row. The rivalry between the counties dates back for many decades. They are the two best sides in the country at present; there is no doubt about that."
"It was disappointing to lose last year in a game that Tipperary probably should have won. I think a little inexperience cost them, but hopefully they will have learned from that. I was very impressed with them against Galway and Waterford; they really did their homework those days. They bounced back from the defeat by Cork and that shows character. I certainly think that they have a better chance than most people reckon and the result is certainly not a foregone conclusion."
Pat feels that the Kilkenny camp may be playing some mind games with regards to the seriousness of the injury to the Cats' talisman Henry Shefflin.
"I wouldn't be surprised at all if Shefflin starts or at least plays some part in the final. The injury doesn't seem to be as serious as first thought and Tipperary should be prepared for his introduction at some stage. I wish him well and would look forward to seeing him play. I still think regardless of who Kilkenny have, Tipp will win this final."
Pat is the founder and President of Rivco Construction, a company that specializes in the interior construction of offices, commercial and retail units where a number of Irish are employed.
"Business is fairly good, but it's not as busy as it use to be, but I suppose we can't complain and we're pleased enough with the way things are going."
Aside from his family and the GAA, Pat's next love is golf, which he has been playing since the seventies, when he was winning prizes on the Irish golf courses. One of his many achievements was winning the Captain's Prize in 1978 at the Thurles Golf Club.
On his return to the states in the eighties, he continued playing the game and his passion for golf increased. One problem always facing him and his pals was where to play. In the early nineties, a group got together to discuss what course of action they could take to ensure that they can play at any time. The result of this discussion is quite fascinating.
"We first started by looking at existing golf courses that were in financial trouble or filed for bankruptcy. We learned fast that those were financially out of our reach. A man by the name of Phil O'Meara, also from Tipperary, came up with the idea to purchase a piece of land, design and build our own golf course on it. We found a piece of property, which was approximately 200 acres that would suit and was in our financial reach. Next came the construction, which gave us time to sell shares to our friends and fellow countrymen. It was the first large Irish venture ever accomplished in New York that we are aware of. We are proud of the fact that 98% of our shareholders were born in Ireland or are Irish-American. The land was bought in 1996 and by 2000 The Links at Unionvale Golf Club was open for business.
"It is situated 60 miles outside New York and we are very proud of what we have achieved. A lot of hard work went into the project and we made national headlines on a great number of golf publications. They called it 'The Great American Dream'. Phil was the founding President from the inception to 2005. Since 2005 to present day, I have been holding that office. We would love to see anyone coming to New York to visit The Links at Union Vale for a game of golf or a bite to eat. I'm positive you will be more then satisfied with both. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 1-845-223-1000 or you can also visit us on the web at www.TheLinksAtUnionVale.com.
"Right now there is great banter on the course and in the club house, with the All -Ireland Finals coming. Hopefully, all the Tipp lads will have the last laugh this year." Tweet
