The Academy's best
September 01, 2010Their dominance of the game has been rivalled by very few and the strength in depth is frightening for all other counties. Aside from having some of the greatest ever hurlers, Kilkenny can also boast about having the most passionate fans, who follow the team in their thousands.
All-Ireland hurling final day has become accustomed to a sea of black and amber descending on Ireland's capital as the Cats prepare to contest their fifth consecutive decider and bid for that elusive five-in-a-row.
Most supporters will have their usual meeting places and one favourite haunt of the Kilkenny fans is the Best Western Premier Academy Plaza Hotel, which is located at 10-14 Findlater Place, Off Upper O'Connell Street.
Apart from the impressive surroundings and friendly atmosphere you will find at Academy Plaza, another attraction for Kilkenny folk is that it is owned by one of their own, Castlecomer native Joe Comerford.
For the All-Ireland Special of Hogan Stand, we speak to Joe about his earliest memories of the Cats in action, while he also gives his thought on the current crop of hurlers.
"My earliest sporting memory takes me back to September 1959 when my older brother Paddy took me up to Croke Park for the first time," said Joe.
"Kilkenny and Waterford drew in the final, and a week later Waterford won the replay! Back then everyone wore caps, all the young lads too, including myself. I remember it was raining that Sunday because the ink from my little black and amber cap was running down my face, and after the whistle blew my tears were running down my cheeks. Those caps were all the fashion then, I think we saw the last of them around the 80's.
"Nowadays it's a pure delight to enjoy Croke Park with my daughter Jane (17) and son Jimmy (14), who loves to tell his pals that daddy played for Castlecomer, U14's, U16's and minors too.
"Back in those days there were no nets at the back of the goals, but the day I took my position as full forward, nets were a must! Without blowing my own trumpet it was said many a time I was a good player, looking back I think like most things in life, if you're passionate about something there's a good chance you'll be good at it too.
"The Comerford household is like most homes across Kilkenny the morning of the All Ireland, we'll all get tucked into a big fry that'll set us up for the journey and long day ahead, and with the colours of the Cats on, the excitement gets underway! This year of course is extra special with us going for five in a row; it would be something else to be sitting in Croke Park watching history in the making right before our eyes."
Joe revealed that All-Ireland senior hurling final weekend begins on Saturday when supporters begin to make their way to the capital, where they will always be greeted by a smile at the Academy Plaza.
"The excitement here in the hotel starts the day before, last year 50 lads turned up at the front door of Academy Plaza on their bikes, they had taken on a charity cycle from Kilkenny to Dublin and were staying overnight for the game. The bikes were parked in our car park and because all our rooms were booked out they had no problem taking out their sleeping bags and making the most of the floor in our Hogan Stand corporate suite.
"We also named our other suites The Cusack and The Nally! The loyalty of Kilkenny fans to the hotel over the years has been great, it's our busiest month and many a sing song until the early hours is expected yet again on All Ireland weekend.
"Of course I want my beloved Kilkenny to do the job but regardless of results, it's another opportunity for the youngsters around the country to be inspired by our national sport and to see the stars in action, encouraging them at grass roots to lift that hurl and sliotar and maybe get a chance to play for their own county one day. But for now five in a row, well that's the dream!"
Joe is a firm believer of putting his money where his mouth especially in his business endeavours as Academy Plaza underwent a €30 million redevelopment that was completed in 2008.
The 3* hotel can now boast the same facilities of a 4* premise, but at a lower rate, which during the current economic climate means value for money.
To qualify for the Best Western Premier designation, hotels must put together a formal application and are subject to a review of both their design and quality. Best Western Premier hotels provide 27 (or more) extra amenities and services than the already required product standards currently available at Best Western properties worldwide.
Joe says "we won't be using the Premier brand as an excuse to increase prices for our guests, but simply to convey the quality of the property in comparison to other hotels in our class.
"The standard in the 3* market varies wildly and we feel that we are at the very top our class. The Premier status helps us get that message across. The real winners out of this are the guests who now get to stay in a 4* quality hotel with superior facilities for 3* prices".
All 285 rooms are equipped with interactive, flat screen television, air conditioning; laptop sized safe, integrated work desk, complimentary wireless internet and super comfort beds.
Joe and his staff can draw comparisons to the Kilkenny team as both have a hard work ethic in order to achieve their goals and that's what Academy Plaza achieved two years ago.
The Premier brand is Best Western's elite section and recognition of a number of extra facilities and services offered by the hotel compared to other hotels in the core brand. The significance of the award can be highlighted by the fact that only 80 of the 4000 Best Western hotels worldwide have achieved this status!
The hotel has 5 conference/meeting rooms with the conferencing facility for up to 225 delegates, acting as an ideal venue for large scale corporate events to more discreet meetings and seminars. The conference facilities within the Hotel will support their guests ability to deliver a professional business experience.
For more information on the Best Western Premier Academy Plaza Hotel see www.academyplazahotel.ie
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