Kilkenny is the home of hurling. Louth isn't. But this hasn't stopped Dundalk native and Louth hurler Collins Connolly from belying the gulf in class and tradition between the two counties to make the grade with the Dicksboro club. Not many Louth men could move to a hurling stronghold like Kilkenny and gain immediate acceptance with a club of the calibre of Dicksboro. Yet this is precisely what Collins Connolly has done. Since last year, the Wee County talisman has been playing his club hurling on the banks of the Nore and has been making quite an impression. It's a testament to the quality of his natural game as most club hurlers in Kilkenny have the hurl almost as an extra limb. They've played the game religiously from the age of ten and are masters of all the ancient game's unique skills. When an outsider from an untraditional county comes in and shows an ability to match the best local talent, obviously heads are turned. While Louth is arguably the birthplace of hurling (as Cuchulainn's exploits on the Cooley Mountains are credited with laying the foundation for the national code), the Wee County boasts only a handful of senior clubs and is rooted firmly in the lower leagues. There was an inaugural Nicky Rackard Cup final appearance a couple of years ago but, apart from that, Louth have had little to crow about on the small ball front. However, the manner in which the Reds' most consistent performer on the intercounty stage has eased into club fare in the hurling heartland must bring great contentment to those die-hards who follow the game in the border county, as well as the selfless volunteers who work so hard to promote the game in a predominantly football-orientated territory. Collins Connolly's transfer from his beloved Naomh Moninne to Dicksboro has been seamless and the switch has given a new lease of life to the player, who remains a vital cog in the Louth machine. Having spent most of the four preceding years in Australia, Collins joined Dicksboro in 2007, when his work with Ascon brought him to the locality. "It's going well," confirms the uncannily-accurate freetaker and all-round accomplished performer. "Last year I played on the junior team and we got to the quarter-finals of the junior championship. You never have less than 25 lads at training and sometimes there could be up to 34/35 there. So you can have fairly competitive games, even in training "The club also has an excellent underage structure and there are always young lads chomping at the bit, determined to break through." How does the situation contrast with Dundalk, where Collins was born and reared? And what's it like for a Louth hurler trying to earn his stripes in the cut and thrust of Kilkenny hurling? Can he learn from the situation? "There wouldn't be a lot of Louth hurlers coming down here, that's for sure! I definitely think I can learn something but - at this stage in my career - it's a question of whether the body can take it on board! I think my overall game has improved and I have a greater appetite for the game again." Apart from his stint Down Under, Collins has been a permanent fixture on the Louth county team since 1990. He rejoined midway through the 2006 season after returning home and was a regular again throughout '07. Coaches in Dicksboro have been pleasantly surprised by the ability and technique of their new arrival. He notched ten points in his first match with the club's juniors and is now a sub on the senior panel, having played challenges against the likes of Portumna, Birr and Ballygunner. Quite a fantastic learning curve! "It's great to be out playing against hurlers of that class," the Dundalk man concedes. Collins has always been a tremendous servant to Louth hurling anyway, but the prospect of a new improved Collins Connolly is truly exciting for the Wee County. If his Kilkenny experience helps hone the trusty skills even further, Louth could be the biggest beneficiaries of all. As for Naomh Moninne, the town club will always hold a special place in Collins' heart: "It's always very hard to go and play for another club. I'm a Naomh Moninne man and I played for them at underage level since about 1983 and at senior level from 1989. It was hard to transfer away. There is always a pang of regret but I'm hoping I'll get the opportunity to finish my career in Dundalk. Of course, I'm living down here now and it'll depend on how work goes, but I'm hoping that will be an option. "They are struggling a little at adult level at the moment but John Murphy and the lads are doing great work with the underage aspect of the club. If even 30% of those lads come through, then Naomh Moninne will turn things around and should have a bright future," predicts the 34-year-old. Collins Connolly is a civil engineer with Ascon, currently in charge of bridge construction on the Waterford to Knocktopher motorway, which is due to open in April 2009. Whether he can break into the Dicksboro senior team remains to be seen, but the Louth man is very much part of the city satellite club now and will be fully behind their 2008 SHC onslaught. The Tullaroan Road men claimed the 2005 county IHC and went on to add Leinster and All-Ireland intermediate crowns. Now their target is a first SHC since 1993: "They reached the quarter-finals last year and were beaten by James Stephens. They had a few chances on the day but didn't put them away. The club is probably still finding its feet at senior level but I expect Dicksboro to have a very strong senior team in the next two or three years." Tweet

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