Lester Ryan (b. 1957) and Paddy Ryan (b. 1929)

St Kieran’s College in Kilkenny is the venue for this recording, where Lester Ryan attended secondary school from 1971, and to where Paddy Ryan paid his first visit in 1932, the year of Eucharistic Congress. Both men talk about the glorious game of hurling, and Paddy recalls playing with Bennettsbridge, and winning three championships with the team. In those days there were very few facilities for the players or spectators, no money and little organisation. Lester played with the Clara Club, and he recalls his days playing with St Kieran’s. Both men are loud in their praise of Fr Tom Maher for his sterling work for the game. Lester, who now coaches the boys at St Kieran’s, who practice their skills with the hurley and sliotar against the gable wall of the school, something which was also done in Paddy’s day.