Sydney Shamrocks

IN 1997, Bill Hennessy had a dream! The All Ireland medal winning Kilkenny star, and victorious captain of the Cats' league side in 1995, had arrived in New South Wales and believed that a new hurling team was needed in Sydney. Although the Tullaroan man played with a team called Central Coast, he decided to break away. Along with Nicky Murphy and Larry Delahunty (both also Kilkenny men), Sydney Shamrocks - or The Shamrocks as the team is popularly known - were born. In its first year, the Shamrocks - sponsored by Richie Walsh and Civil Construction - trained in Moore Park and Randwick, two of the most well-known destinations for the Irish, in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. With the help of Clan na Gael, who supplied the hurleys, the team won the first competition of the year in the state, the NSW Shield. Harry Dermody and Niall (Schooner) Kehoe got involved in the running of the team. In their existence to date, the club has enjoyed the membership of players from all corners of Ireland, including many to have made it at the highest level in minor, under-21, junior, intermediate and senior championship - both for club and county. Sydney Shamrocks is run entirely by young people and has a great social dimension, as well as a fine record in both training and competition. For more information www.sydneyshamrocks.org