FRESH FROM their demolition of Waterford in the All-Ireland final, Kilkenny's hurlers took time out yesterday to visit patients at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin.
As a number of players and manager Brian Cody arrived at the hospital, they were greeted by Fionn McLoughlin (9), from Boyle, Roscommon, who was decked out in his adopted county's colours and holding a hurley overhead in greeting.
Commenting on Kilkenny's three-in-a-row victory, Fionn said: "They're all great players . . . just too good, too skilful for Waterford."
According to his mother, Geraldine, it was a double day of celebration for the family as her son had just been given the all-clear following treatment for a brain tumour.
Looking very much like the cats who got the cream, and none the worse for it being the morning after the night before, the players delighted patients and staff as they posed for photographs with the senior and minor trophies and signed an array of hurling paraphernalia.
Caoimhe Phelan (11), from Ballyraggert, Kilkenny, had her room festooned in black and amber and toenails painted in the same colour scheme in honour of her visiting heroes.
After getting a kiss from Henry Shefflin, her favourite player, she noted: "He's taller than he looks on telly". Indeed, most likely a sentiment shared by Shefflin's unfortunate marker yesterday.
