08/03/04 The Saint John's Hurling 'unlaoised' tour 2004

The tour got under way on Friday night from Corrigan Park with Shane Caldwell, Mickey O'Neill and Conor Gannon braving the long journey down to Castletown Co. Laois with the Under 16 hurlers. 5 hours, 4 toilet stops and 3 sing songs later the St. John's hurling convoy pulled into the De LaSalle monastery where they had tea and biscuits before going to bed.

Tommy and Barry tell the girlfriend how much they miss her.

5 hours after going to bed everyone finally got to sleep and awoke the next day fully refreshed.

Under 16's fully awake at breakfast

Breakfast revitalised the team players and mentors and a quick trip into Mount Rath was the first order of the day. Supplies were bought at the local supermarket so that Shane, Mickey and Conor could make sandwiches for the Under 16's in preparation for their match.

Because the weather was so good the lads decided to take their time in Mount Rath and take in some of the sights.

Conor, Mickey and Brendan take a look at the papers

Under 16's at the sight where Shane had a nasty encounter with a bird

Once back at Headquarters the lads had their pre-match food and light training session.

Brendan, Flan boy and Eoghan at De LaSalle Brothers

Pre-match training beside the handball alleys

Whilst Gatlin hit a ball about with the lads Mickey O' got some much needed shut-eye.

Mickey in bed with his love

After the Under 16 and Senior matches everyone had their dinner and then went to mass (with the notable exceptions of Mackin, Locky and Gibbies!).

A great night was had at the local pub for the Senior players and management - Hugo Kennedy stealing the local guitar player's show by rattling of a few cracking tunes, which the team gladly lent their finely tuned voices to.

Mystery of Mackin's McVities Digestives

"Did you eat my digestives?"

The night took an unexpectedly sour turn when, right under his very nose, someone (or some people) stole Brendan Mackin's Milk Chocolate Digestives. No sign or crumbs could be found of the missing biscuits, even after a room-to-room search by the big man himself. He had this to say: "it wasn't the fact that I was hungry after a few pints that annoyed me - it was the principle of the thing - I didn't get to be the size I am today by eating other people's food."

 

A half eaten biscuit was discovered however by Senior Hurling Manager Liam Donnelly the next day, in the room of a long serving player of the team. He would not reveal the source of the biscuit however he did have this to say: "Early indications are that more than 1 individual was involved in this incident. We will wait to see who these people are before taking disciplinary action."

This didn't stop the lads from having a good hurling weekend however in Laois and we would all like to thank Shane, and those involved in organising this trip, for making it such a success.

More photos

Would you like to see this staring at you across the breakfast table?	Hurling managers 2004 & 2003 enjoy a joke
mentors, with Ron and Chesney	McVities much loved biscuits