AS the scramble for All-Ireland hurling final tickets continues, 16-year-old, Sean McCaw has no worries about gaining admission to Croke Park for the big game.
The Dublin-born teenager will have a special role in the drama of the occasion. A member of the Artane Boys Band, Sean will make his debut as the drum major and will lead the famous band in the traditional parade and playing of the National Anthem.
Living in Artane, Sean has been with the band since he was eight and joined the band proper at the age of 12.
“Sean usually plays the trumpet but the drum major is on a trip to Lourdes and Sean has been given that role for the All-Ireland final,” his father Jimmy, who hails from Ennistymon, told The Clare Champion. Jimmy is a member of the teaching staff at Brunswick Street in Dublin.
The McCaw name is synonymous with Ennistymon where Sean’s grandfather, the late Joe, spent many years coaching young footballers. An U- 12 tournament is run annually in his memory there.
Adding to the excitement in the McCaw household for Sunday week’s final is the fact that Sean’s 12-year-old brother, Patrick, is also a band member and plays the clarinet. Both are also members of Comhaltas and play the banjo and concertina respectively.
Sean and Patrick’s mother is the former Jacqui O’Brien from Kilkenny and during their many trips Noreside, they regularly call into training at Nowlan Park. Sean is a keen GAA player who plays hurling and football with St Vincent’s in Dublin.
Meanwhile, John Conlon returned to non-contact training this week following the shoulder injury he picked up in the semi-final win over Limerick. Panellist Aaron Cunningham remains a major doubt following a hamstring injury suffered in last week’s U-21 semi-final win over Galway.
There was a huge turnout of Clare supporters at the open night in Cusack Park on Tuesday. Players and management mingled with the supporters and signed autographs, jerseys and hurleys. The enthusiasm in the county is evident in the rush for tickets. Earlier this week, clubs received their allocation but the demand is far outstripping availability. A further allocation is expected early next week.
Motoring editor - The Clare Champion
Former Chairman and voting member of Irish Motoring Writers' Association