By Christy Parker

1959 Rice Cup Winners

Lismore Town Council’s AGM heard Cllr Davy Whelan pay tribute to local man Paddy Pollard, who was recently elected Vice-Chairman of the Munster Football Association. Whilst Mr. Pollard is renowned for his soccer affiliations, Cllr Whelan revealed that he was also a capable hurler. “He played in goal for Lismore CBS in their first ever Rice Cup final, when they bat Mount Sion in 1959,” said the councillor.

What Cllr Whelan neglected to mention however, was the truly amazing scoreline, whereby Lismore scored 11-3 and Mount Sion finished as they began, 0-0!! (Information & photo courtesy of photo website by John Barry of Ballinwillin, Lismore: http://homepage.eircom.net/~westwaterford/montage.htm

Cllr Whelan believes were it not for Rule 44 (The Ban) outlawing participation in ‘foreign’ games, Paddy would have forged a dual sporting career. Then again, perhaps it would have been treble sports -”he was a very good cricketer too”, says Cllr Whelan, himself a wicket man in the past also. “His uncle, Moss Pollard, was a great referee and handled many big Munster games,” adds Cllr Whelan.