Henry Shefflin bags €23,900 for O'Neill Centre

SUPPORTERS, friends and staff from Kilkenny’s O’Neill Centre travelled to Dublin with great hope on Tuesday.

 

Men, women and some children, bussed it to RTE in Montrose to cheer on hurling hero Henry Shefflin in a novel match.

All were hoping that the Ballyhale Shamrocks man would play the game of his life as he represented the O’Neill Centre in a Celebrity Winning Streak.

As usual Henry delivered the goods.

He bagged a whopping €23,900 in prize-money which, in the words of O'Neill Centre Director of Services Lucy Dooley will "make a huge difference to the services provided at the Centre."

The financial boost is a great filip for the Centre, according to fundraiser and volunteer Eamonn Cleere who reminded that for years the O'Neill Centre had provided a range of vital services for children with physical and sensory disabilities.

"We would like to pay tribute to Henry Shefflin for nominating us for Winning Streak and for providing a wonderful boost for all involved at the Centre," Eamonn added.

As the M&A Coaches bus left Woodies Car Park on Kilkenny’s Ring Rood at noon, those on board hoped and prayed that Santa Claus would come early in the shape of King Henry, arguably Ireland’s finest hurler.

They needn't have worried. Henry played his usual cool game, adding touches of class and charm as he did the St Joseph's Road, Kilkenny Centre proud. His able opponents included singing star Daniel O'Donnell and Sharon Corr of the Corrs.

Among those cheering on Henry were former James Stephens and Kilkenny star Joe Hennessy, handball kingpin Michael, ‘Ducksy’ Walsh.

And as the happy bus motored back to Kilkenny there was further good news for the O'Neill Centre.

Speaking to Kilkenny Alive by telephone, Ducksy Walsh said he looked forward to heading up a major fundraiser for the Centre on January 11 or 12.

That will consist of a sponsored cycle around Kilkenny, taking in places like Ballyhale, Thomastown, Bennettsbridge, Gowran and Castlecomer, and all the home towns of Kilkenny's four-in-a-row hurling heroes.

All of the Kilkenny hurling squad will be involved in the novel spin.

The Celebrity Winning Streak will be screened on RTE on New Year's Eve.