County Down aunty brings nephew to Wexford to see his hero Lee Chin play
There are not awards going for the greatest aunty of all-time, but if there were, this woman from County Down would be in the running…
A woman from County Down, Nicola Kearney Aksu, brought her nephew, Jonah Kearney (8) and his friend, Niamh McGarry (11) all the way from Portaferry in County Down to see Lee Chin play in the Wexford Senior Club Hurling Championship.
Her nephew is a huge fan of Lee Chin. The Wexford man is one of his favourite hurlers and he wanted to see him play up close and in the flesh, but this would come as a surprise for young Johah as he didn’t know where he was going with his aunt.
Up stepped Nicola who decided to hop in the car and get on the road to O’Kennedy Park in New Ross, with Lee’s club team, the Faythe Harriers set to take on Oylegate-Glenbrien in the second round of the Wexford Senior Hurling Championship on Saturday, July 13th.
“We got the ferry on July 13th from Portaferry to Strangford at 8.45 am and it took us approximately 4hrs 30 mins drive then,” Nicola told Wexford Weekly.
The trip was well-worth it though, as the kids were successful in meeting Lee Chin both before and after the game. Nicola said that Lee was incredibly forth-coming.
“We got to meet Lee before the game and after the game. Pat Henebery brought the kids and ourselves to just outside the harriers dressing room and brought Lee out to the kids. He asked the kids names and asked if we were on holiday and we explained that he had travelled that morning to come see him play in his championship game. Lee was very forthcoming and brilliant with the kids conversation flowed. He signed jerseys, sticks, cards and balls and he said he would also see them after the game and made sure we all had a picture taken.”
Lee Chin scored an impressive point from an almost impossible angle for the Faythe Harriers in their round two Pettitt's Senior Hurling Championship clash versus Oylegate Glenbrien today in O Kennedy Park, New Ross. pic.twitter.com/mFJGKQnaC2
True to his word, after helping his club team to victory against Oylegate-Glenbrien, Chin met up with Nicola, Jonah, and Niamh once again.
After the game, her nephew enjoyed a conversation with his hero, Lee Chin, while they also got a picture with Chin and his county team-mates, Shane Reck and Damien Reck, who were playing on the opposition team.
“After the game had finished, Jonah and Niamh went over to him and congratulated him on their win. He told the kids to ‘come with me and I will let you meet the Reck brothers too.’ Jonah had four hurling cards that he wanted to get signed. He met the brothers and had pics taken. All thanks to Lee,” Nicola told Wexford Weekly.
Nicola also told us that all of this was a surprise for her nephew:
“This was a surprise for Jonah. He did not know where we were going; he guessed every county under the sun and eventually when he arrived he was absolutely ecstatic. He was thankful that he was going to watch a championship game. He loved watching it and was delighted to see them win,” she said.
After the Faythe Harriers game, it was time to head back to Down and make the long trip back home. Match watched, pictures attained for the memory bank, hurls signed, heroes met, children’s day made. A perfect combination.
“We stayed for Lee’s game and then travelled back home to Portaferry to make sure we got the ferry home and we arrived home about 9.30pm.”
Despite the travel time, it was a journey that was well worth it for Nicola and she insists that she will be returning to Wexford to watch more championship games in the future, noting that the hospitality that she received from all the clubs and delegates was second to none.
“We will be back. We also got to meet Ned Buggy who spent some time with us chatting as he knows Portaferry GAC very well and also played up here. Pat also invited the kids to a training session and a puck about win the team. We have nothing but good things to say about both clubs along with the Geraldine O’ Hanrahan’s club, who were so accommodating, friendly, and helpful,” she said.
The Faythe Harriers ran out victorious on the day, winning on a score-line of 1-21 to 0-17. A perfect day for youngsters Jonah and Niamh, and a perfect day for the Harriers.
Jason Redmond
From Gorey, Jason is the owner of Wexford Weekly. He is also a post-primary English and History teacher.
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