The GAA, warts and all, in Ballyporeen drama

Following his hugely successful ‘From The Shoulders Down’, Blessington actor/writer, Richard Lynch brings his new play ‘Face The Short Kick Out’ to Ballyporeen Community Hall, on Saturday, April 12 at 8.00 pm..

There are few, if any, families who don’t have some connection with the GAA on or off the field. And even those who have no involvement whatsoever are still fascinated as to what makes it tick.

And it’s from this very cornerstone that Richard Lynch draws on completely new material to create a compelling and humourous piece of drama.

This is not the glamour side of the Association. No! It’s far removed from R.T.E. cameras or ‘The Sunday Game’. He cuts deep into the heartland of the Association – the Club.

The parochialism, the pride of the little village and the bitter rivalry that sometimes follows neighbouring clubs when they clash are clearly evident throughout.

Kilkeerin GAA Club are about to open their new State of the Art Clubhouse. The Club is also celebrating its fiftieth anniversary which makes the event twofold.

However, this momentous occasion is clouded by events from a bygone era.

Sonny Halpin, now in his sixties, lays bare much of the club’s history from its earliest years to the present day in an effort to bury the ghosts of the past that continually haunt him.

We meet him as a sprightly youth when the club rented a swampy field as their first playing pitch.

An array of characters follows, including a larger than life trainer and his primitive methods, an unorthodox referee, a dyed in the wool chairman, a father and son confrontation 
relating to the infamous Ban, a first Dinner Dance and a never to be forgotten football match.

Richard Lynch draws on previously unchartered territory, laced with Humour, Pathos, Tribalism, Bigotry, Heartbreak and Triumph to deliver a memorable nights’ Theatre.

Tickets €10.

Early booking advisable at Post Office, Russell’s Shop and Ellen or James at 0873304779 or 086 8653470