Mike O’Halloran about to help himself to brownies baked by Ciara Flaherty and her mom Noreen in Lixnaw.
Our hurling writer, Mike O’Halloran, is continuing to sample the culinary delights and hospitality in north Kerry’s hurling venues during the hurling championship as ‘The Great Kerry Hurling Cake-Off’ continues…
THE Great Kerry Hurling Cake Off continues for the next few weeks with the competition hotting up and the caterers using every trick in the book to gain favour with the judge.
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was partial to Mikados and I did not like rhubarb and the caterers have taken note, because the rhubarb tart is now hidden under the table and is only produced on request, much like the ‘speakeasies’ of 1930s Chicago.
Meanwhile I was greeted in Lixnaw with a plate of Mikados with my name on them and on my visit later to Kilmoyley, I was presented with an opened packet of Mikados all for myself (needless to say I did not accept in order to preserve the integrity of the competition).
Some spread put on by the Lixnaw ladies. That plate of Mikados in front didn’t last long after this photo was taken. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
The competition is now fierce and all bylaws are being implemented to decide the ultimate winners.
On my last visit to Lixnaw, I was forced to wash my own cup so marks were deducted on that occasion.
Kilmoyley also lost marks because not only did I have to wash my own cup, I also has to make the tea myself and wear an apron (the chances of Kilmoyley winning are slim).
A dejected looking Mike O’Halloran suffers the indignity of making his own tea in Kilmoyley. Oh the humanity!
Kilmoyley did have two points added to their score though, as they swear their fare is all homemade and they did have the product of the sponsors of the Kerry Hurling championship, Garveys SuperValu, on display.
Abbeydorney and Causeway are still in the frame, as there is a chance that the semi-finals could be be held in their pitches (the hurling semis that is).
The Kilmoyley ladies with delicious looking goodies. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Ballyduff caterers are still the odds-on favourites because of their fantastic selection of chocolate biscuits. Abbeydorney are way ahead in the best sandwich and buttered curny cake category, with Causeway topping the selection and presentation category.
So all to play for, the coming weeks will tell a lot.
Some of the caterers will be on Radio Kerry with Deirdre Walsh on her afternoon programme TalkAbout on Tuesday at 1.30pm, so tune into them to learn how much work is being done by the ladies in GAA clubs all over the country.
Often this work is unseen and taken for granted.
