Kilmessan man in good company

FROM a bitterly cold Pairc Tailteann to the scorching heat of Abu Dhabi, regarded as one of the richest cities in the world. That"s the transition Stephen Clynch will make in less than a week as he embarks on a mission to Abu Dhabi to help Leinster win the Inter-Provincial hurling final. Last Sunday Clynch cracked over a late, winning point as Meath narrowly edged out Kildare by a point in the NHL Div 3A as a icy wind swirled around Pairc Tailteann. He also lofted over a magnificent score from well inside his own half in the first-half. Next Saturday Clynch will be part of the Leinster team that tackles Connacht in the Inter-Provincial decider which is due to be played in the searing heat of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The game will be shown live on TG4 with the action due to start at midday, Irish time. The football final is due to be played later in the year. Clynch flew out to the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday morning with the rest of the Leinster panel that is back-boned by nine players from Kilkenny. There are also players from Dublin, Wexford, Westmeath and Offaly included in the panel. The team is managed by Wexford man John Conran with Richie Power senior and Brian Whelehan the selectors. The travelling party start their return journey home on Sunday. Because of various club and inter-county commitments the Leinster players have been unable to train together over the past few weeks. Clynch"s selection is a considerable achievement considering he plays in the relative backwater of the NHL Div 3. The Kilmessan man came on for the closing stages of Leinster"s Inter-Provincial semi-final victory over Ulster at Casement Park a few weeks ago while Connacht out-gunned Munster in the other semi-final. This will not be the first time Clynch has travelled abroad on a hurling trip. 'I certainly regard it as a honour to play for my province and to be involved with some of the best players around. The trip to Abu Dhabi is a great bonus after the year I"ve had, I suppose,' he told the Meath Chronicle on Monday as he prepared for his trip to the Middle East. 'I went with the Leinster team to Boston a few years ago although I didn"t play. Munster beat us by a few points. It"s great for any player involved to get a trip away like this,' added the Kilmessan player. As part of an attempt to create interest in the Railway Cup competition the hurling finals have been fixed for the unusual setting of the UAE and the sight of the ancient game between some of Ireland"s top players is sure to fascinate any locals who show up. Once again financial backing for the competition is provided by Clare man Martin Donnelly who is also sponsoring the Meath hurling team for another year. It is understood that Donnelly is supporting the Inter-Provincial competition, formerly the Railway Cup, to the tune of €100,000 per year. Donnelly has stated his determination to play his part in helping to sustain a competition that formally attracted huge crowds to Croke Park on St Patrick"s Day. Over the past few years various novel attempts have been made to create interest in the Inter-provincial competitions including staging the finals in Rome, Paris, Boston and under lights at Croke Park with Donnelly determined to keep the competition alive. Clynch"s selection on the Leinster team is a further honour for the Kilmessan player in what has been an unforgettable year when he produced a series of five-star performances. Taking over at centre-back on the Kilmessan side early last year Clynch blossomed into a quality performer and he played a major role in helping his club claim their 28th SHC title. His displays for club and county earned him the Meath hurler-of-the-year award. Last year another Meath hurler, David Crimmins, was also involved in helping Leinster win the Inter-Provincial hurling final. Clynch was also a big player for Kilmessan as they progressed to the semi-final of the All-Ireland club IHC where they were defeated by Galway side Cappataggle. Once again Clynch played well however, he was sent off in extra-time in that game and Kilmessan"s challenge fell away. Last June he also captained Meath to the Kehoe Cup.