Keher, far right, with Ali (Credit: When Ali Came to Ireland)
HE’S ONE OF hurling’s all-time greats but Kilkenny legend Eddie Keher says he was “starstruck and spellbound” when he Muhammad Ali walked into the room.
The two met when Ali was in Ireland ahead of his Croke Park fight against Al ‘Blue’ Lewis in 1972.
Keher, who won six All-Ireland titles with Kilkenny including one as captain, was the man chosen to teach ‘The Greatest’ how to hurl.
“He was using the hurley like a tennis racket,” Keher recalls in When Ali Came to Ireland, the IFTA-winning documentary.
“He spent ages trying to rise the ball and that. We had good fun.”
Here’s the clip of Ali, who has passed away at the age of 74:
The clip above is taken from the IFTA-winning When Ali Came to Ireland. More info here.
A version of this piece was originally published on 10 October, 2013.
Was a very tough break as he was definitely well able to make birdie at the last for the play off but wasn’t really stolen from him to be fair. Straka played sensational golf when it counted from 14
@Anthony Ryan: Lowrys 3rd shot just wasn’t good enough when Strakas 2nd was. Lowry was amazing all day but Straka deserved it for me.
@Gary O’Rourke: don’t know if you have ever tried taking a golf shot during a Florida down pour but I am going to guess you haven’t . Lowry rushed but unlucky timing without a doubt . Straka got a drive away that Lowry didn’t have a chance to as the down pour had started in between their tee shots . Straka was brilliant and deserved it but luck also played a part no doubt about it .
Unfortunately had a poor tee shot on 18, otherwise flawless. Love Lowry, a class act. Superb weekend’s play.
Who doesn’t love this man, I could only imagine the scenes if he wins at Augusta
@Cranesofdublin: I don’t. I used to but not anymore.
@Paul Kelleher: Why is that Paul ?
If this was McIlroy, there’d be lads on here saying he’s a choker.
@Eoin McCarthy: hardly the same situation. Lowry didn’t have one bogey while in the lead group in the final round on a tough course
With an $872,000 prize for second I think he’ll be okay.
@feargal de cantuin: they are professionals and winning is everything ! Ok, the money helps lessen the burden.
You can see he left the rain get to him emotionally even before tee shot” as in why me” it’s something he has to work on because it holds him back ,look it was a bad break but that’s golf
@Jem Mehmet: He could do with someone like you on board. He might make it in golf one day. Here’s hoping.
Used to be a huge fan of Lowrys but I just cant warm to him anymore. His comments re the Saudi golf situation just did it for me. Was watching him last night but not really rooting for him. I wanted to but I just couldn’t. Cant help but feel he got a little bit of Karma with the downpour. For him to say the tournament was ‘stolen’ from him was ridiculous. Straka scored -3 over the last 5 holes while Lowry stayed even par. The back 9 on Sunday is when it really counts and he didn’t perform well enough. Straka had 4 shots in the rain while Lowry had 5 and he moans about it. After missing out on the win I dont know how he is going to put food on the table. I suppose there is alwsys SA! Seamus, Rory and Murphy to name a few are the ones I’m shouting for from now on.
Unlucky Shane…keep at it, doing us proud.
the article isn’t correct. Lowry wasn’t forced to lay up because of the rain, he was forced to layup because he hit a terrible drive pulling it way left into heavy rough. Strake played the back 9 brilliantly and was deserved winner.
But sure Lowry will have his appearance fee from the Saudi International to put food on the table so he’ll be fine.