The late Richard "Son" Cashin The sudden and untimely death of Dick "Son" Cashin cast a pall of gloom and sadness over the south of the county and indeed wherever, hurling is discussed in the county. Born a couple of yards from the crossroads in Ballacolla, Richard was called "Son" from an early age, mainly because his father was also Richard who ran a grocery business in the famous hurling village. "Son" was born in 1944 when hurling in Ballacolla was very strong. The club had provided several of the Laois team that won the only All-Ireland in 1915, including goalie Paddy Ryan and Jack Finlay, along with brother Tom and cousins Sean and PJ. They all played juvenile hurling with Saint Canice's in nineteen sixty three, all four lined out with the club who, against all the odds qualified for a first senior final since the record breaking five in a row by Ballygeehan 1914 to 18 inclusive. Their opponents were Camross who were seeking a second title after a thrilling contest Camross claimed the O'Keefe cup for a second time with just three times. "Son" Cashin was just nineteen then and after an excellent performance the future looked bright, unfortunately that was the nearest "Son" ever got to a senior medal, in fact his first championship medal did not arrive until he helped Bacallolla beat Ballinakill in a replay of the intermediate championship final, nine years later. In between "Son" lined out at centre forward in the first ever u/21 final in 1965 but again Camross denied him that elusive medal. By now he was catching the eye of the Laois selectors and after playing with the u/21 county team in the early rounds of the Leinster championship he lost out to Wexford in the final. Despite this he did make the senior team and made his debut in the Walsh cup against Kilkenny, played in August 1965. His direct opponent was Martin Coogan of Castlecomer and the young Cashin scored a point. Two months later he made his debut in the N.J.L. against the same opposition. 40 years ago "Son" made his championship debut for Laois against lowly Carlow and if people think that hurling is now at a low ebb, it was equally bad then. At Nolan Park, Carlow caused the upset of the year defeating the O'Moore county. "Son" was now joined on the team by his brother Tom who lined out in the goal. They continued to play for many years without reward at, club level there was no reward either. In 1974 they got to a first semi-final in eleven years and were fancied to reach another final. However, the fame turned out to be a damp squib as Camross once again denied "Son" and his colleagues. The club then went into decline and returned to the junior grade. His second medal was claimed when they beat Timahoe in the junior final 26 years ago. They also reached the league decider and were hot favourites to complete the double and once again Camross provided the opposition and as they had done on previous occasions Camross caused a major upset and claimed the title. In the centenary year exactly twenty one years after his senior debut "Son" Cashin now a first choice goalie helped his club reach the O'Brady cup final for a third time. In 1965 losing to Camross in 1978 losing to Rathdowney now "Son" lined out in another final against Camross. Played on a bitterly cold day in November "Son" Cashin denied Camross a goal but his efforts were not enough Camross again denied him a medal on a scoreline of 0-10 to 0-07. That was to be his final game with a club he served with distinction. "Son" Cashin failed to reap the rewards his devotion and skill deserved. His death brings to eight the number of the sixty three panel who have passed to their eternal reward. Apart from his love of the GAA his favourite past time were his dogs and gun, a gifted sportsman and an excellent mechanic. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Mary from Kells in County Kilkenny, his son Ricky who followed in his fathers footsteps his daughters, Alison and Nicola, brothers Patrick and Tom, sisters Maureen, Kathleen, Cecelia and Breda, uncles, daughters-in-law as well as whole community of friends. He was laid to rest on Saturday morning in St Fergal's churchyard right beside the hurling pitch where his skills were nurtured. The attendance on both occasions was overflowing, a tribute to a man who loved everybody particularly sports people. May he rest in peace. PD Courtesy of the Leinster Express 26 March 2006 Tweet

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