Regarding Henry.. it’s flattering
RISING Kilkenny star Adrian Mullen says comparisons to club colleague Henry Shefflin are a little overwhelming.
Former Kilkenny minor captain Mullen fired five points for the Shefflin managed Ballyhale Shamrocks in last month’s AIB All-ireland club final win.
He was rewarded for his thrilling form with the AIB Club Hurler of the Year award and admits that Shefflin is his idol.
The physical similarities are striking too with fellow flame haired forward Mullen, 19, a similar height and weight to the great one.
Mullen said: “I don’t know how to describe a comparison like that, just to be in the same sentence as him is unreal.
“Then to be managed by him, it’s just unreal. I can’t really describe it, you just have to take it in your stride and learn off him.”
Mullen has teamed up with the Kilkenny seniors and says he sees strong similarities between bosses Brian Cody and Shefflin.
He said: “I can see how Henry has become the manager he is, by listening to Brian. They are both very good at trying to get things just right and not letting softness creep into the team.”
Meanwhile, Mullen is optimistic about Kilkenny’s Championship chances despite being largely written off for the All-ireland.
The Ballyhale attacker made his senior debut in a challenge game against Cork last month, nine days after powering his club to All-ireland success.
Mullen said: “Obviously we believe as players that we can beat anyone on our day. We just have to kind of block out what everyone else is saying.
“We just concentrate on ourselves and on trying to do our best every day we go out. If our best isn’t good enough, so be it. But that’s all you can do and we believe we can beat everyone on our day.”