To emulate the lads of ’72

best or just be happy with a final place but this man, as well as all the backroom team and players are focused on the prize on offer.

“We have to win, we must win this year. We know we are up against a great Kanturk team with some big names but we have balance. We also have some sensational hurlers with the likes of Cormac Murphy and many others but overall around the pitch I think we have got that balance you need. We have plenty talent that will be big names in the future with the likes of Paul Lyons, Darragh Moynihan and loads more. I think we have a great balance of 20 plus. Our subs bench is really good too and you will need that to win. All the lads that have played this year have been terrific and a great support to the lads on the pitch and everyone is behind us so hopefully together we can do it on the night.

“All that said this is not going to be about any one player it is going to be a real battle on the day and honestly we wouldn’t have it any other way. We are two hurling sides that want to play the game the right way so I think it will be a great game. We have to start right. Our attitude must be right from the first whistle. We have lost games before thanks to poor starts so we must start well. You won’t win it in the first 20 minutes but you could lose it.”

Buckley agrees that Mallow as a town and as a GAA club should have a senior hurling side however that is no guarantee of success.

“Of course Mallow should be senior, but Kanturk could say that too. There are many clubs around north Cork and beyond that think we have the facilities and the players but if the last three years have shown anything it is that all that is no guarantee of anything. Kanturk want to be senior just as much as us, but hopefully on the day we can finally make it back to where we feel we should be.”